Delivery Methods for Distance Education Courses

Many of the courses available through Distance Education are offered on a rotating basis during the regular spring, summer, and fall sessions. Most are delivered via the Web, in some cases in conjunction with another delivery method, such as the ICN or face-to-face classroom instruction. Some courses may require prior completion of college-level course work and/or specific prerequisites. Courses also may require that registrants be formally admitted to The University of Iowa or be applicants for admission. Such requirements are noted with each course listing.

Course Delivery Methods: Some Distance Education courses use just one delivery method, while others combine methods.

• Guided Independent Study (GIS) courses offer students living anywhere the opportunity to earn undergraduate or graduate credit through independent learning that is self paced within a semester format.  Students may enroll in GIS Web courses. Course content is delivered through an online course management system, such as ICON (Iowa Courses Online), or on an instructor’s web site. Web courses typically contain a combination of syllabus, assignments, and other course documents posted to the site. Features may include archived video or audio lectures.

• Virtual classroom technology. This method often uses systems such as Breeze (Adobe Connect) or Elluminate software and allows fully interactive class meetings to take place in real time.

• ICN (Iowa Communications Network). Occasional class sessions may be offered over Iowa’s statewide fiberoptic network. Students attend at designated ICN classrooms in their communities and take part in fully interactive class sessions.

• Online instruction. Study guides are provided online in pdf format to view or print.  Archived audio or video files may be used. There are no live/interactive components

• Off-campus/extension.  Face-to-face instruction at different locations across Iowa.

Participation in nearly all DE courses and workshops requires use of your Hawk ID and Hawk ID password.  For more information go to http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/ccp/courses/hawkid.html

• Saturday & Evening Classes
   If you reside in or near Iowa City, consider continuing your education by attending courses offered on campus. Classes are scheduled at times convenient for part-time and working students.  Nearly 700 classes are offered every session.

Non-Credit Professional Development Programming

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