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Online/Distance Learning
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Online/Distance Learning FAQs What is "distance learning?" Distance learning is the delivery of course materials to off-campus, remote students using various technologies. Distance learning at IVCCD offers convenience and flexibility for students who might not otherwise be able to take those courses. How do Internet-based distance learning courses work? All the components of a course (lectures, discussions, exercises, etc.) are delivered online via the Internet. Students have access via email to the course instructor and can contact their fellow students. Students have the convenience of receiving instructor feedback via email. A student will be given step-by-step instructions on how to register and complete coursework from the course instructor, as each course varies in its requirements and specifics. All of our ongoing online courses are open to "inspection" to some degree and may be viewed from our main online course schedule. Are IVCCD online courses accredited? Yes, all IVCCD programs and courses are accredited just like on-campus courses from The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association, more recently the Higher Learning Council. Are IVCCD online courses VA approved? Yes, all IVCCD programs & courses are VA approved, as are all the for-credit course at IVCCD. Our Financial Aid office can give you the specifics. How do I know if online courses are for me? Not all learning styles suit all students. Those who are typically most successful at online coursework are self-motivated and comfortable using a computer. If you do not mind being physically separated from other students and find your busy schedule makes it impossible to attend a traditional classroom setting, then online learning might be just right for you. Take this simple quiz to find out more specifically whether online courses are right for you. Can I complete my online class at my own pace? To a degree. Our courses start and end at the same time as our regular courses. We have found that it is a better online experience if the students in a course work through the material at a similar pace. Some courses will require you to complete modules and assignments by a certain date. Other courses are more flexible, depending on the instructor's requirements. You should check the syllabus of the course you are considering to determine the specific requirements and deadlines. Is the quality of IVCCD online courses the same as on-campus courses? Yes! Our online courses are taught by the same course instructors who teach on campus and are comfortable with online course delivery. You will have access to email and threaded discussions so that all of your questions will be answered, and discussions will flow freely at a time convenient for you. How many online courses can I take in a semester? IVCCD allows students to enroll in the same number of online classes as they would be allowed to enroll in if they were an on-campus student, although we would normally advise that twocourses per semester via online delivery is sufficient for most people in normal situation. What computer equipment do I need? More or less, nothing special. An average 500 Mhz Pentium with a 56k dial-up connection are sufficient at this time. More important is the availability of a reliable internet connection in a location conducive to relaxed study. How will I receive assignments and how will I be tested in the course? After you get access to the class, you should review the information found in the syllabus section for your class. This information will explain to you the process to get started in your class, assignment deadlines and test procedures. Common method used to receive and submit assignments is by email, but each instructor has different requirements. Are there specific deadlines that I will need to meet? Yes, there will be deadlines, just as in traditional classes. Timelines will vary according to each class. You will get access to the course on the beginning date of the class(es). See the syllabus for your class for due dates. Most important is to develop personal habits to ensure you complete the course material in a timely manner. Instructors do not routinely remind you of individual assignments and their due dates. Do I ever have to come to campus to complete the program? No, never. (But of course you are always welcome.) Will an onlinecourse appear on an official college transcript? The online course will appear as any other credit course that you take from from MCC, ECC or Iowa Valley Grinnell. There will be no notification on the transcript to show that it was taken through a distance learning delivery method. How much do online courses cost? Internet-based courses cost exactly the same as a normal IVCCD course. What is the payment process? We use the same tuition and fee procedures and timelines as regular courses. Are online courses open to international students? Of course! See specific guidelines for international students at MCCAdmissions.com or ECCAdmissions.com. How do I register? To register for a course you MUST fill out the online application form. Select the appropriate form below: When can I start my classes? We have three main starting points per year – Fall, Spring, and Summer. Where do I buy my books and software? Textbooks and software required for each course are available from the college bookstore. The MCC/Iowa Valley Grinnell Bookstore is online. The ECC Bookstore can be reached by emailing Prentice.Loftstedt@iavalley.edu . How do I drop an online class? To drop a course you must email the appropriate Admissions Office:
Who can I call or email if I have questions? If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions, please email Mandy.Pohle@iavalley.edu . Mandy can also be reached by phoning 641-844-5715.
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3702 S. Center St., Marshalltown, IA 50158 • Ph: 641-752-4643 • E: ivinfo@iavalley.edu |
