Distance Learning

Distance Learning refers to ways to hold class meetings outside of the traditional seated classroom. In the event that physical campuses and/or education centers are closed due to extreme weather, natural disasters, health-related emergencies, or other unexpected events, your course may transition to distance learning.

Forms of distance learning may include email, ZOOM sessions, and Canvas course sites. The tools, resources, and strategies below can help you prepare for such situations and minimize their impact on your learning. In the event of an actual emergency, please monitor your OTC email for on-going status updates.

Here are some things you’ll need to do to keep your part of the process moving forward…

Getting Started

An emergency situation is a challenging experience for everyone, so please be patient, kind, flexible, and ask for help when needed. We want to continue delivering quality instruction while minimizing disruptions as you progress towards your academic goals.

Your instructors are likely still determining how they want to approach the rest of the semester. Stay connected with them as much as possible. Monitor your OTC email and Canvas course sites daily for updates. If you have not yet heard from your instructor with plans and instructions, be patient and continue to reach out to them periodically.

Your distance learning experience will likely involve one or more of the following:

  • Email
  • Assignments submitted within Canvas or via email
  • Canvas discussion forums
  • Recorded lectures
  • Live ZOOM meetings and/or recorded ZOOM meetings

As seated and hybrid course sections transition to distance learning, some classes might experience technology glitches resulting from minimal preparation time and a condensed schedule. We must all work together to make distance learning as effective as possible.

Canvas (Student) Orientation Course – You can, at any time, self-enroll in this free, non-credit, self-paced short course designed to help you become familiar with Canvas (course navigation, submitting assignments, participating in discussion forums, etc.).

Transitioning to distance learning from a traditional classroom environment can be stressful.  The following tips can contribute to a successful transition:

  • Be proactive; check your OTC email and Canvas announcements daily.
  • Do not hesitate to ask for help.  See the Support section below.
  • You will be asked to do work that supports the learning outcomes of the class but your family, health, and life circumstances come first. No exceptions.
  • Establish a schedule and stick with it. Plan to do work in your course at scheduled times just as you did when you were meeting in a classroom face-to-face, and remember…
    • Communicating at a distance (emails, discussions, etc.) often takes more time due to having to type your questions/comments and wait for others to reply.
    • You instructors might use ZOOM sessions, phone calls, etc. to communicate with you on specific days/times.  Be sure to communicate any schedule concerns with your instructors, and stay in contact with them about any questions you have about your classes.  They are here to help you and will do all they can to enable you to be successful in your courses!

As a reminder, OTC Policy 5.15 (“Standards of Student Conduct”) applies to all forms of distance learning (including “live” ZOOM sessions).

Where should I go for status updates on the current emergency situation?

OTC uses the following social media accounts for up-to-date information and important notifications:

Check your OTC email often (at least daily).

  • Accessing OTC Email through MyOTC
  • Download the Outlook App for your phone and sync your OTC email to your phone.  It’s the easiest way for you to keep up with important campus news and communicate with your instructors. Follow these step-by-step instructions to sync your OTC email to your iPhone or Android.

What is meant by “distance learning?”

If your seated or hybrid course is transitioning to distance learning, this means your course will likely start using some of the following tools instead of meeting in a classroom:

  • Email
  • Assignments submitted within Canvas or via email
  • Canvas discussion forums
  • Recorded lectures
  • Live ZOOM meetings and/or recorded ZOOM meetings

Your instructor will communicate status updates as to the tools you’ll be using in your course, so you’ll want to check your OTC email and Canvas announcements daily.

What is Canvas?

Canvas is OTC’s learning management system and serves as the platform containing a website for every course section as well as online resources provided by your instructor (course materials, discussion forums, etc.).   To download the Canvas mobile app:

The Canvas Community Guide offers instructions for using the mobile app.

I’m new to Canvas. Is there a resource to help me become familiar with this platform?

If you are unfamiliar with Canvas, you can, at any time, self-enroll in a free, non-credit, self-paced Canvas Student Orientation Course.  This short course is designed to help you become familiar with Canvas (course navigation, submitting assignments, participating in discussion forums, etc.). Note: an OTC email account is required for enrollment.

