Frequently Asked Questions about Virtual/Online Learning
(Changes Effective Spring Quarter 2007)
I
want to take online classes. Is there
something special I need to do first?
When
can I start my online class?
Where
do I find the email address for my online instructor(s)?
I am
receiving financial aid. How do I verify
my attendance?
What
is the link to access my classes in Blackboard?
What
is the username and password that I use to access Blackboard?
I
have never used Blackboard before. Is there something that I can read to help
me get started?
I
logged into Blackboard, but one or more of my classes are missing. What should I do?
I try
to login, but I have forgotten my password.
What should I do?
I am
having a technical issue with Blackboard. Where do I go for help?
What
is the Student Information Portal?
What
is the link to access the Student Information Portal?
What
is the username and password that I use to access the portal?
How
do I get help on the Information Portal?
How
long can I keep my portal account?
Readiness for Education at a Distance Indicator (READI)
Virtual Software Laboratory (VSL)
What
are the limitations of the VSL?
If you have not successfully
completed an online course at
1.
Successfully
complete DIS 1505, Preparing for Learning in an Online Environment.
2.
Successfully
complete the DIS 1505 Exemption Test with a score of 70% or higher. For details
on the exemption test, email the Director of Virtual Learning.
The start and end dates of online
classes mirror those of the College’s on-campus classes. You should have access to your Blackboard
section no later than the first day of class. If you do not, email your
instructor for an update on the status of the class.
A listing of online instructors,
their classes, and their email addresses, is available at http://www.columbustech.edu/virtual/courses/page.htm.
If you need verification of attendance for Financial
Aid (HOPE, Pell or VA), you must first meet attendance criteria with your
online instructor (Example for HOPE: establish two-way email communications
with your instructor, and be active in your Blackboard course). Once you have
met these criteria, use the following link, Online
Course Attendance Verification Form, and follow the directions for submitting a request
to your online instructor to verify your attendance.
The url to the Georgia Virtual Technical College (GVTC)
Blackboard Learning Management System is http://gvtc7.blackboard.com/.
We base
your Blackboard username and initial password upon information in your Student
Records. A sample Blackboard username and password are shown below.
Your Blackboard username consists of
“28_” + Your Initials + Last four digits of Student ID (not SSN).
Your initial Blackboard
password is the MMDDYY of your date of birth.
An Example:
Ima
Good Student, born November 21, 1951, Student ID# 912345678
Blackboard
Username: 28_igs5678
Blackboard Password: 112151
Once
you access Blackboard for the first time, please remember to change your password
in the Personal Information section of Blackboard.
There is
an excellent document entitled “Getting
Started in Your Blackboard Learning Systemä
Course”. You will need Adobe Reader to
view and print it. There is also an Online
Blackboard Student Manual.
There
are several instances when this might happen.
You have
two options.
1.
On
the Blackboard login page, click the “Forgot your
password?” link, and follow the instructions to reset your password.
2.
Contact
your Blackboard instructor to reset your password.
From the computer at which you are having problems, please
send a Technical Support Request
through the GVTC Technical Support System. Someone will contact you with a
solution, or forward your request to a higher level of Technical Support. .
The Student Information Portal is a “single-logon” system
that will provide access to an email account, calendar system, College
information, and document and spreadsheet processing capability. The portal is powered by Google.
The url to the portal is http://www.student.columbustech.edu
We base
your portal username and password upon information in your Student Records.
Your
username consists of Your Initials + Last four digits of Student ID (not SSN).
Your
initial password is the MMDDYY of your date of birth. The portal will require
you to change your password upon initial logon
An
Example:
Ima Good
Student, born November 21, 1951, Student ID# 912345678
Portal
Username: igs5678
Portal
Password: 112151
Portal
Email Address: igs5678@student.columbustech.edu
Once you
have accessed the portal, and any of its features (email, calendar, etc), click
on the Help link in the upper
right-hand corner of the page. You will
find an extensive amount of help topics.
You can keep your portal account for as long as you an active
student, registered for classes at
READI is a
web-based tool which assesses a learner's likelihood for succeeding in an
online learning program. READI indicates the degree to which an individual
student possesses attributes, skills and knowledge that contribute to success
in online learning, including:
Self-motivation
Time-management skills
Self-discipline
Persistence
Availability of time
Ability to use a
computer, printer, software, and the Internet.
Typing speed and
accuracy
The link to READI is http://columbustech.readi.info. Your
instructor will provide you a generic username and password to access the
assessment. Once you access the assessment, you will create your personal
account. .
The VSL is a special online system (its formal name is Propalms TSE) that allows students to have
online access to real versions of software applications that would otherwise not
be available to students outside an on-campus computer laboratory setting.
1. Review the
instructions in the Propalms
TSE User Manual.
2.
Go
to College VSL site at http://ts1.columbustech.edu/launchpad.
3.
If you need help during the initial log on session, click
the ?Help button at the top of the
screen.
4.
You will need to repeat this process only once for each
computer from which you will access the VSL.
1. Like any other
computer laboratory there are a finite number of “positions” in the VSL. That means that only so many users can access
the site at the same time. If this is the case, the VSL will not allow you to
access the laboratory. We will monitor usage and create more “positions” as
usage dictates.
2.
For classes that require very special software with
limited licenses, you may be able to access the VSL, but all the “copies” of
the software are being used. Please log on at a later time.
To access the VSL, you must have a valid