• Blackboard
• • All CIOS courses are housed in Blackboard, a web-based software system which is used to support flexible teaching and learning in face-to-face and distance courses. It provides tools and facilities for online course management, content management and sharing, assessment management, and online collaboration and communication.
  • You will be required to submit all coursework through Blackboard. If you are unfamiliar with it, there are workshops available for learning Blackboard. 

CIOS offers courses in three different formats in order to accommodate your schedule. DSC00027

• Open-entry/open-exit or self-directed courses do not have a lecture or meeting time and are indicated on the class schedule by MTWRF meeting times. 
• • You will need access to a computer that meets the computer/software requirements for the course you are taking. If you do not have access at home or work, you can use the computers in the instructional lab. 
  • You are given all of the assignments through Blackboard on the first day of class and you will work through the coursework on your own. You can work through the assignments as quickly or slowly as you want. If you get stuck or have trouble, contact your instructor or visit the instructional lab and they will get you moving again.
  • Open-entry/open-exit courses require you to complete the coursework by the end of the semester in which you are enrolled.
  • Open-entry courses are usually one-two credits and will require 45-120 hours to complete (depending on your technical skills).
  • Some open-entry/open-exit courses require you to take tests in the Instructional Lab.
• Traditional lecture courses have a lecture or meeting time requirement. 
• • You will meet with the instructor and the rest of the class at a specific time twice a week for about 75 minutes. Your CIOS classes will be meet at the University Center in room 133 or 134. 
  • In this type of course, the instructor will set deadlines and the entire class will move through the coursework at the same time.
  • Lecture courses are usually one-three credits and will require 45-150 hours to complete (depending on your technical skills).
• Distance Education courses are taught via the Internet. 
• • You will interact with the instructor and the rest of the class using Blackboard and other Internet tools. 
  • You will need access to a computer that meets the computer/software requirements for the course you are taking. If you do not have access at home or work, you can use the computers in the instructional lab.
  • These courses usually allow you to work through the coursework individually with the instructor setting deadlines so all of the class is moving through the coursework at the same time. There will be times when you will be required to work in a group.
  • You may be required to meet at specific times online.
  • Web courses are usually one-three credits and will require 45-150 hours to complete (depending on your technical skills).

Click here for a short description of all CIOS courses.