What is ZOOM?

ZOOM is the web-conferencing platform your instructors might use to conduct “live” meetings with students either as a group or individual basis.

For assistance with using ZOOM, contact our IT Helpdesk (417-447-7548 / helpdesk@otc.edu) with any questions, and they will be happy to help.

Note:  OTC Policy 5.15 (“Standards of Student Conduct”) still applies to all “live” ZOOM sessions.

First Steps

An emergency situation is a challenging experience for everyone, so please be patient, kind, flexible, and ask for help when needed. We want to continue delivering quality instruction while minimizing disruptions as you progress towards your academic goals.

Your instructors are likely still determining how they want to approach the rest of the semester. Stay connected with them as much as possible. Monitor your OTC email and Canvas course sites daily for updates. If you have not yet heard from your instructor with plans and instructions, be patient and continue to reach out to them periodically.

Your distance learning experience will likely involve one or more of the following:

  • Email
  • Assignments submitted within Canvas or via email
  • Canvas discussion forums
  • Recorded lectures
  • Live ZOOM meetings and/or recorded ZOOM meetings

As seated and hybrid course sections transition to distance learning, some classes might experience technology glitches resulting from minimal preparation time and a condensed schedule. We must all work together to make distance learning as effective as possible.

Canvas (Student) Orientation Course – You can, at any time, self-enroll in this free, non-credit, self-paced short course designed to help you become familiar with Canvas (course navigation, submitting assignments, participating in discussion forums, etc.).

Tips for Success

Transitioning to distance learning from a traditional classroom environment can be stressful.  The following tips can contribute to a successful transition:

  • Be proactive; check your OTC email and Canvas announcements daily.
  • Do not hesitate to ask for help.  See the Support section below.
  • You will be asked to do work that supports the learning outcomes of the class but your family, health, and life circumstances come first. No exceptions.
  • Establish a schedule and stick with it. Plan to do work in your course at scheduled times just as you did when you were meeting in a classroom face-to-face, and remember…
    • Communicating at a distance (emails, discussions, etc.) often takes more time due to having to type your questions/comments and wait for others to reply.
    • You instructors might use ZOOM sessions, phone calls, etc. to communicate with you on specific days/times.  Be sure to communicate any schedule concerns with your instructors, and stay in contact with them about any questions you have about your classes.  They are here to help you and will do all they can to enable you to be successful in your courses!

As a reminder, OTC Policy 5.15 (“Standards of Student Conduct”) applies to all forms of distance learning (including “live” ZOOM sessions).

FAQ

Where should I go for status updates on the current emergency situation?

OTC uses the following social media accounts for up-to-date information and important notifications:

Check your OTC email often (at least daily).

  • Accessing OTC Email through MyOTC
  • Download the Outlook App for your phone and sync your OTC email to your phone.  It’s the easiest way for you to keep up with important campus news and communicate with your instructors. Follow these step-by-step instructions to sync your OTC email to your iPhone or Android.

What is meant by “distance learning?”

If your seated or hybrid course is transitioning to distance learning, this means your course will likely start using some of the following tools instead of meeting in a classroom:

  • Email
  • Assignments submitted within Canvas or via email
  • Canvas discussion forums
  • Recorded lectures
  • Live ZOOM meetings and/or recorded ZOOM meetings

Your instructor will communicate status updates as to the tools you’ll be using in your course, so you’ll want to check your OTC email and Canvas announcements daily.

What is Canvas?

Canvas is OTC’s learning management system and serves as the platform containing a website for every course section as well as online resources provided by your instructor (course materials, discussion forums, etc.).   To download the Canvas mobile app:

The Canvas Community Guide offers instructions for using the mobile app.

I’m new to Canvas. Is there a resource to help me become familiar with this platform?

If you are unfamiliar with Canvas, you can, at any time, self-enroll in a free, non-credit, self-paced Canvas Student Orientation Course.  This short course is designed to help you become familiar with Canvas (course navigation, submitting assignments, participating in discussion forums, etc.). Note: an OTC email account is required for enrollment.

