Course Delivery Methods for
Distance Education Courses

Many Distance Education (DE) courses make use of the internet to deliver course work to your desktop. We also offer some courses and programs in off-campus locations like Des Moines, Quad Cities, Sioux City and Lakeside Laboratory in northwest Iowa.

DE courses vary in format and may be supported with a variety of technology tools and media. Some are structured so you can complete them on your own (GIS), while others provide a more specific set of deadlines and opportunities to collaborate with classmates. With either option, a faculty member will provide direction as you complete the course.

Courses offered via the World Wide Web:

• Guided Independent Study (GIS) are self-paced courses offered via the Internet (WWW). Students enrolled in this format complete course requirements using materials available through Iowa Courses Online (ICON), the University’s course management system. Students have the option of completing GIS courses in 1 or 2 semesters.

• Online courses follow an instructor paced schedule and are offered via the Internet using ICON or the instructor’s web site. In these semester length courses, no schedule meetings or log on times are required.

• WWW/Plus Meeting courses are offered via the Internet using ICON or the instructor’s web site. These semester length courses follow an instructor paced schedule that requires students to participate in one or more scheduled meetings. Many of these courses use virtual classroom technology which allows fully interactive class meetings to take place in real time via the internet.

Off-campus courses:

• Face to Face courses are offered in the traditional classroom setting which are located at various off-campus sites on a specific date and time. Most DE courses in this category are part of degree program such as the MSW program.

If you reside in or near Iowa City, consider continuing your education by attending courses offered face to face on campus. Classes are scheduled at times convenient for part-time and working students. Nearly 700 classes are offered every session. If you are completing either the BLS or BAS degrees online, it is possible to utilize Saturday & Evening courses as a part of your degree plan. Go to http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/ccp/sande/ for more information.

The Division of Continuing Education partners with outside vendors to provide noncredit educational opportunities for individuals looking to personally develop, and to organizations interested in workforce development skills.

There are two online educational opportunities:

• ContinuetoLearn with SkillSoft at www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/skillsoft 

SkillSoft online courses are self-paced and are available at catalogs of courses.  Learners purchase an annual subscription.  Pricing for the catalogs range from $125 to $599 per individual. The ten catalogs, including Professional Certification Preparation programs, available are:

• General Business
• Business Strategy and Six Sigma Certification Prep
• E-business, Marketing, Sales
• Financial Planner Certification Prep
• Health & Safety
• HR Administration & Technical Support Certification Prep
• IT Certifications
• Legal Compliance
• Microsoft Office Certifications Prep and other IT Courses
• Project Management Certification Prep

• ed2go at www.ed2go.com/iowa courses are instructor-facilitated, structured online courses that run for six-weeks at a time.  Each course has a start and end date.  Personal development topics are available, as well as workforce development coursework. 

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)— It is possible to receive

professional CEUs for SkillSoft courses through the Center for Conferences.  For more information go to:  http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/skillsoft/csUnits.aspx

DE courses may make use of different types of technology tools.  Here are some examples of the tools utilized to bring the classroom to you.

© The University of Iowa | All Rights Reserved
Contact the Division of Continuing Education | Updated March 27, 2009