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Are online courses
difficult?
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Yes, online courses are difficult and not appropriate for
all students. Research indicates that only 30 – 40% of community
college students have the skills necessary to successfully complete an
online course. The Online Orientation, required of all online
students is a good gauge of these skills.
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Do online courses
require an orientation?
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You are REQUIRED to complete an Online Orientation
before the first day of class. To access the orientation go to the
Forsyth Tech home page www.forsythtech.edu, click on the Distance Learning web site, then click “Online
Orientation” and FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. READ EVERYTHING! We
recommend you print the directions on the Online Orientation page.
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Can I get help with
the online orientation?
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Students requiring assistance with the online orientation
can find help at the Learning Center, in Ardmore Hall on a walk in basis.
Call (336) 734-7480 to find out more about walk in and online help.
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When can I access
my online courses?
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If you have registered and paid for your classes before the
semester begins, you should be able to login to Blackboard (using your
correct user name and password: See below) from the first day of class.
Students who register late or during Drop/Add may not be able to enter
their courses for a few days after the semester starts, as enrollment
data must be sent to your .
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What is Blackboard?
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Blackboard is a user-friendly “portal” that allows you to
navigate through online materials, send e-mails, chat, use discussion
forums, and link to online resources. One student login will access
all of your online courses.
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How do I access the
Blackboard login screen?
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1.
Click
on the Blackboard logo on the Distance Learning web site
2.
Use the URL, http://bb.forsythtech.edu.
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What is my
Blackboard username and password?
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- Your username is the first initial of your first name +
the first three letters of your last name + the last five numbers of
your student ID number
- Your password is your entire student ID number.
- Example:
- Student
name: Robert Smith
- Student
ID #7654321
- Student
Username: rsmi54321
- Student Password: 7654321
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When can I enter my
online courses?
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Usually, instructors have received their enrollment data and
are able to enter students into the Blackboard course by the first day of
class. However, students who register late will experience a delay as
they are added to the Blackboard database and their instructors enter
them into Blackboard courses. Be patient and continue to login.
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How can I contact
my Instructors?
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A compete list of online course, Teleweb
course, and telecourse instructors and their e-mail address is
available on the Distance Learning web site. Just go to the Search Box
called “Distance Learning Course Catalog” and search for your
course. The instructors name and contact information is available
there.
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No Instructor
Contact?
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Instructors should return your e-mail inquiries
promptly. If you have trouble contacting your instructor(s) e-mail askdl@forsyth.cc.nc.us.
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Do I need an Email
account to use Blackboard?
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Yes! Blackboard contains e-mail features that allow
you to easily send or receive e-mails with your instructor and fellow
students. But, you first must have an e-mail address and you MUST
enter and/or update your e-mail address in your Blackboard account.
To do so you must:
First, login to Blackboard using your username and
password. At your “welcome” screen, click on “Personal Information”
in the “Tools” section - in the left-hand section of the screen.
Click on “Edit Personal Information” and then enter or update your e-mail
address. Links to free e-mail addresses are available on the
Forsyth Tech Home page and the Distance Learning Web site.
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Online Student
Responsibilities
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- Online students are responsible for taking an ACTIVE
ROLE in their online learning.
- All of the information you need is available on the
Distance Learning Web site. But, you must be able and willing
to access information online.
- You need to have an Email address and know how to use
e-mail.
- You must communicate with your instructor using e-mail
or discussion forums.
- It is strongly recommended that you have a PC with
Internet access at home…or where you study the majority of the time.
- You must have adequate skills in the following:
- Internet navigation
(surfing).
- Windows applications.
- Word-processing and
keyboard.
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Where do I obtain
help?
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If you require assistance you may contact the following:
Distance Learning Helpdesk –
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call (336) 734-7395
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e-mail askdl@forsyth.cc.nc.us
OR visit our web site:
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http://distancelearning.forsythtech.edu
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