Mission and 5 Year Strategic Plan

The District-wide Distance Education Strategic Plan sets forth the mission and goals for the district in terms of online education. This is a 5 year document approved from each academic senate. View the strategic plan for 2022-2027 and begin to align your work with the intended goals.

Distance Education vs. Correspondence Courses

Distance education differentiates itself from correspondence or self-paced education through regular and substantive interaction between instructor and student and among students. Reference: Title V, 55204, Instructor Contact. Contra Costa Community College District Board Policy 4014 outlines key differences between distance education and correspondence education as well as details the process for course review, approval, and certification of DE courses. See Title V Policy for more information.

Fully Online - Asynchronous

Asynchronous classes are fully online and have no required scheduled meetings that occur at a specific time or place. These courses take place on Canvas, and have due dates for completing assignments, discussions, and exams. Live-sessions may be scheduled individually or optionally (such as “student hours”, student conferences, or additional support), so long as alternatives and options are given around timing. Instructor-to-student interaction and interaction among students generally takes place asynchronously, though group projects may ask students to schedule interactions at a time of their convenience.

Fully Online - Synchronous

Synchronous classes are fully online, take place on Canvas, and require attendance at live, scheduled online meetings.These classes appear in the schedule as "Off Online" or "Online (Lecture)" with listed meeting days and times. This modality offers routine opportunities for live engagement and live question/answer during the learning activity or lecture. Do keep in mind that we cannot require that students turn their cameras on for synchronous learning. Review our Camera Optional Recommendation (approved by DVC Academic Senate, October 2020) for more information.

Partially Online (Hybrid)

Partially online refers to any course that includes both online coursework through Canvas (and/or Zoom) in addition to on-campus meetings. In the schedule, you will find on-campus meetings listed with days, times, and a classroom location. Hybrid courses are still categorized under Distance Education and, therefore, subject to the same requirements outlined in our Contra Costa Community College District Board Policy 4014.

Partially Online (Hyflex)

DVC is currently exploring the hybrid flexible, or hyflex, model, but does not currently (or officially) offer this type of course. This modality may be offered online and on campus (hybrid), but also gives students the choice of how they want to attend (flexible). A successful hyflex model provides students choice, autonomy, flexibility, and interactive engagement no matter where, how, or when they engage in the course. The guiding principle behind this model is that all learning is equivalent, regardless of modality. It’s a student-centered, multi-modal approach to learning. This model requires a strong understanding of online and on-campus course design, principles of multi-modal interaction, and, often, technical support. DVC is currently exploring Hyflex options and best practices. You can also see how other community colleges are approaching hyflex modalities. See Las Positas and College of the Canyons’ Water Technology Program and Academic Senate Standing Policy on Hyflex.

Distance Education Addendums

The delivery of a course through distance education requires a separate course approval process called the DE Addendum. Departments submit courses for approval to the curriculum committee. Courses must ensure alignment with Title V course policies on regular and substantive interaction.

Online Scheduling Notes

To ensure students are able to navigate the selection of online courses in the registration process, please reach out to the Instruction Office for guidance. For student support, feel free to review and share this DVC student-made video that reviews all of the online course options:

Other Digital Learning Experiences

Courses that actively use digital learning activities may be called “web-enhanced” but are not defined by Distance Education policy. They relate to distance education in the use of the learning management system and creating effective digital learning environments and experiences on-campus.

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