Fayetteville Technical Community College will offer “synchronous online classes” as an option for students who enroll for the 2020 school year, which begins Aug. 17.
Courses will be taught online, but include scheduled meetings that will also be online instead of in a physical classroom. Students will log into Blackboard Collaborate, a virtual meeting space built into the learning site, and watch instructors teach a lesson, provide work examples and answer student questions in real time. Students will need a computer, a reliable Internet connection, a webcam, a microphone and earphones or earbuds in order to complete the real-time portion of the classroom instruction.
Students who enroll in synchronous classes must attend the scheduled virtual meetings or be marked absent.
Any class offering the synchronous format will have the letter “V” in its section number. For example, “MAT-143-0V02” [This is part of the listing for Quantitative Literacy, a math course]. Synchronous classes will be offered this fall in such areas as biology, business, civil engineering, criminal justice, economics, math and marketing.
FTCC is offering synchronous classes to provide students with more options to succeed in their studies during the continued outbreak of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.
FTCC Math Instructor Lori Kiel said: “Synchronous online classes are perfect for students who want the advantages of meeting in real time with the instructor, but do not want to come on campus for physical class meetings due to commuting distance, family responsibilities, or a desire to stay home during the current pandemic.”
As the fall semester nears, more programs plan to offer synchronous classes as deans work with instructors to finalize course schedules. FTCC will continue to offer face-to-face classes, fully online classes and hybrid classes, which are a mix of those two options. Any face-to-face classes will be conducted in accordance with the school’s strict safety guidelines, aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19.
Students using Post 9/11 GI BILL benefits, please contact the Veteran Services Office at 678-8550 or email VSO@faytechcc.edu prior to registering for classes.
For more details about the upcoming 2020 Fall Semester and to register, click here
