Online Learning

Online learning offers students flexibility and an alternative way to take college courses that fit into a demanding schedule. When students take online courses at Wilkes Community College, they can expect to find compelling course content for learning, like-in-kind to a seated course. All online courses require the same number of hours for completion and cover the same learning outcomes as traditional courses.

Students can complete courses and/or degrees 100% online. Other courses and degrees blend online and face-to-face instruction, which many students prefer.

Students receive immersive instruction from instructors using best-in-class tools for teaching and promoting subject mastery. Our faculty complete CORE training to hone their online instructional skills and embrace technologies needed in an online environment. CORE certified instructors have met quality online course standards in both course design and instruction.

Planning to take an online course?

  1. New students must first complete the admissions process. Currently enrolled students should meet with their academic advisor before registering for an online course.
  2. After you have registered for an online course, log in to Office 365 and check your WCC email every day for messages from the registrar, financial aid, or your instructor.
  3. As a new online student, you will be enrolled in a Student Online Readiness course. This course is designed to prepare students for online success. Be sure to log in to Moodle and complete this course. Most students can complete all the activities in a few hours.
  4. Log in to Moodle on the first day of class and look for course announcements from the instructor(s). Be sure to read the course syllabus and complete any introductory assignment(s). All students must complete the Enrollment Verification Activity (EVA) for each online course or they will be dropped and marked as a no-show.
  5. To be successful in an online course, we recommend keeping a calendar of due dates. Check your WCC email and Moodle every day for new assignments or messages from the instructor(s).

While online courses offer convenience, they create unique challenges for students and their families. Self-motivation, the ability to follow instructions, and basic computer skills are crucial for successful online learners.

Contact Information

Image of Lisa Wilmoth
Lisa Wilmoth, AAS
Coordinator of Learning Management System and IT Assistant
Phone: 336-838-6209
lbwilmoth918@wilkescc.edu

Online Programs

Wilkes Community College students who cannot attend classes on campus can complete the following programs by enrolling in online courses:

Most WCC programs have some of their coursework available online. Online courses with insufficient enrollment may be cancelled.

Learning Technologies

Wilkes Community College has several learning technologies that support online learning, stimulates learning, and facilitate collaboration.

Moodle is the primary course content delivery source; students will find all their assignments posted in a user friendly, central location. Students taking an online course will find engaging activities and content as they interact with faculty and classmates.  Students and faculty can meet virtually when a face-to-face meeting is not an option. Collaborate offers a virtual classroom solution to power your online learning directly through Moodle.

Our faculty create engaging instructional videos using Echo360, bringing their voice and class content right to your computer screen with on-demand video. Students can flag specific areas of the video and make study notes. Students can create their videos for presentations or project presentations using Echo360’s software or mobile app.

Office 365 is Wilkes Community College’s engine of communication. Students can download the full Office 365 suite or use the online apps for Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more. Students have OneDrive for cloud storage and Outlook for college email.

Teams is a communication and productivity hub for Office 365. Students can collaborate and interact with Team’s social-feed style communication. Teams does it all, including video conferencing and file collaboration.

Students can access their WCC resources from the WCC Student Portal.  Students will find important information and dates and should check the page often.

Trouble with technology? Step-by-step guides for many common issues are available in the “How Do I…?” section of the Student Portal, along with the option to submit a Student Help Desk ticket. For in-person assistance, visit the Academic Support Center.

Course Types

Read the descriptions below to see which course types will fit your learning style.

Online / Internet

  • 100% of instruction is delivered online.
  • Courses are indicated with an “I” before the section number.
  • Check the online schedule for any orientation or proctoring requirements.
  • Students must log in to Moodle on the first day of class and complete the Enrollment Verification Activity or they will be dropped from the course.
  • Students should log in to Moodle daily.
  • Students must actively participate in the online activities including discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, and any other course work assigned or they could be dropped from the course.

Synchronous

  • 100% of instruction is delivered online through synchronous sessions at set dates and times (see course schedule for details).
  • Courses are indicated with an “S” before the section number.
  • Students must check Moodle on the first day of class to review any course documentation or instructions.
  • Students  should log into Moodle often to check course announcements, grades, view resources, or complete activities as directed by their instructor.

Hybrid

  • Online instruction makes up greater than 50% of the class, with a requirement that students also meet face-to-face (see course schedule for details).
  • Courses are indicated with an “H” before the section number.
  • Students must log in to Moodle on the first day of class and complete the Enrollment Verification Activity or they will be dropped from the course.
  • Students should log in to Moodle daily.
  • Students must actively participate in the online activities including discussion forums, assignments, quizzes, and any other course work assigned or they could be dropped from the course.

Blended

  • Face-to-face instruction is greater than 50% of the class, with a requirement that students have internet access as a supplemental part of the course (see course schedule for details).
  • Courses are indicated with a “WB” before the section number.
  • Students must log in to Moodle and complete the Enrollment Verification Activity or they will be dropped from the course.
  • Students should log in to Moodle often to check course announcements, grades, view resources, or complete activities as directed by their instructor.

