Distance Learning

Online and Hybrid Classes

Our Distance Learning program allows students the opportunity to achieve their educational goals through the use of fully online classes and hybrid classes. The fully online environment provides students with the flexibility of taking courses from any place at any time while hybrid courses allow students to attend a portion of the class in person and a portion online.

Distance Learning for Faculty

Distance Learning for Students

Distance Learning and Hybrid Resources for Faculty

Distance Learning Policies and Standards

Distance Learning/Canvas

A course shell within Canvas, the institution’s online learning management system, is automatically created with each new course generated through the Banner registration system.

These Canvas shells can be used to develop:

Fully Online Courses: This is an asynchronous course and does not require the student to attend campus. All instructional aspects of the course including lectures, assignments, projects, discussion board activity, assessments and communication options are presented in the online format.
Hybrid Courses: These blended courses are taught utilizing both the traditional and online classroom. Specific percentages of time used for each format is approved through the curriculum review process. Lab courses are often taught as a hybrid course with the lecture portion being delivered online and the lab component conducted in the physical classroom.
Web-Enhanced Courses: All courses can be enhanced using Canvas. Instructors utilizing Canvas are able to use all of its features, including the lecture and assignment areas, communication, gradebook and discussion boards to display content for their on-ground course sections. Canvas is only used to supplement a regularly scheduled on-ground course so that students have additional access to course material and the ability to communicate online.

Each instructor teaching a course section in any modality automatically has a Canvas account generated and linked to their unique mySierra secure log-in and password. They then have the ability to develop the course in the online, hybrid or web-enhanced format depending upon how the section is offered.

Canvas Resources

Faculty Resources Guide for Online Teaching [Canvas log in required]: Offers links to distance learning live help sessions, online training schedules, faculty discussions, Canvas tutorials and more. If you are unable to access the guide, contact Distance Learning.
How-to Videos for Faculty from Sierra College Distance Learning
Streaming Video Options from the Sierra College Library: Offers films through three online streaming collect
Canvas Instructor Guides (from Instructure)
Short How-to Canvas Videos (various topics from @ONE)

Additional Resources for Online Teaching

Online Accessibility

Please Note: Title II Accessibility requirements go into effect April 26, 2027.

Library Resources

Faculty Services
- Course Reserves
- Department Liaisons
- Interlibrary Loans
- Library Orientations for Classes – Available via Zoom
Open Educational Resources (OER)/Zero Textbook Costs (ZTC) – Teaching, learning and research resources in the public domain
Screencasting – Free tool to record your screen with a voiceover or webcam
Streaming Video and DVDs – Sierra College offers films through three online streaming collections and DVDs, which can be embedded into Canvas

Distance Learning Information for Students

Please note that students living outside of California or Nevada (based on their mailing address and physical presence) are prohibited from taking online classes at Sierra College.

Review the following tips and tools if you’re considering online or hybrid courses.

Course Expectations

Using Canvas, an online learning management system, you will obtain course content, complete assignments and exams, and communicate in a virtual classroom setting. Course material can be accessed on a regular basis and details on how the system will be used in your course will be provided in your instructor’s syllabus.

Courses may not appear in Canvas until the first day of the semester. Please remember this when you first log in if you do not see the class you enrolled in immediately appear in your list of courses.

Please note:

Online courses are just as rigorous and demanding as on ground courses
Students are expected to establish and maintain high levels of involvement and interaction throughout the semester
Online courses take as much time as on campus courses
Students need to have basic computer skills
Students must live in California or Nevada

Technology Requirements

Tutorials and Skill Development Course

Before you sign up for your first online course, consider completing the tutorials below and/or enrolling in our Skill Development 10 course.

Tutorial 1: Organizing for Online Success (Approx. 12 minutes)
Tutorial 2: Online Study Skills and Managing Time (Approx. 12 minutes)
Tutorial 3: Communication Skills for Online Learning (Approx. 13 minutes)

Consider enrolling in our Skill Development 10 course, which is designed to help students develop skills for success in the online classroom. It covers: learning styles, time management, study habits, goal setting and motivational techniques; and explores the computer tools used at Sierra College, including Canvas.

Helpful Resources

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Student Consumer Information: State Authorization and Student Authentication

State Authorization (Out-of-State Policy for Online Courses)

The United States Department of Education regulation 4 C.F.R.§ 600.9 © requires each state to apply for and receive authorization to provide online/distance education programs to out-of-state students.

In order to maintain compliance, students living outside of California or Nevada, based on their mailing address AND physical presence, are prohibited from taking online classes at Sierra College.

Incorrect Mailing Address Issue

Student Authentication