Corporate and Continuing Education
Distance Learning (e-pbcc)
Honors
Institute of Excellence
Institute of Teacher Education
Library Learning Resource Centers
Recreational Learning
Vocational Preparatory Instruction Lab Corporate and Continuing Education
Through the office of Corporate and Continuing Education, Palm Beach Community College offers continuing education workshops, seminars, courses, and programs designed to meet the learning, professional and development needs of its local community. Through research, development and environmental scans, PBCC continues to be responsive to the economic and workforce development needs of Palm Beach County. Visit www.pbcc.edu/cce.xml for information on registration.
Distance Learning (e-pbcc)
Distance Learning classes provide increased student access through alternative education delivery systems and flexibility of time and location. They promote the integration of technology in the learning environment and the globalization of education through electronic access to information and experts worldwide. These courses use multiple learning environments, such as the Internet, television and videoconferencing. Some courses will combine a variety of these environments in the instruction. The chief difference between face-to-face courses and distance learning courses is in the type of course delivery. Course materials may be on video or online, or the instructor may broadcast from another site rather than be in the same classroom with the student. Students may contact their instructors and other classmates via telephone, e-mail, chat rooms, bulletin boards, fax or sometimes during on-campus meetings.
These courses have the same educational objectives as face-to-face classes, are fully accredited and appear on a student’s transcript like a face-to-face class. Some PBCC courses may require an additional course fee, as noted in the class schedule.
For more information about distance learning, check the Web at www.pbcc.edu/dl or send an e-mail to learn@pbcc.edu. Many online courses can be found at webct.pbcc.edu as WebCT is the College’s primary course management system for online course content delivery.
WHO SHOULD TAKE A DISTANCE LEARNING CLASS?
Successful distance learning students need to be highly motivated and have good study skills and time management skills. They must be willing to contact their instructor for assistance when needed and be responsible for completing assignments on time and without reminders. Before students register for a distance learning class the first time, they should visit the distance learning Web site and contact an academic advisor for assistance.
SUPPORT SERVICES FOR DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENTS
Students registered in distance learning courses receive the same support services as on-campus students. These services include registration, advising, financial aid, disabled student services, bookstore services, library services and Testing Center services, as well as many others.
INTERNET COURSES
Internet classes offer a world of resources to students who have Internet access. These classes provide some of the materials in an anytime anywhere mode. Students can keep in touch with the instructor and other students by using the communication tools of the Internet.
Internet courses vary: - Pure Internet courses are taken entirely over the Internet. On-campus time is NOT required. Some instructors may request an on-campus orientation meeting or testing.
- Hybrid courses require attendance in a face-to-face classroom in conjunction with activities involving the use of the Internet.
- Tele-Web classes combine video lessons from the television classes with an Internet component. There may be some face-to-face requirements.
TELEVISION COURSES
Television courses offer convenience and flexibility in class scheduling. Students can watch videos, complete readings and do assignments in the home or workplace. These courses use videos, textbooks, study guides and other elements as the basic study materials for the course. On-campus attendance may be required for meetings and testing.
Telecourses are broadcast on the local cable channels at a scheduled time. Students also can view the video lessons at one of PBCC’s Media Technology departments or a PBCC library.
VIDEOCONFERENCING COURSES
Videoconferencing courses give the student the ability to take a course at one of PBCC’s convenient locations. Each course is taught by an instructor at one location and transmitted to the other locations. The instructor interacts “live” with the students at the other locations via a two-way video and audio system. Instructional materials are available at each location for each enrolled student.
Honors
As part of its commitment to high achievement, PBCC offers the Honors program, designed for students who enjoy a challenge and wish to excel in their studies. Students who seek the challenge of Honors coursework can select from two options. The experience of either option helps students to make interdisciplinary and real-life connections and prepares them with skills needed to go on to a university or the workforce.
The first option is enrollment in Honors courses. These learning environments promote the development of critical thinking and research skills through in-depth class discussions, reading and writing assignments, and nontraditional classroom styles and activities. Each course has “Honors” clearly indicated in its title, which is also noted on the student’s transcript.
The second option is to add an Honors component to any credit course, with faculty permission, by completing an Honors project contract. In this case, the student completes an Honors project in the course and meets with the faculty member throughout the term for guidance and advice.
