Purpose: The purpose of this procedure is to provide definitions and guidelines for course delivery modes. The definitions and guidelines will be used to ensure students have sufficient time and resources to master the course objectives in all delivery modes including hybrid or online courses.
All delivery modes adhere to the base contact hour guidelines, with one base credit hour equivalent to 750 minutes of instruction.
Definitions:
Classroom Based
In the traditional classroom format, the instructor and the students meet at regularly scheduled days and times to cover the course material, assign student activities, and address any difficulties that students may be having with the course material. Traditional classes offer the advantage of face-to-face contact with the instructor, a regular schedule, and a familiar learning environment.
Definition of Instructional Delivery Type:
Traditional - Also referred to as “face-to-face”; 100% of the approved contact hours for the course are provided in class. The Learning Management System (LMS) –Desire2 Learn (D2L) may be used to provide supplemental instruction but shall not replace any contact hours. Interactive Video, such as WebEx or Zoom, can be used to provide synchronous instruction.
Hybrid
Often called the "best of both worlds," hybrid courses are a mix of delivery methods. A hybrid requires less student presence onsite than a lecture course, but there will still be some required on-campus events.
Definition of Instructional Delivery Type:
Hybrid – Face-to-face instructional time (determined by approved contact hours for the course) is reduced and replaced by instruction and/or activities which may be provided through another delivery mode (via D2L). All lab hours must be held in the traditional delivery mode. A minimum of 33% of the approved lecture contact hours for the course must be delivered in the synchronous traditional mode. The remaining 67% of lecture time must be accounted for through a documented plan for instructional activities. This plan must be shared with students and readily accessible to them.
Desire2Learn
Morgan Community College and the Colorado Community College System utilize Desire2Learn (D2L) to create a complete web-based learning environment for use with online and hybrid courses. This easy-to-use learning platform provides the tools needed for course development, delivery, and management, and helps facilitate communication, collaboration, and community building.
Online
MCC Online courses provide MCC students with the opportunity to take classes anywhere. Online courses are equivalent to lecture courses. A course website contains the course syllabus, class assignments, student activities, and other necessary information. Email and discussion forums are the primary tools used for communication between the instructor and students. This combination of course website, supporting materials, and discussion tools form a virtual classroom in which the students and instructor interact. Most online courses do not require the student to visit the campus and may be completed entirely online, but a few do have proctored exams, so checking the course info sheets before signing up is always a wise precaution. One of the biggest advantages that online courses offer is flexibility of daily schedule. The student can schedule their class work at the time of the day most useful to them, rather than having to appear in a classroom for one or more fixed periods each week.
CCCOnline is a collaborative effort by all Colorado Community Colleges to provide Internet courses in support of degree and certificate programs at all Colorado Community College System (CCCS) colleges. CCC Online policies, procedures, and course offerings can be found here and are listed in the MCC Schedule of Classes each semester. Credits will transfer easily among participating colleges of the Colorado Community College System. There are several start dates throughout the year.
Definition of Instructional Delivery Type
Online - 100% of instruction and activities are provided asynchronously through D2L. For each credit of the online course, students should be expected to receive 750 minutes of online classroom activities. This will create a seat time equivalency that is equal to the seat time in a Traditional face-to-face class.
Global
Global - Refers to courses that are offered through Zoom. Students may connect to the course from anywhere with an internet connection. Global courses provide synchronous instruction during set times and days. Global courses may either be hybrid or traditional, with the face-to-face portion delivered via Zoom.
Student Learning Time
In alignment with the Federal Credit Hour Definition and the CDHE base contact hour requirements, students should expect to spend a minimum of two hours per week outside of class time completing work for each course credit. For courses that span longer than the typical fifteen-week semester, the hours per week should be adjusted accordingly.
For hybrid courses, this outside learning time should not be confused with the required instructional time. Hybrid courses require additional instructional time outside of the designated class time to ensure the appropriate contact hours are being met. The learning time is above and beyond the required instructional time in a hybrid course.
For example, a three-credit lecture-based course requires 45 contact hours in total. If it is scheduled to meet two hours per week for 15 weeks, then there is an additional one hour a week of instruction required to meet those required contact hours. Therefore, besides attending the class for the two hours per week, the student should expect to spend the additional one hour a week for instruction as well as another six hours a week in homework time (2hrs per credit for 3 credits).
Prior Learning Assessment
Prior learning is college-equivalent education acquired through non-traditional schooling, work, or other life experiences. These might include skills from military, job-related training, or volunteer services. Students demonstrate and earn credit for prior learning through such methods as nationalized testing, challenge exams, and portfolio examination. For more information, inquire at the MCC Student Services Office, MCC Center, or view the Prior Learning Assessment Manual here.
Test-Out Procedures
Students may request, after classes begin, to test-out of classes they are currently enrolled in if they feel they have sufficient mastery of the subject matter to successfully pass a comprehensive examination of the course competencies. The instructor will set the time for the examination. The grade will be recorded by the instructor and turned in at the end of that semester. The student must make a grade of "C" or higher to receive credit for the course. Students who do not receive a "C" or higher grade will complete the remainder of the required course work.
"Challenge" vs. "Test Out"
| Process | Challenge | Test Out |
|---|---|---|
| Registered for Class? | No | Yes |
| Payment | 1/2 tuition per credit hour (before COF) | Regular tuition assessed |
| Grading | Grade recorded on Challenge Testing form | Graded at the end of semester when regular grades are turned in |
| Credit recorded on transcript | Yes | Yes |
| Grade recorded on transcript | No | Yes |
| Special form needed | Yes | No |
| Transfer | Yes, to CCCS schools if similar classes are offered | Will transfer as a regularly completed class |
Challenge Tests
Students may request a challenge test for a course if they feel they have sufficient mastery of the subject matter to successfully pass a comprehensive examination of the course competencies. The instructor will set the time for the examination. The student must make a grade of "C" or higher to receive credit for the course. A challenge test may not be re-taken. The cost is ½ of tuition (before COF is applied) for the course challenged.