Online and Hybrid Courses

Distance education offers Austin Community College (ACC) students a convenient way to earn college credit through online and hybrid courses where the majority of instruction occurs when students and faculty are not in the same place. These interactive, web-based classes are designed for students who desire flexibility in their studies. Course content and transferability is identical to classes offered on campus, giving students more scheduling options and a wider selection of classes to meet their needs.

ACC offers four types of distance education courses to choose from:

• • Online – ONL
    Instruction and testing are fully online without required class times.
  • Synchronous Virtual Class Meetings Required – DLS
    Instruction is fully online with required online meetings during the specified days and times listed.
  • Hybrid Distance – HYD
    Instruction is mostly online with some on-campus meetings. An ACC ID card and personal safety measures will be required when on campus.
  • Hybrid Classroom – HYC
    Instruction is mostly on-campus with remaining instruction online. An ACC ID card and personal safety measures will be required when on campus.

The enrollment and registration process is the same for distance education courses as it is for on-campus courses. Fully online degree and certificate programs are offered. Visit the ACC Online website for complete program information.

Distance Education Course Orientation

All distance education courses begin with a mandatory orientation. Refer to the course section description in the Course Schedule to find orientation instructions for the class. Students who fail to meet a course’s orientation requirements risk being withdrawn from the course for non-attendance. Students should contact the course instructor immediately to clarify any questions about the orientation or other course requirements.

Distance Education Course Delivery in Blackboard

Distance education classes are taught using Blackboard, the College-approved learning management system for online course delivery. Classes may use additional hardware and software, but the College-approved learning management system must serve as the gateway.

• • Secure Access to Blackboard
    Students use their unique ACCeID and password to securely login to Blackboard.
  • Course Availability in Blackboard
    Courses are available in Blackboard for students no later than the Friday before the session begins. For students who register after the session begins, it may take up to 24 hours for the course to appear in Blackboard.
  • Course Confidentiality in Blackboard for Students
    Only work submitted to open forums, like discussion boards, can be accessed by other students in the class. Assignments, grades, and correspondence are not viewable by other students.
  • Professional Use Expectations for College Information Systems
    The following statement appears on the Blackboard login page regarding the expectations and policies that all users must abide by:
    “Users are expected to comply with ACC’s Administrative Rule on the Use of College Information Systems, and to be familiar with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Proceeding to use college information systems indicates your awareness of and commitment to comply with the above-referenced guidelines. If you are unsure of these guidelines or disagree with them, you are expected to exit now and consult with your supervisor or advisor.”

Distance Education Testing Options and Procedures

Most distance education courses offer online testing options. Course-specific testing options and instructions are provided in the syllabus.

Procedures for Protecting Student Privacy in Distance Education Courses and Programs

Austin Community College (ACC) protects the privacy of all students including distance education students through strict adherence to the rules of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended (FERPA). The official FERPA statement is available for student and public view on ACC’s Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) page and in the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act section of the catalog.

ACC is committed to protecting the privacy of students enrolled in all courses and programs regardless of the mode of instruction (online, hybrid, classroom). All College policies regarding student privacy and information security apply to distance education courses and programs. All ACC students, employees, and faculty teaching distance education courses and programs are expected to uphold these policies.

Identity Verification in Distance Education Courses and Programs

• • ACC Student ID Card
    ACC students, including those enrolled in distance education courses, are issued a Student ID Card as proof of identity. Students obtain their ACC Student ID card in person at any campus Admissions and Enrollment Office. Students must provide an ACC Student ID card to use services on campus including the Libraries, Learning Labs, and Testing Centers.
  • ACCeID
    ACC assigns all students a unique identifier called an ACCeID. Students use their ACCeID and password to log in to ACC’s online applications. To ensure that a student who registers for a distance education course is the same student who participates in and completes the course, students are required to use their ACCeID and password to log in to Blackboard, ACC’s online learning management system.

Confidentiality in Distance Education Courses and Programs

Student Responsibilities

• • Keep your ACCeID and ACCmail account information secure. Do not share your login and password information with anyone.
  • Do not give anyone unauthorized access to the Blackboard course.
  • Use the ACCeID Manager to reset passwords and update login security questions. Contact the Help Desk for assistance with ACCeID problems.

Faculty Responsibilities

Distance education faculty are required to use Blackboard, the college-approved learning management system, for course delivery to ensure security of student work and grades.

• • Use Blackboard or ACCmail for all official communication such as providing feedback on student work, releasing grade information to students, etc.
  • Keep student work, scores, and grades confidential. Students in the course should not have access to other students’ work or grades.
  • Keep your Blackboard login and ACCmail account information secure. Do not share your login information with anyone, give anyone unauthorized access to the Blackboard course, or assign any student the role of instructor or graduate assistant in Blackboard.
  • Follow the College’s guidelines and FERPA guidelines for sharing student educational record information with other faculty, staff, parents, or others outside the College.