The $20 Question: What LBCC’s Online Course Fee Pays For
Students enrolling in online courses at Linn-Benton Community College may notice an additional $20 fee added to each class. The charge, listed among the college’s tuition fees, helps cover the cost of the technology and support required to run online courses. According to LBCC’s website , every online class includes the $20 fee, which supports the Canvas learning management system and services related to online instruction. Jess Jacobs, LBCC’s accounting and budget director, said the fee helps pay for Canvas licensing as well as a full-time staff member who provides technical and instructional support for students and faculty. Canvas plays a central role in LBCC’s online classes, allowing students to access coursework, submit assignments and communicate with instructors. Maintaining the platform and supporting faculty who design online courses requires both technical resources and staff expertise, Jacobs said. The position has a “large impact on the quality of online instruction,”...
