The Companion Guide to SCHOOL Student Centered Hands-on Orientation for Online Learning 2014 1
Welcome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Online Survival Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Important Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Six Steps to Getting Started Online . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Important Information for Online Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Time Management Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Welcome to Online Learning at Central Arizona College! We are happy to be a part of your educational experience. The CAC staff is available to assist you as you embark on this new adventure. recommended that you use a calendar and mar k all of your assignment due dates. To avoid confusion, you may want to color code the calendar by class if you are taking several classes. Online courses offer students more flexibility than traditional on-campus classes.
“When I took my first online class I was very nervous. I thought I was never going to be able to follow the directions and send my work correctly. Now I can do it easily...” ~ Ana Z. “I like the freedom of doing my classes when it is convenient for me and my busy schedule. You can go to class in your pajamas and no make up!!! ~ Chrissie J. All in all it was a good way to take the class. It may seem a little different but once the semester got going I was able to understand it better. ~ Robert C.
What You Need to Know to Be a Successful Online Student As an online student, it is your personal responsibility to know how to use the learning management system (Blackboard), participate in class, and care for your own computer. Each computer is set up differently, which may cause incorrect “Warning” messages to appear. If you receive a warning message, we recommend you manually check your system settings and confirm your computer meets the system requirements.
Central Arizona College Home Page: http://www.centralaz.edu Blackboard Login Page: http://blackboard.centralaz.edu MyLabsPlus Login Page (Math): http://centralaz.mylabsplus.com MyITLab Login Page (CIS): http://myitlab.com CAC Customer Service and Technical Support: centralhelpdesk@centralaz.edu (520) 494-5111 or (800) 237-9814 ext. 5111 CAC Online Services: Access online registration, grades, transcripts, and other resources. Click on Quick Links, then Online Services from the home page, http://www.
In order to have an enjoyable online learning experience, please follow the steps below every semester. Step 1: Register for your online class You must register for your classes every semester. Official course registration must take place before you can access your online class. There are two ways to register: At a Campus or Center You can visit the Registrar’s Office at any CAC Campus or talk to the representative at any Center. Online Go to the CAC website at http://www.centralaz.edu/.
Step 3: Log into Blackboard From any location on the CAC website, click on the Blackboard link at the top of the page or type in the URL: http://blackboard.centralaz.edu. Your Blackboard username is firstname_lastname. Use your legal name, exactly as it is written on your schedule. If more than one person has the same name, numbers have been added at the end of the usernames. Example: john_doe, john_doe1, john_doe2 If you have a hyphenated last name, there is no hyphen in your username.
Step 4: Log in to your CAC e-mail account From any location on the CAC website, click on the Webmail link at the top of the page. Then, click on the Student E-mail link, http://cactus.centralaz.edu. You will be redirected to the login page. Your e-mail address is your Blackboard username followed by @stu.centralaz.edu. Example: john_doe@stu.centralaz.edu. Your default e-mail password is your birth date in MMDDYYYY format. (This is the same as the default Blackboard password.) Eight numbers are required.
Step 6: Contact your instructor CAC wants all students to be ready and prepared to begin learning on the first day of a class. Effective Spring 2014 semester, all professors will be taking attendance during the first week of classes. It is imperative you log in to your online class within the first 3 days to demonstrate you are ready to begin the class and to avoid the risk of being dropped as a “No Show”.
Communicating with your Instructor: One of the most important factors for success in online learning is staying in touch with your instructor. If you are having problems or do not understand the requirements of an assignment, you need to let your instructor know immediately. If you will not be able to submit an assignment on time, let your instructor know. When emailing your instructor, always use your CAC student email account.
Student Responsibilities: Students are responsible for knowing and understanding the instructor’s expectations communicated in the online classroom and on the syllabus. This responsibility includes communicating with the instructor and others when there are questions. Success in the online environment requires you to recognize and act on your responsibilities. Keep up with assignment due dates. Most instructors will deduct points for late assignments.
Taking an online course requires that you plan and organize your time and tasks carefully. Online classes are not independent study. There are due dates and timelines to be met. At the beginning of each semester, mark a calendar with every assignment due date so you can keep track of all of your classes. Online courses are not easier than traditional on campus classes. They may even take more of your time because reading and writing take more time than listening and speaking.
Weekly Schedule: Make a list of the major events for the week with the estimated time it will take to accomplish each event, and the completion date. This may include activities that are not related to college.
