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About Distance (online) Learning

Mitchell Community College offers the following types of courses (as defined by the North Carolina Community College System):

College curriculum or continuing education course in which 100% of the instruction is delivered face to face with the instructor in the physical presence of students.

College curriculum or continuing education course in which 100% of the instruction is delivered online.

College curriculum or continuing education course in which greater than 50%, but less than 100% of the instruction is delivered online.

College curriculum or continuing education course in which less than or equal to 50% of the instruction is delivered online.

College curriculum courses in which 100% of the instruction is offered face to face with the instructor in a physical classroom and 100% of the instruction is offered online allowing students an opportunity to choose whether to attend classes during regularly scheduled in-person sessions or participate online synchronously or asynchronously.

Get Started

Browse the topics below to find resources to help you on your journey to becoming a successful online student at Mitchell Community College.

State Authorization & Professional Licensure Disclosure

What is State Authorization?

State authorization refers to the process by which an educational institution, typically a college or university, obtains approval or authorization from a specific state or states to offer its educational programs and services to residents of those states. This authorization is necessary because each U.S. state has its own regulatory and oversight requirements for higher education institutions operating within its borders.

Institutions must obtain approval from states for local and distance postsecondary educational activities relevant to the delivery of educational programs. Activities include online learning, non classroom experiences, faculty members who live outside of North Carolina, proctoring, professional licensure and marketing. Compliance with individual state requirements is now part of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008, Amended 2010. H 600.9 (c).

Professional Licensure Disclosure

In addition to the institution’s accreditation, some programs offered at Mitchell Community College can lead to participants earning a license or certification. These programs have earned accreditation by industry specific accrediting bodies. Please use the contact information for Professional Licensing Boards to learn about the required licensing or certification for your desired program, and the state specific requirements if you are a non-North Carolina resident that wishes to participate in one of these programs. Professional Licensure Board Contacts by State.

Some programs at Mitchell Community College lead to a license and/or certification in North Carolina. Beginning July 1, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education regulations require disclosures for all programs leading to a license or certification. Disclosures will be provided for all states and will indicate whether the program meets state educational requirements for licensure or certification, does not meet state educational requirements for licensure or certification, or a determination has not been made.

The US Department of Education provides information about most licensed professions by state. For any professions that are not listed on the US Department of Education webpage, search online using the name of the profession, the word “license” and the name of the state.

If you are considering a program at Mitchell Community College that leads to licensure or certification and you do not live in North Carolina, please contact the individual below that corresponds to your desired program.

Contacts

The Office of Distance Learning at Mitchell Community College is dedicated to providing accessible, high-quality education through innovative technology and instructional design. We offer flexible learning opportunities for students and professional development for faculty and staff, aiming to enhance teaching and learning experiences with cutting-edge tools and resources. Our goal is to make education transformative and accessible to everyone.

Distance Learning Staff

Melissa Hill

Director of Distance Learning

Email: mhill2@mitchellcc.edu

Crystal Dagenhardt

Learning Management System Administrator

Email: cdagenhardt@mitchellcc.edu

Michelle Minarik

Instructional Technologist

Email: mminarik@mitchellcc.edu

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Browse the topics below to find answers to the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding taking distance (online) courses at Mitchell Community College. If you do not find what you are looking for here, please contact: dl-information@mitchellcc.edu

FAQs

What technical skills do I need for online learning?

What personal technology is necessary for online learning?

How will I access my online course?

What are the technical requirements for the College’s LMS?

What software do online learning classes require?

What email should I use? Can I use my own email account?

What are Self-Service, Microsoft 365 (Email), and Open LMS? How do I access them?

What happens if my quiz or exam does not load, freezes, etc. in the LMS?

If you are experiencing issues with a quiz or assignment in your course, always contact your instructor first.

If your instructor is unable to resolve the issue, please contact Distance Learning Help.

Who do I contact if I have a technical problem?

Do I have to be admitted to Mitchell Community College to take an online course?

Planning to be out of country while taking courses at Mitchell Community College?

The college reserves all rights to block access from any country, region, or specific IP address. Users attempting to access college resources while outside of the United States will see their access denied. International access must receive approval by Vice President of Information Technology/CIO by sending an email to itsupport@mitchellcc.edu

Contact your instructor, Academic Advisor, or Information Technology (IT) immediately if you are, or will be, located outside of the United States.

Learning Technologies for Distance (Online) Learning Courses

Distance learning courses are supported by several learning technologies at Mitchell Community College. These learning technologies foster student engagement, facilitate collaboration, and stimulate learning.

The College uses the Moodle learning management system (LMS) to delivery course content. Students taking distance learning courses can expect to find the online portion of a course on the College’s Moodle site. Online sessions are hosted by the instructor using a web conferencing tool such as Collaborate, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams.

Microsoft 365 is Mitchell Community College’s primary method of communication between the College and students and between instructors and their students. Students can download the full Microsoft 365 suite or use the online apps for Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. Students have Outlook for college email and OneDrive for cloud storage.

