Course Delivery Methods

Northeast Iowa Community College provides multiple course delivery options to meet the diverse needs of learners, ranging from traditional classroom instruction to fully online learning experiences.

Competency-Based: Focused on mastery learning, CBE allows students to progress through a course based on their demonstrated understanding of competencies. It caters to diverse learning paces and acknowledges prior knowledge, offering a personalized and flexible learning trajectory.

• CBE On-Campus: These courses provide campus-based instruction, lab experiences, and/or instructor support while allowing flexible pacing and competency progression. The learning management system and other instructional technologies may also be used to support learning and communication.
  
  
• CBE Hybrid: These courses combine required asynchronous online content and in-person or virtual live sessions that support competency development, collaboration, and hands-on learning. Coursework is delivered through the learning management system, on campus, or via Zoom, while maintaining flexible pacing and instructor support.
  
  
• CBE Online: These courses allow students to complete coursework and demonstrate competencies 100% online, asynchronously. Instruction, communication, and assessments are delivered through the learning management system and other digital technologies with regular instructor support and consistent academic rigor.

Face-to-Face: Instruction is delivered in a face-to-face setting. The course may use the College’s Learning Management System (LMS) or other technology to facilitate instruction, such as distributing class materials, submitting assignments, and accessing grades.

Hybrid: Courses that combine online and face-to-face instruction (not including any one-time face-to-face orientation or offline testing/evaluation). At least 51% but less than 100% of course instruction is delivered using the College’s Learning Management System (LMS) combined with face-to-face instruction. 

Online: Offered 100% online through the College’s Learning Management System (LMS), these courses maintain the same academic rigor and learning outcomes as traditional classes. Courses may include required deadlines, proctored assessments, and regular and substantive weekly interaction with faculty.

• Online Asynchronous: Offered fully online through the College’s Learning Management System (LMS), asynchronous courses allow students to access course materials and complete learning activities on their own schedule while meeting established deadlines.
  
  
• Online Synchronous: Offered fully online through live virtual instruction at scheduled times, synchronous courses provide real-time interaction with instructors and classmates in a structured online learning environment.

Video Conference: Courses are broadcast live from a central location to students in various locations. Equipped with two-way audio and video technology, these classrooms enable interactive, dynamic learning experiences that closely resemble traditional in-person classes.

Web-Enhanced: These courses integrate online elements into traditional face-to-face, video conference, or clinical instruction. A significant portion of the course (less than 50%) is delivered through the College’s Learning Management System (LMS), supplementing primary in-person teaching methods.

Z-Degree: These 8-week courses are offered in a fully online, asynchronous format in the College’s Learning Management System (LMS), with low- to no-cost course materials.

Below is a standardized comparison table that clearly distinguishes each course modality by location, use of Brightspace, delivery method, meeting expectations, and lab requirements. This format helps eliminate confusion between similar modalities (particularly Online vs. Online Asynchronous vs. Online Synchronous and the CBE options).