What is...

...eLearning?

Every student at GTCC is an eLearning student! Why? Because:

• Over half of our curriculum students take one or more online or webbed courses a semester
• GTCC faculty members use various electronic means of instruction so that the doors of your classroom never close
• Computer literacy and Internet know-how are the employability skill of the 21st century. Your comfort with electronic tools can make or break your chances at future employment

eLearning serves all students, faculty and staff by:

• Maintaining a robust, online learning environment and instructional tools to provide students a high-quality, interactive experience
• Providing on-going training and support
• Creating high-end learning objects for instruction
• Supporting the increase and quality of our eDegree programs

We are located on the Jamestown Campus, LRC, 3rd floor.
Monday - Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

...an Online Class?

If you have never taken an online class before, it may be difficult to imagine what it's like.

Online classes at GTCC are -

Asynchronous: You are not assigned a time to be online to do your course work.

Deadline-driven: You should expect WEEKLY assignments with rigid due dates.

Time intensive: You should expect to spend about 6 to 8 hours a week per online course to complete your course work.

Interactive: You are not studying on an island. You are part of a community of learners. Plan to use a variety of tools to communicate directly with your faculty member and classmates.

Online classes have an "N" as part of the section number. If you use WebAdvisor to search for classes, look for classes with the "Location" of "Off Campus".

All online students must complete eLearning Orientation during the first week of class to learn how to use our online resources. Your instructor may require you submit proof of completion in order to continue in the course. Students can access eLearning Orientation starting the Friday before classes start in Moodle.

...a Webbed Class?

Webbed classes are not for ducks. They are courses that consist of a combination of on-campus classroom sessions AND online course work. Students must complete BOTH parts in order to receive credit for a webbed course.

Webbed classes at GTCC are:

• Some of our most successful classes, because they taps the best of both worlds. You get to meet with your faculty member and classmates but you can put your course work around your busy schedule.
• Synchronous and asynchronous, meaning that you must be on-campus for a synchronous meeting AND complete your weekly work on your computer.

Webbed classes have a "W" as part of the section number.

All webbed students must complete eLearning Orientation during the first week of class to learn how to use our online resources. Your instructor may require you submit proof of completion in order to continue in the course. Students can access eLearning Orientation starting the Friday before classes start in Moodle.

...an On-Campus Class?

On-campus classes meet in classrooms on one of our campuses. Students in these classes should expect to use a computer to some degree to complete course work. This computer work may include:

• Downloading documents.
• Completing assignments and assessments.
• Discussing topics with classmates on a discussion board.

All students will be able to see eLearning Orientation starting the Friday before the first day of classes. Use this resource to learn how to use Moodle, Titan Cruiser and Pronto.

...Our Expectations of Students?

GTCC has specific expectations of our students when they register for an online or webbed course.

• Students must be active in their courses starting with the first week of class. This includes completing the Orientation assignment in every online and webbed course. Students who become inactive may lose their access to their classes.
• Online students should own their own computer. Many of your online faculty members will require you to download plug-ins and applications to experience our online resources correctly. GTCC will not ask students to download tools that can harm your computer or change its functionality.
• Students in all courses must abide by the Student Code of Conduct as stated in the GTCC catalog AND the netiquette policy posted in your online classroom or syllabus.
• Students must report problems with our online resources immediately. Let your faculty member know when an instructional tool is not working correctly.

...Your Expectations of Faculty?

Our online and webbed courses have been peer reviewed by two or more faculty members to make sure that it meets our standards for quality online instruction. These standards include:

• A current, updated course syllabus will be clearly displayed by the first day of class.
• The syllabus will state the following: the email turnaround policy of the instructor, late work policy, acceptable formats for assignments, time expectations for the course and an explanation of due dates in the course.
• The syllabus will state the office hours of the instructor including a list of the variety of ways to contact the instructor during these office hours.
• The grading breakdown for the course will be provided either in the syllabus or an easy-to-find location in the course.
• All active assignments will have a clear and specific grading scale.
• The instructor will communicate the learning objectives for the course.
• Netiquette expectations will be stated.
• Students will be provided a clear path to additional GTCC resources.
• All online and webbed courses will require students to complete an Orientation assignment during the first week of class.
• Font size, color and spacing will make the online classroom as readable as possible.
• All hyperlinks provided in the classroom will be functional and include a clear title and description.
• All resources in an online classroom will cite outside sources or have copyright clearance for use.
• Assignments in the course will support the development of learning objectives. Lessons incorporate a variety of activities to meet the learning styles of as many students as possible.
• Weekly work or modules will provide summaries that provide an overview of the lesson.
• Assignments that provide the development of skills without penalty will be provided.
• Instructors will participate in/monitor discussion boards/forums as needed and as appropriate for the course.
• Students will have a variety of ways to interact with their instructor in their online classroom.
• Students will have opportunities to interact and be encouraged to interact with their classmates in a variety of ways as appropriate to the content of the course.
• Learning activities require students to be active in the learning process.
• Resources in online classrooms will meet ADA guidelines or provide an instructional equivalent resource when necessary.
• Students will be provided links to plug-ins and software used in the course.
• Students will be informed of all required resources and how to acquire them at the beginning of the course.necessary, are provided.