Delivery Methods

Online and distance learning remove the traditional boundaries of time and location to offer you the flexibility not often found in other academic situations. You can set your own pace and choose the most convenient time and place to study.

Online

Colorado State uses Blackboard (called RamCT) as its online learning platform for most academic and noncredit courses. RamCT provides user-friendly access to course materials, discussion groups, assignments, exams, chat, and other learner services.

More information about requirements and logging in to RamCT is available in Find Answers.

A small number of online credit and noncredit courses are delivered through outreach partners or alternate online platforms.

Availability

Online courses are available worldwide to any student with access to the Internet. Students are responsible for their own internet access.

DVD / VCD

DVDs and VCDs, or "Video Compact Discs", contain higher quality video and sound than that of VHS tapes and can be viewed on DVD players, television sets, and computers with DVD-ROM drives.

DVDs and VCDs are offered in either of the two formats:

"Live" Recording

Recorded daily in the classroom, each disc contains the day's lecture. Discs will be shipped the next business day (holidays excluded). Shipments should reach students in about five business days.

Pre-recorded

Classroom recordings from past semesters are shipped to the student at the beginning of the term; some courses may require two or more shipments. These discs can be purchased at an additional cost to tuition (unless otherwise noted in the course information) from the University Bookstore.

Pre-recorded VCDs must be returned to the originating department or office at the end of the term.

Availability

DVD and VCD courses are available to students in the United States, Canada, and U.S. Military addresses (APO/FPO). Some courses and degree programs can ship materials internationally - check with the department about international availability before registering.

DVDs and VCDs can be viewed on conventional DVD players and in computer DVD drives.

Correspondence

These courses use study guides, textbooks, and other materials in-place of classroom instruction. Using these resources as a guide, you will complete assignments and mail them to our office for the instructor to evaluate and grade. Most courses require supervised examinations using a proctor.

Successful completion of a course is based on meeting all course requirements, including assignments and exams.

Availability

Correspondence courses are available world-wide.

CD-ROM

These computer-based discs are self-supporting programs that provide instruction, structured practice, and evaluation on your home or business computer. Students need to have access to a personal computer or laptop with CD playing capability. Additional computer requirements may be listed with each course.

Information on installation and technical support can be found in the documentation that accompanies the CD-ROM.

Availability

CD-ROM courses are available worldwide.

Audio Conferencing

Students call into a special conference "bridge" number and are connected through a conference phone with the on-campus classroom. Students can ask questions and join in on the on-campus discussion at a distance. Students are responsible for long distance charges and must have a speaker phone with mute capability.

Availability

Audio conferencing courses are available worldwide to any student with ground line phone access.

Instructor Driven

These courses do not use distance technology to provide instruction or materials to the student, but rely on individualized contact between the instructor and student. These courses are usually independent study, research, thesis, or dissertation courses that require out-of-class student work where instructors provide direction and assistance to students during the course via phone, fax, or email.

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