VWCC Distance Learning Student Guide

Transcription

1 VWCC Distance Learning Student Guide Department of elearning & Instructional Technology (elit) VWCC

2 Introduction Distance learning is a flexible and convenient method of earning college credits toward most degrees offered by Virginia Western. These courses do not require regular classroom attendance and are online (requiring a computer and Internet/ access). Most courses require a textbook. Students work independently, completing assignments at home and taking exams in the Learning Technology Center (LTC) on campus or at addition testing sites off campus. Distance learning at Virginia Western Community College is delivered using Blackboard. Blackboard is a course management system that is maintained by the Virginia Community College System. Blackboard is web-based so there is nothing for you to install or download. All you need is a Blackboard account and an internet connection. Blackboard works with both Windows and Macintosh computers. You can access Blackboard using most web browsers but it performs best with Mozilla Firefox. Distance learners must take an active approach to learning. The instructor has constructed the course content for you and will provide you feedback, but you are responsible for learning the material. Not only will you read the material and complete assignments but you will also address important issues and ask questions when you need clarification. Ultimately, you are responsible for keeping motivated and engaged with the course content. Challenges and Strategies When instruction is delivered at a distance, learners face additional challenges in the learning process. To be successful in a distance learning environment, learners must assume more of the responsibility to learn than in a traditional, face-to-face learning environment. Challenges Students are separated from instructors and peers without a physical classroom Students can be easily distracted from their course work. Students underestimate the time required to complete learning tasks. With no set class meetings, it is easier for students to procrastinate. Students must rely on technology to interact with instructors and peers. Students must effectively manage their own time. Students often feel that distance courses are easier. Students may be reluctant to seek help from others even the instructor. Learning Strategies To be successful in a distance learning environment, students must: Be active and creative in the learning process. Be self-motivated and self-disciplined. Know their strengths and limitations. Practice effective time-management skills. Limit distractions from their surroundings. VWCC elit 2

3 Make sure they know their goals and objectives for each course. Seek support from available resources when needed. Be comfortable using modern technologies. Recognize that a distance course is not easier than a face-to-face course. Checklist for Success in Distance Learning Courses Attend orientation on campus or online. Don t over-commit yourself. Distance learning courses are as work-intensive as regular courses. Read the syllabus carefully and follow it. Get the materials right away (textbooks, handouts, etc.). Stay in touch with the instructor by phone or . Know the instructor s online or campus office hours Follow the schedule of assignment due dates. Set aside a regular time and place for studying. A three-credit course requires 9 hours a week at a minimum. Before You Begin a Course at a Distance Blackboard courses will be available for student access on the first day of the class. Your Blackboard Username and Password: Login to and locate the section titled Your Username and Password. Select the link What s my username? and enter the information in the input areas and click Submit. A table will be display that shows your username, Emplid, , and institution. You will need the username to be able to access your courses on Blackboard. Note: You may use this username to access your PeopleSoft account to register for classes instead of your Emplid. Once in your course on Blackboard, go to the course syllabus to read the requirements about completing this course and to obtain the items you need. Textbooks can be purchased at the Bookstore. Library cards can be obtained through the Library. Check out supplemental library materials if appropriate. If you are a student who has never taken a distance learning course at VWCC, you must either attend the General Orientation session on the VWCC campus or complete the Distance Learning Online Orientation which can be found on the elearning and Instructional Technology website. In addition to the on-campus or online orientation, your instructor also posts some orientation activities in your course(s) on Blackboard. Usually, these activities are located under the section named Course Orientation on the course main menu bar. It is your responsibility to complete these activities before you begin working on the course. VWCC elit 3

4 Blackboard Tutorials Login to Blackboard To access Blackboard, you need to log into MyVWCC with your user name and password that was given to you (If you do not know your user name and password see instructions above.) Once you are logged in, click on Blackboard. The welcome screen appears next. The precise appearance and contents of each user's welcome screen vary based on individual settings and course association. It can be customized to the student s preferences. The tabs at the top of the page allow you to access many of the features provided to you by VWCC. To get to your Blackboard courses, either clicks the Learn tab at the top of the page or any of the links in the My Blackboard Courses area. When your work within Blackboard is completed, it is important to remember to logout, particularly if you are working from a shared computer or in a shared space. To logout, click the power icon at the top of the page. Download Documents Your instructors may place course materials, such as PowerPoint presentations, Word documents, or images, in the Blackboard course site. These items can be placed in many different areas in Blackboard. Some types of computer files, such as images or video, can be viewed inside the Blackboard window. Other types of files, such as word documents, are stored on the Blackboard server and must be downloaded and opened on your computer. 1. Login to your Blackboard account. 2. Open the course that you wish to view. 3. Go to the section of the course containing the file you wish to view. For example: if the file is in the Course Documents section, click on the Course Documents link in the course menus area on the left. 4. Find the name of the item you wish to view. 5. To download a course document, right mouse click on the link and select Save Target As (using Internet Explorer) or select Save Link As (using Mozilla Firefox) 6. Select the location on your computer. 7. Click Save 8. You must have the correct program installed to open the file Submit Assignments in Blackboard Instructors use assignments to assess your mastery over course content and objectives. You can find assignments in any content area, learning module, lesson plan, or folder. Your instructor VWCC elit 4

