Dear Online Student:
Welcome to Johnson County Community College as an online student. We'd like to share some important information with you. We recommend that you review the document "
How to be a Successful Distance Learning Student". Please print or bookmark this letter for future reference.
When can I start my class?
Typically, access to course materials occurs on the first day of classes each semester. However, some instructors may grant access earlier. JCCC uses two learning management systems: Blackboard and ANGEL. A class may not appear on the My Blackboard screen until the first day of the semester or the date set by your instructor for student access. However, if the course is taught in ANGEL, the course name will appear (in the courses nugget) within 24 hours of your enrollment, but the link will not be active until the first day of the semester or the date set by your instructor.
Your instructor may send specific instructions to your JCCC Student e-mail username@stumail.jccc.edu so be sure to check your stumail account by logging into MyJCCC. You may also use the MyCourses link inside the MyJCCC portal to send an e-mail to your instructor if you have questions before the course begins.
Is my online course self-paced?
Courses offered using Blackboard or ANGEL may or may not be self-paced courses. In those which are not self-paced, you will need to diligently meet scheduled dates for projects and assessments that must be completed during specific time periods throughout the semester.
To determine specific requirements for your course, please visit the
Online Course Information Guide. Once you follow the link to the Guide, you'll need to search the table of contents for your specific course.
To complete an online course you'll need access to the Internet. If you travel or use different computers (at home, at work, or on the road), each computer used will need to be configured properly (see the next section) or you'll have difficulty completing your course assignments.
Online Learning requires some browser setup!
Most of you will be accessing online course materials using one of two systems (Blackboard or ANGEL) here at JCCC.
Specific instructions for browser plugins and student technical support can be found at the following page:
How do I access my course?
When you enroll in one or more classes at JCCC (whether credit or non-credit), you are automatically assigned a MyJCCC user name plus an email account. Your MyJCCC username is your Email ID (everything preceding the @ in your @stumail.jccc.net email address) and your MyJCCC password is the same password you'll use to access Blackboard CE or ANGEL. If you have never accessed MyJCCC, you'll need to do so using your Personal Identification Number or PIN. When you first access MyJCCC using your PIN, you'll be prompted to create an encrypted password.
Note: You established your PIN when you applied for admission at JCCC. If you do not remember your PIN, visit the Student Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center building, or call 913-469-3803 or Toll Free 866-896-5893.
You will find a listing of courses offered in both Blackboard and ANGEL. Locate the appropriate course from the list then click on the portal link. Try logging into to both systems if your course does not appear.
Login to the system using your username and password. If you use this method, once your Blackboard or ANGEL page appears, you'll find a listing of all courses (in which you're enrolled) on the screen. Simply click the link for the course you want to enter and you'll see the course materials (where you'll find additional course information and assignments).
Keep in mind that most course content is not available until the first day of each semester.
How do I get help, if I run into trouble?
If you have problems with the technology (web access, and so forth) during the duration of the course, go to the
Student Technical Support Page or go to the
Online FAQ Page. The Online FAQ page includes answers to many common problems you may encounter.
Student Video tutorials and resources are available online now.
These tutorials include helpful hints that may help you as you prepare for your online courses.
If you are still having problems after following the FAQ Page's recommendations and exploring the Blackboard CE or ANGEL Instructions document, you can call the Help Desk for Technical Support at (913) 469-8500 ext. HELP (4357), Toll Free at 866-896-5893 or you can email the support line at
helpdesk@jccc.edu
Technical Support Hours:
Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Saturday - 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Sunday - Noon until 6 p.m. (closed Sundays during the summer).
When you call, you'll be asked for the following information:
- Your name, phone number and email address
- The online course name (Course Name, Course Number & Section)
- The technical problem you're having (this number cannot assist you with content issues, only technical issues).
Many of the problems encountered by students are a direct result of not having the most recent "updates" installed. Save yourself some aggravation and be sure to update your browser, operating system and standard office applications (word processor, and so on)
- If using Microsoft products, check out http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/.
- On the Mac, under the Apple menu (far left, top of screen) select Software Updates. This runs a check to see if there are any OS or browser related updates.
Is there an orientation I can attend?
If you're new to Online Learning, we strongly urge you to attend one of the Distance Learning Orientation sessions on the JCCC campus in the General Education Building GEB 233.
If you have not attended a session in the last 3-4 semesters, we recommend you attend the orientation again, if possible.
Dates for future Distance Learning Orientation sessions are:
Spring 2010
| Saturday |
January 9th |
10 - noon |
GEB 233 |
| Monday |
January 11th |
10 - noon |
GEB 233 |
| Tuesday |
January 12th |
6 - 8 p.m. |
GEB 233 |
| Wednesday |
January 13th |
1 - 3 p.m. |
GEB 233 |
| Wednesday |
January 13th |
6 - 8 p.m. |
GEB 233 |
You can also attend these orientations Online by attending our Webinar Session:
To join any of the above Live Sessions:
http://connectpro32361295.acrobat.com/dl/
----------------
If you have never attended a Connect Pro meeting before:
Test your connection: http://connectpro32361295.acrobat.com/common/help/en/support/meeting_test.htm
Get a quick overview: http://www.adobe.com/go/connectpro_overview
Adobe, the Adobe logo, Acrobat and Acrobat Connect are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.
How do I get textbooks for my course?
We hope you have a wonderful, educational experience this semester. Please let us know when we can be of assistance to you!
Cordially,
Dr. Ed Lovitt,
Director, Distance Learning
913-469-2775