Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) provides a wide array of online and blended learning opportunities, from individual courses to complete degrees and certificates. Success in these flexible learning formats requires students to have foundational computer skills, including the ability to manage electronic documents, navigate the internet, utilize email, and engage in web conferences. All online components of Tri-C courses operate on specific minimum technical requirements, which include necessary web conferencing equipment.
Registering for online and blended courses mirrors the process for on-campus classes, with an additional online learning fee of $10 per credit hour.
For deeper insights into online and blended learning options, explore Tri-C Online or connect with the Online Learning and Academic Technology team at [email protected].
Discover the full spectrum of online degrees and certificates on the Online Opportunities page.
Understanding Blackboard Learn at Tri-C
Tri-C leverages Blackboard Learn, a robust learning management system (LMS), to deliver engaging and interactive online course content. Alongside D2L’s Brightspace, Blackboard Learn serves as the central hub for online and blended courses, facilitating communication, assignments, and access to learning materials. This cloud-based platform ensures 24/7 accessibility from various devices, including PCs, Macs, and most mobile devices, empowering students to learn anytime, anywhere. Blackboard Learn Tri-C is designed to create a seamless and supportive online learning environment.
Exploring Tri-C Online Course Modalities with Blackboard Learn
Tri-C offers diverse online course formats to accommodate varied learning preferences and schedules, all effectively utilizing Blackboard Learn for course delivery:
Asynchronous Online Courses
These courses, designated as Online/Asynchronous, offer maximum flexibility. There are no mandatory live meeting times, allowing students to complete coursework at their own pace within set deadlines, all managed through Blackboard Learn. While primarily self-paced, some asynchronous courses may include scheduled online or in-person proctored exams to ensure academic integrity.
Virtual Meeting Online Courses
Virtual meetings courses provide a structured online learning experience with scheduled virtual class sessions. These real-time interactions, often conducted via web conferencing tools integrated with Blackboard Learn, foster direct engagement with instructors and peers. Attendance at these virtual meetings, held on specific days and times, is typically required.
Competency-Based Online Courses
Competency-Based Online courses offer a unique approach to online learning, allowing students to progress through course material as they demonstrate mastery of specific competencies. Supported by faculty guidance within the Blackboard Learn environment, students work at their own pace, focusing on achieving learning outcomes rather than adhering to a fixed schedule.
Blended Learning at Tri-C: Combining Online and On-Campus Experiences with Blackboard Learn
Blended learning at Tri-C strategically integrates online learning with traditional on-campus instruction or virtual meetings. Blackboard Learn plays a crucial role in blended courses, supplementing face-to-face interactions with online resources, assignments, and communication tools. Tri-C employs specific modality codes to clarify the blend of online and on-campus components in these courses:
Blended: On-Campus Requirement
Courses marked Blended: On-Campus Requirement combine in-person class sessions with online components delivered via Blackboard Learn. These courses specify the percentage of class time spent on campus, with the remaining portion completed online. Syllabi detail the schedules for required on-campus meetings.
- Examples:
- Blended: Campus 75% / Online 25%: 75% of instruction occurs on campus, with 25% online via Blackboard Learn.
- Blended: Campus 25% / Online 75%: 25% on campus, and a significant 75% online utilizing Blackboard Learn.
Blended: Virtual Meeting Requirement
Blended: Virtual Meeting Requirement courses blend virtual meetings with asynchronous online learning, both facilitated through Blackboard Learn. A portion of the course involves scheduled virtual meetings, while the remaining content is delivered online. Course syllabi provide schedules for virtual meeting sessions.
- Examples:
- Blended: Virtual Meetings 25% / Online 75%: 25% of the course is delivered through virtual meetings, with 75% online via Blackboard Learn.
- Blended: Virtual Meetings 75% / Online 25%: 75% virtual meetings, complemented by 25% online work through Blackboard Learn.
On-Campus Courses at Tri-C
For students who prefer a traditional learning environment, Tri-C also offers Campus: All Meetings on Campus courses. These courses are entirely face-to-face, with all sessions held on campus at scheduled times. While primarily on-site, these courses may still incorporate web-based resources or supplemental materials to enhance learning.
Ensuring Academic Integrity: Proctored Online Testing
To maintain academic rigor in online and blended courses, proctored testing may be implemented, particularly in subjects like math, science, and nursing. Proctored exams are conducted in a “suitable proctored environment,” approved by faculty and monitored by authorized personnel either in person or online. Tri-C offers various proctoring options, including Tri-C Testing Centers, other accredited testing centers, and ProctorU. Tri-C partners with ProctorU to provide free online proctoring services to students. Students can learn more about proctored testing and ProctorU at Technology Resources / ProctorU. Campus Testing Centers also provide proctoring services for online and blended courses.
Conclusion: Embrace Flexible Learning with Blackboard Learn at Tri-C
Tri-C’s commitment to accessible and flexible education is evident through its comprehensive online and blended learning programs, powered by platforms like Blackboard Learn. Whether you seek the flexibility of asynchronous online courses, the structure of virtual meetings, or a blend of online and on-campus learning, Tri-C offers diverse options to meet your educational goals. Explore the possibilities of online learning at Tri-C and take control of your educational journey today. Visit Tri-C Online to discover available programs and courses.
