Synchronous Distance Learning Courses - Blackboard Collaborate (courses identified with "C" or "99A" and possibly "HY" in the section number - you must read the footnotes in the class schedule)
Courses that are delivered at a distance, but meet online at a specific time are considered
Synchronous Distance Learning Courses. Synchronous Distance Learning courses are delivered through Blackboard
Collaborate. Students can receive online face-to-face meetings from anywhere with a broadband internet
connection. Students may also attend online face-to-face meetings in the distance learning computer lab located
on the Lynchburg campus in Rm 3209 or at the off-site campuses (Amherst, Appomattox and Bedford).
Blackboard Collaborate is a web-conferencing tool through which students enrolled in these courses login
through the “Online Meeting Room” within their Blackboard course site to a live session with the instructor.
Students are required to attend class at the time the course is scheduled (real-time, the days and times
of the courses are fixed). All students must have broadband internet access or they must be able to
attend class at one of the CVCC campuses. Purchasing a headset with a microphone is the responsibility of the
individual student, but a 2-prong headset with a mic may be purchased through the CVCC Bookstore and is covered
by financial aid. Blackboard Collaborate operates on the java platform. Java is a free download.
Students enrolled in synchronous distance learning courses may be required to visit the main campus or an
off-campus site for orientation, assignments and tests depending on your instructor. Contact the instructor of
the course at their CVCC email address to inquire about their requirements.
Hybrid (courses identified with "H" in the section number)
Hybrid courses combine face-to-face (in-class) instruction with online
instruction into a single course. A hybrid course meets part of the scheduled
time in a classroom or real-time using Blackboard Collaborate. The remainder
of the scheduled time will take place online using Blackboard for completion
of online activities and assignments. Hybrid courses are NOT half a course or
condensed! They require at least the same amount of time as a traditionally
scheduled course but might allow more flexibility in your schedule. Internet
access is required since much of the course material, activities and
interaction is accomplished using Blackboard, a learning management system.
Hybrid courses may involve different forms of technology delivery. Knowledge
of Blackboard is required since online assignments, activities, discussions,
tutorials, etc. will be accessed through a Blackboard course site. Some
courses might use a web-conferencing tool (within Blackboard) called
Collaborate. Specific requirements and descriptions for each course are
listed in the special notes (footnotes) section of the online schedule.
Web/Online (courses identified with "W" in the section number)
In courses offered in this delivery format, all instruction is web-based.
Students who enroll in web-based courses benefit from self-motivation and
discipline. Knowledge of Blackboard is required since all course content
resides in this learning management platform. Additionally, students must
have strong computer skills. To have a better understanding of web courses,
visit Are You Web Ready
or take the
Web Ready quiz
. Web Ready is designed to be a
helpful resource for students in making decisions about enrolling in
Online or web-based courses are conducted in Blackboard, the learning
management platform used in the VCCS. Some courses might have requirements
that provide resources from websites outside of Blackboard; some courses
might require proctored exams; some courses might involve online meetings
with the instructor. Any specific requirements - unique to a course - are
described in the "Special Notes" section of CVCC's online class schedule.
Important: Please review our Technical Requirements for Web Courses.