Tips for Success in Online Courses

Using Blackboard

1. Open a web browser and access: http://ctc.blackboard.com
2. To access your courses use the links in the My Courses module.
   
   NOTE: Courses will not appear until approximately 72 hours before the course start date.
3. Once you have accessed your course, the announcements page should be the first page seen. Please read the announcements each time you enter the course to keep up with the instructor’s latest updates.
4. A common view of the main navigation area in CTC BB courses is displayed below.







5. The syllabus pages should be read on your first entrance to the course. Access the course syllabus pages with the left side navigation tree.
   NOTE: Some courses contain a course contract in the syllabus which must be filled out and submitted to the instructor.
   
6. Next view and start your lessons using the lessons link in the left side navigation tree. Lessons may include many sections and other components, but each lesson contains the following:
   
   • Objectives
   • Learning Activities
   • Assignments Due (see How to use the Assignments Tool in Blackboard)
7. Most CTC Blackboard courses make use of the Discussion Boards for collaboration. The discussion forums can be accessed through the left side navigation tree. View an instructional video on the discussion boards.
8. Contacting your instructor can be accomplished in several ways in BB courses. Please ensure that you read the syllabus and understand the method of contact expected by your instructor. The two main systems available for contact include the Message System and the Email System.
9. View an instructional video on the Message System. The Blackboard Email System is used by clicking on the email link under the communications section of your course. You can access the communications section with the link in the left side navigation tree.
10. Testing in CTC BB courses:
    CTC Employs both Proctored and non-proctored exams in online courses. All exams are taken within the BB system, but proctored exams have special requirements (view an instructional video on accessing and completing proctored exams in Blackboard.)

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 the following information to the Central Texas College Testing Office:


• Your name
• The last 5 digits of 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
11. Viewing Grades: to view your grades click on the tools link provided in the left side navigation tree and select the view grades link. View the Access Grades instructional video.