Distance Learning
Distance learning at Western Piedmont Community College expands educational opportunities by offering non-traditional course delivery for students who may find it difficult to attend classes on campus. In many instances, students can enroll in curriculum and Workforce Continuing Education courses, and earn credits without having to attend on-campus classes.
Distance learning courses provide quality instruction comparable to traditional on-campus instruction and carry full curriculum and Workforce Continuing Education credit. Distance learning courses are equivalent to on-campus courses in terms of prerequisites, content, rigor, and in the case of curriculum courses, transferability.
Distance learning courses offer a high degree of flexibility and require students who are self-motivated, self-disciplined, and able to work more independently.
Distance learners pay the same tuition and fees as traditional students and have access to all academic and support services, including online access to the Library’s electronic databases, “Ask a Librarian” remote reference, and Student Services.
Some distance learning courses require a minimum number of scheduled meetings with the instructor, and students may be required to participate in course orientation and proctored testing sessions. Students enrolled in distance learning courses use a variety of techniques to stay in touch with their instructors and other students taking the course.
The College offers distance learning courses in a variety of formats, including fully online or a mix of traditional and online instruction.
Verification of Identity
The College strives to uphold the highest levels of academic integrity as students complete their coursework and earn credentials. To this end, the College confirms the identity of each student enrolled in distance education courses as they complete course requirements.
Account Security
First, the College issues a secure username and temporary password to each student. Before accessing the College’s learning management system, students must create a private password. With their new password, students access their online course content, submit assignments and tests, communicate with the instructor, and participate in discussions.
Students are responsible for the integrity of their account, including proper password protection. The College directs students to keep passwords completely private. If a student shares access to their account with others or obtains another user’s password, they will be subject to disciplinary action. Additionally, no member of the faculty or staff is permitted to use a student’s password, including supervisors, help desk personnel, or security administrators.
Identify Verification for Assignments and Tests
The College requires all online courses to have at least one proctored learning activity (i.e., presentation, test, final exam) that amounts to a significant portion of the student’s final course grade. During a proctored learning activity, the course instructor, an approved third-party proctoring service, or an approved college employee serving in a proctor role will (a) verify the student’s identity and (b) monitor their work. Proctoring may occur in person or online; however, the proctor’s oversight must be adequate to ensure that a student is who they say they are and that they are completing their work with academic integrity.
In all cases, students must present an official photo ID to verify their identity.
As faculty plan proctored learning activities, the following options are available:
- Testing in the Academic Success Center (free to students)
- Use of web conferencing tools such as Teams, Zoom, or Collaborate (free to students)
- Virtual third-party proctoring service (Students may be required to pay for this service, and equipment such as a web camera will be required.)
- Testing at other approved testing centers (Students may be required to pay for testing services.)
Before each term, faculty must notify students of proctoring options that will require the purchase of services or equipment. At a minimum, the College will add this information to course section details that students access as they register for courses each semester.
See Verification of Identity Procedure 04.02.080.a.
Internet Courses
The College offers a variety of courses that are technology-based and use the Internet as the main method of course delivery and student/faculty communication. Students enrolled in Internet courses communicate with their instructors and other students using a variety of online applications including electronic mail, discussion boards, and “virtual classrooms.” Internet courses use a range of instructional resources including textbooks and digital media, study guides, the World Wide Web, and resources developed by the course instructor. Students have remote access to online library database resources.
The College offers Internet courses in the following formats:
- 100% of instruction is delivered online.
- 100% of instruction is delivered online with optional on-campus meetings available.
- 100% of instruction is delivered online through mandatory scheduled online meetings.
Students register for Internet courses in the same way they would register for traditional courses.
Hybrid Courses
The College offers Hybrid courses that combine Internet and on-campus instruction. The primary method of delivery (51% percent or more) for hybrid courses is online, with additional scheduled instruction delivered through mandatory face-to-face sessions in a seated environment.
Students register for Hybrid courses in the same way they would register for traditional courses.
Blended Courses
On-campus seated courses may also include a mandatory Internet component. The primary method of delivery (51% percent or more) for blended courses is face-to-face in a seated environment, with additional mandatory instruction delivered online.
Students register for blended courses in the same way they would register for traditional courses.
HyFlex Courses
The College offers HyFlex courses in which 100% of the instruction is offered face to face with the instructor in a physical classroom and 100% of the instruction is offered online. The HyFlex format allows students to choose whether to attend classes during regularly scheduled in-person sessions or participate online synchronously or asynchronously.
Students register for HyFlex courses in the same way they would register for traditional courses.