Distance Education : Overview
The VITP offer several methods of delivery for the distance student.
For students located within the state of North Carolina, classes are regularly offered via the North Carolina Information Highway (NCIH) and the North Carolina Research and Education Network (NCREN). Students located near partner sites (high schools, community colleges, and universities) may take classes being broadcast from Raleigh by simply traveling to a nearby partner location - the class is taught via interactive, real-time video conferencing.
For students within the state of North Carolina who are NOT located within easy distance of NCIH rooms, intense summer classes may be held at a site located within the state, via our LearningPlaces initiative. VITP faculty will travel to a partner site to teach the classes to areas showing a strong demand (minimum 10 enrolled) for classes in Core Competencies.
Classes are also offered via the web by means of NCCU's Blackboard server. Course materials, including handouts, assignments, and support materials, can be accessed by anyone using a web browser. Blackboard classes include both classes solely offered via the web, as well as support sites for classes taught using other methods.
In addition to the more "traditional" methods of distance education, the VITP are continually researching alternative delivery methods - "tape-based" with video tapes/DVD's of local classes being made available to distance students; chat-based courses, whereby students will meet online at pre-determined times for chat sessions with an instructor; and multi-media-based courses being developed using a variety of new technology.
Please Note: Many distance-taught classes require 1 or 2 onsite (GMS Campus in Raleigh), in-person student visits - please contact the instructor of a particular course for further information. The University offers courses both via "on-campus" and distance education. All VITP courses are offered through distance education. However, other courses outside of the VITP, but required for graduation, are often "on-campus".
If you have any questions please contact Dr. Beth Harris at (919) 530-5346 or (919) 715-6342, or baharris@nccu.edu