Distance Learning
Polk State offers hundreds of courses and a growing number of programs via the internet. Traditional, online, and hybrid courses have course shells in Canvas, Polk State’s learning management system. Instructors post syllabi, content pages, announcements, grades, assignments, and offer additional instructional materials in Canvas. Instructors may also communicate using a variety of methods including email, discussions, grading feedback, quiz feedback, and synchronous options through web conferences.
Courses are published on the first day of class. For more information on when your course(s) begin, check out the academic calendars.
Canvas
Courses are delivered asynchronously through Canvas by Instructure, a learning management system. Learn more about Canvas and how to access via the link on the left – Canvas News.
Information about fully online programs can be found at Online@PolkState.
Equitable Resources for Distance Learning Students
We strive to offer the same services and support resources for all Polk State students no matter what format you choose to complete your coursework. If you are a distance learning student, check out these resources that are available to you as a student: Identifying Essential Polk State College Resources (this is also available via the Help button in Canvas). Additional resources can be found at http://zxeh.game200.net/distance-learning/canvas-news/.
Professional Licensure Disclosure for Distance Learning Students
Polk State College offers a number of different degrees and certificates leading to professional licensure. Some professions require both the completion of a degree and additional criteria such as licensure exams, field experiences, or clinical hours. If an individual’s goals include a specific license or certification, he or she must be aware that state requirements vary.
Polk State College is approved to offer online and in-person academic programs to individuals outside of the state through its participation in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (NC-SARA). The NC-SARA provides a voluntary, regional approach to state oversight of postsecondary distance education. Institutions that are members of the NC-SARA are authorized to provide online education to students from all NC-SARA-member states.
Polk State College cannot pledge that a selected degree program meets the specific educational requirements for professional licensure in all states, as these can change. If the student contacts the specific academic program to inquire, more information can be provided about a given state’s requirements. The director can provide program-specific information with regard to the individual’s state of residency.
Complaint Process for Distance Learning Students
F. Out-of-State Distance Education students, who have completed Polk State’s internal institutional grievance process as stated in Rule 4.26 and the applicable state grievance process found on the webpage listed above, may appeal non-instructional complaints to the FL-SARA Postsecondary Reciprocal Distance Education (PRDEC) Council. For additional information on the complaint process, please visit the FL-SARA Complaint Process page found at http://www.fldoe.org/sara/student-concerns.stml.
