Technologies
eLearning (Distance Learning)
Pensacola State College is committed to providing every student with a consistent, comprehensive, and user-friendly eLearning environment to maximize scheduling flexibility and reduce travel time.
Most eLearning opportunities are college credit courses that are part of a baccalaureate, Associate in Arts, or Associate in Science degree program. These courses cover the same material at the same level of academic rigor as in the traditional face-to-face classroom environment; however, some students find online learning to be more challenging than classroom learning. Developmental education courses and Career Certificate (Vocational Certificate) clock-hour courses are not typically available through eLearning. The student utilizing VA benefits should contact the Veteran Services Office in Building 6 on the Pensacola Campus or by email at veterans@pensacolastate.edu to discuss using VA benefits for online coursework.
The extent to which a student may engage in eLearning is described in the following course models.
Distance Learning: Distance learning courses, also referred to as “online” courses, require no on-campus visits, except possibly for exams. Pensacola State College offers two types of online courses: Live Online (or Synchronous Online) and Online (or Asynchronous Online).
A Live Online class is scheduled like a traditional face-to-face class with the same content and experiences. The difference is that students and the faculty member are in different locations and are logged in to the class via the internet during the scheduled day(s) and time(s). Students see and hear the faculty member and classmates and participate in the class virtually. Reliable internet access, a webcam, and a microphone are required. Live Online classes are also referred to as Synchronous Online classes.
An Asynchronous Online class is not scheduled for specific days and times. Although the student may complete the coursework when desired, the student must make certain to meet all deadlines established by the faculty member. Reliable internet access is required.
Note: Although no on-campus visits are required for a Live Online or Asynchronous Online class, many instructors do require proctored testing, which the student may complete on a PSC campus or under the supervision of a mutually acceptable proctor living anywhere in the world.
In a Hybrid Course, campus visits are reduced and substituted with online instruction. Hybrid courses do not carry a Distance Learning Fee.
In-Person Face-to-Face Courses: These courses meet at a scheduled day, time, and location. A majority of college-credit courses now incorporate some degree of eLearning methods and technology. Although a traditional face-to-face course meets on campus for all instruction, the faculty member often includes supplemental course materials via Canvas, the College’s learning management system.
PirateMail
Each admitted student is provided an institutional email account called PirateMail and PirateMail used as the official method of communication to the student from the College. The student should activate the PirateMail account within a week of admission and is expected to check the PirateMail accounts at least once per week, more often during a registration period. The PirateMail account becomes available to the credit-seeking student one business day after the application or re-application has been processed. Failure to access the PirateMail account and read communications from the College will not be grounds for an appeal of any action taken by the College or any requirement established by a faculty member when that information has been communicated to a student by PirateMail. The PirateMail account will remain active throughout a student’s enrollment and for three terms after the last term of attendance.