5 assigns point values to assignments. Your completed assignment is submitted for grading, and the results are recorded in the Grade Center. You can see your grades when your instructor makes them available to you. Your instructor lets you know when an assignment is available and where to find it in your course. Read all of the instructions carefully and pay attention to due dates. Depending on the instructions provided by your instructor, you may be asked to add text, attach a file, enter comments, or a combination of these actions. If you have any trouble submitting your assignment, contact your instructor immediately. Here are the steps: 1. To submit an assignment, students need to locate the assignment from the course menu. For example: click on Assignments menu item in the course menu area. 2. Click on the name of the assignment. 3. A new screen will load with further instructions, a due date, points possible, an area to type comments along with any necessary file attachments. 4. When you are ready to submit an assignment, click Browse My Computer to attach your file or click Write Submission to type the texts in the text box. VWCC elit 5

6 5. If attach a file, enter a name of Link Title. If this field is left blank, then the file name becomes the link. Click Do not attach button to delete the attachment. 6. If you need to submit more than one file for an assignment, attach the first file and then attach the following ones by repeating step 4 and 5 above. 7. If you have any comments to enter, type them in the comments box which is located directly below the attached files. Click Submit to submit the assignment. 8. If you want to submit later, click Save Draft instead of Submit. After you click Submit, you will be able to view your Submission History. Note: When naming files, keep file names short. Use letters, numbers and underscores only, and avoid using any of the following characters in the filename: & # %., ; : * $ () +? / \ []{} + = Discussion Board The Discussion Board is a communication tool that can enhance the interactivity within a distance learning course by sharing thoughts and ideas about class materials. Topics are posted to the Discussion Board so that course participants can reply and discuss the topic online. This feature is similar to a Chat but is designed for asynchronous use so that course participants do not have to be online at the same time to have a conversation. Create New Threads in Discussion Board Forums (this option is available only if allowed by your instructor) VWCC elit 6

7 1. Login to your Blackboard account and go to your Blackboard course. 2. Click the menu item named Discussion Board in the course menu area. 3. Click the desired forum link to open the forum. The area to the right of the forum indicates the total number of posts, unread posts, and total forum participants. 4. After opening the Forum View screen, it will display the date, time, and author information for any threads already posted. Click the button Create Thread to create a new thread. VWCC elit 7

8 5. Complete the Subject and Message fields and attach any files if necessary. 6. When completed, scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Submit. Note: You will notice there is a Save Draft button available. Choosing Save Draft will keep a draft copy of the thread which can be opened, re-edited, and submitted at a later time. To display any previously saved drafts, you must choose Show All or Drafts Only from the Display options at the top of the Forum View page. Reply to an Existing Thread 1. Click on the name of the thread to which you wish to reply. 2. Click Reply to post a comment to this message. 3. The subject line automatically refers to the previous message. Enter the reply content in the message box. To post your reply on the discussion board, click the Submit button. Your reply will display on the discussion board beneath the original post. VWCC elit 8

9 Access Grades using My Grades Feature 1. Login to Blackboard and go to your course. 2. Look for the menu item named My Grades in your course menu area. 3. There will be a list of assessment items. Visible are the due date, grade, the number of possible points for each assessment items, and comments that the instructor provides to the students about that particular assessment. VWCC elit 9

10 4. The following table describes the symbols appearing on the My Grades page. Information and Resources Phone Number Academic Link... (540) Admissions... (540) Advising Center... (540) Bookstore... (540) elit... (540) Learning Technology Center... (540) Library... (540) Address Academic Link Testing VWCC elit 10

11 Useful Online URLs Blackboard Login elit web site Help Desk Library Learning Technology Center Student Tutorials The My VWCC Survival Guide Library Hours Date Monday - Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Time 8:00 am - 8:00 pm 8: 00am - 5:00 pm 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Closed Learning Technology Center Hours Mon - Thurs Friday Saturday Sunday Testing Center 8:00 8:00 8:00 5:00 9:00 1:00 Closed The Academic Link 8:00 7:00 8:00 4:30 Close Closed Computer Lab/B17/18 9:00-4:00 9:00-4:00 Closed No Tutoring Closed Notes: Tests will not be given out at Learning Technology Center after 7:30pm Monday to Thursday; 4:30pm on Friday and 12:30pm on Saturday. People should not bring children with them when coming to take a test or when using the open lab or the tutoring centers. Virginia Western Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution TTY: (540) VWCC elit 11