Definitions

(based on the work of the CQI Faculty Flexible Learning Support Team)

Broad Definitions:

Flexible Learning is a broad term for education formats offering increased schedule convenience and personalization, allowing learners to make choices about where, when, and how learning occurs.  It includes online, hybrid, accelerated, compressed, and ITV courses. Flexible courses are demanding; students must manage time well and be self motivated to be successful.

Distance Education is a broad term for any type of education that aims to deliver instruction to independent learners who are not on campus.  It includes video-based courses, Interactive TV courses, online, and correspondence courses.

Course Definitions:

Accelerated courses reduce in person classroom time while maintaining course integrity and rigor.  For example, a typical 3 credit course meets for 4 hours, once a week, for 6 weeks.  Because of the reduced classroom time, students are expected to complete a wide variety of activities and work on their own time outside of class.  Accelerated courses are demanding; students must manage time well and be self motivated to be successful.

Computer-based training (CBT) is a broad term that means the medium of instruction is through computer technology, generally a specific type of software program or web application.

Hybrid courses at Madison College combine the best of traditional face-to-face teaching with innovative online learning methods. Students will be expected to attend scheduled face-to-face class sessions, but the number and/or length of the classroom time will vary depending on the nature of the course and the instructor. As little as 1/3 or as much as 3/4 of the traditional classroom instruction will be replaced with the online instructional methods. The online instruction component will promote student engagement through enhanced interaction with course material.

In Person courses take place on campus through face to face class meetings.

Interactive TV courses (ITV) allow an instructor to meet with some learners in a traditional classroom, while other learners at remote campus sites can view, hear and interact with the originating classroom using a dedicated network of microphones and video. 

Online courses deliver education using the Internet for self-motivated students who wish to learn in their own environments, rather than on campus, using a computer to connect with the instructor and other course participants.  Although these classes have a specific schedule, and have specific start and end dates, they do not require participants to meet on campus.  They may require supervised or proctored exams, labs, and activities, depending on the subject matter and instructor’s design.  Online courses are demanding; students must manage time well and be self motivated to be successful.

Short Term courses offer learners the same amount of classroom time as a traditional course, but in a shorter time period.  This is accomplished through longer or more frequent weekly class meetings.  For example, a typical 3 credit course meets for 3 hours, twice a week, for 8 weeks.

Telepresence courses use the latest high definition video and audio technology to connect two or more locations.

Web-enhanced courses utilize information from Internet sites, resources, and communication to enrich the classroom environment, allowing learners to access course materials, such as the syllabus, readings, assignments, learning objects, class notes, or grades at any time. Any type of course may be web-enhanced at the instructor’s discretion.  When a traditional, in person class is web enhanced, it does not mean there will be less classroom time, it merely means there will be web based resources available to learners.