This document provides an overview of how online courses at Ivy Tech work, including that courses are delivered through Blackboard, last 8-16 weeks with weekly assignments, and may require proctored exams. It outlines the technology, browser plugins, and account creation needed to take online courses and access course content. It also offers tips for ordering books, accessing courses, communicating with instructors, dealing with problems, using campus resources, and asks students to contact the Distance Education Coordinator with any questions.

1. Fall Semester 2010Orientation To Online Learning

2. How do Online Courses Work?All course content is delivered online via Blackboard.Courses are 8, 12, or 16 weeks long with weekly assignments due. No online courses are self-directed.Assignments, quizzes, and exams are also completed online.Classes may require proctored (supervised) exams. Only 2 proctored exams for program-level classesUp to 4 proctored exams allowed for ASA courses.

3. Technology NeededInternet Connection (56K dialup OK, broadband cable/DSL/satellite/wireless recommended)Microsoft XP/Vista/7 or Mac 10.xWeb BrowserInternet Explorer 7Mozilla FirefoxOffice Suite

4. Browser Plug-Ins NeededAdobe Reader (adobe.com)Adobe Flash (adobe.com)QuickTime (apple.com)Sun JAVA (java.com)Windows Media PlayerMicrosoft PowerPoint viewer (if Office 200x not installed on computer)

5. Starting an Online ClassCreate your Campus Connect account.Download and print your course schedule from Campus Connect.Check your Ivy Tech e-mail (and make it a habit!).If you have financial aid money refunded to you on a HigherOne card, you can use your HigherOne card to purchase your books.

6. Ordering Your BooksBooks for your online classes should be ordered from the Follett’s Online Bookstore at http://www.ivytech.bkstr.com.Purchasing books from a third-party (Amazon, eBay, etc) is not prohibited but if you buy from a third-party you do so at your own risk.Many online courses use book and material packages…buying the contents of the package piece-by-piece may be significantly more expensive than buying the full package from the bookstore.Use the CRN for your classes to find your books easily!

7. Book TipsIf the picture on the front of the book does not match any picture in your course site, don’t worry! Your book may or may not have been a custom printing for Ivy Tech.It is critical you have your books by the first day of class. If you haven’t ordered your books, do so immediately!If your books come shrink-wrapped:Don’t open your books until you get your course syllabus and confirm you have the right booksIf you do open your books, do NOT remove or install any software and do NOT mark in the books until you know you have the right ones!

8. Accessing Your Online ClassYour online class will be available in Blackboard by the first day of classes.Log in to Blackboard:Via Campus ConnectDirectly at http://dl.ivytech.eduIf you do not see your class on the first day of classes, check your course schedule on Campus Connect to see if you are still enrolled or if the start date has changed. If your course has started and you are enrolled, contact the Distance Education Coordinator immediately!

9. What to do…First Time Accessing Your ClassExplore the class site. Click on all menu buttons.Discover where course resources are.Find all important course documents – syllabus, course schedule, etc.Find out where various tools are located.Print off the following:SyllabusCourse ScheduleCheck for assignments for the first week of class.Complete an assignment during the first week of class to ensure you are not dropped for non-attendance!

10. Proctored ExamsYou may be required to take proctored exams as part of your course.Proctored exams are supervised exams to ensure academic integrity.Proctoring Locations:Lafayette Campus (appointments required)Monticello Site (appointments required)Crawfordsville Site (appointments required)Other sites…including Purdue University, Learning Network of Clinton County, Otterbein Public Library, Warren County Learning Center, etc., etc., etc…You will need to inform your instructor where you wish to take your exams.

11. Make sure To…Keep in regular contact with your instructor.Let your instructor know immediately if you have questions or something goes wrong.Complete all assignments on time.Not wait until the last minute to work on assignments if you need instructor assistance.Remember that technology isn’t perfect!

12. Instructor InformationYour instructor will tell you how to contact them…either by email or via Blackboard Messages. Instructors have 48 working hours to return your email or message.In all communications, clearly state your issues, concerns, or questions to your instructor. If your instructor does not know what you need, they will need to ask questions in response and that will take additional time.

13. Problems with ClassesAlways try to work through course problems with your instructor first.If you cannot resolve issues with your instructor, you may contact the Distance Education Coordinator.If your class is from another region, your campus’ DE Coordinator will work with that other campus’ DE Coordinator on your behalf to resolve the issue.

14. Important TipsSave all communications between yourself and the instructor during the semester.Utilize campus resources (tutoring, library, etc) if necessary.Don’t assume Blackboard will always work.If you are enrolled in multiple online courses, create a weekly plan to work on your classes so you ensure you can get everything done on time.Don’t procrastinate!

15. The Virtual LibraryThe Virtual Library contains online writing resources, full-text books, full-text magazine and journal articles, newspaper articles, and more.You can also do searches for books available through the Joint Campus/County Library or complete a request for interlibrary loan from any Ivy Tech campus.As a DE student, it could be one of the best resources to have for research purposes!

16. Student HandbookThe Student Handbook is online at:http://faculty.ivytech.edu/region4/distance-ed/handbook.pdfA limited number of paper copies are available in the IDC and Academic Advising.There are how-to guides, troubleshooting guides, and other information that will be valuable to you throughout the semester.

17. Questions?Brett Creech, MSDistance Education CoordinatorEmail: bcreech@ivytech.edu Phone: (765) 269-5154Lena Harper, MSDistance Education CoordinatorEmail: lharper@ivytech.eduPhone: (765) 269-5154