ECCC Distance Learning
Distance Learning Goals
To provide quality educational programming
To provide students with greater access to
higher education resources
To reduce focus on place and time restraints for
delivery of educational services
To provide educational/student services equal in
content and quality to traditional educational/student services
To provide opportunities within the courses
offered via distance learning for student/faculty interaction
To ensure comparability to traditional on-campus
classes through systematic planning and evaluation.
Distance Learning Procedures
Educational Programs
A. Course Quality
All distance learning courses will adhere to the same high standards of quality that are set for traditional on-campus courses. The quality is comparable in (1) content as evidenced by course syllabi, (2) textbook, (3) methods of evaluation, (4) learning competencies/outcomes, and (5) grading scale.
B. MSVCC Course Content File
The content of each distance learning course is provided to the MSVCC Core Content File for the express purpose of verifying acceptable course content among MSVCC courses in addition to verifying the distance learning course in comparison to traditional on-campus courses.
C. Course Development Process
All faculty have the option to develop distance learning courses, however, curriculum priorities and staffing require a course-by-course evaluation. Any faculty member who wishes to develop a distance learning course must submit a request to the appropriate division chairperson. Upon initial approval, the request is submitted to the Vice President for Instruction for final approval. The instructor will receive support and assistance from the Distance Learning Coordinator in the development of the course. All components of the course must be completed prior to submission to the MSVCC master schedule.
D. Course Review
A course review will be completed for each course and instructor on a regular basis. The course review will include, but not necessarily limited to, student satisfaction, learning competencies/outcomes, student retention, student grades, and support of the course through learning resources and student services.
E. Ownership of Materials/Copyright
F. Advertisement of Distance Learning Courses
Information regarding all courses offered through the MSVCC is made available to all ECCC students. All courses are advertised through printed materials and appropriate web sites.
G. Student/Instructor Interaction
In addition to communication between students, communication between students and instructors is essential to the success of a distance learning course. The specific requirements for frequent e-mail, chat rooms, and discussion boards are presented in the course materials. Contact may also be made through the telephone, mail, or in-person office visits during the instructor’s regular office hours.
H. Course Platform
The State Board for Community and Junior Colleges (SBCJC) currently has a contract with Blackboard to provide a server and the platform for all MSVCC courses via a website. (msvcc.blackboard.com) All MSVCC courses are required to use this common platform.
I.
J. Proctored Exams
All
Student Support Services
A. Admissions
Distance learning students must meet the same admission requirements and follow the same admissions processes as those required of traditional on-campus students of ECCC. Students may complete an application and register for online classes at the website following the instructions on the distance learning link.
B. Advising and Counseling
All distance learning students are
provided access to an advisor and counselor via online the College’s website or
in person. A list of distance learning
advisors and counselors is provided on the distance learning website which
gives campus designations, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers and office hours
per week. Graduation requirements for
all degrees, diplomas, and certificates are set forth in the
C. Withdrawal from Distance Learning Class
Students wishing to withdraw from a
distance learning class must adhere to college policies and procedures by
completing the appropriate paperwork through the Distance Learning
Coordinator/Distance Learning Assistant and the Registrar’s Office. Students wishing to withdraw from the College
must follow the guidelines outlined in the
D. Student Records
All student records are maintained in the same manner whether that student is a distance learning student or a traditional student. Students must request their transcripts in writing by either mail or fax including a signature, social security number, and applicable charge. Transcript fees are $2 for current students and $3 for all others.
E. Financial Aid
Equal access to all financial aid is provided to all students. Information regarding financial aid and institutional scholarships is available on the College’s website as well as in person on campus. Financial aid counselors are available to all students to answer any questions and provide further assistance.
F.
Information regarding career development services and placement services may be found at the College’s distance learning website.
G. Special Needs Services
The Vice President for Student Services is the official contact for students with disabilities/special needs. This office assists students with reasonable accommodations to achieve equal access to all college services and programs. Information is provided on the ECCC distance learning website.
H. Student Activities
Information regarding all student activities, including student organizations, campus activities, and sports events is available on the College’s website. Additional information is provided in the Student Handbook.
