eLearning

The College offers online courses which are an extension of the on-campus course offerings. Over 100 online and hybrid courses are offered in General Education, Computer Technology, Business, Health Science, and Office Technologies. Emphasis is placed on offering online courses which support programs at the Great Falls College MSU, as well as other units of the Montana University System.

PROGRAMS AND OFFERINGS

• Associate of Applied Science Degrees
• Health Information Technology
• Medical Billing & Coding Specialist
• Medical Transcription
• Certificate of Applied Science Degrees
• Health Information Coding Specialist
• Medical Billing Specialist
• Medical Transcription
• Transfer Degree Options
• Montana University System Core for Transfer
• Associate of Arts Degree
• Associate of Science Degree
• Professional Certificate Option
• Healthcare Informatics Tech
• Pharmacy Technician – (on-site clinical required)

Additional information, including detailed course descriptions, is available on the web at distance.gfcmsu.edu.

ONLINE COURSES
The College uses a variety of delivery methods to best accommodate students and hires qualified faculty, both inside and outside of the Great Falls area, to meet the needs of students working part- and full-time. Faculty are trained and supported by the eLearning Department to deliver effective online instruction. The majority of online courses are delivered using the Desire2Learn (D2L) learning management system. Online students follow the same registration procedures as campus-based students. Online students have full access to Great Falls College MSU library resources, online tutoring through the Learning Center, and have the opportunity to order textbooks online through the COTtage Bookstore (www.thecottagebookstore.com). The College plans elearning opportunities, coordinates their delivery with academic departments, and provides student and faculty support services. Please contact the eLearning office for more information about the programs and/or course offerings. Students at a distance are an important part of the campus community!

MIXED-MODE (HYBRID) COURSES
A hybrid or mixed-mode course combines the traditional classroom setting with an online component. The amount of on-campus class time varies but is less than a traditional face-to-face course. Students enjoy the flexibility and convenience of an online course as well as the benefits of meeting face-to-face for interactive classroom instruction.

WEB-ENHANCED COURSES
Many of the on-campus courses are web-enhanced and use various online tools to enrich the course. An instructor may post their syllabus, lecture notes, handouts, grades, and allow email contact online. Assignments may be turned in electronically.

ADVANTAGES FOR ONLINE COURSES:  YOU CAN –

• Take courses from the comfort of your home.
• Earn a degree online while you work.
• Log in and complete assignments any time of day or night.
• Complete prerequisite courses online before relocating.
• Save on travel and childcare costs.
• Blend a course with your work schedule.
• Enjoy learning through an online environment.

CHALLENGES:  YOU MUST –

• Be self-motivated.
• Learn to communicate effectively using the College learning management system and other technologies to connect with students, faculty, and the eLearning Department.
• Beware of procrastination—online courses follow the same calendar as on-campus classes.  Students enrolled in online courses should plan to log-in and check the course updates on a daily basis.
• Learn to use the technology along with course content.
• Own, purchase, or gain access to updated software and a newer personal computer, the latest version of Microsoft Office Professional and the newest Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox browser are recommended.
• Read instructions and all course materials versus attending on-campus course lectures.
• Have regular access to an Internet-ready computer and basic computer skills.

YOU MAY –

• Be required to find a testing proctor or come to campus to take exams for your online course(s), especially Mathematics, Accounting, and Computer Application courses.

For answers to questions about eLearning opportunities, please visit our website or call the eLearning Department at 406-771-4440 or 800-254-2815. The eLearning Department is located on campus in A120 and provides orientations, trainings, and technical support for online learning.