How can I figure out if online classes are for me?
If you have the following
skills and abilities, then you are likely to be successful in online classes.
Study
Habits:
1.
You need to be a self-motivated, independent worker.
2.
You must be a good reader. You will need to read all sections of the website
and textbook.
3.
You must be able to set a schedule and keep deadlines. You must be able to
review material on your own using the information online to help you in your
studying.
4.
Submit your work well before the deadline in case you encounter any technical
problems (problems with your computer, server, or Blackboard).
Writing
Skills:
1.
You will need to do a lot of writing for online classes. Instructors will
usually post their writing requirements on the
Blackboard site in their syllabus and possibly other areas.
2. You need to write in complete sentences. Most
instructors will require that all assignments, papers, and exams must be
written in complete sentences with correct spelling and grammar.
3.
You will need to make sure your writing is clear.
Communication
Skills:
1.
You must be able to communicate in writing in discussion forums. These will be
in the Discussion Board area of Blackboard.
2.
You must post your responses to discussion forum topics regularly and before
the deadline.
3.
Discussion forum comments must focus on the topic listed in the discussion
section. No personal attacks or inappropriate comments will be permitted.
4.
You must be willing to contact the instructor early on in the course if you see
that you need help. You need to ask the instructor questions until you are
clear about what is required of you. Do not make assumptions that will
negatively impact your grade.
How do I register for an online course?
Students can register for
online and regular courses by accessing the Admissions and Records registration
link and following the instructions.
http://www.valleycollege.edu/Admissions/apply_and_register.php
When can I register for online classes?
Registration dates can be
viewed at the SBVC Class Schedule
http://www.valleycollege.edu/ImportantDates/important_dates_fall.php
Are there prerequisites for online classes?
The prerequisites for online classes are the same as for regular on campus classes. The prerequisites for all classes are given in the description of the class. The SBVC class schedule lists descriptions of all classes.
http://www.valleycollege.edu/eSchedule/Online/Schedule/V/2009FA/index.html
I am taking an online class. How can I get started in
my online class?
There are three things that
you should do by the first day of class.
Do not expect the instructor
to give you a phone call, or send an email to your AOL (or other private email
account) address, or send a letter via
Some instructors do have on
campus office hours where you can come in for a face-to-face orientation.
However, it would be best to make the initial contact via email in order to
find out the location, days and times of those office hours.
How do I access the
course online?
Most online classes at
1.
Go to the Blackboard Course Management System for
OR
If you
do not know your student id number do the following. Enter Blackboard as a guest using the
instructions on the log in page. After entering as a guest, scroll down the page to look for semester and course offerings.
Click on the semester and year that you are interested in. Click on the course title (which also lists
the instructor’s last name) that you are interested in. If the instructor is
allowing guest to view content, then you will be able to view some elements of
the course, but you cannot submit
work or view grades as a guest. Until
you obtain your student id number, enter as a guest. This will also mean that
you will not be able to view certain areas of the website including assignments
and the Discussion Board. Find your student id number as soon as you can as most
instructors will not change any deadlines because you were late in viewing the
information.
What if I forgot my password and log
in ID for the Blackboard system?
Your Username or login id and your
password is your seven digit student number on your registration receipt,
not your social security number. For example, John Quincy Doe would have a
login id and password of 1234567. In
order to get the student id number, you need to contact
Admissions and Records, (909) 384-4401. http://www.valleycollege.edu/Admissions/apply_and_register.php
How do I contact
and/or find out who the instructor is for the course?
The
instructor’s name is located next to the course title in the printed schedule
and is also online. Online Class Schedule: http://www.valleycollege.edu/eSchedule/Online/Schedule/V/2009FA/index.html
Faculty/Staff Directory: http://ccentral.sbccd.cc.ca.us/Forms/Employee/StaffDirectory/index.php
How do I find out
the instructor’s office hours and phone number?
If
you are looking at your course in
Blackboard, you will find the instructor’s office hours and phone numbers by
clicking on the button, Staff Information. If you are not enrolled yet in an
online class, you can search the faculty/staff directory for this information.
http://ccentral.sbccd.cc.ca.us/Forms/Employee/StaffDirectory/index.php
When will the course be available?
There
is a start date for all classes listed in the SBVC class schedule http://www.valleycollege.edu/eSchedule/Online/Schedule/V/2009FA/index.html
Check
the start date for your class. While many instructors may make your class
available before the start date of the class, the class will not officially
start until the date listed on the SBVC class schedule. The instructor may also
send you an email via your SBCCD student email account with information on the
start date and how to access the course several days before the start date.
What do I look for at the course website?
Organization
of the Blackboard classroom.
