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Confused About Remote/Online/Virtual Learning? Read On!

July 2020
  • QCC student Daniel Doroff
    QCC student Daniel Doroff

The world as we have always known it has changed. Today we are inundated with new terms, phrases and rules of interaction as we quarantine and slowly reintegrate activities we previously may have taken for granted. One big change has been higher education and how classes are now being delivered.

At QCC, we made the difficult decision to offer the Fall 2020 semester remotely (with a few slight exceptions). The decision was made for the safety of QCC and the entire community. Based on what is happening in other states, it certainly seems like it was the smarter choice. Students are now hearing about remote instruction and online learning but are unsure what they actually mean. Let's break it down a bit for you. 

Remote and online may sound the same, but they are delivered differently. In the case of remote, there are actually two versions. We understand the confusion, so let's get to the bottom of it. We know official definitions may seem a bit dry, but we will break it down for you later.

There are three ways you can learn "online" at QCC:

  • Online: Offered completely asynchronously (no in person or virtual live instruction). Students log in to Blackboard to review course content and assignments. There are no scheduled meeting times, work is completed based on course deadlines as set by the professor.  These courses use online tools that include but are not limited to discussion boards, assignments, testing, web links, videos, group work, journals, etc.
  • Blended: Combines a weekly In-Person class and online course work. This type of course delivery includes a combination of both in-person and online instruction where students will meet with their instructor once a week in class (75 minutes) at a specific day and time on campus. Additional coursework is delivered asynchronously through Blackboard that meet course objectives. These courses, in addition to the weekly in-person class, use various online tools that include but are not limited to discussion boards, assignments, testing, web links, videos, group work, journals, etc. Fully vaccinated or approved accommodation required for the in-person component.
  • Remote: Real time virtual class (one zoom or collaborate class weekly) combined with additional online work. Classes are held virtually at a specific day and time, using Zoom or Collaborate once a week (75 minutes).  Additional coursework is delivered asynchronously through Blackboard that meet course objectives. These courses, in addition to the weekly virtual class meeting, use various online tools that include but are not limited to discussion boards, assignments, testing, web links, videos, group work, journals, etc. 

We understand educational options and ways of life have changed and that there is no 'one-size fits all' for your education, your life, your lifestyle, your job, your family or even your commute... or lack of. Hopefully we have covered all the bases to make QCC convenient for anyone who wants to better their life, advance their career and attend college.

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