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Distance learning is a course delivery format in which the majority of the instruction (interaction between students and instructors and among students) occurs when students and instructors are not in the same place. Instruction may be synchronous (live-occurring at the same time) or asynchronous (occurring at different times). A distance learning course may use the internet, interactive videoconferencing (two-way audio/video connection), audio conferencing, and/or media such as video cassettes, DVDs, and CD-ROMs as part of the distance learning course or program.
By taking advantage of distance learning courses students can begin, complete and/or continue educational careers even when it is not possible to attend class on campus. Credit earned by completing distance learning courses transfers the same as traditional (on campus) courses. Students taking distance learning courses apply, register, and enroll using the same processes as on campus students; however, these can all be accomplished online.
Midland College offers a variety of distance learning course formats including:
Online courses are developed by individual instructors and provide complete course delivery through the use of a learning management system.
Hybrid courses are developed by individual instructors and consist of scheduled class meetings (face-to-face) and an online component. In hybrid courses the number of face-to-face meetings are reduced and replaced with a required online component.
Interactive videoconference courses are developed by individual instructors and consist of scheduled class meetings in which the instructor and students are at different locations but use interactive videoconferencing (live, two-way video/audio connectivity) to access and participate in class sessions.
The Virtual College of Texas (VCT) allows students to access courses via the Internet that are not offered at Midland College. Students can view the schedule at www.vct.orq and all enrollments must be made through Midland College. Call 432-685-5538 for more information.
Important: Computer access and a reliable internet service are required for students who enroll in online, hybrid, and/or VCT courses.
Student Authentication and Verification
Midland College is committed to ensuring academic integrity by providing measures to ensure that the student who registers in a distance learning course is the student who is participating, completing the work, and receiving credit. Midland College uses a variety of methods to accomplish this including:
Secure login and password information is generated and provided to the student upon enrollment in a distance learning course. This personal information should be protected and not shared.
Proctored examinations are required in most Midland College distance learning courses. Your instructor will provide specific information for which assignments and/or tests may require proctoring services and how to obtain these services.
Other technologies are also utilized by Midland College to deter and identify academic integrity violations in distance learning courses.
Taking online the first time? SmarterMeasure is a diagnostic tool which helps students identify if they are at-risk of not doing well in an online, hybrid and/or technology rich course. The SmarterMeasure Learning Readiness Indicator is a web-based tool that measures: on-screen reading rate and recall, technical competency, individual attributes, life factors, preferred learning styles, and typing speed and accuracy. The SmarterMeasure Learning Readiness Indicator can be accessed at http://www.midland.edu/students/academics/smartermeasure.php. Upon completion, a detailed report is provided. For additional information, please contact the Department of Distance Learning at (432) 685-5537.
Murray Fasken Learning Resource Center (LRC)
The LRC is a repository of books and bound journals, e-books, microforms, DVDs, videos, and CDs, and magazine, journal, and newspaper subscriptions, which support the Midland College curricula. Multidisciplinary databases published by EBSCO, Gale, Bowker, CredoRef and others are available to students both on- and off-campus. The LRC is a participant in TexShare programs for enhanced access to learning resources. Special subject collections include Health Sciences and Law. The collection is primarily for students, staff and faculty use. Materials are available for checkout through current Midland College ID cards. Library holdings are described by an electronic catalog, enabling author, title, subject, and keyword searches. Labs in the LRC provide word processing and related software. The LRC’s web site (www.midland.edu/lrc) is extensive. Included are library research tutorials, the library catalog of holdings, description of library policies and services and extensive links to hundreds of recommended websites and databases for most academic subjects.
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