• Online learning is flexible and convenient...but NOT EASIER!
  
• You can expect to study a minimum of 6-9 hours each week for each online class you are taking.
  
• Most online classes at PGCC are not self-paced. The instructor sets the deadlines for the course and students.
  
  

• Announcements
  
• Discussion Board
  
• Groups
  
• Email
  
• Course information and content

• Generally, you will not be able to login to your Blackboard course(s) until the day of the distance learning orientation.
  
• It takes 24 to 48 hours to transfer your registration information from the mainframe computer to the Blackboard server; so don't expect to register for your course and login on the same day
  
• Your instructor may not be using Blackboard; if you can't login within 48 hours after registering, contact your instructor directly by email or phone. You will find a course list for the semester in which you are registered at the distance learning home page.

Important:  Using the mouse or keyboard to perform ANY other action, such as <BACKSPACE> OR <REFRESH>, could ruin the outcome of the assessment.  Also, answering and/or clicking on the <SAVE> button after 10 minutes from the last answer (no matter how long the instructor allows you to take the assessment), could ruin the outcome as well.  Using the slide bar to move up or down the assessment page is the only exception.

What do I do if I have emailed the instructor and I have not received a reply?
If you emailed your instructor and don't receive a reply within several days (not including weekend days), please go to http://www.pgcc.edu/dept/index.html and look up the contact person for the academic department in which your course resides. For example, if you are taking ACC 101, Introductory Accounting, the Department Chair for the Accounting Department is Professor Betty Habershon; Professor Habershon's number is 301-322-0713.

If you are unable to reach the Department Chair, please call the Distance Learning Center at 301-322-0463 and we will help you find an alternative.


Where do I find the course descriptions for the online course I'm interested in taking? Who do I call if I don't understand the course description for the online course I want to take?
There are three things you can do to find out more about the course:

• Prepare your files using your word processor. Name your files according to the format recommended by your instructor. If the instructor does not give you a specific format, use the following format: (first initial)(your last name)(assignment name). For example: jsmithAssignment1
• Be sure to click on “Send File” rather than “Add File.” If you “Add File,” the file is merely places in your own Digital Drop Box but doesn’t sent it to the instructor until you click on “Send File.”
  Here’s how to TO SEND A FILE TO YOUR INSTRUCTOR:

1. Login to Blackboard and go to your course.
2. From the left navigation bar in your course, click on the “Tools” button.
3. Click on the “Digital Drop Box.”
4. Click on the “Send File” Button under the black banner labeled “Digital Drop Box.”
5. You will see a numbered list of things to do:
   Number 1:
   Type in the Title of the assignment in this format: (first initial)(your last name)(assignment name)
   For example: jsmithAssignment1
   Locate the file for upload by clicking on the down arrow to the right of the “Browse” field.
   Select the file.
   Click “Open” so the file name and path appear in the Browse field. Your file name should also be in this format: (first initial)(your last name)(assignment name)
   For example: jsmithAssignment1
   You can put comments in the field if you wish but this is not required.
   Number 2:
   Click on “Submit” to send the file to your instructor.
6. You will receive a “receipt” that your file has been successfully sent to your instructor.
    

When I take a quiz/test/exam, the elapsed time on the bottom status bar does not display.
This may be caused by the default settings by upgrading to Internet Explorer 7, (although it has also been seen in Firefox as well; tests with Safari appeared to display fine) where the default settings are set to not allow status bar updates. At this time of posting, Internet Explorer 7 is still relatively new, so it is likely that new issues will continue to arise.

You can have the elapsed time displayed by changing the settings below:

Internet Explorer 7:

1. From the menu bar, select Tools
2. Internet Options
3. Security (tab)
4. Select the Internet zone
5. Custom Level
6. Scroll down to "Scripting" (near the end of the list) and locate "Allow Status Bar Updates via Script" and select "Enable"

Firefox:

1. From the menu bar, select Tools
2. Options
3. Web Features
4. Advanced
5. select "Change status bar text"

What should I do if I need technical help?
If you need help using Blackboard or have other technical questions, here are some things you can do:

What do I do if I need a plug-in to access course materials?
Some courses require you to install plug-ins, which are free software programs available on the Web. These tools add functions to your web browser or enable you to view specialized content.
Links to the most commonly used plug-ins (Adobe Reader, PowerPoint Viewer, Excel Viewer, etc) can be found on the Browsers Plug-ins & Downloads page. This page contains links to each product's download page where installation instructions are provided.


Will I have problems using Blackboard if I upgrade to Microsoft Windows Vista?
The results of testing done by Blackboard, Inc. show that Microsoft Windows Vista is compatible with Blackboard version 6.3 used at PGCC. Users that have upgraded to Microsoft Windows Vista should feel comfortable using it with Microsoft Internet Explorer 7 or Firefox 2.0 to access the Blackboard Academic Suite, Release 6, Application Pack 3. However, please be aware of the following issues uncovered during testing:

1. The Visual Text Box Editor controls do not function correctly in Internet Explorer 7 because they
     require a component not available in Windows Vista. Users on Release 7.0 and Release 6, Application
     Pack 3 should turn off the Visual Text Box Editor in their personal preferences or use Firefox 2.0.

2. In some instances, the Collaboration Tool opens with greyed out options.
 

• $94.00 per credit hour for county residents
• $165.00 per credit hour for out-of-county residents
• $253.00 per credit hour for out-of-state residents