MassBay Course Formats and Definitions for Fall 2020 and Spring 2021
Remote and Online Learning Infographic →
With the health and safety of our community as the driving factor, in early June the decision was made to offer all fall classes at MassBay remote or online. Each class is marked as “remote” or “online” in the Course Offerings. Note, there are a handful of “blended” courses in our automotive, biotechnology, and health sciences programs that have on-campus laboratory components. Please review the details of our Campus Safety Plans for students enrolled in blended courses.
Remote — Remote classes are held at scheduled class times each week (synchronous delivery) using free video conference technology. The proportion and use of video conferencing will vary from course to course. Course materials will be delivered through a learning management system such as Blackboard.
Online — Online classes do not meet at a specific date and time each week (asynchronous delivery). Students are required to engage weekly with the material in Blackboard, the MassBay learning management system, and stay on track with submitting assignments. Assignments may include videos, recorded lectures, discussion boards, tests, and quizzes and can be completed any time before the assigned deadline (usually weekly).
Blended — Students in blended courses will have scheduled lab meetings on campus and receive a portion of the course instruction remotely or online. The proportion of online or remote instruction will vary from course to course. For Fall 2020, blended courses will be limited to specific classes in the Automotive, Biotechnology and Health Sciences programs.
WELLESLEY HILLS, Mass. (May 8, 2020) — MassBay Community College has moved all summer 2020 courses to either an online or a remote learning format. We define online classes and remote formatted classes as follows:
An Online Course does not meet at a particular time or day (known as an “asynchronous course”) and all work is completed in the learning management system, Blackboard. Students are not required to meet at a specific date and time each week, but students are required to engage weekly for course assignments. Assignments and instructions from faculty members may include pre-recorded lectures, videos, or tests. The Course Offerings will reflect the location for online courses as ONLINE.
A Remote Course is more flexible in structure, with each professor deciding on class times and modes of communication. Students may be required to meet online on a specific day and time each week, as noted in the Course Offerings (known as a “synchronous course”). Assignments outlined in the syllabus may be taught in a variety of ways including WebEx, a web-based video conferencing platform, Blackboard learning management system, other digital tools, or in combination. The course master will reflect the location for a remote course as Wellesley, Framingham, or Ashland, based on the campus where the program is traditionally taught, though there will be no face-to-face courses at this time.
Students interested in a summer course can view the Course Offerings here. Prospective students who have questions can reach out to MassBay’s Admissions Office at 781-239-2500 or admissions@massbay.edu.
MassBay Community College is ranked by the Brookings Institution as one of the top schools for value added and earned salaries in the workforce. Ranked #1 for two-year colleges in Massachusetts, #2 in New England, and #16 nationally. The College’s facilities in Wellesley Hills, Framingham, and Ashland house day, evening and weekend classes that meet the needs of degree-seeking students and career minded lifelong learners. Online options provide convenience and allow faculty to facilitate the learning process. Since its founding in 1961, MassBay has been accredited by several governing bodies and strives to meet the needs of the diverse local communities it serves.