Online Courses
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, CTC’s state regulatory agency, defines online courses as
"A course which may have mandatory face-to-face sessions totaling no more than 15 percent of the instructional time. Examples of face-to-face sessions include orientation, laboratory, exam review, or an in-person test."
The MAJORITY of CTC's online courses have NO mandatory face-to-face sessions.
That means...
- NO Driving to class
- NO Searching for a parking space
- NO Scheduling proctored exams
Blackboard
CTC uses the Blackboard Learning Management System (https://ctc.blackboard.com) for its online courses. 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 have access to student and support services and 24/7/365 Blackboard technical support (866-350-4729).
Students can enroll in these free resources inside Blackboard:
- English Tutoring Center
- Math Tutoring Center
- Go to Organizations and Tutoring tab, then click the Tutoring link
Synchronous Virtual Courses
CTC offers Synchronous Virtual courses in which instruction is fully online, but with specified and required class meeting times. Instruction is given in real time with interaction between the instructor and students, as if they were in a physical classroom, but using a communication tool such as Blackboard Collaborate or Zoom.
Online vs. Online Self-Paced
CTC online classes are typically scheduled as online lecture (OLL) or online self-paced lecture (OSL). Note that not all CTC online courses are self-paced; you will have due dates in OLL courses. Some financial aid restrictions may require students to take at least four weeks to complete the coursework.
Online Lecture (OLL) | Online Self-Paced Lecture (OSL) |
fixed start and end dates | fixed start and end dates |
certain activities must be completed during the first week class to demonstrate participation | certain activities must be completed during the first week class to demonstrate participation |
all coursework must be completed by the last day of class | all coursework must be completed by the last day of class |
Syllabus outlines course requirements and policies | Syllabus outlines course requirements and policies |
Syllabus lists specific deadlines for submitting assignments and assessments | Syllabus MAY list some deadlines or provide recommended deadlines to promote completion |
Students must initiate contact with their instructors during the first week of class, even if they can't start class until later | |
To demonstrate progress in the course and to maximize success, the majority of the coursework must be completed by the last day to withdraw |