What is ZOOM?

ZOOM is the web-conferencing platform your instructors might use to conduct “live” meetings with students either as a group or individual basis.

For assistance with using ZOOM, contact our IT Helpdesk (417-447-7548 / helpdesk@otc.edu) with any questions, and they will be happy to help.

Note:  OTC Policy 5.15 (“Standards of Student Conduct”) still applies to all “live” ZOOM sessions.

Support

Whether you’re comfortable using technology or rarely use a computer, OTC Online is here to support you with any questions regarding Canvas, publisher platforms (Pearson, McGraw-Hill, Cengage, etc.), and any other instructional tools.  Reach out to us anytime at 417-447-8200 / online@otc.edu.

If you call and no one answers, please leave a voicemail, and someone will get back with you as soon as possible.  In the event of an emergency, while response times might be delayed, know that we are working hard to respond as quickly as possible, and requests for help are handled in the order in which they are received.

Our IT team is happy to assist with any questions regarding computer problems, OTC username/password issues, web browser issues, ZOOM questions, and other software/hardware needs.  You can contact them at any time at 417-447-7548 / helpdesk@otc.edu.  Check the IT Services and Support webpage for days/hours of support.

Additionally, you can access OTC resources remotely by accessing https://remote.otc.edu and following the instructions provided in this OTC Helpdesk Knowledge Base article.

Canvas (Student) Orientation Course – You can self-enroll in this non-credit course designed to help you become familiar with Canvas (course navigation, submitting assignments, participating in discussion forums, etc.).

Canvas Support – The OTC Online Canvas Support web page contains links to Canvas-related resources for students.

ZOOM – ZOOM is the web-conferencing platform used by OTC.  If your instructor wants to host a session where you can interact in real-time with each other, this link provides instructions for how to access the session once your instructor emails you a link to a session.  Note:  OTC Policy 5.15 (“Standards of Student Conduct”) still applies to all “live” ZOOM sessions.

Your instructor should serve as your primary contact for anything related to your course.  In the event of an emergency, contact your instructor with any questions you have about the class, and frequently monitor your OTC email, Canvas Announcements, and the OTC website for status updates.

To contact a department chair/program director…

To contact an OTC physical location…

Canvas-Related Support

Whether you’re comfortable using technology or rarely use a computer, OTC Online is here to support you with any questions regarding Canvas, publisher platforms (Pearson, McGraw-Hill, Cengage, etc.), and any other instructional tools.  Reach out to us anytime at 417-447-8200 / online@otc.edu.

If you call and no one answers, please leave a voicemail, and someone will get back with you as soon as possible.  In the event of an emergency, while response times might be delayed, know that we are working hard to respond as quickly as possible, and requests for help are handled in the order in which they are received.

IT Support

Our IT team is happy to assist with any questions regarding computer problems, OTC username/password issues, web browser issues, ZOOM questions, and other software/hardware needs.  You can contact them at any time at 417-447-7548 / helpdesk@otc.edu.  Check the IT Services and Support webpage for days/hours of support.

Additionally, you can access OTC resources remotely by accessing https://remote.otc.edu and following the instructions provided in this OTC Helpdesk Knowledge Base article.

Resources

Canvas (Student) Orientation Course – You can self-enroll in this non-credit course designed to help you become familiar with Canvas (course navigation, submitting assignments, participating in discussion forums, etc.).

Canvas Support – The OTC Online Canvas Support web page contains links to Canvas-related resources for students.

ZOOM – ZOOM is the web-conferencing platform used by OTC.  If your instructor wants to host a session where you can interact in real-time with each other, this link provides instructions for how to access the session once your instructor emails you a link to a session.  Note:  OTC Policy 5.15 (“Standards of Student Conduct”) still applies to all “live” ZOOM sessions.

Division/Location Contacts

Your instructor should serve as your primary contact for anything related to your course.  In the event of an emergency, contact your instructor with any questions you have about the class, and frequently monitor your OTC email, Canvas Announcements, and the OTC website for status updates.

To contact a department chair/program director…

To contact an OTC physical location…