Modes of Delivery

BlackBoard Courses

What is Blackboard?

• "Blackboard is a Web-based course-management system (CMS) designed to allow students and faculty to participate in classes delivered online or use online materials and activities to complement face-to-face teaching. Blackboard enables instructors to provide students with course materials, discussion boards, virtual chat, online quizzes, an academic resource center, and more. The degree to which Blackboard is used in a course varies. In contrast, other courses may be conducted entirely through Blackboard, without any on-campus sessions. If you’re enrolled in a course that uses Blackboard, be sure to find out how Blackboard will be used in that course." (Resource from Boise State University <http://itc.boisestate.edu/BbSupport/BbDocs/general/WhatisBlackboard.htm> on November 08, 2007.)

Types of Blackboard course at MCC

• Web - KYVC (Online) Course Instruction
  • This is an online course, students and faculty will communicate via various medians, There is no actual classroom for meeting, however faculty may request up to two proctor exams per semester that may require students to travel to the proctor site in their areas.
  • On-Line courses - also referred to as Web-Only courses - can be taken primarily over the Internet from a student's home, school, office, etc. Faculty use a Web-course management system (Blackboard 7.1) to administer course content, discussions, interactions and resources. Assignments are usually submitted via a website or email. Attendance in a physical classroom is minimal to none.
• Web - Local Instruction
  • Mostly, teaching and learning will take place via Blackboard, faculty can request students to meet on campus at times to do some face-to-face meetings or laboratory works.
  • Faculty mostly use a Web-course management system (Blackboard 7.1) to administer course content, discussions, interactions and resources. Assignments are usually submitted via a website or email. Attendance in a physical classroom is minimal.
• Web - Enhanced Instruction
  • Students and faculty will meet in a classroom on campus regularly. Faculty may post some teaching materials and/or assignments and using Blackboard features for different activities to enhance his/her teaching styles. The extent of web enhancement is left to faculty discretion.
  • Web-Enhanced courses strengthen traditional classroom learning with online resources, discussions and activities. Some online activities may be required to complete the course. Some examples of online activities are submitting an assignment through email or posting on a website; or participating in a web-based discussion board about a designated topic. Students still attend on-campus classes, which follow the conventional start/finish schedule.
• To learn more about KCTCS eLearning Web Modes and its advantages and Utilization Methods
  • Please go to http://www.kctcs.edu/prodev/eSupport/modes.html to find more information.

How to access to Blackboard Courses

• What is your username and password?
  • Please find the student email account information:  http://www.kctcs.edu/student/email.html
  • If your home college is Madisonville Community College, please contact the Information Technology department Helpdesk at (270) 824-8604 if you need help.
• How to Login?
  • Student Login Instructions: http://www.kctcs.edu/distancelearning/orientation6.htm -- The login instructions are emailed through student KCTCS email accounts.
  • See the tutorial file for instructions (no audio)
• How to find online courses?
  • Online Course Schedule (KCTCS Systemwide classes)
• What if I have more questions about Blackboard courses?
  • Please see the Information for Students, Services, FAQ's, and Glossary pages for more information.

Is web KYVC (Online) learning right for you?

An on-line course is a class that is taken primarily over the Internet. Students read materials on the net or in their textbook. Class discussion is via bulletin boards, on-line forums, chat-rooms, or e-mail. Assignments are usually submitted via the website or e-mail. Some on-line courses require the student to come to campus for face-to-face meetings or exams. See MCC's Distance Learning Schedule for requirements of individual classes.

Taking this self-assessment instrument will help you determine if you can be an effective "online" student at this time:

• I have reliable access at least three times each week (for an hour or more) to a computer that is connected to the Internet.
• I am able to work and learn independently with little need for direct supervision.
• My schedule does not allow attendance for on-campus classes.
• I have an e-mail account and know how to send and receive e-mail messages.
• I have used a Web browser to search for and access information on the World Wide Web.
• I plan to allocate at least as much time in my schedule for the online course I want to take as I would for a similar course taught by more traditional methods. For most web courses this will be twelve or more hours a week.

If you answered "yes" to the above questions, an on-line class may be right for you. Before registering discuss the special demands of on-line class with the instructor or your advisor.

Interactive Television (ITV) Course

Interactive Television (ITV) courses are courses taught at another college and broadcast to Madisonville Community College or courses taught at MCC and broadcast to other sites. The close-circuit TV system makes it possible for the student to talk to the instructor and classmates at the distant location. The class may be broadcast simultaneously to several other community colleges. Students are required to come to MCC at the time the class is broadcast. Assignments are submitted by mail, FAX, or e-mail. Students who wish to talk with the instructor after the broadcast may do so by e-mail or phone. A facilitator is available throughout the class broadcast to assist students with the equipment. ITV allows students to take classes that might not be available locally.

Is ITV right for you?

Interactive Television (ITV) courses are taught at another college and broadcast to Madisonville Community College. The close-circuit TV system makes it possible for the student to talk to the instructor and classmates at the distant location. The class may be broadcast simultaneously to several other community colleges. Students are required to come to MCC at the time the class is broadcast. Assignments are submitted by mail, FAX, or e-mail. Students who wish to talk with the instructor after the broadcast may do so by e-mail or phone. A facilitator is available throughout the class broadcast to assist students with the equipment. ITV allows students to take classes that might not be available locally. See MCC's Distance Learning Schedule for requirements of individual classes.

Taking this self-assessment instrument will help you decide if an ITV course is right for you:

• I am able to regularly attend the class at the listed broadcast times.
• I am able to work and learn independently with little need for direct supervision.
• I am comfortable working with equipment such as microphones and overhead projectors.
• I plan to allocate at least as much time in my schedule for the ITV course I want to take as I would for a similar course taught by more traditional methods. For most ITV courses this will be three hours in the ITV classroom plus nine to twelve hours a week outside the classroom for assignments and study.

If you answered "yes" to the above questions, an ITV class may be right for you. Before registering discuss the special demands of an ITV class with your advisor.

Televised Instruction (KET) Course

A KET course is a class broadcast on the Kentucky Educational Network. Students are required to watch weekly programs, complete readings in a textbook, and submit assignments to the local instructor. Most KET courses require the student to come to campus for face-to-face meetings or exams. Communication with the instructor is by telephone, FAX, or e-mail.

Is KET right for you?

KET courses are broadcast on the Kentucky Educational Network. Students are required to watch a weekly program, complete readings in a textbook, and submit assignments to the local instructor. Most KET courses require the student to come to campus for face-to-face meetings or exams. Communication with the instructor is by telephone, FAX, or e-mail. See MCC's Distance Learning Schedule for requirements of individual classes.

Taking this self-assessment instrument will help you determine if a KET class will be a good fit for you right now:

• I have reliable access to KET on my home television at the time classes are broadcast.
• I have reliable access to a VCR.
• I am able to work and learn independently with little need for direct supervision.
• My schedule does not allow attendance for on-campus classes.
• I plan to allocate at least as much time in my schedule for the KET course I want to take as I would for a similar course taught by more traditional methods. For most KET courses this will be twelve or more hours a week.

If you answered "yes" to the above questions, a KET class may be right for you. Before registering discuss the special demands of a KET class with the instructor or your advisor.