Traditional

  • Instructor and students meet face-to-face at set dates and times (see course schedule for details).
  • Courses have no indicator before the section number.
  • Traditional courses may still use online technologies as a supplement to the course.
  • Students should log in to Moodle often to check course announcements, grades, view resources, or complete activities as directed by their instructor.

Procedures for Protecting Student Privacy in Distance Education Courses

Wilkes Community College is committed to protecting student privacy for students enrolled in all courses regardless of the mode of instruction (on-line, hybrid, classroom).  All College policies regarding student privacy and information security apply to distance education courses.  Faculty teaching distance education courses are expected to uphold these policies and follow these procedures:

  • Teach distance education courses using Moodle, the College’s learning management system, to ensure security of student work and grades.
  • Use the College’s secure Self Service site to report student grades.
  • Use Moodle or the College’s email system for all official, confidential communication such as providing feedback on student work, releasing grade information to students, etc.
  • Keep student work, scores, or grades confidential. Students in a course should not have access to other students’ work or grades.
  • Keep College user accounts (Moodle, Self Service, Office 365, Watermark Engagement) secure. Do not share login information with anyone, give anyone unauthorized access to a Moodle course, or assign a student the role of instructor in Moodle.
  • Follow the College’s guidelines for sharing student educational record information with other faculty, staff, parents, or others outside the College.

Policies/Procedures Related to Student Privacy

Out-of-State Students

To provide post-secondary instruction through distance learning courses to students who reside in states other than North Carolina, WCC must meet a state’s requirements to legally offer those courses in that state.  If you are located in a state other than North Carolina, contact the registrar’s office to see if you are exempt from authorization:

Image of Michael Ward
Michael Ward, MBA
Registrar
Phone: 336-838-6489
mrward284@wilkescc.edu

Wilkes Community College is working to achieve compliance as established in HEOA 600.9 (c).

If an institution if offering post-secondary education through distance or correspondence education to students in a State where it is not physically located or in which it is otherwise subject to State jurisdiction as determined by the State, the institution must meet any State requirements for it to be legally offering post-secondary distance or correspondence education in that State. An institution must be able to document to the Secretary [of Education] the State’s approval upon request. (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1001 and 1002)

Student Grievances

Wilkes Community College strives to resolve student grievances, complaints, and concerns in a fair and just manner. Students residing outside of North Carolina while attending WCC who wish to resolve a grievance should follow WCC’s Student Grievance Process.

If the grievance cannot be resolved internally, you may file a complaint with your state. Student Grievance Contact Information for Individual States, including phone numbers, email addresses, and/or links to state education agencies, is available below:

    SARA
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Alabama Commission on Higher Education - Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning
    Student Grievance Procedure

    ACCS Private School Licensing Division
    Student Grievance Procedure (complaints for out-of-state institutions are referred to the ACCS Private School Licensure)

    Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
    Phone: (907) 465-2962
    Fax: (907) 465-5316
    Student Grievance Procedure

    No information found.

    Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education
    Phone: (602) 542-5709
    Fax: (602) 542-1253
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Arkansas Department of Higher Education
    Phone: (501) 371-2000
    Email: ADHE_Info@adhe.edu
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education
    Phone: (916) 431-6959
    Fax: (916) 263-1895
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Colorado Department of Higher Education
    Phone: (303) 866-2723
    Fax: (303) 866-4266
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education
    Phone: (860)947-1801
    Email: webmaster@ctdhe.org
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Delaware Department of Education
    Phone: (302) 735-4000
    Fax: (302) 739-4654
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Florida Department of Education
    Phone: (850) 245-0505
    Fax: (850) 245-9667
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission
    Phone: (770) 414-3300
    Fax: (770) 414-3309
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs
    Phone: (808) 933-0910
    Fax: (808) 933-8845
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Idaho Board of Education
    Phone: (208) 334-2270
    Fax: (208) 334-2632
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Illinois Board of Higher Education
    Phone: (217) 782-2551
    Fax: (217) 782-8548
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Indiana Commission for Higher Education
    Phone: (317) 464-4400
    Fax: (317) 464-4410
    Email: complaints@che.in.gov
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Iowa College Student Aid Commission
    Phone: (515) 725-3400
    Fax: (515) 725-3401
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Kansas Board of Regents
    Phone: (785) 296-4917
    Fax: (785) 296-7052
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education
    Phone: (502) 573-1555
    Fax: (502) 573-1535
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Louisiana Board of Regents
    Phone: (225) 342-4253
    Fax: (225) 342-9318
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Proprietary Schools
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Maine Department of Education
    Phone: (207) 624-6600
    Fax: (207) 624-6700
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Maryland Higher Education Commission
    Phone: (410) 260-4500
    Fax: (800) 974-0203
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Massachusetts Board of Higher Education
    Phone: (617) 994-6950
    Fax: (617) 727-0955
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
    Phone: (517) 373-1820
    Fax: (517) 373-2129
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Minnesota Office of Higher Education
    Phone: (651) 642-0567
    Fax: (651) 642-0675
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Mississippi Commission on College Accreditation
    Phone: (601) 432-6372
    Fax: (601) 432-6225
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Missouri Department of Higher Education
    Phone: (573) 751-2361
    Fax: (573) 751-6635
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Montana University System, Montana Board of Regents
    Phone: (406) 444-6570
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education
    Phone: (402) 471-2847
    Fax: (402) 471-2886
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Nevada Commission on Postsecondary Education
    Phone: (702) 486-7330
    Fax: (702) 486-7340
    Student Complaint Form