On the left side of your window are the
NAVIGATION buttons.
The Start Here or Course Documents button
will contain your course Syllabus, evaluation criteria for each of the graded
assignments, and other information relevant to the structure and expectations
of the course.
If your class is entirely online, the
Discussion Board button area is where you will post comments and interact with
students in the class.
Exams and Quizzes (this includes all exams
and quizzes) will be posted in the Exams and Quizzes area.
Communications is another button you might
see. This will contain the Messages area and for some classes, the Discussion
Board may be accessed through this button. Some instructors will not use a
Communications button. Instead, they will have a separate Messages and
Discussion Board button.
How do I get help with the Blackboard system?
1.
Look for the help button on the website
and follow the instructions there first.
2.
The Help Desk is available 24 hours a day/
7 days a week at 1-877-241-1756.
How do I contact
the instructor within the course?
The
Messages area in Blackboard is one way to contact the instructor while
remaining at the Blackboard class site. There will be a navigation button
labeled Communications or Messages on the left side of the Blackboard class
site. The Messages area is where you can contact the instructor or other
students.
Can I use my email
address to contact the instructor?
The
instructor will usually let students know about their email policy on the
syllabus. The instructor may receive email from the student,
however, the instructor might state that they prefer students to use the
Messages area on the Blackboard class site. Many instructors will email the
student’s SBCCD student email account with information about the class before
it begins.
How much do online
courses cost?
Online
courses have the same tuition and fees as traditional on campus courses.
Are online courses
transferable?
Yes,
if the course is part of our articulation agreement with the UC and
CSU systems. The course could also transfer to most
private colleges
and universities. See a counselor for
up-to-date transfer information. http://www.valleycollege.edu/Counseling/index.php
Is there an ADD/DROP or
WITHDRAWAL period for online classes?
Yes.
The SBVC class printed class schedule has this information.
Is class attendance
mandatory for online classes?
Physical
attendance is not mandatory, however, you will need to
participate in regular class discussions via the Discussion Board area in
Blackboard. Some instructors may also have other ways they expect students to
participate. Students are also expected to check their online classroom at
least once a day for most instructors.
How do I obtain the
textbook?
The
SBVC Bookstore usually stocks all textbooks. http://bookstore.valleycollege.edu/
Students might also contact instructors
for alternative sources for text books. http://ccentral.sbccd.cc.ca.us/Forms/Employee/StaffDirectory/index.php
Are online classes
self-paced?
No,
online classes have specific start and end dates. The SBVC class schedule is
where you can find these dates. Each instructor will determine when assignments
are due for a specific class. Check your course Blackboard site for more
information on required assignments and due dates.
May I take exams in
the DISABLED STUDENT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES (DSPS) or (DSS) office?
Exams
are usually administered online. If you want to take
the exam at Disabled Student Programs and Services (DSPS), first you need to contact your instructor and inform him/her that you
have registered with DSPS and you can provide documentation for this. Then you and your instructor will need to work out a plan for when you take your
exams at DSPS. http://www.valleycollege.edu/Dsps/index.php
How do I engage in
participation activities online?
The
Discussion Board area of Blackboard is where most instructors will have
students participate in the class. Students may
be asked to read or review certain materials and then make comments in this
area as well as interact with their online classmates.
How do I know what
assignments to do?
Most assignments will be posted in the Assignments section of Blackboard. If your assignment is in another location, the instructor will inform
students of that in the syllabus or in an announcement on the Blackboard site
for the class.
How do I submit
assignments?
Assignments
are to be submitted in the format and location that the instructor determines.
This information will be in the syllabus
or in announcements
on the Blackboard site for the class.
What if I need to
do library research?
The
Library’s databases can be accessed online.
http://library.valleycollege.edu/Library/index.php
Students may need to call or come in to the
Library if they need more help with research. There are also computers with
internet access available for student use on the first floor of the SBVC Library.
What computer and
technical skills will I need for online classes?
Computer
Skills:
1.
You should be able to copy, cut, and paste documents into other documents.
2.
You should be able to create, save, and manage files on a computer.
3.
You should be able to navigate the Internet, download files, attach files to an
email message, and save and open attached files form incoming email.
4.
You should know how to bookmark (save) locations of websites on your internet
browser (e.g., Explorer or Netscape) for future use.
Technical
Issues:
1.
You should have regular and reliable access to a computer and
your internet provider.
2.
A 28.8 modem is acceptable, but a 56 modem, DSL, or cable access is better.
3.
16 MB of RAM and 100 MB of free HD space on your computer.
4.
Some classes may require students to have a computer with a CD-ROM with sound
card.
5.
An Internet browser with a current version of Netscape or Explorer.