Online Learning
Online Learning at LaGuardia
LaGuardia Community College offers many ways to learn. Classes are offered in-person, online and in a hybrid format.
You can take classes in different modalities, based on your interests, academic strengths, and schedule needs. Deciding what kind of class to take is a big decision. You need to think about time, flexibility, your schedule, and how you like to learn.
Start here to determine if online learning at LaGuardia is right for you:
- Take the online learning survey
- Understand the different modes of learning
- Review the minimum technology requirements
- Meet with your academic advisor to plan your semester
- Register for classes
Online Learning Readiness Survey
This survey measures 9 dimensions important to online learning. The analysis will help you to think about your strengths when choosing to learn online. It will also offer specific videos and tips to help you improve your self-management, communication with instructors, self-motivation, interaction with peers, learning preferences, and technology skills to help you succeed in your courses.
Modes of Learning
(P/In Person)
What Does This Mean?
In-person classes take place on campus on specific days at specific times.
You will meet with your professor and a group of students face to face.
You will also complete additional readings, assignments, projects, etc. outside of class time.
Is This a Good Choice For You?
- You enjoy being on campus and in the classroom with your peers.
- You value interacting with other students and your professor in real time.
- You learn well in a structured environment.
- You are available to attend classes on campus on the specified days and
(OS/ Online Synchronous)
What Does This Mean?
Online synchronous classes meet on specific days at specific times each week.
You will meet with your professor and a group of students online.
“Present” means being available to participate in the class meeting, just as you would during an in-person class.
You will also complete additional readings, assignments, projects, etc. outside of class time.
Is This a Good Choice For Me?
- You value interacting with other students and your professor in real time.
- You learn well in a structured environment.
- Your schedule makes coming to campus difficult, but you are able to set aside time to be fully present to attend a live class, online.
- You are comfortable setting up, using, and solving issues with technology.
- You should have the minimum technological requirements to attend online class sessions and to complete your assignments online.
(OA/ Online Asynchronous)
What Does This Mean?
Online Asynchronous classes do not meet at a specific time. Instead, you will work independently at your own pace through lessons and activities posted by the instructor.
You will need to follow the specific schedule and deadlines outlined in the syllabus.
Is This a Good Choice For Me?
- You are very organized.
- You are excellent at managing your time and meeting strict deadlines.
- You are able to work independently.
- You are comfortable setting up, using, and solving issues with technology.
- You learn well by receiving written or video feedback from your professors and interacting with other students in written or video form.
- Your schedule is better suited to doing coursework when you have time in your week, rather than taking a specific class at a specific time.
- You have the minimum technological requirements to complete your online assignments.
(HS/ Hybrid Synchronous)
What Does This Mean?
Hybrid synchronous classes meet on specific days at specific times.
Some class meetings are in-person on campus.
Other class meetings are online at a scheduled time.
For both in-person and online classes, you must attend on specific days at specific times.
“Present” means being available to participate in the class meeting, just as you would during an in-person class.
You will also complete additional readings, assignments, projects, etc. outside of class time.
Is This a Good Choice For You?
- You value interacting with other students and your professor in real time.
- You learn well in a structured environment.
- You enjoy the flexibility of coming to campus for some class meetings and attending other class meetings online.
- You are able to set aside time to attend class on campus and to be fully present to attend a live class online.
- You have the minimum technological requirements for the online portion of the course.
(HA/ Hybrid Asynchronous)
What Does This Mean?
Hybrid asynchronous classes meet on specific days at specific times on campus for part of your course.
The other part of your course will be online, meaning, there are no course meetings for your asynchronous work.
In addition, you will regularly complete readings, assignments, projects etc. outside of class time following the deadlines in the syllabus.
Is This a Good Choice For You?
- You value interacting with other students and your professor in real time.
- You enjoy the flexibility of coming to campus for some class meetings and working independently, following a set of deadlines each week.
- You are good at managing your time and meeting deadlines.
- You are comfortable using many different online programs.
- You are comfortable setting up, using, and solving issues with technology.