For a complete list of system requirements and web browser settings, visit the Online Learning pages from the CAC Home page—click on Quick Links, Online Learning, and First Things FirstGetting Started. Basic Browser Settings Cookies, pop-ups, and Java are all required in order for Blackboard to function correctly. In your web browser, select the “Options” menu, then update Browsing history, Security, and Privacy settings,. Internet Explorer 8, 9, or 10 —Choose Tools, then Internet Options.
Your instructor will determine how assignments are submitted. The instructions below discuss just one way an assignment can be submitted in a Blackboard class. Check with your instructor or check your class syllabus to find out how your instructor wants assignments submitted. If your instructor wants you to use the discussion board or send an email attachment, you will not need the following directions.
9. The assignment’s file name will be in the File Name box at the bottom of the window. You can change the file name here. Be sure to check the syllabus or contact your instructor to see if he/ she wants you to use a specific file naming system. For example, some instructors require the file name contain your first initial, last name, course number, and assignment number. 10. To change the name, click inside this box.
Assignment Submission Type any clarifying informa on for your 4. Scroll down to the Assignment instructor here in this text box. Submission, click Browse My Computer to find the assignment file you completed and saved on your computer or storage device. 5. The Choose File dialog box will open. Locate your document and click Open. The assignment file will be added to your assignment. If you need to attach another assignment file, click on Browse My Computer once again, locate your file, click Open. 6.
Saving an Unfinished File to Blackboard When you’re not working on your file, you can save it on your local computer and then upload it to Blackboard. If you save it within Blackboard, you can access it from any computer that has Internet access. This is helpful if you work from multiple locations because you will be able to access your file from any place without having to carry it around on portable media like a flash (thumb) drive. To save your work within Blackboard: 1. Log in to Blackboard.
Read the instructor’s expectations for the Discussion Board carefully. Some instructors require weekly posts, some require you to post and respond to your classmates, and some may require you to post only as a written assignment. Not all classes have the same Discussion Board requirements! Online discussions are like face-to-face classroom discussion.
As soon as a quiz/exam is made available by your instructor, make sure it is actually there. If not, notify your instructor immediately. Don’t wait until it is due to look for it. Begin by locating the quiz or exam in your course. Most instructors will place exams in a tab labeled “Exam and Quizzes”. Click on the tab and the list of quizzes/ exams available will be displayed. Choose the quiz you will be taking by clicking on the name of the quiz. A dialog box will appear, click Begin.
Main Line: 520‐494‐5111 or 1‐800‐237‐9814 ext. 5111 Chat & FAQs: www.centralaz.edu > Help and FAQ E‐mail: centralhelpdesk@centralaz.edu We’re here to help! How Can I help you? Located at Signal Peak in the M Building just inside the East entrance We aim to be your first point of contact when seeking assistance with the above men oned criteria. Our lobby features comfortable sea ng and 10 computers that our print capable with Internet for those needing access to material while on campus.
Learning Support provides integrated services to students and faculty in a comfortable, friendly atmosphere in order to enhance successful learning. Learning Support offer free tutoring in several areas of study, peer study groups, study skills, and success skills workshops. Learning Support also house Learning Centers that have a network of computers for students’ use with software for word processing.
What’s @ the Library? RESOURCES The library has many resources to help you succeed in your CAC classes. BOOKS FOR CHECK-OUT FILMS ON DVD ONLINE E-BOOKS ONLINE JOURNAL AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES STREAMING ONLINE VIDEO Online resources are available on campus and from home. RESEARCH HELP Librarians are always available to assist you with research, finding a book, using our online resources, and answering any ques ons you might have.
The CAC Libraries are the perfect place to use a computer, study, finish homework, read, or just relax and hang out. COMPUTER STATIONS Computer sta ons are available with online access and Microso Office programs. GROUP STUDY ROOMS Study rooms are available at the SPC and SMC campuses on a first‐come, first‐serve basis. QUIET STUDY AREAS There are several quiet, comfortable spots around our libraries to study or do homework.
Blackboard – A Web-based course management system that serves as a “classroom” for online classes. Body of the Message – The main message of an email or discussion board message. Browser - A software application used to retrieve, present, and traverse information resources on the World Wide Web. Common web browsers are Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, Opera, and Safari.
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Signal Peak Campus (SPC): 8470 N.
