Face-to-Face Classes
Instruction is delivered in a traditional Face-to-Face classroom setting with the instructor present. However, supplemental information may be provided online and students may be required to complete/submit homework, quizzes, tests, etc. online.
Online Classes
Instruction is delivered online with up to 15% Face-to-Face interaction with the instructor scheduled. Instructors will be available to students via email and/or online discussion boards in addition to their regularly scheduled office hours. Proctored testing at an approved testing site or with a web camera may be required.
ITV Classes
Instruction is delivered in an interactive television enabled classroom or other interactive technology. Typically, there will be students and an instructor in a traditional Face-to-Face classroom setting with additional students at one or more remote locations “linked in” via interactive television. Students in remote locations interact with instructor and students through interactive television.
Hybrid Classes
Instruction is delivered in a combination of Face-to-Face and Online delivery methods as defined above. Students will have assigned times and dates during which they will meet with the instructor in a traditional Face-to-Face classroom setting with the balance of the course being delivered in an online format.
Hybrid classes may be delivered in one of the following modes: synchronous or asynchronous. Synchronous is when the student attends the live class during the scheduled time using a video conferencing tool, such as TEAMS, Zoom, or other interactive technology. Asynchronous is a recorded live class or other class materials that the student can access outside of a scheduled class time.
Distance Education
To meet the changing educational needs of its service area, Vernon College provides distance education opportunities to students with special scheduling needs, at remote locations, and at high schools and other regional centers. Distance education courses are available through the internet (in both online and hybrid formats) or by two-way interactive video (ITV) classrooms or other interactive technology at area high schools and other selected sites. Interactive video (ITV)/ interactive technology courses provide real-time instruction from Vernon College to the remote site. Hybrid courses contain both a traditional face-to-face component and an online component. Internet (online) courses allow students to take courses from remote locations by accessing courses online via a personal computer. While course content may be obtained online, proctored testing may be required for both hybrid and/or online courses.
Anyone eligible to enroll in a course at Vernon College may enroll in a distance education course. However, internet (online) courses require a significant amount of self-motivation, self-discipline, excellent study habits, and commitment for success.
All distance education students are authenticated through the use of a unique username and password. Students receive their unique username and password upon completion of the registration process. The student is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of the password and account. A student must not disclose his/her username or password to any other person. Disclosure of a username and/or password may result in administrative withdrawal from Vernon College with forfeiture of tuition and fees. Any student who is aware of a violation of username and/or password security must immediately notify either the instructor of the course or the Director of Distance Education and Learning Technologies.
The privacy of distance education students is maintained in accordance to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Communication precautions are taken to protect distance education students. Instructional and course communications between instructors and students are primarily accomplished using Vernon College issued email accounts which require authorized credentials and password securities. For more information, students may access the Vernon College Distance Education Student Manual at http://www.vernoncollege.edu/DistanceEducation/
Distance education courses not in the College catalog/schedule may be available to Vernon College students through the Digital Higher Education Consortium of Texas (Digitex), a collaborative effort among Texas community colleges using the Acadeum platform.
Through Acadeum/Digitex, eligible Vernon College students may register through Vernon College to take distance education courses from other community colleges throughout Texas. Student eligibility requirements and restrictions to Acadeum/Digitex enrollment can be viewed on page 5 of the VC Distance Education Student Manual, which is available on the VC website. For additional information about the Acadeum/Digitex, students must see their Student Success Advisor.