    New Hampshire Postsecondary Education Commission
    Phone: (603) 271-3494
    Student Grievance Procedure

    New Jersey Commission on Higher Education
    Phone: (609) 588-3226
    Email: nj_che@che.state.nj.us
    Student Grievance Procedure

    New Mexico Higher Education Department
    Phone: (505) 476-8400
    Fax: (505) 476-8453
    Student Grievance Procedure

    New York Office of College and University Evaluation
    Phone: (518) 474-2593
    Fax: (518) 486-2779
    Student Grievance Procedure

    North Carolina Community College System, Office of Proprietary School Services
    Phone: (919) 807-7146
    Fax: (919) 807-7164
    Student Grievance Procedure

    North Dakota State Board for Career and Technical Education
    Phone: (701) 328-3180
    Fax: (701) 328-1255
    Student Grievance Procedure

    The Ohio Department of Higher Education
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools
    Phone: (405) 225-9100
    Email: communicationsdepartment@osrhe.edu
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
    Phone: (614) 466-2752
    Fax: (614) 466-2219
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Oregon Department of Education - Private and Career Schools Office
    Phone: (503) 947-5600
    Fax: (503) 378-5156
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Pennsylvania Department of Education, Division of Program Services
    Phone: (717) 783-6137
    Fax: (717) 783-6139
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Puerto Rico State Department- Board of Postsecondary Education
    Phone: (787) 722-2121
    Fax: (787) 641-2573
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Rhode Island Board of Governors for Higher Education
    Phone: (401) 456-6008
    Student Grievance Procedure

    South Carolina Commission on Higher Education
    Phone: (803) 737-2260
    Fax: (803) 737-2297
    Student Grievance Procedure

    South Dakota Board of Regents
    Phone: (803) 737-2260
    Fax: (803) 737-2297
    Complaint Form (this is a broad complaint form, not just to address postsecondary institutions)

    Tennessee Higher Education Commission
    Phone: (615) 741-3605
    Fax: (615) 741-6230
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board
    Phone: (512) 427-6101
    Student Grievance Procedure

    No information found.

    Utah Division of Consumer Protection
    Phone: (801) 530-6601
    Fax: (801) 530-6001
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Vermont Agency of Education
    Phone: (802) 828-3135
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Private & Out-of-State Postsecondary Education, State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
    Phone: (804) 371-2285
    Fax: (804) 225-2604
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board
    Phone: (360) 753-7869
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Office of the State Superintendent of Education
    Higher Education Licensure Commission
    1050 First St. NE, Fifth Floor
    Washington, DC 20002
    Student Grievance Procedure

    West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
    Phone: (304) 558-4016
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Wisconsin Educational Approval Board
    Phone: (608) 266-1996
    Fax: (608) 264-8477
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Wyoming Department of Education
    Phone: (307) 777-5712
    Student Grievance Procedure

    Wilkes Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

    International Access

    Planning to be out of country?

    The college monitors cyber security threats and reserves all rights to block access from any country, region, or specific IP address. Users attempting to access college resources while outside of the United States will see their access denied. International access must receive approval by Vice President of Information Technology/CIO.

    Contact Admissions or your Academic Advisor immediately if you are, or will be, located outside of the United States.

    FAQ

    Financial aid award can usually be applied to online courses. Visit the Financial Aid page for more information.

    You must register and pay for your class before the class starts. It is always a good idea to log into Office 365 and check your WCC email for messages from the registrar and from financial aid.

    Check the online schedule for any special requirements for your courses. However, all online students should have access to a computer with internet access and at least have word-processing software installed.

    Visit the WCC Student Portal for links to these resources, as well as helpful how-to guides.

    On the first day of class you will need to log into Moodle and click on your course link. In your course, you will find your instructor contact information, syllabus, instructions, and assignments. Be sure to read the course syllabus and any instructions regarding the first day or week of class. You must complete the Enrollment Verification Activity for each online course, or you will be dropped from the course and marked as a no-show.

    Your course(s) will be available on the first day of class in Moodle. Be sure to log in on the first day to see your assignments. If it is after the first day of class, check Self-Service to ensure you are still registered for the course.

    Your instructor’s contact information is located in the Moodle course. Check the top section for instructor contact, or check the syllabus for contact information and office hours.