Orientation for Internetbased Courses Summer 2005

1
Orientation for Internet-based Courses
Summer 2005

• Barbara Kerns,
• ALC/ Distance Learning Coordinator
• kernsb_at_roanokechowan.edu
• 252-862-1232

2
The Student Will Learn

• Minimum technology requirements and skills
• How to get started in your course
• How to move throughout the course
• How to take tests
• How to get help when needed
• How to start Campus Cruiser
• Tips for successful completion
• IMPORTANT Please read until the end of the show
  and follow directions.

3
What Youll Need

• Easy access to a computer, IBM compatible 486 or
  better, including all Pentiums with Windows 95 or
  better OR a Macintosh 68040, including all Power
  PC machines with OS 7.1 or higher
• Internet access either via 56K modem and phone
  line or a direct network connection
• Access to required software
• Microsoft Word software

4
What Youll Need (contd)

• Web Browser (Netscape 4.0, Internet Explorer 3.0
  AOL requires most recent version, but AOL is not
  recommended)
• E-mail service, preferably Campus Cruiser
• A minimum of 6 hours a week to work on your
  course work
• Computer skills and an alternate plan for
  computer access
• LRC and CAI Lab have computers for your use

5
Getting Started

• To enter class, contact your instructor via
  e-mail or phone. Provide full name, phone ,
  e-mail address, and the last 4 digits of your
  Social Security number. Instructors information
  is located on the DL website, posted signs, and
  the semester schedule.
• The first day of class is May 18. The sooner you
  start, the better however, your first contact
  must be made by May 24 at 1159 p.m.
• Wait a day or so for your instructor to respond
  to you.

6
Getting Started (contd)

• Once you receive a message from the instructor,
  you may begin your course.
• Access the Colleges Web site at
• http//www.roanokechowan.edu
• Click on Distance Learning. The Distance Learning
  web page contains important student information,
  including links to Blackboard and other relevant
  information. The secret word is penny. It is
  advisable to read all information contained
  there.

7
Finding Your Course

• Click on Blackboard, which is the software
  that hosts courses. If the link for our Web page
  is not available, try the following link
• http//disted.roanokechowan.edu.
• Screen will change to a Blackboard login screen
  similar to the following.

8
The welcome screen looks like this.
Click on the Login button and the screen changes
to a screen like the following.
9

cjdoe
5678
Enter your first initial, middle initial, and
last name as your username (all lowercase, no
spaces) the password will be the last four
digits of your social security number. Click on
the login button. Screen changes to the first
page in your course as shown next.
10

• Courses that you are taking are listed on the
  right side of the screen as indicated.

11
Click on the course screen opens to the
students course, similar to this one.
Important Notice the logout button near the
top of the course page failure to logout at
sessions end may prevent your immediate
re-entry.
12
Navigating the Course

• Announcements will always be in the middle of
  the screen. It may appear that they have
  disappeared, but notice the tab indicators at the
  top of the page.

13
Navigating the Course (contd)
Buttons or text to your left are links where
information is kept. Please click on each link
to view its contents.
14
Taking Tests

• Tests are usually found in a link under
  Announce-ments, but be aware that instructors may
  place them in other places as well.
• Do Not Open a Test Until You Are Ready to Take
  It! The only way to get back into a test is by
  grace of the instructor. (Tests are best
  completed when you are least likely to be
  interrupted by phone calls.)
• Unless stated otherwise, all tests are to be
  taken without books or notes. (Be honest and do
  not cheat yourself out of an education.)

15
Taking Tests (contd)

• Pay attention - tests may be timed.
• Your grade can be found under Check Grade under
  the Tools button, or your grade may be e-mailed
  to you.
• For some courses, the exam must be taken on
  campus or at another testing center. If this is
  the case, it will be specified in the course
  materials.

16
Getting Help

• Contact the instructor for specific questions
  about course content or testing issues.
• Seek help from fellow students as well.
• For other problems, contact Barbara Kerns,
  Distance Learning Coordinator, as necessary. She
  is located in the Learning Resources Center, and
  may be phoned at 252-862-1232 or e-mailed at
• kernsb_at_roanokechowan.edu.

17
Getting Other Resources

• For research needs, contact the Learning
  Resources Center at 252-862-1209 or go to the Web
  site and click on the Learning Resources Center
  link.
• For administrative needs (financial aid,
  counseling, grades, registration, tutoring,
  etc.), contact Student Services at 252-862-1305
  or go to the Student Services link on the Web
  site.

18
Campus Cruiser an email system
provided by RCCC

• Log on to Campus Cruiser
• Link can be found on the RCCC home page (near
  bottom of page) or at the Blackboard login
  screen. You may also type the following address
  in the address bar in your browser (Netscape or
  Internet Explorer)
• http//prod.campuscruiser.com/rccc/
• If you need help, see the webpage link for Campus
  Cruiser Log In Instructions.
• If additional help is needed, call Mary Lou
  Byrum at 252-862-1240 or byrumm_at_roanokechowan.edu.
  

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Tips for Success

• Acquire technical skills as soon as possible.
• Be an explorer and read to learn.
• Dont delay seek help early. Communicate with
  your instructor and fellow students as needed.
• Take responsibility for your own learning and
  only for your own work.
• Start on time, keep up, and pay attention to due
  dates and plan on submitting work early.

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More Tips

• Check your course and/or email every other day
  for new information.
• Always have a back-up plan.
• Be persistent and READ, READ, READ!
• Students needing more detailed assistance may
  seek help from the LRC staff. They may direct
  you to complete a detailed Blackboard orientation
  located in the CAI Lab.

21
Now that you have read the entire presentation,
you should have noticed a phrase with a secret
word inserted in the text. Please email the
secret word to Barbara Kerns at
kernsb_at_roanokechowan.edu.