Fall 2003
Dear Online Student:
Important information about your online course
Technical
Requirements:
Our
online courses require that students have a Windows 98 or above PC or a
Macintosh with at least a 14.4 modem (28.8 recommended), an Internet service
provider, and a Web browser. No other special technical skills are needed
beyond those that you would typically use surfing the Internet. If you are
uncertain about whether or not your skills are appropriate for an online
course, please take the “Is Distance Learning Right for You” self-quiz that you
will find on the HCC homepage at www.howardcc.edu. Click on Distance Learning.
When Do Courses Start?
Online courses for Fall 2003 begin on
Check the Distance Learning Homepage
for Important Information
Please go to the
Distance Learning Homepage on the HCC homepage at www.howardcc.edu/distance and click on the link for Registered Students
for helpful information about getting started in your course.
How to Log On to WebCT Courses
A majority of online
courses at HCC are taught in a course-offering program called WebCT. On
This logon procedure will log you onto
your “myWebCT” page, which is your personal student WebCT homepage on which you will find a link to all of your
online WebCT course(s). You will also find links to
other important sites, such as the Student User Guide to WebCT.
In addition, during the semester you will see posted announcements, including
the times when WebCT will be down for server
maintenance, and other important dates such as graduation petition deadlines,
the last day to drop, etc.
How to Get Started in Courses That Are NOT in WebCT
The attached list identifies courses that are NOT in WebCT. You can access these courses from the Course
Description that is on the Distance Learning Homepage at http://www.howardcc.edu/distance.
If you have any questions about these courses or how to get started, contact
the instructor. See attached list.
Help Desk Information
For advice about common technical problems, please
consult the Help Desk Information page on the Distance Learning Homepage or at http://classweb.howardcc.edu/webcthelp/.
To report a technical
problem or ask a question about WebCT, you may fill
out an electronic help desk form that you will find on the HCC Distance
Learning Homepage at www.howardcc.edu/distance.
We encourage you to use this form. The HCC Help Desk also is available by phone
from
Contact Your Online Instructor with Course Content Questions
As soon as the semester begins, please sign on to your course site and read the
orientation material, the syllabus, and the assignment sheet. If you have
questions about course content, goals, and objectives, or if you have questions
about how to complete or submit assignments, contact your instructor directly.
Your online instructor’s name, email address, and office information are listed
in the course description found on the Distance Learning Homepage at www.howardcc.edu/distance. Click on “Online Course Descriptions.”
On-Campus Orientations
Some online courses have on-campus orientations on
The Office of Distance Learning
If you have questions about your online course and need additional help or
information, please call the Distance Learning Office at 410-772-4440 or email DistanceLearning@howardcc.edu.
Refund and Drop Deadlines
Refund and
drop deadlines will not be modified for online students who have not contacted
their instructors and begun participating in class activities. Check the schedule of class for specifics
about HCC’s refund policy.
As always, our most important
concern is for our students, and we want to establish a structure for online
courses that promotes student responsibility and student success.
Sincerely,
Virginia Kirk
Director of
Distance Learning
410-772-4440