Philosophy of Learning + Teaching

RMCAD uses traditional and innovative teaching methods to engage students in a process of developing strong communication, critical thinking, design and industry competence, and global cultural awareness and sensitivities. Students are guided into active learning spaces that challenge them to use new processes and ideas to explore a variety of methods to communicate within their visual and auditory art and design industries. Students are encouraged to reflect on how their ideas fit into a broad historical and contemporary cultural context, why visual and auditory art and design matter, and how they can contribute to its development in becoming more meaningful and authentic to various audiences. At the core of RMCAD’s teaching and learning philosophy is that with motivation, time, dedication, access to appropriate resources, critical thinking and engagement, exceptional faculty, encouragement, and exceptional classroom experiences, students have the potential to succeed in developing the professional and conceptual skills necessary to meaningfully contribute in their chosen professions.

RMCAD faculty are dedicated professional educators, artists, creatives, designers, and scholars who partner with students to guide the development of their conceptual, technical, creative, critical, and expressive abilities to influence and lead their communities and industries in positive ways. Faculty are working creatives and scholars who bring their personal expertise and influence into the classroom, supporting real-life learning for students. Faculty actively engage with student learning through modeling and fostering critical inquiry and creative problem-solving, and facilitating a supportive and committed environment focused on critique and responsive feedback.

RMCAD programs include online learning experiences for all students. In addition, some programs and courses are also offered on campus in a face-to-face teaching and learning experience. Our online offerings allow exceptional learning experiences with the convenience of flexible, asynchronous engagement and participation. All courses, regardless of the method of delivery, offer high-quality teaching and learning experiences. Strong course content, peer and faculty relationships, academic advisors, technical support, tutoring, library, counseling, and accessibility services are available to support students in their educational journey.

RMCAD courses are developed through a collaborative partnership between program leaders, faculty, industry and subject matter experts, and instructional designers to ensure that curricular content is current, relevant, accessible, and engaging. Curricular content is designed to build skills, connect students to the history and context of art and design, expose students to a variety of viewpoints and cultures, and help them develop their own viewpoints and methods of communicating. These efforts combine to present curricular content that directly advances RMCAD’s mission, vision, values, diversity statement, and institutional learning outcomes.

Teaching Modalities + Chrono-Types

Students must choose a campus modality designation upon admission. Those who enroll under the campus modality will be enrolled in some online courses based on enrollment levels, staffing, programmatic needs, and other factors. Online students may take campus courses upon approval of an Exception to Policy, on the condition that they can be physically present on campus and in class on the designated days and times for the duration of the term in which they are registered. RMCAD does not routinely provide remote learning in synchronous campus courses. Tuition charges are based on the catalog and modality under which a student enrolled at the time of entry, the last program change, or modality change and not the modality in which the course is run.

Regardless of course modality or delivery method, students are expected to submit all assignments according to the deadlines found in the course syllabus.

Overview of Online Learning Environment

RMCAD’s online learning platform was built from the ground up with a focus on learning styles that are unique to art, design, and music production. RMCAD’s online classes offer a rich media experience that includes instructor demonstrations, video lectures, written and audio critiques, whiteboard functionality, online discussions, and one-on-one instruction in addition to group reviews.

Online courses and programs deliver the same curriculum, learning goals/objectives, and interactive experiences as on-campus courses. The online learning experience has been carefully developed by a team of faculty members, instructional designers, multimedia designers, and assessment professionals. Student success and quality curriculum standards are the guiding principles for our online learning philosophy.

All of RMCAD’s courses, no matter what the delivery method, are taught by faculty who are academically credentialed and highly trained in their disciplines. Online courses may be taught by the same faculty who teach on-campus courses.

All RMCAD curriculum, including online, is regularly updated to stay current with industry trends and technology. RMCAD’s online help desk, RMCADGO, is available to assist students with logging into classes, posting discussion comments, submitting homework, and any other technical issues.