CTC understands that everyone has different needs when it comes to taking a distance education course—and these needs may change from time to time. You might prefer face-to-face courses, but they don’t fit into your schedule.  Be assured that our distance education courses are as rigorous in content and requirements as the corresponding face-to-face courses.  Many distance education courses are also condensed from sixteen weeks to eight weeks, so you might find them even more challenging.

CTC provides these types of courses for you:

• Traditional face-to-face
• Online (self-paced or time-based)
• Blended
• MultiMedia

Want to know what courses CTC has to offer you online and through MultiMedia? Browse our online course catalog. For start dates and instructor information, see the online course schedule. Be sure to check the technical requirements for the different delivery methods.

Find out more about a course by selecting one of these links:

• Course Syllabi
• Catalogs / Course Descriptions
• Instructional Materials
  
  

Online Courses

Online courses require a consistent and reliable internet connection. All coursework is accomplished online.

To succeed in an online course, you must meet these requirements:

• Access to a computer with minimum technical requirements.
• A consistent and reliable Internet connection.
• A valid, functional email address.
• Basic computer skills.
• The ability to download and install applications or plug-ins.
• The time to devote to your coursework.
• Specified instructional materials.
• Access to a CTC-approved testing center or proctor to take proctored exams.

Online courses at CTC are conducted using the Blackboard Learning Management System. Once you obtain Blackboard access (72 hours before your course starts), you are ready to learn at any time of the day or night.

You can enroll in any of these organizations inside Blackboard:

• Student Center
• English Tutoring Center
• Math Tutoring Center

CTC's Online Student Center is a one-stop-shop for:

• Blackboard orientation (live and recorded)
• How to's for the many tools in Blackboard
• Resources and Points of Contact
• the Distance Learner Handbook

Self-Paced vs. Time-Based

All CTC courses have a fixed start and end date. However, self-paced classes allow you to access the course, complete and submit your assignments, and take your tests at your own rate rather than according to a fixed schedule. To succeed in a self-paced class, you must be more self-disciplined about studying and taking your tests because there is no course schedule to guide you.

In addition, you must

• contact your instructor during the first week of the class, even if you cannot start your class until later.
• not complete the course in less than four weeks.
• complete all course work by the end of the class.
• take all examinations in order (Test 1 before Test 2, etc.)

Blended Courses

Blended courses utilize the “best of both worlds.”  Students must attend certain scheduled activities, such as lectures, clinicals, or labs, on campus, while completing other activities, such as submitting homework, online in Blackboard.  The percentage of face-to-face versus online requirements varies from one course or subject area to another.  Some colleges use the terms blended and hybrid interchangeably.

Although some face-to-face (lecture) courses may require the use of certain software, the products are available in computer labs located on Central Campus or for home use.  Examples include the CTC math courses that incorporate MyMathLab.  These courses are NOT considered to be blended and are scheduled as LEC.

Refer to the information on online courses for computer skill and technical requirements for blended courses.

MultiMedia (MM) Courses

MM courses are offered at select locations and in response to specific contracts, such as Pacific Far East Campus (Korea) and NCPACE (Navy). These courses are designed for students who do not have consistent, reliable internet access.  You must purchase the course media when you purchase your textbooks. The course is available on CDs and SD cards, so you may take your course on your desktop computer, laptop, or handheld device.  Just like online courses, proctored exams are required for most courses. Please see Testing for Distant Learners to read about proctored exams.

View an introduction to CTC's MM courses

To take a MultiMedia course, you must meet these requirements:

• Access to a computer or handheld device with minimum technical requirements. 
• A valid, functional email address.
• Basic computer skills.
• The ability to download and install applications or plug-ins.
• The time to devote to your coursework.
• Specified instructional materials.  The course CD or SD card must be purchased as
  a separate item.
• See specifications and tested devices for information on PDAs and other handheld devices.

Your course CD or SD card comes packaged with a “Getting Started” instruction sheet.

Handheld Devices

Your online course may be accessed via certain handheld devices.  Be on the lookout for new apps to allow you to work in your course while on the go.  Please note that the Apple iPad does NOT currently support the technologies necessary for completing your online course.

If you are taking a multimedia course on a handheld device such as a PDA or Smartphone, there are additional requirements. The courses are fully contained on SD storage discs, with the exception of proctored exams.  These exams are provided to your approved proctor and are usually administered in print form.

The SD Cards contain the course in html/video format playable on nearly any device employing a full size SD Card slot. Basic needs to run the courses include the ability to display htm/html files, play mpg or mwv video files, play mp3 or wma audio files, and the ability to access files on the external media.

View an introduction to CTC's MM courses taken on a handheld device

Tested Operating Systems

Tested devices

Minimum Device Specifications

Recommended Device Specifications