Dear Online Student:
Welcome to Johnson County Community College as an online student. We'd like to share some important information with you. Please print or bookmark this letter for future reference.
Typically, access to course materials occurs on the first day of classes each semester. However, some instructors may grant access earlier. A class will not appear on the My Blackboard screen (visible once you log into JCCC's course management system) until the first day of the semester or the date set by your instructor for student access.
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.
Courses offered using Blackboard 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.
You'll be accessing online course materials using an online system called Blackboard CE (formerly called WebCT).
To access Blackboard CE course materials, you'll need to use a web browser that works with CE 6. To be sure your browser is supported by Blackboard:
Another way to check your
browser and its set-up is to go to the Blackboard CE log-in page
at http://online.jccc.edu
and select the "Run a Browser Check" link in the sidebar on the
right side of the page. The
"Check Browser" link checks the browser and operating system
you're using and walks you through some browser settings that
you may need to change. As part of the browser check, you'll
receive instructions for enabling Java, setting your browser
cache, enabling cookies, and
enabling pop-up blockers from the JCCC domain (CE 6 uses pop-up
windows).
If you have problems with features like the HTML
Creator, go to
http://www.jccc.edu/home/depts/helpdesk , follow the "Uninstall Java"
link instructions and then follow the "Install Java"
link instructions.
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. 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.
To access the course materials for a course using Blackboard CE, you'll:
Another way to access your course materials is to log in at: http://online.jccc.edu using your username and password. If you use this method, once your My Blackboard page appears, you'll find a listing of all Blackboard CE courses (in which you're enrolled) in the center of 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, assignments and so on). Keep in mind that most course content is not available until the first day of each semester.
If you have problems with the technology (web access, and so forth) during the duration of the course, go to the JCCC Student (Blackboard) Guide and FAQ Page. The Guide includes answers to many common problems you may encounter. You'll also find a section of the Guide that provides a link to Blackboard CE Student Instructions. This document describes how you can use Blackboard CE's various tools. If you are still having problems after following the FAQ Page's recommendations and exploring the Blackboard CE Instructions document, you can call the Help Desk for Technical Support at (913) 469-8500 ext. HELP (4357), or you can email the support line at helpdesk@jccc.edu
This service is staffed the following hours when classes are in session:
Technical Support Hours:
Monday - Friday, 7:30am - 11:00pm
Saturday - 8:00 am until 6:00 pm.
Sunday - Noon until 6:00 pm (closed Sundays during the Summer).
When you call, you'll be asked for the following information:
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 you're new to Blackboard CE, we strongly urge you to attend one of the Distance Learning Orientation sessions on the JCCC campus. 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:
Fall 2008
Friday August 8 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. GEB 233
Saturday August 9 10:00 a.m. – Noon GEB 233
Monday August 11 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. GEB 233
Tuesday August 12 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. GEB 233
Wednesday August 13 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. GEB 233
Thursday August 14 10:00 a.m. – Noon GEB 233
Friday August 15 1:00 – 3:00 p.m. GEB 233
You can access the JCCC Bookstore online and order textbooks, if needed. Just go to http://bookstore.jccc.edu/.
We hope you have a wonderful, educational experience this semester. Please let us know when we can be of assistance to you!
Cordially,
P.S. The JCCC Distance Learning Orientation guide is available online now. It includes resources that may help you as you prepare for this course.
If you have a dial-up connection or would like a copy of the DL Student CD, please contact the Distance Learning Student Technical Support number at (913) 469-8500 ext. HELP (4357), or you can email the support line at helpdesk@jccc.edu and the CD will be mailed to you.