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About Our Courses

Online / Hybrid Courses / TeleWeb online / PEN Interactive / TechNet / Satellite / Non-Credit / Cable TV

Read about PTC's Distance Learning course formats and link to current course offerings:

Online Courses
Online Courses are Web-based, faculty-guided, interactive courses that students complete at home at their convenience.  Online courses are recommended for students who work well on their own and need this mode of study as an alternative to the traditional classroom.  Students must have access to a computer and Internet connection. Basic familiarity with the Internet, Web browsers, word processing, and e-mail is also essential.

Hybrid Courses (New Format)
Online courses with required on-campus meetings representing twenty to fifty percent of the class meeting time are considered “hybrids.” These courses are designed for students who have the required skills and equipment for online activities but would benefit from some face-to-face meetings on campus. The first meeting date and time is indicated on the class schedule printout. During the first class meeting, a class schedule will be decided and arranged. Students are expected to arrange their personal schedules to attend the on-campus meeting dates. Check with your instructor to determine the dates you need to reserve in advance of the first class if necessary for work schedules.


TeleWeb Courses
TeleWeb courses are similar to Online courses. In addition to the online study, however, students must also view tapes on their own video cassette or DVD players to gain course content information or have broadband access to the Internet to use the streaming video features. TeleWeb students should be highly-motivated, goal-oriented, self-disciplined individuals preferring the convenience of online teacher moderated courses. Students must have access to a computer and Internet connection. Basic familiarity with the Internet, Web browsers, word processing, and e-mail is also essential.

PEN Courses (Live Interactive Fiber-Optic Courses )
PEN Courses are transmitted live via the Piedmont Education Network (PEN).  The PEN is a fiber-optic network facilitating the transmission of high quality, two-way video and audio to locations throughout PTC's 7-county service area.  Instructors are able to deliver lessons to students in several locations.  Both the students the instructor see and hear what is happening all times.

TechNet Teleclasses
PTC participates in the State Technical College System's compressed video interactive network called TechNet. This system is connected to all sixteen technical colleges in South Carolina and to the State Technical College Offices.  TechNet courses must be viewed in Room 136G on the Lex Walters Campus, Greenwood.

Higher Education Satellite Broadcast Programs
PTC provides receive sites for the University of South Carolina and Clemson University Higher Education satellite broadcast courses on the Lex D. Walters campus in Greenwood (Library and TLC below the library), in the Laurens County Higher Education Center, Newberry County Center and Edgefield County Center of Piedmont Technical College. Clemson or USC students may arrange to view their courses at these sites with prior arrangements through the county center coordinators or by contacting Bill Cochran (864) 941-8674 at the Greenwood campus.

Non-Credit Online Courses
Acquire valuable new skills from the comfort and convenience of your home or office through PTC's Continuing Education Online Courses.  Students in these courses do not earn course credit toward a degree, diploma or certificate.

Cable Education Channel Northland Cable Channel 9
Piedmont Technical College manages the programming offered via the Northland Cable TV Educational Channel for the County of Greenwood. Programming is provided by the SCETV SC Channel and local programming is provided by videotape and DVD programming supplied to the college or produced by the college, i.e., "PTC Presents" a weekly video digest of activities and events at the college. Programming may be provided by local educational institution only and must be approved through the authority of the Cable Channel Franchise agreement with Greenwood County. For more information and to submit programming, go to the Piedmont Education Network Cable Channel link on this site.

 Last Updated May 22, 2008