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Online Learning
SUNY Niagara offers a variety of flexible instructional methods to meet your degree requirements!
Face-to-Face Enhanced
Traditional in-person classroom courses with a Zoom option
100% online
Flexible and convenient learning, on your schedule
Hybrid
Courses that combine face-to-face instruction and online coursework
Blended
Courses that combine live synchronous zoom class and online coursework
HyFlex
Choose to come to class in-person, join in on Zoom, or complete the course 100% online
To align with the way that students live, work, and learn today, SUNY Niagara is providing students with a variety of flexible learning options. The aim of these delivery modes is to offer students the maximum amount of choice possible within a formal learning program. Face to Face Enhanced, Online, Hybrid, Blended, and HyFlex courses give you the opportunity to gain knowledge using current technology with flexible scheduling and learning environments.
Considering Online Education? See if you are a good candidate for online education by going through this short Online Readiness Checklist. If you are considering enrolling in an online degree or certificate, we highly recommend you go through the SUNY Online Readiness Assessment.
Technology Requirements
Any course with online course will require you to have access to a broadband connection and a desktop or laptop computer/MAC, using a tablet or other mobile device may not have the functionality required for the course. You can use the Brightspace Mobile App to complete some of your coursework, however, in most cases, the app does not provide the full functionality needed to complete ALL of your required coursework.
In addition, check with your professor to make sure your available equipment is acceptable for each course you are taking. Some technology-related courses require the ability to download software, for example, Chromebooks do not allow software to be downloaded.
**Technology for courses using real-time synchronous technology “Zoom” such as Blended, HyFlex, and Face to Face Enhanced Courses – In addition to any technical requirements listed above, blended courses use Real-Time Technology, which means you will be required to log into a web conferencing tool like Zoom to participate in the live “synchronous” virtual lectures. To participate in the live lectures, you will need access to a webcam or built-in laptop camera and microphone. In most cases, you can download the Zoom app and participate using your tablet or smartphone. Your instructor will provide you details on which web conferencing tool will be used for your blended course.
Make sure you are using a supported browser by visiting the Open SUNY help desk to check your browser compatibility.
For more information about technology requirements and the use of mobile devices, visit the technology requirements information webpage.
Attendance
In online courses, you can attend class from anywhere as long as you have access to a desktop or laptop computer/MAC with a broadband connection. Attendance in an online course is tracked by your course work submissions, including discussion postings. Logging in to the course does not count for attendance. Most online courses will require your participation three to four times per week. You can access your course 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. Although you can work at your own pace and choose when to “attend” class, each online course has a definite timeline and weekly deadlines. In addition, some online courses may require a proctored exam and some may require the use of a lock-down test monitoring software called Respondus. You will be notified by your instructor if this technology is being used in your course.
Hybrid and Blended courses combine face-to-face or synchronous “live virtual sessions” along with online instruction. Attendance is required for the face-to-face or live virtual sessions along with submissions of course work required in the online portion. Check your schedule in Banner Web for course days/times. Each instructor will email you prior to the course start date with additional getting started information, web conferencing log in information, course work requirements, and more.
For more information and answers to your questions, view our FAQ section.
Face to Face Enhanced courses provide you the option to attend the course in-person on campus or join in the class virtually, in real-time through Zoom at the normal scheduled class times. You can choose how to attend class and attendance will be taken whether you come to campus or log in to the class live through Zoom.
HyFlex courses provide you the highest level of flexibility as you can choose between a variety of delivery modes. You can attend In-person on campus, attend class virtually, in real-time through Zoom, or complete the coursework 100% asynchronously online. You can choose your preference and change the mode on how you attend from one class meeting to the next as needed. Attendance will be documented by attending class in-person or virtually in real-time with zoom or if you choose to attend to complete the course asynchronously online it is documented by the course work you complete and submit. Each submission in Brightspace is date and time stamped and that is how attendance is recorded for the 100% online option.
Contact
Online Learning
Phone:
Faculty Support call – 716-614-6487
Students Support call 716-614-6488
Email: onlinelearning@niagaracc.suny.edu
Location: D-106 Suite Learning Commons