WELCOMEAs the Academic Director of Online Education, I congratulate you on your acceptance to UMass Dartmouth and welcome you to UMass Dartmouth Online. A university is a community of learners. In the past, the university community has been associated with buildings and physical places. Now, in the 21st century, we are excited to have you join our online virtual community of learners through our various degree and certificate programs. Within this online orientation, you will find the tools and information you need to know to be successful in your online journey. Shannon Jenkins, Associate Professor and Chair, Political Science, Academic Director of Online Learning

As an online student, you’ll engage in coursework through a variety of tools, such as: > live virtual classroom sessions > discussion boards > wikis and blogs > podcasts and videos

You’ll benefit from the same higher education opportunities as campus-based students. The same professors will teach your online courses, and you’ll receive the same UMass Dartmouth degree as your on-campus counterparts. You and your fellow online classmates will be able to balance work and family obligations with the pursuit of a higher education degree.

Not only will you have around-the-clock technical assistance, but also a multitude of resources to guide you as you proceed through your program.

The following orientation will introduce the basics of online learning including registering for courses, university policies, myCourses (our learning platform), library research and course textbooks, student support services, and more.

Let’s get started.

1. REGISTERING FOR COURSES, ACTIVATING EMAIL, AND GETTING YOUR UMASS PASS

EmailAfter processing your acceptance to UMass Dartmouth, your email account will be created. Activate your email immediately, as this will be your primary source of communication with the university. Activate your UMass Dartmouth email account here: https://secure.umassd.edu/newstudents.

myUMassDThe UMass Dartmouth portal provides single sign-on access to email, COIN, myCourses, FAMIS, ReservIt, UMass Pass, and web tools. This is the single launch point for important university information and essential systems.

Within the myUMassD portal, you will find COIN (Corsairs Online Information). COIN is the system you will use for registering for courses, managing UMD tuition payment and financial aid accounts, viewing grades, and updating personal information.

Logon to your account here: my.umassd.edu

2. UNIVERSITY POLICIESStudents at UMass Dartmouth are expected to exercise self-discipline and maintain a high standard of honesty and moral conduct. All students are expected to act in a way that does not infringe upon the rights of others or upon the educational process.

For a full explanation of conduct policies and procedures, please review the Student Code of Conduct.

Student work is also guided by the UMass Dartmouth Student Academic Integrity Policy.

3. MyCOURSESmyCourses is the learning management system that will provide the basic structure for your online course. If you are enrolled in a fully online course or a blended course, you will receive your login information and instruction packet via your UMassD Logon (email account). In order to access your myCourses account, your UMassD Logon (email account) must be activated.Log into myCourses here: my.umassd.edu

Shannon Jenkins

MyUMassD

4. MyCOURSES ONLINE LEARNING TOOLS

Navigating myCoursesUMass Dartmouth’s myCourses learning management system is the gateway to your online learning experience.

You are automatically enrolled in the myCourses Support Hub, an online orientation course that will guide you through navigatingthe learning platform and using the course tools.

DiscussionsDiscussions maybe used in your course to introduce yourself, share your knowledge and experiences and to serve as an online version of “class discussion.” Discussions are asynchronous. This means participants do not need to be in the same location or time zone and can take time to consider their responses carefully.

Blogs & JournalsYour professor may choose to use a blog or a journal for your courses. Blogs are personal spaces for sharing knowledge and materials created and collected by the group in the course. You can post entries and add comments to existing blogs. Journals are a personal space for you to communicate privately with your instructor. You can also use a journal as a self-reflective tool to post your opinions, ideas, and concerns about your course, or discuss and analyze course related materials.

WikisYour professors may choose to incorporate a wiki into your online learning. A wiki is a collaborative space for posting, editing, and organizing information.

Live ConferencingYour professor may choose to use a live conferencing tool for your courses. With this tool, you can join live conversations with your professors and classmates.

Need help with myCourses?Information for new students here: umassd.edu/cits/newstudent/ More help here: http://www.umassd.edu/cits/help/

5. LIBRARY RESEARCHYou have access to the full range of library services and resources, including journal articles, books and instructional sessions. Subject librarians are available to help you use library databases and locate the information you need. They can also teach you about services we only offer to online students, such as the free home delivery of books. Our librarians enjoy assisting students, so please don’t be shy about asking for help!

