Course Delivery Methods for
Distance Education Courses

Many Distance Education (DE) courses make use of the internet to deliver course work to your desktop. Some external degree programs or courses are also offered in off-campus locations like Des Moines, Quad Cities, Sioux City and Lakeside Laboratory in northwest Iowa.

The University holds partnerships with many of the community colleges in Iowa.  These partnerships allow students who have completed associate degree programs to move into bachelor degree programs online or through blended course opportunities at some of their local community colleges.

DE courses vary in delivery format and are supported with various technologies. Some are structured so you can complete them at whatever time is most convenient for you (GIS), while others provide a more specific set of deadlines and opportunities to collaborate with classmates. With either option, a faculty member will provide direction as you complete the course.

Delivery modes appear on the bottom of the ISIS detail screen.

• The Self-paced/web designation is found on self-paced courses also called Guided Independent Study (GIS) courses. Students enrolled in this format complete course requirements using materials available through Iowa Courses Online (ICON), the University’s course management system. Students have the option of completing GIS courses in 1 or 2 semesters. University of Iowa nursing/pre-nursing students must complete Guided Independent Study courses in one semester. If you are using a GIS course as a nursing elective, you must complete this course the same semester you register for it (you will not have 2 semesters to complete it).

• Online courses follow an instructor paced schedule and are offered via the Internet using ICON or the instructor’s web site. In these semester length courses, no schedule meetings or log on times are required.

• Web courses are offered via the Internet using ICON or the instructor’s web site. These semester length courses follow an instructor paced schedule that requires students to participate in one or more scheduled meetings. Many of these courses use virtual classroom technology such as Adobe Connect or Elluminate which allows fully interactive class meetings to take place in real time via the internet.

•  Video Conference courses using polycom technology to meet.

• ICN-Iowa Cable Network courses are offered using ICN technology and students must go to a ICN classroom to participate. 

Off-campus courses:

• Face to Face courses are offered in the traditional classroom setting which are located at various off-campus sites on a specific date and time. Most DE courses in this category are part of degree program such as the MSW program.

If you reside in or near Iowa City, consider continuing your education by attending courses offered face to face on campus. Classes are scheduled at times convenient for part-time and working students. Nearly 700 classes are offered every session. If you are completing either the BLS or BAS degrees online, it is possible to utilize Saturday & Evening courses as a part of your degree plan. Go to http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/ccp/sande/ for more information.

The Division of Continuing Education partners with outside vendors to provide noncredit educational opportunities for individuals looking to personally develop, and to organizations interested in workforce development skills.

There are two online educational opportunities:

• ContinuetoLearn with SkillSoft at www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/skillsoft 

SkillSoft online courses are self-paced and are available at catalogs of courses.  Learners purchase an annual subscription.  Pricing for the catalogs range from $125 to $599 per individual. The ten catalogs, including Professional Certification Preparation programs, available are:

• General Business
• Business Strategy and Six Sigma Certification Prep
• E-business, Marketing, Sales
• Financial Planner Certification Prep
• Health & Safety
• HR Administration & Technical Support Certification Prep
• IT Certifications
• Legal Compliance
• Microsoft Office Certifications Prep and other IT Courses
• Project Management Certification Prep

• ed2go at www.ed2go.com/iowa courses are instructor-facilitated, structured online courses that run for six-weeks at a time.  Each course has a start and end date.  Personal development topics are available, as well as workforce development coursework. 

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)— It is possible to receive

professional CEUs for SkillSoft courses through the Center for Conferences.  For more information go to:  http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/skillsoft/csUnits.aspx

DE courses may make use of different types of technology tools.  Here are some examples of the tools utilized to bring the classroom to you.

© The University of Iowa | All Rights Reserved
Contact the Division of Continuing Education | Updated July 6, 2011