- You learn well by receiving written or video feedback from your professors and interacting with other students in written or video form.
- You have the minimum technological requirements to complete your online assignments.
(HX/HyFlex)
What Does This Mean?
HyFlex courses meet on specific days at specific times. Classes typically include a combination of in-person and synchronous online participation and attendance at either session is required.
“Present” means being available to participate in the class meeting, just as you would during an in-person class.
You will also complete additional readings, assignments, projects, etc. outside of class time.
Is This a Good Choice For You?
- You are excited about new & innovative ways to learn.
- You appreciate the convenience of selecting a modality every week to attend each class meeting.
- You have the minimum technological requirements when joining the class remotely.
(HF/Hyfield)
What Does This Mean?
HyField classes meet in-person at a field based site (on or off-campus) for experiential learning. In-person meetings follow a regular schedule in the syllabus.
In addition to in-person meetings in the field, HyField courses also involve some or online asynchronous or synchronous class sessions.
For these specialized courses, instructors communicate details about the field work (i.e. location) and asynchronous or synchronous class meetings on the syllabus and course management system.
Is This a Good Choice For You?
- You are excited about new & innovative ways to learn.
- Your major requires field work or you have chosen a class with field work in order to experience working actively in the community.
- You have the ability to travel to the field work site and are able to meet the expectations for attendance and participation in the field work activities outlined on the syllabus.
- You have the minimum technological requirements when joining the class remotely.
(OM/ Online Mix)
What Does This Mean?
Online mix courses have both synchronous and asynchronous class meetings.
On synchronous class meeting days, you will meet with your professor and a group of students on specific days at specific times each week online.
“Present” means being available to participate in the class meeting, just as you would during an in-person class.
For your asynchronous work, you will work independently at your own pace through lessons and activities posted by the instructor.
You will need to follow the specific schedule and deadlines outlined in the syllabus.
Is This a Good Choice For You?
- You value interacting with other students and your professor in real time.
- You learn well in a structured environment.
- You are very organized.
- You are excellent at managing your time and meeting strict deadlines.
- You are able to work independently.
- Your schedule makes coming to campus difficult, but you are able to set aside time to be fully present to attend a live class, online.
- You are comfortable setting up, using, and solving issues with technology.
- You should have the minimum technological requirements to attend online class sessions and to complete your assignments online.
Minimum Technology Requirements for Online Learning
Choosing to take online courses means committing to having the equipment you need to be successful. Choosing to take online courses also means you are expected to have the equipment you need to interact with your professors and other students through webcams and microphones. The following minimum requirements are needed:
A computer (desktop/laptop) with enough memory and RAM to run up-to-date programs and access the required platforms and software for your course (e.g. Zoom, Blackboard, and others listed in your syllabus), not a phone.
Speakers/headphones/earbuds for listening to audio or video.
Microphone for course activities that require student participation.
Webcam for activities that require video feedback and student participation.
High-speed internet access.
Some courses may require additional hardware or software. Please refer to the course syllabus for additional equipment requirements.
Watch this video on how to locate and contact your professor through the LaGuardia Directory if you register late or do not have information on how to access your class or class materials.
If you are having problems logging in or using digital tools, visit the CUNY IT Help knowledge base; request support from a Student Technology Mentor; submit a helpdesk ticket; feel free to visit the new Student Technology Helpdesk (STH) located in B127; or call 718-482-6117.
On-campus and have an online class?
There are quiet spaces available for students to take their online classes.
- Loaner equipment is available through the Library Media Services.
- Locations:
- B-333
- Library (E-101)
- Computer labs on first and second floor
- Free headphones are available at the circulation desk and media desk
- C-214 and C-216 (administered by the Communications Program. May not always be available if there is a class in there.)
- E-232 and E-273 (administered by IT. May not always be available if there is a class in there.)
Free Wi-Fi services available off-campus
- Eduroam (use CUNY login credentials)
- Public Libraries
- NYC Parks
- LinkNYC
- NYC Open Data
- NYCHA