Updated August 25, 2020
Remote and Online Learning Infographic →
MassBay Course Formats and Definitions for Fall 2020
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. (June 5, 2020) — MassBay Community College courses for fall 2020 semester will be taught either online or via a remote format. Courses listed in the Fall 2020 course schedule as having specific class days and times will not meet face-to-face, but will be offered remotely. Fall classes begin on Tuesday, September 8, 2020, and registration is now open to students.
“MassBay is firmly committed to the health and safety of all our students, faculty, and staff, and given the uncertainty we face in the coming months, the most feasible course of action is to limit access to campus,” said MassBay President, Dr. David Podell. “This is not an easy decision as we enjoy being on campus with all our students, but we make this decision now to allow students and their families the time they need to prepare and adjust their schedules.”
MassBay defines 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.
MassBay’s Fall Course Offerings can be found at https://mbccweb.massbay.edu. Financial aid and scholarships are available for students enrolled in fall classes. Please direct any questions 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.