Distance Learning

The Distance Learning program provides access to quality education and instruction for both traditional and non-traditional students through various distance learning methods.

Distance Learning typically refers to the delivery of instruction in a non-traditional format in which the instructor and student are separated by physical distance. Sampson Community College students have the option to take full-credit college courses without the typical restrictions of time and location. Online courses provide educational opportunities that mitigate conflicts with work, child-care, and/or transportation.

Traditional courses meet in a classroom, face-to-face setting for 100 percent of the scheduled classroom hours. Most traditional curriculum courses are supported by Moodle, which is the learning management system used at Sampson Community College for web-assisted, hybrid, and online courses. This is widely accepted as commonplace and does not generally constitute special consideration regarding distance learning course offerings.

Distance learning students have access to the same quality of instruction and support services as traditional students. Registration for distance learning courses takes place during normal registration periods. Students taking distance courses pay tuition and fees and may apply for financial aid for distance learning courses offered by the College.

Blended Courses

Blended courses primarily involve face-to-face instruction with a portion of the course content offered online. Students will spend the majority of their time in the classroom. The remaining portion of lab work or course assignments are completed online.

Hybrid Courses

Hybrid courses combine face-to-face instruction with other distance learning delivery methods. A hybrid course provides increased scheduling flexibility coupled with personal interaction in the classroom. Students enrolled in hybrid courses meet on campus at scheduled times. Additional assignments and activities are completed online.

Online Courses

Online courses provide access to both college credit and non-credit courses via the Internet. Online students interact and communicate with the instructor and classmates through e-mail, discussion forums, and chat rooms as well as other traditional methods (telephone, postal mail). Online course materials are posted in Moodle, the learning management system.

All online courses at Sampson Community College are password protected ensuring that all personal information is secure.

All students enrolled in online classes must complete the following steps to access course content and avoid being dropped from the course:

1. Read the Online Course Participation Expectations for Students statement before being able to proceed in the online course.
2. Read the course syllabus in its entirety. The syllabus is a course contract that outlines course requirements and makes students aware of their responsibilities. Students will need to refer to the course syllabus before taking their Mandatory Online Course Assessment.
3. Complete the Mandatory Online Course Assessment (MOCA). This is required for all online classes taken each semester with no exceptions or exemptions. The MOCA must be completed by the ten percent point of the semester to avoid being dropped from the online class. The ten percent point of the semester will be calculated for all online courses beginning on the first day of campus curriculum scheduled courses.
4. Once students have completed the Mandatory Online Course Assessment and received a grade, the online course will be made available to them.

Sampson Community College recommends the following computer hardware and software for student success. Mobile devices, such as tablets or smartphones, may not be sufficient for completing required coursework. Some courses may require additional hardware or software, please check the course requirements posted in Moodle, on the syllabus, contact the instructor, or the division chair. It is the responsibility of the student to have access to the required hardware/software.

Computer Hardware

• PC or Mac with updated operating system and antivirus protection. Multimedia - speakers, microphone, and webcam are recommended and may be required in some courses.

Additional Computer Software

• Latest version of Microsoft Office - Sampson CC offers free downloads of the latest version of Microsoft Office and Office 365 to all students and employees at: http://www.office.com/getOffice365.
• PDF reader - download free at https://get.adobe.com/reader/.
  Note: Uncheck the Optional Offers checkboxes at the Adobe Reader download site to avoid downloading unwanted software).

Internet Connection

• Reliable, high speed Internet access. You can check your Internet connection speed at: https://www.speedtest.net/.

Browser

• Up-to-date version of Google Chrome, Safari, or Microsoft Edge. You can check to see which browser you are currently using by going to: https://www.whatismybrowser.com/.

Student Email Accounts

All currently enrolled students are issued Office 365 e-mail accounts. Students are strongly encouraged to log into Office 365 on the first day of classes, and daily thereafter, in order to keep up to date on important course and College-related information. Students will use their Office 365 e-mail accounts to communicate with instructors and classmates. Students also receive important information from Financial Aid, Student Services, the SCC Bookstore, the Student Government Association, and the Sampson Community College Library.

Distance Learning Support

A distance learning help desk dlhelpdesk@samspsoncc.edu is available to assist students with Moodle, Office 365, or anything else related to distance learning. Students may also call Sampson Community College at (910) 900-4309 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8:00 am and 4:00 pm on Fridays.

Additionally, an online support center is available on Sampson Community College’s Moodle login to provide the following assistance with Moodle:

1. Browse or search the knowledge base for a wide variety of solutions.
2. Submit a ticket to an experienced Moodle service representative. The status of a ticket can be tracked in My Support.
3. Contact a Moodle service representative by telephone. SCC’s dedicated toll-free number is 1-855-671-6896.
4. Live Chat with an experienced Moodle service representative over the web.

Specific distance learning guidelines and policies are available in both the printed Distance Learning Handbook and online at the College’s website under Distance Learning.