Distance Learning

Internet or Online Courses are a convenient and flexible alternative for obtaining college credit.  Instead of attending classes on campus, students may take a college course from home, office or other convenient location using a computer with Internet access.  Students can access assignments, notes, class presentations and exams through the Internet at times that fit their schedules.  Online courses are the same as on-campus classes in academic quality, credit hours, transferability and cost and taught by distance learning certified faculty members.

Definition of Distance Education
For the purposes of the SACSCOC accreditation review, distance education is a formal educational process in which the majority of the instruction (interaction between students and instructors and among students) in a course occurs when students and instructors are not in the same place. Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous. A distance education course may use the internet; one-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite, or wireless communications devices; audio conferencing; or video cassettes, DVD’s, and CD-ROMs if used as part of the distance learning course or program.

Definition of Correspondence Education
Correspondence education is a formal educational process under which the institution provides instructional materials, by mail or electronic transmission, including examinations on the materials, to students who are separated from the instructor. Interaction between the instructor and the student is limited, is not regular and substantive, and is primarily initiated by the student; courses are typically self-paced. St. Philip’s College does not offer Correspondence Education courses.

Hybrid or Blended:  “Hybrid” or “Blended” are names commonly used to describe courses in which some traditional face-to-face time has been replaced by online learning activities. In a hybrid course, a portion of the class learning activities are online, which reduces the amount of time spent in a traditional, face-to-face classroom. 

Difference between a Hybrid and online?  Students who take hybrid courses continue to meet in the classroom for the number of scheduled hours for that course. An online or distance course is conducted entirely online. 

Web-enhanced: Web enhanced courses are traditional face-to-face courses and meet on campus however instructors may use an Internet platform for assignments, notes, class presentations or exams.

Orientation to Online Learning (OLRN): The OLRN 0001 course is required of all students who are new to online classes. The free, self-paced, online course familiarizes students with the learning management system, Canvas, and presents topics to help students succeed in their online classes. Face-to-face overview sessions are also available at the start of each semester to help students complete the OLRN course.  The OLRN course does not replace the online class orientation. Check the Center for Distance Learning web site for the schedule of overviews at www.alamo.edu/spc/distance-learning.

Online Course Requirements & Skills:  Online courses provide an alternative course delivery mode for students. The successful distance learning student must be highly motivated, self-disciplined, goal-oriented, focused and self-directed.  Students considering enrollment in an online course should be able to meet the following minimal technical requirements and skills.

• Have access to the Internet
• Possess basic Internet navigation skills
• Have an email account and basic email skills
• Have a working knowledge of the Windows or Mac computer environment

The degrees and certificates listed below as 100% Online can be completed fully at a distance by enrolling in online classes. Programs and certificates listed at >50% Online can be completed by enrolling in both face-to-face and online classes.

For further information regarding the above items, students may contact the instructor listed for each course. Additionally, students may also visit the St. Philip’s College Center for Distance Learning site at http://www.alamo.edu/spc/distance-learning/ or call (210) 486-2239.

Brainfuse - 24/7 Online Tutoring

St. Philip’s College provides the Brainfuse online tutoring service. Using Brainfuse is simple, fast and always available. Students connect to live educators from any computer that has Internet access, with no special software installation or equipment required. Students work one-on-one, in real-time with a tutor, communicating using a virtual whiteboard technology.

Access Brainfuse through your Canvas courses.