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Polk State offers distance education options across all disciplines. Information about specific courses and fully online programs can be found on the College’s website (Online@PolkState). A fully online student applying to the College should select the E-campus option when identifying the location for taking classes. An online-specific Student Success Advisor can ensure proper registration for classes.
Types of Online Courses
Online courses are delivered in two modalities within the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS): Synchronous (i.e., requiring regularly scheduled online meetings) and Asynchronous (i.e., no regularly scheduled, online, meeting times, but assignments and tests are generally scheduled with specific deadlines). Instructors share important course information, content, files, assignments, and grades ( as well as additional third-party instructional materials) through the LMS. It is important to fully complete at least one academic activity per week to avoid being withdrawn for non-participation. The requirements for attendance may vary by instructor and are indicated in the Course Syllabus.
Communication with the Instructor
An instructor can communicate with a student via email, Canvas inbox messages, discussion posts, assignment feedback, quiz feedback, course announcements, and synchronous communication tools (e.g., web conferencing). The instructor’s preferred method of contact is listed in the Course Syllabus, which may be available up to 45 days before the start of the term (polk.simplesyllabus.com). Each student is encouraged to review the Course Syllabus carefully, especially the course schedule, instructions for assignments, attendance requirements, testing requirements, and other information necessary for success.
Accessibility for Disabilities
The LMS provides accessible content through the use of Anthology’s product Ally. The student can utilize a drop-down menu to select alternate versions of files and other content placed in the LMS. All video content has captioning and transcripts available. A student who requires specific technologies for completing work through the LMS must contact the Office of Disability Services for assistance. Technologies utilized within the LMS are expected to meet federal guidelines for accessibility.
Exam and Quiz Proctoring
A student needing specific testing accommodations may make an appointment to complete proctored examinations in the Teaching/Learning and Computing Center (TLCC) at the Lakeland Ca,pus, Winter Haven Campus, or Lake wales JDA Center at no cost.
Online courses may require additional fees, specifically for remote proctoring; however, a student may request TLCC testing to avoid this cost. If a student is not located near one of the TLCC locations, the student can request options to complete the examination via remote proctoring (e.g., Respondus (no fee) or ProctorU fee-based) or at an in-person proctoring center (e.g., generally fee-based via another college or official testing center). The instructor determines the mechanisms used for proctored testing, and these can vary by department and type of exam. Information about testing is provided through the College website under Remote Proctoring. Specific information is located in the Course Syllabus.
Data Privacy and Security
Security of personal information in the distance learning environment is protected through the Learning Management System. Any third-party tool utilized within the LMS must also adhere to the established standard for data privacy and security. The user is required to log in to participate in assignments, quizzes, and discussions. The LMS also provides a grades tool for secure dissemination of student grade data. A student should never share his or her login credentials for the LMS, Polk email account, Polk Portal account, or any third-party academic resource.
Equitable Resources for Distance Learning Students
Polk State College strives to offer the same services and support resources for all Polk State students regardless of the modality a student selects for coursework. Resources for a distance education student can be found at: Identifying Essential Polk State College Resources (this link is also available via the Help button in Canvas). Additional resources such as online tutoring, help with library research and source citation, and assistance with writing and college-level conventions is also available, among other services. Assistance with the Learning Management System, log-in credentials, hardware, or other issues can be obtained through the Polk State Helpdesk.
Professional Licensure Information for Distance Learning Students
Polk State College offers a number of different degrees and certificates that lead to professional licensure. Some professions require both the completion of a degree and additional criteria such as licensure exams, field experiences, or clinical hours. An individual whose goals include a specific license or certification, must be aware of the various state requirements for the specific professional designation desired.
Polk State College is approved to offer online and in-person academic programs to individuals outside of the state through its participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). The NC-SARA provides a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Institutions that are members of the NC-SARA are authorized to provide online education to students from all NC-SARA-member states.
Polk State College cannot pledge that a selected degree program meets the specific educational requirements for professional licensure in a given state, as these requirements can change; however, the student can contact the Program Director to gather more information with regard to the individual’s state of residency.
Complaint Process for Distance Learning Students
An out-of-state distance education student, who has completed Polk State’s internal institutional grievance process as stated in Rule 4.26 and the applicable state grievance process may further appeal non-instructional complaints to the FL-SARA Postsecondary Reciprocal Distance Education (PRDEC) Council. Additional information on the complaint process can be obtained on the FL-SARA Complaint Process page (https://www.fldoe.org/sara/student-concerns.stml).
Polk State College has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA).
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