Los Angeles Trade-Technical College has developed methods of instruction that are an alternative to traditional classroom instruction. Some Instructional Television (ITV) and on-line classes are offered at this time, and more classes are being identified that can be adapted to on-line and other distance education instruction. Following are descriptions of current classes and programs that provide flexible and individualized learning opportunities for students.

California Virtual College (CVC)

During the past two years, state funding has enabled the college to enter into an agreement with California Virtual College (CVC) for distance learning support and with the CSU system to provide Internet access via a T-1 line, which allows video conferencing. In its original formation, CVC did not charge any fees to colleges accessing their services. However, starting in 2002-2003, the CVC is charging user colleges a "per seat fee" to offer and support distance learning courses, which may adversely affect the college's distance education courses.

Center for the Advancement of Teaching with Technology (CATT)

The Center for the Advancement of Teaching with Technology (CATT), including instructional media services, provides instructional development services, videoconferencing/distance learning events, and satellite teleconferencing. CATT also arranges for broadcasting of college events to the community over cable television. In addition, CATT provides mass duplication services for media-based curricula in programs such as PACE and foreign language instruction as well as captioning services for Disabled Students Programs and Services (DSPS).

Computer Information Systems

Computer Information Systems offers courses to meet the demand for persons with solid knowledge in microcomputers. At this time, two courses are taught online in the department.

Instructional Television (ITV)

ITV, which is available through the District, uses video-taped lectures as its main form of instructional delivery. Students watch lectures on television, then attend monthly seminars and take their final exams at one of four LACCD community colleges. Current offerings include 16 sections of different courses in anthropology, English, geography, health, history, mathematics, political science and sociology.

Health Education

Health Education, which promotes student health and wellness, has been affected by changed in student work schedules. Consequently, the department offers several online courses that employ the Internet, World Wide Web and email for instruction, including Principles of Healthy Living and Women's Personal Health. Enrollment has been encouraging, so the expectation is that more online classes will be developed.

Learning Skills Center

The Learning Skills Center is a college-wide service that offers courses and activities that promote student development in basic skills for entry into college-level courses. Instruction occurs in traditional environments as well as through distance education. Most courses are three-unit lab courses that have been divided into one-unit module courses to accommodate student needs, and include reading, spelling, vocabulary, English grammar, mathematics, and vocationally focused math, reading, and writing. Four online reading classes are available through Learning Skills.

On-Line Classes

More than 20 on-line classes were offered during Spring 2003, with on-line offerings being developed each semester. Examples of on-line classes include Administration of Justice 75: Introduction to Corrections, Anthropology 101: Human Biological Evolution, Child Development 10: Child Health, Safety and Nutrition, Computer Information Systems 701: Introduction to Computers and Their Uses, Health 11: Principles of Healthful Living, Math 112: Pre-Algebra, Physical Education 690: Weight Training, and Psychology 32: Psychology of Women.

Staff Development

The Staff Development Office has organized a series of flex workshops that focus on designing online or hybrid classes. Currently, a Staff Development officer teaches a majority of the current online class offerings and shares her online course design and teaching experience with other faculty members via one-one training sessions, workshops and Staff Development Office home page Web-linked information. To facilitate this process the college has upgraded its website to include faculty access to email, rosters, grade posting and class enrollments. The college is working to provide future Internet access to all faculty offices and has developed a system to assure that as more electronic delivery systems are developed, the college will continue to operate in conformity with applicable policies and statements on principles of good practice.

The Future

In keeping with the goals of the mission statement to provide rigorous and technologically current offerings, Los Angeles Trade-Technical College has made a commitment to continue to encourage and provide the necessary training and support for faculty to reconfigure existing and establish new courses in an online, distance learning format.