Online Learning

Course Delivery Options

Face-to-Face: Face-to-face courses are traditional courses with regularly scheduled on-campus or approved offsite class meetings with no more than 24% online instruction time. All instructors teaching face-to-face courses use the Blackboard learning management system to communicate course information such as course syllabus, plan of instruction, course policies, instructor information, assignment due dates and student grades. However, instructors may use other learning tools including online discussions, quizzes or assignments.

Blended (Hybrid): Blended courses include a minimum of 25% face-to-face instruction on campus or at an approved off-site location with the remaining course instruction time occurring online. The schedule and structure (which may include online assignments, discussion forums, labs, etc.) can vary significantly from one blended course to another. Faculty teaching blended courses will clearly indicate all on-campus requirements and meeting times in the course syllabus or plan of study. Students may incur additional expenses such as equipment (i.e. microphone or webcam) and/or test proctoring. 

Online: In an online course, instructors conduct all instruction, assignments, projects and research using digital tools and the Blackboard learning management system. Online courses may require students to make occasional trips to campus or an approved site for proctored testing. Students may incur additional expenses such as equipment (i.e. microphone or webcam) and/or test proctoring. 

• Synchronous: Online courses have required established class meeting/session times that students meet virtually. Faculty are required to record these online lectures.
• Asynchronous: Online courses do not have established class meeting/session times.

Online Learning Minimum Technical Requirements

• Reliable desktop or laptop computer with virus protection
• High-speed internet access
• Webcam and microphone
• Word processing program (for access to Microsoft 365, go to http://libguides.pubfish.net/c.php?g=37374&p=238457)
• Pdf reader

Online Learning Requirement: COL 111 (E-Learning Success)

• Effective fall 2018, students who are either new or returning to GTC after a three-semester break AND who plan to take an online course(s) must complete a 1-credit, online COL 111 course designed to foster success in an online learning environment. While COL 111 could be helpful to any student, it is not currently required for continuing students or students who plan to take only face-to-face or blended courses.
• Before registering for any fully online course, affected students must have either completed COL 111 successfully (prerequisite) or be registered for COL 111 (co-requisite) in the same term.
• Faculty members have designed COL 111 to introduce students to basic computer skills and functions necessary to navigate the Blackboard learning management system. COL 111 also includes assignments for students to self-assess whether they are prepared for online learning.
• Unlike other courses, COL 111 tuition is set at $50 plus student fee. Furthermore, there is no additional textbook cost. In most cases, the course will not be eligible for financial aid.

Registering for online or hybrid courses is done the same way as registering for a traditional classroom course at GTC. Start by applying to the college - step 1 of the enrollment process.

The college’s goal is to make student services available to all students. The following serves as a list of resources for distance education students so they may access the many services provided by a variety of departments when it is not convenient for students to come to campus.

• Academic Advising
• Testing Services
• Technical Support
• Student Policies & Grievance Procedures
• Online Tutoring
• Online Learning Policies & Resources
• Additional Student Services

Institutional Complaint - online form

• Access for current students
• Access for non-students

View the full procedure »