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Rolling on the Online River. An Orientation for PRCC Online Students. Summer Dates. Online Classes Begin – Wed., June 1, 2011 Add/Drop – June 1 & 2, 2011 Last Day to Withdraw from an Online Class – Wed., July 13, 2011 Final Exams End Tues., July 26, 2011. Dates are Listed…….
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Rolling on theOnline River An Orientation for PRCC Online Students
Summer Dates • Online Classes Begin – Wed., June 1, 2011 • Add/Drop – June 1 & 2, 2011 • Last Day to Withdraw from an Online Class – Wed., July 13, 2011 • Final Exams End Tues., July 26, 2011
Dates are Listed…… • In Blackboard (http://pearlrivercc.blackboard.com) • On the Extended Education website (http://pr10.prcc.edu/~mlbyrd/extendededucation) • In the online class
What is an Online Course? • Does not sit in a classroom with an instructor • Work accessed and completed online • Email & other written text primary means of communication • NOT easier than traditional class • IS a REALclass
Attendance In An Online Course • Maximum of 2 absences • What happens if I receive 3 absences? • You will be removed from the online course, this is also known as “Being Cut” or “Instructor Drop”. • Receive an “F” in the course • No readmit
Computer Skills Needed • Basic word processing knowledge • Capable of viewing .pdf files • Understand Instant Messaging (Pronto) • Know how to: • Cut, Copy, & Paste • Open and save files • Send and receive emails • Add file attachments to emails • Use a web browser to navigate the Internet • Ability to download from the Internet
Skills Needed in an Online Class Read & Follow Directions • This skill will literally cause you to fail or succeed in online classes. • Directions have sequence words: first, next, last, etc. • Rewrite for clarity.
Skills Needed in an Online Class Question Asking • Don’t ask questions before reading directions. (By the way you phrase questions, teachers know if have not read instructions.) • Ask politely. • Be gracious.
Skills Needed in an Online Class Question Asking, Continued • Before asking questions, be able to: • Tell what you did prior to asking the question. (For example, say, “I have read the directions for week 3, activity 2.”) • Specify where in the directions you encountered a problem. (Don’t say, “I don’t understand. Instead, say, “In the second paragraph of the instructions, I do not understand the third sentence.”) • Ask a genuine question.
Skills Needed in an Online Class Time Management • Review all due dates in all classes. • Create a master calendar of all due dates. • Free Online Calendar-allows you to print too. Go to http://www.keepandshare.com. • Example of Master Calendar. (Located on next slide) • Note when you should/can begin working on each assignment. • Deadline – know what it means and what they are.
Skills Needed in an Online Class Netiquette • Netiquette is proper online communication (Network Etiquette). • Follow the instructor’s directions regarding the subject line of the email. • Make your message clear and concise. • DON’T YELL. • Communications in an online class are to use proper grammar- punctuation, capitalization, spelling, etc.
Skills Needed in an Online Class Netiquette, Cont. • Use proper titles when starting an email and when addressing college personnel. • Be professional (formal). Leave out emoticons (informal) unless the instructor gives express permission. • Be careful what you write about others. • Don’t repeat what has already been said in another post. • Always reread what you write to make sure it makes sense and is not offensive.
Skills Needed in an Online Class Netiquette, Cont. Example 1 of Bad Email Netiquette: “can i please have more time on homework assignment #3 I have been having internet problems and was unable to look up the assignments thankyou very much.”
Skills Needed in an Online Class Netiquette, Cont. Example of Good Email Netiquette “May I please have more time on homework assignment #3? I have been having Internet problems and was unable to look up the assignments. Thank you very much. Jane Smith”
Wildcat Web • What is it? • Wildcat Web is an online tool provided to students. By logging into Wildcat Web, students can view courses, email addresses, financial aid information, account information, and grades.
PRCC RiverGuide • What is it? • A one-stop shop • PRCC Student Email • Wildcat Web • Financial Aid information • Business Office accounts • Calendar
How to Login to PRCC RiverGuide • From the PRCC Blackboard site, select • Login to RiverGuide. • Username – first part of email before the @ • Password – six-digit PIN provided by IT
Blackboard • What is it? • Blackboard is the Learning Management System that you will use to login and access your online classes. In each class, you will find course information, instructor information, and assignments.
