Distance Learning (DL) is a medium or an educational format that enables learning to occur when the student and the instructor are physically separated from each other in time and place.
At RCC these courses may be offered via the North Carolina Information Highway or the Internet. Such classes have the same course description, basic content, and credit hours as the traditional courses.
How It Works
Online Courses: In an online course, instruction may be synchronous (requires all participants to be online at the same moment) or asynchronous (learning “anytime, anywhere” meaning that the learning process of a particular subject is performed without fixed class hours in classrooms).
Entrance into an online class is defined as logging into the institution’s learning management system (Moodle/ Blackboard Open LMS) and completing the required enrollment assignment. Attendance is determined weekly by students completing assignments, submitting quizzes/tests or posting within a required discussion forum. Therefore, students should check the website four to five times a week.
Hybrid Courses: A hybrid course combines both the online and face-to-face environment. Part of the instruction, such as lectures, is presented online while another segment, such as lab work, is taught in the traditional face-to-face setting. Thus, students should expect to complete assignments and to participate fully in both the online and face-to-face portions of the class.
Web Assisted Course: A web assisted course is a College credit course where the primary delivery is via traditional face-to face method with a requirement that students have Internet access as a supplemental part of the course.
North Carolina Information Highway (NCIH) Course: Through the assistance of a video network, students are seated in a classroom at Robeson Community College while they view their instructor, who is located at another institution, via a television screen. Such a course is offered through NCIH (North Carolina Information Highway).
Definition of new delivery methods, effective Summer 2019
Web assisted is being replaced by blended.
Online/Internet: College curriculum or continuing education course in which 100% of the instruction is delivered via the Internet/online. Courses may have proctored testing, but instruction is delivered online.
Hybrid: College curriculum or continuing education course in which > 50% but < 100% of instruction is delivered when the student and the instructor are
separated by distance.
Blended: College curriculum or continuing education course in which < 50% of instruction is delivered when the student and the instructor are separated by
distance.
Distance Learning Education Grading System
The grading system of the host institution will be used. The final letter grade of the course, issued by the College, will be posted to the student transcript.
Proctor Policy
In some distance learning courses, instructors may require students to either visit campus at specified times and locations to take one or more assessments or to obtain an instructor approved proctor to administer exams. If the proctor option is selected, it is the responsibility of the student to obtain an acceptable proctor.
Students must submit names, positions, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of the potential proctors and locations where exams can be administered. Proctors and locations must meet with the approval of the instructor. Once an instructor approves a proctor and testing procedure, the RCC instructor will contact the proctor and arrange for delivery and return of the exam. The instructor, proctor, and student will agree upon the time and parameters under which the exam is given. Students are responsible for any fees charged by proctors.
Qualified Proctors May Be:
- Administrators of recognized private testing centers
- Administrators or full-time faculty at accredited universities, colleges, or community colleges
- Principals, associate/assistant principals, and counselors of US public schools
- US Forces Military Commanders of Field Grade or above
- Education Services Officers on US military installations within the US or overseas
- US embassy or consulate officials
Qualified Proctors May Not Be Friends or Family Members!
Again, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain an acceptable proctor. The process of identifying a proctor, obtaining approval, and exam coordination takes time. Students must make arrangements for a proctor and testing location at least two weeks prior to an examination. Failure to do so may result in a zero for the examination.
State Authorization and Online Learning
State Authorization
State Authorization is a legal issue dealing with a college’s adherence to state requirements for colleges to secure authorization to offer instruction in that state. Compliance with individual state requirements is now part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Amended 2010. Institutions offering distance education courses or programs must provide current and prospective students with the contact information for filing complaints with the college, its accrediting agency, and with the state agencies that handle complaints in the students’ state of residence.
Robeson Community College is currently authorized to offer Distance Learning courses in the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.
Registration of students from other states in online courses may require additional time and information so please allow additional time for this process.
Students residing outside of the State of North Carolina while taking online courses from Robeson Community College who desire to resolve an academic grievance or complaint should first follow Robeson Community College’s Student Complaint Process.
Robeson Community College, NC Community College System, and NC Post-Secondary Education Complaint Procedures
Robeson Community College (RCC) is a member of the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). The Complaint Policy is available for all students to review, however, students are advised to begin the process at the institutional level. Contact:
Bill Mauney
Vice President for Instruction and Support Services
(910) 272-3300
bmauney@robeson.edu
Building 2
I.J. Williams Administration Building
Complaint processes can found in the RCC Catalog under the following sections:
Grade Appeals Process [opens in a new tab]
Student Grievance Procedure [opens in a new tab]
If a complaint cannot be resolved through the institution’s complaint process, students may file a complaint with the North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints unit. Please review the NC Post-Secondary Education Student Complaint Policy [opens in a new tab], print and complete the NC Post-Secondary Education Complaint Form [opens in a new tab], and submit the complaint to:
North Carolina Post-Secondary Education Complaints
c/o Student Complaints
UNC System Office
910 Raleigh Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2688
For more information, call (919) 962-4550 or send an email to:
SACSCOC Student Complaint Process
If for some reason the complaint is not satisfactorily resolved, the next step would be to file a complaint with Robeson Community College’s accrediting agency. RCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates. Students who file a complaint with the accrediting agency should follow the SACSCOC Complaint Procedure [opens in a new tab]. The contact information for SACS is:
1866 Southern Lane
Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097
Telephone: 404-679-4500
SARA-NC Complaint Process
Students may also file a complaint through SARA-NC. SARA-NC is the portal for the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. Students should follow the SARA-NC Complaint Process [opens in a new tab] and use the SARA-NC Complaint Form (PDF) [opens in a new tab].
SARA-NC Contact Information:
SARA North Carolina
North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority
P.O. Box 14103
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
T: (855) SARA-1-NC (727-2162)
T: (919) 549-8614, ext. 4667
Professional Licensure
If you are considering a program at Robeson Community College that leads to licensure or certification and you do not live in North Carolina, please contact Robeson Community College directly regarding enrollment and licensure options for any program of interest. Points of contact are listed under Degree Programs on the RCC Homepage [opens in a new tab]. Prospective students may also contact the North Carolina State accrediting agencies listed in the RCC Catalog & Handbook under Accreditation [opens in a new tab]. Student Complaint Information by State and Agency (opens in a new tab) Directory of State Authorization and Lead Contacts (opens in a new tab)
Grade Appeals Process
For a complete description of Robeson Community College’s grade appeals process, please refer to the section on Grade Appeals Process [opens in new tab] or you may access it under Academic Policies and Procedures.
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