Online Library Services: http://guides.lib.umassd.edu/libraryservicesLibrarians by Subject Area: http://lib.umassd.edu/liaisonsCourse & Subject Guides: http://guides.lib.umassd.edu

Library help for off-campus students here: Library

6. STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICESThe UMass Dartmouth website contains a multitude of support services for students. From technology to textbook purchasing, financial aid help to counseling, answers to your online learning questions are at your fingertips.

CITS and Technology SupportComputer Information Technology Services (CITS) provides access to essential resources including email, COIN, computer purchase recommendations and more, and offers help when you need it.

Academic AdvisingYour advisor will be listed in COIN. If you do not see an advisor assigned when you log in to COIN, contact the Admissions Coordinators. Admissions coordinators are available during the day or evening to assist students applying, transferring and registering for courses.

Financial AidTo receive Financial Aid, students must complete the FAFSA (free application for federal student aid). Information about student loans, scholarships, grants, waivers here: Financial Aid.

Professor Gardner teaches courses in gender and ethics, feminist history, and feminist theory for the Women’s Studies online program.

Catherine GardnerAssociate Professor, Philosophy & Women’s StudiesDirector, Women’s Studies Program

“With one year left of courses, I had been looking for a way to finish my degree with an online degree program. The online Liberal Arts program felt like it was tailored just for me. I transferred all of my credits without any problems and knew exactly which courses I needed to take to finish my degree.

What I like most about the online classes is the pace at which a student can work to meet an assignment deadline.”

Andrew PiaseckiBA Liberal Arts Online Student

eTutoringUMass Dartmouth students registered for courses, or matriculated into a degree program, have access to free online eTutoring through the Math & Business Services, the Writing and Reading Center and the Language Lab. Log into eTUtoring with your UMassD Logon (email account) and select the UMASS Dartmouth option. Staffed by peer tutors, our services are used by undergraduate and graduate students. It doesn’t matter if you have only one question or if you need long term assistance areas; eTutoring exists to help students be successful at UMass Dartmouth.

RegistrarThe Registrar’s Office creates the schedule of courses, handles course registration records and academic transcripts, and monitors academic policies. Connect with the Registrar: Registrar

Purchase textbooks at the Campus StoreAll textbooks (both new and used) can be purchased at the University’s online store. Digital textbooks, a cost-saving alternative to printed, can also be purchased online. To get to the camous store: Campus store

Center for Access and SuccessThe Center for Access and Success works with faculty, staff and students to ensure equity for all students. For more information about what the Center offers online students visit: Center for Access and Success

The Counseling CenterWhile the Counseling Center cannot offer counseling to Online students who live outside the state of Massachusetts or are not physically present on campus for face to face meetings, the Center’s website does provide helpful resources and references for students including online screening tools, tips and links here: Counseling Center.

7. CHOOSING A MAJOR OR CAREER? LOOKING FOR A JOB OR INTERNSHIP?It is never too early to connect with the Career Development Center! We can help you explore a range of options and make a decision. We can help you develop the skills you will need to take that next step once you complete your degree: resume and cover letter writing, interviewing, making professional connections, applying to grad school and more. Let us partner with you to achieve your academic and career goals.

“Online courses work well for the self-directed learner who is by nature well organized. Online students need to manage their time and deadlines, which will lead to a more successful learning experience.”

Catherine CurranAssociate Professor, Marketing

“I have been teaching through UMass Dartmouth online for a decade. At the time we began, there were few high quality online teaching programs. UMass Dartmouth has always been noteworthy for the quality, integrity, and creativity of our online offerings. I value being able to contribute to the excellent education offered at UMass Dartmouth online.”

Susan KrumholzProfessor, Crime & Justice Studies CareerLink

CareerLink is a comprehensive career services on-line manager that provides students and employers easy access to career services. Students can build and post resumes, and search for jobs and internships. Employers can post jobs, bundle resumes for open positions, schedule on-campus recruiting, and more.

Access CareerLink and other on-line resources with QuickLaunch via the UMass Dartmouth portal. Go to Careers & Jobs and then Career Planning/Job Search Tools.