In keeping with its mission to “build better futures by providing affordable, accessible, quality educational programs and workforce development in a student-centered environment in order to meet the community’s needs,” Martin Community College offers a range of distance learning options. Distance learning includes any course or program in which less than or equal to 50% of the instruction is delivered online. Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous. Most distance learning courses at MCC are delivered via the Internet or the North Carolina Information Highway, and some courses may be supplemented by videoconferencing technology.

Students have the option to enroll in courses using various delivery formats, including courses that are conducted completely online via the Learning Management System (LMS), courses that meet fully on campus (but may have a supplemental LMS shell), and courses that combine on-campus and online contact. MCC also offers distance learning classes through the North Carolina Information Highway, where courses may be broadcast from other institutions to the MCC campus and from MCC to other institutions.

Course Delivery Formats

Online Instruction

College curriculum or continuing education course in which 100% of the instruction is delivered online. Courses may have proctored testing, but instruction is delivered online.

Hybrid Instruction

College curriculum or continuing education course in which >50%, but <100% of instruction is delivered online. Instructional delivery methods may include, but are not limited to: Internet, LMS, licensed instructional video, CD, TV, DVD, instructional software, or other media.

Blended Instruction

College curriculum or continuing education course in which less than or equal to 50% of instruction is delivered online. Instructional delivery methods may include, but are not limited to: Internet, LMS, licensed instructional video, CD, TV, DVD, instructional software, or other media.

Hybrid Instruction (HyFlex)

A multi-modal instructional delivery method where the college has the option to deliver the online portion of a curriculum or continuing education course synchronously, asynchronously, or both as long as 100% of the instruction is offered face to face with the instructor in a physical classroom. Students may choose to attend the regularly scheduled in-person session or the online option on a session by-session basis.

Standards and Learning Goals

Distance learning courses at Martin Community College are conducted with the same academic rigor as face-to-face courses and comply with the Principles of Accreditation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

• Students in distance learning courses are expected to commit the same amount of time to studying and completing assignments and are assessed on the same learning outcomes as students in equivalent face-to-face courses.
• Credits awarded for distance learning courses are the same as those awarded for equivalent face-to-face courses.
• Faculty who teach distance learning courses hold the same credentials and possess the same subject area expertise as faculty in equivalent face-to-face courses. Faculty members who teach these courses are expected to be proficient in delivering online instruction.

Successful Students

While a distance learning course can be convenient for a student juggling multiple responsibilities outside of school and can allow flexibility in completing coursework, distance learning courses may not be the best option for every student. Consider the following list of traits traditionally associated with online learning success when deciding on online option:

• Independent Learner: self-regulates course involvement to meet requirements.
• Time management: completes course activities in a timely manner, does not procrastinate; creates a schedule of course activities to manage time effectively.
• Reading and communication skills: has a good grasp of the written word as a large majority of online learning occurs through forum postings, emails, assignments and other features.
• Technology access and skills: has regular, unimpeded access to a computer with reliable high-speed Internet access; is proficient in using computer programs such as Microsoft Word, using course delivery systems such as the LMS, and using the Internet for research and learning.
• Motivated and goal-oriented: self-selects objectives and uses organizational tools to stay on track.

Students who enroll in an online, hybrid, blended, or HyFlex class are also encouraged to complete the online Moodle Student Orientation. MCC’s Distance Learning Department is available to assist students with supplemental Moodle orientation and troubleshooting. Email [email protected] for assistance.

Student Responsibilities

While distance learning courses allow students flexibility in completing course work, these courses are not self-paced. A student in a distance learning course is expected to complete assignments regularly and by assigned due dates, just as in a face-to-face course.

A student in a distance learning course is expected to “attend” class regularly. These courses begin on the first day of the semester and run according to the MCC Academic Calendar schedule, just as face-to-face classes do. A student in an online course must complete an enrollment assignment (designated by the instructor) during the first ten percent (10%) of a course to be considered enrolled in the class. If a student does not complete the enrollment assignment by the census date, the student will be dropped from the class.

Attendance in distance learning courses may be based on assignments submitted. A student who does not complete assignments for distance learning courses for a specified period of time may be administratively withdrawn from the course. Specific assignment and attendance requirements are outlined in each course syllabus.

A student in distance learning courses is responsible for communicating with his or her instructor. The student should check his or her MCC e-mail and the course LMS site regularly for messages from the instructor, and the student should contact the instructor immediately with any questions or problems.

Ensuring Student Identity

Each Martin Community College student is assigned an official myMartin account with a unique, confidential online user ID and instructions to create a unique password. The user ID is a combination of the student’s name and MCC student identification number; the initial, randomized password is provided in the student’s welcome letter and/or personal email address with instructions to reset the password through MCC’s Password Portal. On first logon, students are prompted to setup multifactor authentication (MFA) and to change their password from the initial password. MFA increases the security of students account by ensuring that even the students password being stolen does not necessarily breach the account. This combination of user ID, MFA, and password is the only means by which an MCC student can access distance-learning courses. This combination allows a student to access only the courses for which he or she is registered. To protect student privacy and insure the identity of a student logged into a course, students are encouraged to keep their login information confidential.

Ensuring Security and Privacy

Distance learning courses are offered through the Moodle Open Learning Management System, owned by Learning Technologies Group (LTG), the largest commercial Moodle provider in the world. Moodle Open LMS offers support for secrity and maintaining online privacy in its learning platforms. For a copy of LTG’s Data Protection Policy, email [email protected]. In addition, as stated above, Martin Community College ensures student security and privacy by encouraging students to keep their login information confidential.

Equality of Access

Because Martin Community College stresses equivalent rigor and learning outcomes in its distance learning courses, students in these courses have equal access to academic resources and services via MCC e-mail, Internet, and telephone. Most resources and services are available in person, online, by phone, or by videoconference.

Technical Support

Students who experience log in issues with myMartin accounts, including to the LMS, can receive assistance by calling the MCC Technical Support help line at 252-789-0300, emailing [email protected], or visiting the College website.