PBCC students qualify for the Honors program with a cumulative 3.5 GPA or acceptable test scores on a placement test. Students who register with the Academic Services Office are given priority registration as Honors program students. Students who graduate from PBCC with a 3.5 GPA and have 12 credit hours of Honors coursework completed with grade of B or higher are designated as Honors graduates and are given special recognition at the graduation ceremony. PBCC Honors graduates also have many scholarship opportunities when transferring to an upper-division university.
To discover more about Honors and its benefits, visit www.pbcc.edu/honors or call Academic Services at (561) 868-3892.
Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education
The Institute of Excellence in Early Care and Education provides the child care workforce of Palm Beach County with a comprehensive approach to career development. The goal is a quality, seamless professional development system for early childhood personnel entering and exiting the system at any level. The Institute provides career advising in the field of early childhood and a scholarship program for early childhood educators. The Institute has also established mechanisms to ensure quality in the training and technical assistance offered to child care providers. This quality assurance system incorporates guidelines and standards for training activities, including a process for approving trainers who meet these standards. The Institute maintains a registry of approved trainers. For more information on the initiatives and support provided by the Institute, please visit www.pbcc.edu/IEECE.
Institute of Teacher Education
The Institute of Teacher Education was created at PBCC to address the critical teacher shortage in Palm Beach County and the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. The Institute, a collaborative effort with the School District, includes several programs. The Transition to Teaching and Teacher Certification programs help non-teacher-trained professionals with bachelor’s degrees move into the teaching profession. The Paraprofessional Retention Outreach (PRO) Program works with the School District’s paraprofessionals to help them obtain associate degrees. Other programs include the PBCC/FAU 2+2 program for mathematics and biology teacher education and the Summer Algebra Institute. To find out more about the Institute of Teacher Education, go to www.pbcc.edu/Teachered.
Library Learning Resource Centers
Library services and resources support the curriculum, faculty and students at all PBCC locations. Campus libraries maintain a diverse collection of materials that includes books, periodicals, local, state and national newspapers, microfilm and reference materials. Access to all library materials and electronic collections of books, periodicals and journals are available through LINCC (Library Information Network for Community Colleges), the online catalog. Over 2,000 journals and periodicals are available online and in full text, and electronic books add more than 10,000 volumes to the collection. Florida Atlantic University provides PBCC at Boca Raton with library service through a joint-use agreement.
Librarians are faculty members who are professionals in the research process. They work closely with students in finding and using information and developing information literacy skills. Librarians offer individual and classroom instruction in the use of resources and work collaboratively with other faculty to develop innovative approaches to using library resources. Librarians teach credit courses in the use of electronic resources and teach online courses using the latest technology.
Additional services provided by the library include: an interlibrary loan service that links all Florida community college libraries, universities and public libraries together for cost-free lending/borrowing of materials; a reserve collection of materials; a computer/instruction lab; study rooms and private study areas; photocopiers, and a virtual reference desk (Ask-a-Librarian). Students also have borrowing privileges at FAU and with area libraries that are members of the Southeast Florida Library Information Network (SEFLIN).
Library hours vary on each campus and between terms. Current information is available at www.pbcc.edu/llrc
Recreational Learning
CENTER FOR LIFETIME LEARNING
The Center for Lifetime Learning founded by Etta Ress is dedicated to exploring educational and cultural opportunities for adults, especially retirees, through courses, seminars, forums, field trips and lectures. It is a cooperative venture with volunteers from the theater and the scientific and professional arenas to bring intellectual enrichment to the community. For more information, call (561) 868-3556.
LEARNING UNLIMITED
Learning Unlimited is a noncredit enrichment program for adults of all ages. Instructors are local experts known in their fields teaching short-term, personal enrichment courses in current events, history, metaphysics, alternative health, art, music, dance, finance and more. The inexpensive courses are held days and evenings at PBCC in Boca Raton. For more information, call (561) 862-4725.
Vocational Preparatory Instruction Lab
The Vocational Preparatory Instruction Lab (VPI) offers a series of short-term courses for Post Secondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) students who wish to remediate for all or part of the Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE). The VPI Lab offers personalized instruction with learning specialists and tutors. Computer programs and additional learning materials are available for the student.
The TABE remediation courses are:
• VPI 0100 - Vocational Preparatory Reading
• VPI 0300 - Vocational Preparatory Language
• VPI 0200 - Vocational Preparatory Mathematics
Before registering for a TABE remediation course, a student should first meet with an advisor to discuss the entrance requirements for his or her specific program. Students should then visit the VPI Lab and obtain a TABE course application, schedule, and further information. There is a $30 fee for each TABE remediation course. A required workbook for each course is available in the bookstore.
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