How to Login to Blackboard Step 1: Go to pearlrivercc.blackboard.com. Step 2: Type your username and password. • Note: You username for Blackboard is part of your PRCC student e-mail address. For example, if your email address is john.smith.22@student.prcc.edu, then your username is john.smith.22. Your password for Blackboard is the same password you use to get into Wildcat Web and your student e-mail. Step 3: Click the PRCC Student tab to view your courses.
PRCC Student Email • What is it? • PRCC Student Email is a Google email account that each student is assigned when he/she enrolls in classes. • Why is it important? • Instructors and College offices communicate with students through PRCC Student Email. All correspondences including billing, financial aid, and admission’s status are sent to this account.
Blackboard Tools How to Participate in a Discussion Board • Discussion Board – a tool used in an online class. Allows one person to post a comment, have that comment read by all others in the class, and receive comments regarding his or her thoughts.
Blackboard Tools How to Participate in a Discussion Board, Cont. • How to Read and Reply • How to “Create Thread”
Blackboard Tools How to View “My Grades” • Click the “My Grades” link/button in the course menu. • Grades will appear in the content area page which is located on the right side of the course menu.
Blackboard Tools How to Send Email through Blackboard • Step 1: Click the Send Email link/button located on the course menu. • Step 2: Select to whom you would like to send an email. • Step 3: Enter a Subject and type your Message. • Step 4: Click the Submit button.
Blackboard Tool Course Menu • Course Orientation: Click this link to access the Course Orientation. Your online course may require that you complete this orientation before moving on to your other assignments. • Announcements: Click this link to view announcements that are posted by your instructor. You should view the announcement page regularly. • Course Information: Click this link to access your course syllabus and calendar. • Instructor Information: Click this link to access your instructor’s contact information. • Course Content: Click this link to access course materials like lectures, handouts, or presentations. • Assignments: Click this link to access the assignments you will be required to complete. • Tests: Click this link to access the tests and quizzes you will be required to complete. • Resources: The Resources page may include additional course materials that are optional, but may be able to give you additional help. • Discussion Board: Click this link to access the Discussion Board. Your online instructor will require that you participate in the discussion board. This tool will allow you to interact with your instructor and your classmates. • My Grades: Click this link to access your grades in the class. • Send Email: Click this link to email your instructor or other classmates. • Student Tools: This page includes additional tools that your instructor may use in your online class. Your instructor will let you know which tools you will use. • Help & Support: This page includes help desks for tools you may use in your online course.
Procedure to File Complaint • Discuss with person involved • Contact DLC for assistance in processing • Everything in writing • Sent to Director of Extended Education • Next step - VP for Instruction • 10 days • No adverse action for complaint
Proctored Tests • Proctored Tests are given in a monitored environment at any community college in Mississippi. • All students must have a legitimate picture ID when signing in to take proctored test(s). (e.g., PRCC ID, Driver’s License, Military ID, etc.) • Do not bring children, food, or drink. • Be prepared to leave all bags, jackets, and phones outside the proctoring facility.
Proctored Tests • Search course syllabus and/or calendar for proctored tests dates. • Schedule proctored tests at PRCC proctoring centers by using the link on the Blackboard homepage (http://pearlrivercc.blackboard.com). • Questions regarding scheduled appointments must be directed to the Proctoring Centers.
Out-of-State Proctored Tests • Out-of-state proctored tests must be individually and specially approved. • Examples of out-of-state proctored test situations: military, work, family sickness • For out-of-state proctored tests approval, follow the Off-Campus Proctor Request link on the Blackboard homepage (http://pearlrivercc.blackboard.com).
Withdrawing From An Online Course • Student’s responsibility • Form located on the Extended Education site • Will I still be charged for the class? • There is no refund for online courses once you have logged into the course. This means if you login to your online course and decide not to complete the work you will still be charged for the course. It is like attending an on-campus class and not completing your work. In this situation you still would be charged for the class.