E-Learning Student Orientation

Welcome to Virtual Campus Spring 2015

The Online Student Experience

No Formal Class Meetings You schedule class time

Self Directed Learning Experience No Instructor in the room Virtual Office Hours Ask the Instructor Email and Course Messages

No students in the room Discussion Forums Collaborate Sessions

The Online Student Experience

Online courses are equivalent to their

face to face versions Student Success Rates are lowest at 73%

compared to 78% face to face SB 1720 (opted out of Dev. Ed.)

Tips for Success

• Familiarize yourself with your learning styles – BE

Assessment • Allocate enough time – average 3 hours per credit

hour (8 to 10 hours per week) • Complete Smarter Measure Assessment • Virtual Campus Administrator:

Kendall St Hilaire ksthilai@irsc.edu

Tips for Success

• Participate in orientation • Have a PC backup plan • Have more than one

internet browser • Know how to clear cache

and cookies • Save your work in

multiple locations • Ask for help when needed

@ Blackboard Student Help Desk

• Familiarize yourself with the learning environment

• Keep a calendar that includes important dates and scheduled study time

• Avoid doing anything at the last minute – work ahead whenever possible

• Create a dedicated study space with no distractions

• Build a support system

Blackboard Login Page

• All online courses (fully online, hybrid, and web-assisted) are taught using Blackboard, IRSC’s learning management system.

https://blackboard.irsc.edu

Login Username & Password

• Username: IRSC Student ID Number • Password: Same as MyIRSC PIN

• Default: MMYY of birth • Example: May 1, 1986 = 0586

Password Resets

• Online: Security question/answer must be setup in MyIRSC (Profile menu) • https://esweb.irsc.edu/Mariner/security/repin1.jsp

• Automatic sync with Blackboard within 30 minutes

• On Campus: Visit any IRSC campus • By Phone: Call Center (772) 462-IRSC

Password Resets

Blackboard Student Help Desk

• 24/7 Support • Knowledge Base • Frequently Asked Questions • Live Chat • Trouble Ticket Request • Phone Support

Blackboard Student Help Desk

• 24/7 Support

Course Access

• When will you have access? • Online Courses: First day of the semester

Wednesday, January 7th at 12:00 a.m. • F2F Courses: First day of class

• Example: M/W class is unavailable until Wednesday of that week.

Course Access

• You must log into the course early: • Read syllabus for understanding

• Make note of due dates, test dates, etc.

• Complete attendance requirement • If not, your financial aid may be reduced • May be different for each course

(email, discussion post, etc.)

• Daily course login is recommended

Blackboard Help Site

The Official Blackboard Help Site https://help.blackboard.com/

Blackboard Control Panel (Important Course Menu Items)

Blackboard Discussion Boards

How to Use Blackboard Discussions

Submitting Assignments

Click here to learn more about How to Submit Assignments in Blackboard

Messages vs. Email Tools

• Your instructor will determine if, how, and where these communication tools will be used in your course.

• How to Use Message Tool

• How to Use Email Tool

Blackboard On-Demand Videos

Blackboard Collaborate

• Online collaboration and web conferencing platform

• Instructors may use this tool for: • virtual office hours • interactive class sessions • tutoring

• Accessed through links in Blackboard or a link provided by instructor

Supported Internet Browsers

• Internet Explorer • Google Chrome • Safari • Firefox

Browser Essentials

• Clearing cache and cookies • Slightly different in each browser • Resolves many issues in Blackboard • Google or contact Blackboard Student

Help Desk for assistance

Browser Security Issues

Browser Security Issues

SmarterMeasure

• Online learning readiness assessment • Learn more about your strengths and

weaknesses • Considerations:

• How well can you use a computer? • How motivated, organized, and self-directed

are you? • How do you prefer to learn new

information?

http://irsc.smartermeasure.com/

SmarterMeasure

• Username: “associates” or “bachelor” • Password: “online”

Testing Online In ‘fully’ Online courses, it is required that at least one ‘Exam / Test / Quiz must be taken by the student who is registered for the course at an approved testing center. Many quizzes or exams may be taken from home within a date and time designated by the course instructor. There will be at least one exam taken by students at an approved Testing Center, located on one of the IRSC campuses. If taking the course out of the local area, arrangements must be made with the instructor accordingly. Students will alert the instructor as to which campus they will be taking the designated test, and appear with proper Identification at the designated dates/times.

Questions or Comments?