What is eLearning?

eLearning is a general term used to cover the broad range of teaching and learning events in which the student is separated (at a distance) from the instructor, or other fellow learners. Modes of elearning include two way-interactive video, correspondence courses, video-taped courses, and courses delivered through the World Wide Web. eLearning may be synchronous, asynchronous, or a combination of both.

For accreditation purposes, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) defines distance learning in the following way:

“Distance education is defined, for the purposes of accreditation review, as a formal educational process in which the majority of the instruction occurs when student and instructor are not in the same place. Instruction may be synchronous or asynchronous. Distance education may employ correspondence study, or audio, video, or computer technologies.”

SACS, Distance Education Principles

Holmes Community College uses Internet-based courses. Holmes is a member of the Mississippi Virtual Community College (MSVCC). MSVCC is a cooperative of 14 of Mississippi’s community college districts and the Mississippi State Board for Community and Junior Colleges to provided internet-based courses statewide in Mississippi.

Through the MSVCC, any student admitted for admissions at Holmes may take courses from any member of the MSVCC (within certain restrictions), which includes Holmes. Course that are taught by Holmes are said to be “provided” by Holmes. Any course that Holmes opens for registration that is taught by another Community College is referred to as “hosted”.

The classes take place on the internet, using a web-based platform that the MSVCC adopted Canvas. You can access the Holmes Canvas portal at http://holmescc.instructure.com.