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What is Online Learning?

When you take an online class, you might be working with one of our instructors or with an instructor at one of the other participating Iowa community colleges. Regardless of where that instructor is, you earn your college credits through Clinton, Muscatine or Scott Community College (whichever one you choose) and have full access to all of the services that we offer.

You have the option of taking all of your classes online, or combining them with the traditional classroom-based sessions at one of our colleges. Whatever works best for you and your schedule.

For the duration of the course, there is a knowledgeable instructor actively participating in your learning. Instructors participate in and moderate discussions, engage students one-on-one, evaluate assignments and assessments, and facilitate student interactions.

The main difference between online and traditional courses is the delivery format, not the content. Online courses go through the same rigorous curriculum process established by institutions and are taught by experienced, qualified instructors. 
Here are a few highlights of online learning:

• Online learning offers flexibility and convenience. You may access the course from a computer with an internet connection 24 hours a day, seven days a week from home, work, a college campus facility or public library.
  
  
• There are weekly deadlines and assignments, but there are no live classes to attend or mandatory real-time chat sessions to participate in. Instead, lectures, course assignments, quizzes and discussions all take place online at your convenience. In some cases, instructors require proctored exams that can be taken from your hometown area by an approved proctor.
  
  
• Except for taking the quizzes and turning in the assignments when they are due, your schedule is up to you. You must commit to certain time blocks to do your work.

Spend some time exploring some of the links to the right for additional insight into online learning.