Types of Courses Offered at IWCC

Online | Hybrid | Self Paced | ICN

Online Courses

In an online course, students interact with their instructor and classmates through the Internet. There are usually no campus visits required. If you take an online class, you will read lectures, submit assignments, take quizzes, and do other course activities online. Iowa Western online courses follow the same schedule as traditional classes, and students are required to complete work each week.

Are These Courses Right for You?

Online courses are the most convenient delivery method at Iowa Western, but also require the most time, self-discipline and time-management skills. Because you never attend class on-campus (except in special circumstances) you need to be extremely motivated to do well in the course. If you have a tendency to fall behind in your coursework, that tendency can become even more pronounced in an online course.

You, as an online student, are expected to have good reading, writing and study skills. Good study skills mean that you organize your time for reading and completing assignments in a timely manner. You must keep up with the class reading; you must stay current with the class calendar to meet assignment deadlines; you must read assignments and directions carefully; most importantly you must be self-motivated in order to stay on schedule.

In addition, you should have good computer and Internet skills. You should feel comfortable using a browser, and you should know how to save files from the Internet to your computer, and then open them using a different software program.

Hybrid Courses

Hybrids are courses in which a significant portion of the learning activities have been moved online, and time spent in the classroom is reduced but not eliminated. The goal of a Hybrid course is to combine the best features of in-class teaching with the best features of online learning. Hybrid courses promote active, independent learning and reduce class seat time. Students are required to participate in class each week and to complete weekly coursework online.

Are These Courses Right for You?

Hybrid courses are designed for students who can be successful in online courses but who wish to retain the value of personal contact with the instructor and other students. Hybrid courses are very convenient but require more time, dedication, and time-management skills than traditional classroom learning.

Self Paced Courses

Self-paced courses give students an opportunity to work at their own pace under the supervision of a faculty member. Testing takes place in a campus computer lab at designated times and under faculty supervision. The Self Paced Lab is open five days a week.

ICN Courses

Iowa Western Community College offers courses over the ICN. ICN courses allow students to attend class at the campus or center closest to home. Lectures are delivered through the fiber optics system and are shown on a television screen. Students are able to interact through microphones and a camera system. The fiber optics sites include all Iowa Western locations and an expanding number of sites in southwest Iowa. It provides an opportunity to enroll in college credit classes without having to travel great distances. 

For Further Information

Call the Department of Online and Distance Education at 712-325-3333 or email jrabey@iwcc.edu.