Getting Started Checklist

 

I've registered for an online class - now what? The online classroom is different from attending a class on campus. Complete the following tasks to get started in your Online, Hybrid/Online or Accelerated Online course.

 

  • You can test your Blackboard login begining May 15, 2012
  • Summer 2012 online courses will be available on May 31, 2012
  • The Summer 2012 semester begins on June 4, 2012

 

Note: All courses that begin after June 4, 2012 are Accelerated Online courses. Students registered for an Accelerated Online course will have access to the Blackboard course site 4 days prior to the start date of the course. If you don't see your class in Blackboard, check the start date of your course.

 

 


All first-time online and hybrid/online students should complete orientation. There are two Online Student Orientation Options:

on campus and online. To see which orientation session is right for you, click here.


Orientation contains information about:


  • The basics of online learning and your online course(s)
  • On-campus requirements for online students
  • Online student responsibilities
  • How to determine if your computer has the minimum hardware and software requirements
  • The learning and technical skills you will need to be a successful online student
  • How to log in and use Blackboard
  • The virtual campus and resources available to online students

Some instructors also conduct Course Orientation sessions.  Be sure to check the Orientation page to verify if you must attend a Course Orientation session.

 

Online classes are conducted through Blackboard, the college’s online classroom platform.

 

Students will be able to access their course in Blackboard 4 calendar days prior to the start date of the course. (For example, if the course begins on August 30, students will be able to log in and see their course on August 26.)

 

If you are uncertain about the exact start date of your course, please check Owl Link or visit the Class Schedules page on the eLearning website.

 

You can access Blackboard in a variety of ways:

 

 

You must have your Owl Link account set up in order to access Blackboard. Use your Owl Link username and password to log into Blackboard. Click here for information about Owl Link.

 

 

You must setup your Owl Mail account. Once your course begins, the ONLY way the college and your instructor are allowed to communicate with you is through your Owl Mail account and all email sent through Blackboard goes to your Owl Mail account.

 

Please note: if you have an existing Hotmail account you MUST sign out of your Hotmail account in order to login and view your Owl Mail email. Click here for information about Owl Mail.

 

All online classes have due dates and deadlines just like campus classes. It is important that you log in to your course as soon as it is available so that you can begin your course work.

 

Once you log in to your course, if you have any questions about the course be sure sure to contact your instructor immediately!

 

Have a Great Semester!