Online Learning FAQs |
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| Why should I consider taking an online course? |
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| Online courses allow you to attend college courses without having to drive to the campus, arrange for childcare, or change your work schedule. This does not mean that you won't have to keep up with a schedule, just that you will have more flexibility in your personal time. |
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| Are online courses the same as the face to face classroom version? |
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| The content of online courses and face to face courses is the same. The difference is the way the instruction is delivered. Online students must be very motivated to keep up with their courses and assignments. |
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| What do I have to do to be a successful online student? |
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| To check to see if you are ready to be an online student, complete the Online Learning Readiness Self-Assessment. If you answer "Yes" to all of the elements, then you will probably find that you can study independently and communicate well with the instructor and other students in the class. These are the main two elements of successful online students. |
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| How do I get my materials for taking an online course? |
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| All materials for your course can be purchased through the Campus Bookstore, located in the Alber Student Center on the MTC/OSUM campus. It is important that you purchase all of the materials recommended by the syllabus. Your computer might need some additional capabilities past the basic requirements. The course material list and required computer specifications are listed on the Online Courses page. |
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| How do I send completed assignments to the instructor? |
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| The instructor will specify the way in which he or she expects the assignment to be submitted. The instructor might require sending attachments to email, or using the drop box in Blackboard. The syllabus or assignment should list the expected way to submit the assignment. If you have any questions about submitting assignments, contact your instructor via email. |
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| How do I take tests for my online courses? |
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| The syllabus will tell you whether you will take tests in the course. It will also include the details of when, where, and how the test will be administered. Some instructors may require you to come to the campus to take the test. Others may expect project work in place of a test. |
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| What kind of computer equipment do I need to take an online course? |
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| The specifications for the computer equipment you will need to complete your online work are available on the Computer Specifications for Online Courses page. Additional specifications may be listed on the Online Courses page, as some instructors may expect specific software or other equipment such as an audio card and speakers/headphones. If for some reason, your computer does not function correctly, you are expected to have a back-up plan that allows you to continue your work, uninterrupted. You are welcome to use the Computer Lab at MTC during open lab hours if you need to have access to a computer for your online course. |
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| Are there special prerequisites that I must complete before registering for an online course? |
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| Prerequisites for each online course are listed on the Online Courses page. It is recommended that all students complete OIS 1200A or OIS 1240A prior to registering for an online course. |
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| How do I communicate with my instructor and other students in the course? |
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| Using Blackboard and the MTC Student Email systems, communication will flow between the instructor and students in the class. Email through Blackboard is available. Discussion boards allow for posting of ideas and responses. Chat rooms are a technique that some instructors use in class. Group work can be facilitated through Blackboard with the exchange of files, email, and chat through a group setting. |
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| What happens if I encounter problems with the online course? Where can I get help? |
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| There are three levels of help you may need during a quarter in an online course. First, you may have technical difficulties with the Blackboard or MTC Student Email systems. If you have a problem or concern, send an email to the Help Desk at helpdesk@mtc.edu. If you have questions about the course content or the expectations of the instructor, contact the instructor via email or phone. If your instructor and you determine that you need additional assistance in grasping the content of the course, a tutor may be a solution. Discuss this with your instructor via email or phone. |
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| How much time do I have to complete the course? |
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| All online courses run for the same period of time as other courses. A quarter's worth of work is presented and the expectation is that you will complete the work within the quarter. This is not like an independent study course where you can set your own time frame. You will be expected to meet deadlines and turn in work throughout the quarter. |
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| Do online courses transfer to other colleges and universities? |
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| MTC's online courses are not differentiated from face to face courses on the curriculum guide or on the transcript. Check with the admissions person at the institution to which you plan to transfer to find out if the course is transferable. |
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| Why aren't all of the courses I am registered for listed in my course list in Blackboard? |
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Only courses with an online component will be listed in the course list. Even if you have no courses listed, you can use Blackboard for the calendar, announcements, and task planning.
You should have a course listing for each online course you have beginning the first day of the quarter. If you are missing an online course from your course list, contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@mtc.edu, or 740-389-4636 ext. 288. Be sure to indicate which course you need and that it is the online course. |
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| How can I bookmark the Blackboard site? |
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1. Navigate to the Web site: https://mycourses.mtc.edu/webapps/login/
2. You may now bookmark the URL using the standard method for your browser. This is Add to Favorites in the Microsoft® Internet Explorer browser or Bookmark This Page in the Netscape® Navigator. |
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| I keep getting a “Page Cannot Be Displayed” error when I try to go to the Blackboard site. |
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1. Check to make sure that you have keyed the URL of: https://mycourses.mtc.edu/webapps/login/
2. Click on the Refresh (or Reload) button on your browser.
3. Contact the Help Desk if you continue to have problems. |
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| Do I need cookies to make Blackboard work? |
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| Blackboard uses cookies (little files saved on your computer that give information about you) to get you to the right pages in Blackboard. You must have cookies enabled on your system for Blackboard.
To enable cookies only for Blackboard on Microsoft® Internet Explorer:
1. Open the Tools menu and select Internet Options…
2. Select the Privacy tab, and the Edit button to edit only for specific Web sites.
3. Key the URL address of www.mariontech.org in the address box.
4. Click on the Allow button.
5. Click on OK until you exit the dialog boxes completely.
Netscape® Navigator enables cookies by default. If you need to change the settings:
1. Open the Edit menu and choose Preferences.
2. Under the Privacy & Security category, click Cookies. (If no subcategories are visible, double-click Privacy & Security to expand the list.)
3. Set your Cookies preferences. You may allow cookies only for Blackboard using the Cookie Manager. |
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To change your password: |
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1. Click on the link for Personal Information on the first page of the Blackboard screen. It is in the box on the left side of the screen.
2. Click on the link Change Password.
3. Key your new password in the Password box. As you key your password, it will appear as asterisks in the box for privacy purposes.
4. Key your new password again in the Verify Password box. As you key your password, it will appear as asterisks in the box for privacy purposes.
5. Click on the Submit button.
Don’t forget your new password! Write it Down!
This password stays active until you change it, so even in future quarters you will need to remember what you set it to. If you forget it, you must contact theHelpDesk at helpdesk@mtc.edu to get it changed so you can sign on and change it again.
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| Your Privacy: |
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As a student of Marion Technical College you have some control over the disclosure of information from your educational records through the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (Buckley Amendment). This federal law also protects your same information posted through the Blackboard server.
For more information on this privacy act and its impact on you, look at the information on this web site, privacy or look at the College’s Student handbook.
For example, you will be able to view your own grades online for certain courses while others using the system will not. Rosters of students participating in a course may be available to other students in the course.
The settings, in Blackboard, do not release information such as your email address or other contact information. Generally it is a good idea to keep this information private. If you have any questions, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@mtc.edu. |
