Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Digital Learning



Digital Learning (Distance Education)

https://online.southwest.tn.edu/index.html 
Macon Cove Campus (901) 333-4612

Southwest offers a wide array of college credit courses through its Distance Education courses. Distance Education courses use the Internet, or are supported by any technological means such as the Internet, computers, interactive video, or any combination of present and future technologies.
These courses provide alternative instructional modes to the traditional classroom setting and schedules. For students who are independent learners, Distance Education courses are ideal. Working adults, employees who travel, persons with disabilities, those with long commutes, schedule conflicts or other barriers to college attendance are a few of the many who can benefit from Distance Education. Distance Education courses require students to have access to a reliable Internet connection, a computer or laptop, and the skills to use the devices.  Southwest offers online degrees, technical certificates and more than 150 online courses. Information on specific online degrees can be found at https://www.southwest.tn.edu/digital-learning/online-degrees.php. Always check the course syllabus for specific information.
There are three types of Distance Education courses.

Distance Education Course Types

Online
In an online course, students access course material online and follow instructions provided by an instructor. An online course is conducted via the Internet with no on campus instruction and no on-campus classroom time, but may utilize proctored testing, requiring students to travel to campus. Courses are structured so that students work independently but have significant interaction with the instructor and other students. Most courses have set schedules and due dates. Online courses are identified by a section beginning with ‘L’ (Example: ACAD1100-L01).  Before signing up for an online course run, the ‘System Check’ located on the PAWS login page (https://elearn.southwest.tn.edu/).
Hybrid
A hybrid course is a blend of face-to-face instruction with online learning.  A course that utilizes the learning management system to reduce the number or time of traditional, on-campus meetings.  No more than 50% of the meeting time can take place in a virtual setting.  Hybrid courses carefully combine synchronous and asynchronous learning to carefully integrate online components with face-to-face interactions.  This allows coursework to be scheduled flexibly, promotes independent learning and decreases time spent commuting.
Online Live is a hybrid course that utilizes web-conferencing technology alone to deliver during a set time.  It replaces in-person instruction with synchronous web instruction.
Southwest hybrid courses are identified by a section that includes “H” (Example: ACCT-1010-1H1 and ACCT 1010-H51).
Web-Assisted
Web-assisted courses are “on-campus” courses that may utilize an online component for handouts, discussion, e-mail, quizzes, etc., and require use of the Internet. Class time is supplemented with online activities and information. Always check the course syllabus for specific information.  Not all “on-campus” courses will have a Web-assisted component. Check with the instructor for more details and information.
 
Prior to registering for a Distance Education course:
  • Students should complete the PAWS Virtual Backpack: Start Guide for Online Learning course in the PAWS(LMS) learning environment. This is a self-register course that provides important information and will help determine if you have the equipment and skills necessary to be successful in a Distance Education course.
  • Visit the online course description page for more information related to the course.
After registering for a Distance Education course
  • Read the syllabus for the instructor’s contact information
  • Contact each of your instructors for additional information
  • Southwest provides a personal email account for students, and you are expected to use that account when corresponding with the college
  • Once you start your distance education course, all email communication is expected to be in the LMS for each class
If your online course has a section beginning with “R”, it is a TN eCampus course (example: GEOG-2010-R50).  See the TN eCampus information below.

TN eCampus Degree Program

TN eCampus Partnership
Division Directory
Kim Martin
Campus Administrator/Faculty Liaison
(901) 333-4442
Macon, Sulcer 212
 
 
 
Karla Blume Shalaby
TN eCampus Coordinator/Student Liaison
(901) 333-4073
Macon, Sulcer 217

TN eCampus Partnership

The Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) system consists of 40 institutions and is the largest system of higher education in Tennessee.  The System’s 13 community colleges and 27 Colleges of Applied Technology (TCATs) offer classes in 175+ teaching locations across the state. Students who need online courses to remain on track for degree completion or to maintain full- or part-time status can fill schedule gaps through the TN eCampus partnership. All thirteen community colleges and several locally governed public universities in Tennessee participate in course delivery through the online partnership.  This partnership was launched in Fall 2001 as a collaborative through Regents Online Degree Programs (RODP) and Regents Online Continuing Education and Workforce Development (ROCE).  Re-branded in 2016, the Regents Online Program is now the TN eCampus Program.

The online education offered through TN eCampus mirrors the same education offered at the physical campus locations. No differentiation is made between online and on-ground delivery on transcripts or diplomas. All campuses in the partnership are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), while several programs have national accreditation status.

Students have the opportunity to choose a “home campus” from among the  participating universities awarding Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, the 13 community colleges providing Associate degrees and the 27 Technology Centers offering technical certificates and diplomas. Individuals apply for admission, register for courses, and are awarded degrees, diplomas, or certificates from the home institution.

Associate Degrees

The TN eCampus Program offers a variety of Associate degrees. These degrees can be earned directly from the 13 community colleges located across the state of Tennessee. Below you will find detailed listings of the degrees and certificate offered through the TN eCampus program, or go to http://www.tnecampus.org/ for more information.

The university parallel associate degree programs are designed for those students ultimately seeking bachelor’s degrees.

Programs

Associate degrees are awarded as:

  • Associate of Arts (AA)
  • Associate of Science (AS)
  • Associate of Applied Science (AAS)

TN eCampus offers numerous courses that fulfill A.A.S. degree requirements for:

  • Business
  • Computer Information Technology
  • Early Childhood Education
  • Criminal Justice

Associate of Arts:

Associate of Science:

 

These associate degrees are transferable into the TN eCampus Bachelor’s degrees offered by participating state universities. Additional information including a list of courses and corresponding syllabi, system requirements, fees, an online learning orientation, test proctoring, and other information may be found on the Web page for this online learning program: https://tnecampus.org/ for prospective students and current students.  There is an additional fee associated with TN eCampus courses that is not covered by TN Promise, TN Reconnect, etc.  Fees and schedules vary, so be sure to check current information on the Southwest website. The Southwest TN eCampus Contact/Student Liaison can assist you with questions about TN eCampus courses at (TN-ecampus@southwest.tn.edu).

FLEX Courses

A Flex (Faster Learning Experience) course starts later in the semester than a traditional course.  Flex courses are offered in an online format for a 7-week term with TN eCampus (R01) section.