I. Student Complaints/Grievance Procedures
Any student wishing to make a formal complaint against a service of the College, a program of the College, an employee, or any aspect of the College, should follow the guidelines as set forth in the Student Handbook. A copy of the handbook may be accessed on the College’s website or obtained by requesting a hard copy from the Vice President for Student Services.
J. Remedial/Developmental Assistance
A reasonable amount of assistance is required of faculty as part of a regular class, however to meet the needs of students requiring additional support, students may be referred to tutoring programs. Additionally, a student may be referred to counselors or the Vice President for Student Services for further assistance.
K. Technical Assistance
Students who are experiencing technical difficulties beyond those normally corrected through instructor assistance are referred to the ECCC Distance Learning Coordinator.
L. Bookstore
Information pertaining to ordering books is located on the College’s website. Additional information for MSVCC students is also located on the distance learning website.
M. Library and Learning Resources
Faculty
A. Adjunct Faculty
In the event that an ECCC student enrolls in a hosted MSVCC course, course instructors will be considered adjunct employees of the College. The provider institution will fulfill the faculty credentialing requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
B. Credentials/Repository
In all academic areas, the master’s degree with eighteen (18) graduate semester hours of specialization in the teaching field is considered the minimum requirement. In specialized, professional, vocational or technical fields, evidence of professional competency is acceptable in lieu of academic preparation. This documented evidence must be based upon appropriate training or experience in the specific teaching area. All distance learning and on-campus adjunct faculty are held to the same standards as all full-time ECCC instructors.
All distance learning faculty credentials of the College are provided to the MSVCC central repository for restricted viewing by appropriate host colleges. The College will have restricted viewing of faculty credentials for those courses in which ECCC students are enrolled from other MSVCC providers.
C. Faculty Training and Support
The College provides professional development opportunities on a regular basis which are specifically designed to support distance learning. Technical support is also formally and informally provided. All distance learning instructors must receive adequate training in using Blackboard.
D. Faculty Load and Compensation
The load for a full-time instructor is 15 semester hours which may include traditional on-campus classes, distance learning, or a combination of the two. An instructor is allowed to teach up to two (2) additional courses as an overload. Separate contracts are issued for overload compensation.
Administration and Finance
A. College Personnel
The College has designated qualified personnel for the purpose of the administration of the distance learning program. The College has two distance learning assistants who report to the Distance Learning Coordinator. The DLC reports directly to the Vice President for Instruction. The Vice President for Instruction reports directly to the President of the College.
B. Quality of Distance Learning
The Vice President for Instruction is responsible for the quality of the distance learning program.
C. Advertising/Recruiting
Various marketing techniques are used to advertise and recruit students for distance learning programs. Adequate and accurate recruiting information which includes admissions, registration, curriculum, degree requirements, course requirements, student support services, required technology skills and competencies, financial aid resources, and cost/payment policies are provided to the student in an appropriate and timely manner.
D. Funding
Distance learning operates within designated funds for that purpose as well as funds that are included in the general education budget.
Facilities, Equipment, and Technology
Support
A. Physical Facilities and Equipment
B. Technical Support
Technical support for the College is provided through the Office of the Director forTechnology Management. The Distance Learning Coordinator provides technical assistance to train and support faculty members. Additionally, the DLC, or DLC Assistant provides technical assistance to distance learning students.
Planning and Evaluation
A. Strategic Planning
B. Overall Educational Effectiveness
The assessments include, but are not limited to, student retention, student satisfaction, student grade distributions, and student withdrawals. Course content and student learning outcomes are compared to ensure comparable quality with traditional on-campus courses.
C. Student Work Integrity
The integrity of student work is ensured by ECCC through the use of proctored exams. A proctored final exam is required for each course. Students must present a picture ID before taking exams which are protected by passwords.
D. Student Success Assessment
The degree of student success for those students interested in taking distance learning courses is assessed through a web-based self-assessment on the College’s webpage. This information, in addition to ACT scores and/or institutional placement testing is used to advise students.
E. Student Evaluations of Faculty
Faculty evaluations by students are conducted on a regular basis by MSVCC and are used for improvement by the faculty. Faculty members also perform a self-evaluation in addition to being evaluated by the Vice President for Instruction. Plans for improvement in areas indicated by evaluations are completed by faculty.