Self-Service is an online tool that provides students with real-time, up-to-date confidential access to college information regarding their account, class schedules, grades, and more.

Students can access the above learning technologies and more through the MyMitchell portal on the College’s website.

Additional required software may vary by course and can be found in the Textbook Lookup through the college Bookstore.

Netiquette Guidelines
  • Be Respectful: Treat instructors and peers with respect, just as you would in a physical classroom. Avoid language that could be seen as rude or offensive.
  • Use Proper Language: Write in full sentences, use proper grammar, and avoid slang or text speak. This promotes clear communication.
  • Stay on Topic: Keep discussions and messages relevant to the course material. This helps maintain focus and supports the learning process for everyone.
  • Read All Messages Before Replying: Ensure you understand the context of a discussion or email chain before contributing. This prevents miscommunication and redundancy.
  • Be Brief but Clear: Express your thoughts concisely but clearly, providing enough detail for others to understand your point without overwhelming them with too much information.
  • Avoid Shouting: Writing in ALL CAPS is considered shouting and can come across as aggressive. Use bold or italics for emphasis sparingly.
  • Respect Privacy: Do not share personal information about yourself or others without consent. Also, respect the privacy of discussions within the course.
  • Cite Your Sources: When sharing information or ideas not your own, properly cite your sources to give credit and avoid plagiarism.
  • Log in Regularly: Stay engaged with your course by logging in frequently, participating in discussions, and keeping up with assignments and announcements.
  • Follow Specific Guidelines: Adhere to any additional netiquette rules set by your instructor or the college, as these may vary by course or department.
Technical Knowledge and Necessary Skills for Successful Online Learning

Basic Computer and Internet Skills

  • Operating a Computer: Know how to turn your computer on and off, manage files and folders, and follow instructions to install or update software.
  • Internet Basics: Be able to connect to the internet, use a web browser (like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari), and conduct searches to find information.

Communication Tools

  • Email: Understand how to send, receive, and organize emails. Know how to attach and download files, and practice good email etiquette to communicate professionally with your instructors and peers.

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

  • Navigating an LMS: Familiarize yourself with the learning management system (LMS) used by the College. Know how to access course materials, submit assignments, participate in discussion forums, take quizzes, and check your grades.

Productivity Software

  • Word Processing: Gain basic proficiency in word processing programs (e.g., Microsoft Word) for writing papers and completing assignments.
  • Spreadsheets and Presentations: Have a basic understanding of spreadsheets (e.g., Excel, Google Sheets) and presentation software (e.g., PowerPoint, Google Slides) for any data analysis or presentation assignments.

Digital Communication

  • Video Conferencing: Be comfortable with video conferencing tools (e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams) for attending live classes or meetings. Know how to mute/unmute your microphone, turn your video on/off, and share your screen if needed.

Online Research and Critical Thinking

  • Research Skills: Develop the ability to find credible sources for research online. Use academic databases and the internet responsibly to support your coursework.
  • Critical Evaluation: Learn to critically evaluate the credibility and relevance of the information you find online.

Time Management and Self-Discipline

    • Organizational Skills: Use digital calendars and task management apps to schedule study times, keep track of deadlines, and manage your coursework.
Personal Technology Required for Online Courses

For successful online course taking, having minimum personal technology is essential. Here’s a list of the key technology
components you’ll need:

  • Computer or Laptop: A reliable computer or laptop with sufficient processing power and memory to handle coursework, software applications, and video streaming. Ensure it can run the latest operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux) and has a modern, up-to-date web browser (Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, etc.).
  • High-Speed Internet Connection: A stable and fast internet connection is crucial for accessing course materials, participating in video conferences, streaming lectures, and submitting assignments on time.
  • Webcam and Microphone: Many online courses require participation in video conferences. A built-in or external webcam and microphone are necessary for these interactions.
  • Speakers or Headphones: Good quality speakers or headphones are important for listening to lectures, participating in discussions, and engaging with multimedia content without distractions.
  • Productivity Software: Access to word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software is often required for completing assignments and projects. Mitchell Community College students can download Microsoft 365 suite free and have access to Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote, OneDrive, Outlook, etc.
  • Antivirus and Security Software: Protecting your computer from malware and viruses is important, especially when downloading materials or accessing various websites for your coursework.
  • Screen Reader or Assistive Technologies (if applicable): For students with disabilities, compatible assistive technologies such as screen readers or speech-to-text software might be necessary.
  • Printer and Scanner (optional): While not always necessary, having access to a printer and scanner can be helpful for printing course materials and scanning handwritten assignments.

Investing in reliable technology and ensuring you have access to these tools can significantly enhance your online learning
experience and contribute to your success in online courses.

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Registration for a curriculum online course works the same as registration for any other curriculum course on campus. If you are not a current Mitchell Community College student, you will need to complete an application. If you need more information on applying, go to the How To Apply and Steps to Enrollment pages on our website.