Distance Education
Distance education courses are an option for students who work irregular hours or have other time commitments. Alvin Community Colleges offers two methods to complete a distance education class in a secure online environment - Internet (IN) or Hybrid (HY).
Internet (IN)
An Internet (IN) class is conducted entirely, online. However, some courses may be synchronous, while others may be asynchronous. Some programs may require that students paticipate in orientations, field trips, or to take tests in an approved testing location. Check with the program chair for specific program details. Students must have access to reliable high-speed Internet in order to be able to complete all course requirements. Internet classes are conducted through Blackboard, which is ACC’s Learning Management System. Students may request a course syllabus in advance to determine if course is fully online or not.
Synchronous: participants, both students and instructors engage in learning both at the same time.
Asynchronous: participants not engaged in learning activities at the same time.
Hybrid (HY)
Hybrid courses combine online learning and face-to-face instruction in a manner that reduces the number of classroom meetings. Students attend a portion of the class in the traditional classroom at regularly scheduled times and complete the remaining portion of the class online using Blackboard.
What Programs are Available Online?
For more information about our online degrees and certificates, visit the Online Degree/Certificate webpage.
What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is ACC’s Learning Management system. Your Internet and hybrid classes can be accessed via Blackboard by clicking “The POD” at the top of the ACC homepage. Once you have logged into Blackboard, you should see your courses, depending on your device, either on the left-hand side or bottom of your screen under “Courses.”
How Do I Know if My Device is Compatible With Blackboard?
Use this link to find out if your operating system and browser are compatible with Blackboard.
What is the Blackboard Learn App?
The Blackboard Learn app enables students and faculty to access and update much of the core content already available on Blackboard from their mobile devices.
How Do I Obtain the Blackboard Learn App?
- Google Play store on Google devices
- Android Marketplace™ on Android devices
- App Store on iPhone®, iPod touch®, and iPad™
- Search for “Blackboard Learn”
- Install the app
- Search for Alvin Community College
- Log-in using your ACC email address and password
Where can I find my Internet/Hybrid courses?
Online/Hybrid classes can be accessed via The POD at the top of the ACC homepage.
When should I log-in to my Internet/Hybrid courses?
Make sure to access your courses on the first day of class.
How will my instructors communicate with me?
Check your ACC student email regularly for important updates or reminders from your instructors. Be sure to also review your course syllabus so that you are aware of what other ways your instructor might communicate with you.
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