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, 2 week (two classes per day, for 1 week on, 1 week off, 1 week on during 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 Compentencies.
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.
Distance Education Schedule and Registration Instructions
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".
Registration for Distance Education Courses
Distance Education, which, while a part of NCCU, is actually a fully self-supporting entity (as mandated by NC laws). Distance Education courses are always identified as "section 01D" courses (i.e. EDEC5601-01D, EDEC 5603-01D) and the tuition rates for such are always different than those offered by the University (any section not in the "01D series"). One important difference between NCCU classes is that ANY course offered through Distance Education MUST be registered and paid for through Distance Education – registration through Banner will not work.
Procedure for registering for any VITP course listed through Distance Education:
- Go to: http://www.nccu.edu
- In the Search box type in Distance Education.
- Click on the link for Distance Education.
- In the menu on the right find the registration form as well as course offerings.
- Download and complete the registration forms. NOTE: There are 2 pages to the registration form. Both must be submitted in order to process your registration.
- DO NOT fax the registration forms to Distance Education, as directed at the top of the form -- FAX them to Dr. Beth Harris at (919) 530-5353
- Be sure to download the payment form or make arrangements to pay your tuition. Distance Education does not bill you and you will be dropped from the registration if you do not pay on time. It will become the responsibility of the student to re-enroll if he/she does not make payment arrangements by the date indicated on the academic calendar at http://www.nccu.edu
If you have any questions please contact Dr. Beth Harris at (919) 530-5346 or (919) 715-6342, or baharris@nccu.edu