All of the courses you are currently enrolled in are listed under My Courses at the Blackboard portal

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(Courses will not appear until approximately 72 hours before the course start date.)

Courses will not appear until approximately 72 hours before the course start date.
Please contact the Distance Learning Office by emailing online.mentors@ctcd.edu

· if your course hasn’t shown up 48 hours after the course start date.
· if your instructor has not contacted you within the first two days of class.

Be sure to include your full name, your email address, and the course name and number in any emails you send to our office.

Announcements

Syllabus

The first time you enter your course, click on “Syllabus” in the navigation tree and carefully read all of the information presented.

The syllabus is an orientation to the course and includes the following:
· Instructor Information
· Introduction
· Learning Outcomes
· Instructional Materials
· Technical Requirements
· Course Requirements
· Assignments
· Testing Information
· Grading Policies
· Frequently Asked Questions
· Course Contract (you must submit this contract to your instructor)
· Hints

For easy access to this information throughout the course, we recommend that you print the syllabus and keep it handy.

After you read the syllabus and have submitted the course contract, click on Lesson 1.
Each lesson contains the following:
· Objectives
· Learning Activities
· Assignments Due

Lessons may include Key Points or Lecture Notes, Self Tests, and other components. Usually, you will complete the lessons in order.

The Lessons

Lessons may include Key Points or Lecture Notes, Self Tests, and other components. Usually, you will complete the lessons in order.

For a listing of lessons and lesson titles, click Lessons.

Discussions

To start a new Discussion topic
1. Click on "Discussion Board" in the navigation pane. This will open the discussion board and you will see a list of "forums"
2. Click on the forum you wish to view..
3. To start a new thread, click .
4. Enter a subject for your thread, and type your message.
5. To preview your message click .
To send your message click

If you would like to reply to a thread,
3. Click on the thread.
4. In the lower right hand of that message you will see
5. Click then enter a subject and message.
6. To preview your message click . To send your message click

Use this process to post any messages in Discussions. Be sure to post under the proper category; e.g., "Meet Your Classmates" or “Chapter 1.” You cannot edit a posting once you submit it.

E-Mail

You must have an email account to take an online course. Blackboard uses the email account that you submitted when you registered. Any changes must be sent to CTC at cdl.records@ctcd.edu. You pick up email sent to you through Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express, Yahoo, Hotmail or any other email service.

To send email, first click on Communications, then click on

Next, select who you want to send email to. To send email to your instructor, select "All Instructors."

Then, enter a Subject and a Message. If you are done, click to send the message to your instructor.

If you need to add an attachment, click on under "Add Attachements"

Next, Click to browse to the location you stored your file. Once you find the file, click it once and click

Now you need to click to attach the file to the email message. It may take a few moments depending on your internet connection.Your message has not yet been sent. Confirm that your subject and message are still there.

Finally, click again.

Your message has now been sent!

The Drop Box

The drop box serves as a repository for files that you create using a word processor, save to your hard drive or a floppy disk, and then place (deposit) in the drop box as directed by your instructor.

Digital Drop Box.

1. Prepare your file using a word processor and save the file in a “universal” format that can be viewed by everyone. Usually RTF (rich text format) is a good choice. If formatting is important, your instructor might specify that you may use MSWord or Word Perfect.
2. Go to the drop box by opening the Tools folder and clicking on Digital Drop Box..
3. Click the Add File Button .
4. Name your file with your first and last name, and the name of the assigment.
5. Use BROWSE to locate the file on your computer. When you find the file, highlight it and press the OPEN button.
6. If you desire, enter comments in the comments box.
8. Be sure to click the SUBMIT button to complete your posting.
You will get a message telling you that your file will not be sent yet. Click OK.
9. Now you should have receieved a confirmation message. Click OK
10. Now you will see the file you have "Dropped" in to the drop box, next you need to "Send" it to your instructor.
11. Click the Send File button
12. Chose the file you want to send in the "Select File" Prompt
13. You will get a confirmation message that your message was sent to all SME's.
14. Click OK

Now your file has been sent

Tests

Non-proctored examinations:

"Tests” listed in the navigation tree are not the proctored examinations that you take at a testing office. Instead, these are quizzes or self tests that your instructor may have included to provide feedback to you before you go in to take the “real thing.” The instructor may use these tests as a part of your course grade or they may be strictly for your own use.

To see what you missed on a test you have taken, click on “Tests.” Find the test you want to view and click on it You may be prompted with a message asking you if you want to take the assessment now. If you have already taken it you can click yes. Next should be a statement that says "You have already taken this assessment. Click OK to view your results. Click and you will be able to see if your instructor has graded it yet.

Proctored examinations:

Every online course offered by Central Texas College must have at least one proctored examination. You are responsible for identifying your test proctor and testing location when you register for a course or shortly thereafter and providing this information to the Central Texas College Testing Office:
· Your name
· Your social security number
· Your location and testing site
· The testing site's mailing address, telephone number, and fax number
· The name and email address of the testing site's POC (point of contact)
· The course in which you are enrolled
· The date your course began
· Your instructor's name

If you are in the Killeen/Copperas Cove area, you can test at the Central Texas College Testing Office on main campus. If you are at Ft. Hood or any other military installation, you can test at the installation Education Center/Testing Office. If none of these apply to you, you can still find a proctor. Refer to “Testing” at our Distance Learning website at http://online.ctcd.edu for instructions or contact the Central Texas College Testing Office at testing@ctc-disted.net. Also inform the Central Texas College Testing Office of any changes in proctors and/or testing locations.
When you go to your testing location to take a proctored examination, take the following information in writing and give it to your proctor to help him/her easily identify and locate the correct test. (Many testing offices serve hundreds of students each day and are responsible for administering tests for different colleges and universities.) The first three items in this list are available in your course syllabus:
· Course alpha numeric.call number.start date
· Course title
· Instructor’s name
· Test number (first, midterm, final)

The Grade Book

Points of Contact