Robeson Community College Distance Learning Orientation

Robeson Community College

Distance Learning Orientation

ONLINE CLASSES BEGIN MAY 27!

Welcome to Robeson Community College’s Online Environment!

RCC’s courses are offered through the Blackboard Learning Platform which allows you to interact with your classmates in discussion forums, post assignments to a Digital Drop Box, and read supplemental lectures and presentations from your instructor.

Additionally, the campus offers Campus Cruiser, a web-based community which allows you to communicate with your instructors (face-to-face and online) through e-mail and to access classroom material, such as PowerPoint presentations and lectures, in your face-to-face classes.

We are happy that you have selected our college to continue your studies and look forward to learning more about you in our online environment.


General Requirements

• Access to a computer at home or work; Pentium or Power Macintosh

• 28.8 or faster modem; 56k recommended

• Internet access with a current e-mail address

• A web browser (Internet Explorer 4 or higher, Netscape 4 or higher)

• Up-to-date virus protection software

• Access to the required software for your course

• Basic computer skills– Sending e-mail with

attachments– Accessing an Internet

source• A minimum of 8 hours a

week to work on your course work


Caution to AOL Users!

• If you are an AOL customer, you may have difficulty accessing Blackboard or using specific course components such as tests.

• It is highly recommended that you use Internet Explorer to connect to your Blackboard course. Check the version of your Internet Explorer to ensure that it meets the recommended equipment requirements noted earlier in the presentation.


Getting Started Single Sign-On via CampusCruiser – you will not have to log in to Blackboard!!!!!

• Access and log in to the CampusCruiser website at http://prod.campuscruiser.com/rcc

• Click the Academics tab

• Click the Bb tab

(Blackboard opens in a new window!)


Click the name of the course.

Welcome! This screen provides a listing of the distance learning courses for which you have enrolled, announcements posted by instructors, and any calendar events.

You have now accessed the announcements page for a specific course. Notice the navigational buttons located on the left side of the screen.

Select the Staff Information button to retrieve contact information for your instructor.

Select the Course Information button to view the

syllabus and any other pertinent information

relating to the course.

Remember: text that is underlined can be selected,

opening another screen.

The discussion board allows

classmates and the instructor to

interact with one another.

Select the Thread button

to begin a new message.

Select the Tools button to view features

such as “My Grades.”

You should carefully examine the icons. If you complete a test for example, a lock may appear, instead of a grade; an error has occurred. You should contact your instructor immediately.

Select “My Grades” to view an explanation

of your graded assignments. You are able

to view the total points possible for a

graded item, your grade/points, the

average score, and the weight of that item.

Sending Documents to the Instructor

Assignments will often need to be submitted to the Digital Drop Box, found within Tools.

• Save your work as a Microsoft Word document or other specified application by your instructor. Instructors cannot open documents created in Works or WordPerfect.

• If you are using Office 2007, you must save the assignment as a 97-2003 Compatible File.

• Click “Tools” on the left side of you screen.• Click “Digital Drop Box.”• Then, select “Send file.”• Browse to the where file is saved (your computer or on a floppy disk).• Then, click “Submit.”• Once the file has been sent, a prompt will confirm the submission.• After you click “OK,” a picture of a disk will appear showing the

document as being sent, to whom it was sent, and the time it was sent.


Your instructor may also ask you to submit an assignment via an assignment link. You will see an exclamation mark ! In the Grade Center until the Instructor grades the assignment.

Taking Online Tests

• Your instructor will indicate where tests can be accessed: Course Documents, Modules, for example.

• Do not open a test until you are ready to take it! You will not be allowed to open the test a second time.– Often tests are to be completed within a specified time frame.– Often you will be able to view only one question at a time.– Generally, you will be able to view your grade after completing the test.

However, short answer and essay questions must be graded by the instructor.

– Examine the legend or key when checking your grade to ensure that your assessment was submitted successfully.

• You can find your grade under “Tools” button on the left side of the screen.

• Contact your instructor if you encounter problems taking a test.



The most important feature of

Tools is the “User Manual.”

Should you have any questions

about how to complete an act in

Blackboard, it can generally be

found within this manual.

In addition to the “User Manual,”

you can access the help feature at

the top of the Blackboard screen.

Attendance

• Maintaining attendance in your online course is important.

• Be sure to print the course syllabus which will indicate how attendance may be taken (weekly assignments, discussion board submissions, journals, weekly quizzes, etc.).


Withdrawing From Your Course

• Please contact your instructor prior to withdrawing from your online class. Through the first ten weeks of the semester the student who withdraws or is dropped receives a grade of "W". For the remainder of the semester the student who withdraws or is dropped will receive a "WF".

• The last day to Withdraw from a class with a grade of “W” is July 8, 2009.


Characteristics of Successful Online Students

• Mature• Independent/Self Motivated• Focused• Disciplined• Able to study independently• Read and write well• Turn in assignments when due • Proficient in Windows, particularly word processing,

email and web browser functions• Committed/Goal-Oriented


Getting the Help you Need

• Contact the instructor for specific questions about course content.

• Fellow students are a source of help.

• In the “Tools” area of your course click on “Manual” where you will find more detailed information about Blackboard.

• There is also a help section located in each course at the top of the screen between the “home” and “log out” icons


Sending E-mail

• You will be assigned an RCC e-mail address.

• Your online e-mail account can be accessed through Campus Cruiser, a web-based community which allows you to communicate with both your online instructors as well as instructors teaching traditional face-to-face classes.

• You are strongly encouraged to use this e-mail account for any communication with your RCC online instructor.

• E-mail cannot be sent through Blackboard.


Tips for Success

• Acquire or improve your technical skills.• Do your homework early; complete assignments on time.• Communicate weekly with your instructor whether an

assignment is due or not.• Communicate with fellow students; help each other. • Take responsibility for your own learning.• Pay attention to due dates.• Do your own work—plagiarism or cheating are serious

offenses.• READ, READ, READ.


• New Blackboard 24/7 Support

Robeson Community College now has a 24-hour technical support site for all Blackboard problems. The telephone number is 1-866-834-8921. You can also access the website by clicking on the link below. Please use this link any time you have problems with Blackboard. This link should be posted throughout the Blackboard site so you can access it at any time.

http://supportcenteronline.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=4308


Your online course will begin May 27. You will have five days to complete the first week’s assignment in order to confirm your enrollment; otherwise, you may be dropped from the course. If you encounter technical problems, you should contact the 24/7 help desk referenced in the previous slide or one of the individuals listed below. If you still have questions regarding Blackboard, you are welcome to attend the face-to-face orientation held Saturday, May 23 in Building 17, Room 1729A, beginning at 9 a.m.

Contact Information:

Melissa Oxendine, Distance Learning [email protected] 910-272-3441Office: Building 8, 804F

Cyd Burgwyn, Blackboard [email protected] 910-272-3561Office: Building 13, 1307

Good luck and enjoy your distance learning course!

Education

Robeson Community College Distance Learning Orientation