Having trouble figuring out how to operate your online class?
 
Want to know how to start, where to post,
and just what you are supposed to be doing?

Come visit the student tutors in the Library Solarium (behind the Circulation Desk) of the Learning Resource Center the first week of your online class and get specialized help navigating your class website.  You can view the instructions below if you are unable to come in to the campus.

Barstow College has free computer and internet use with modern equipment and student tutors standing by to help you. Free orientations will also be held during the following dates and times:

Fall 2009 Session dates:

AUGUST 17-21
SEPTEMBER 8-11
SEPTEMBER 28-NOV. 6
OCTOBER 19-23

Monday - Thursday      9:00 am - 5:00 Pm
Friday                      9:00 am – 1:00 pm
(call to schedule evening appointments)

INSTRUCTIONS FOR
ONLINE CLASS NAVIGATION

FIRST THINGS FIRST

Previewing a Class

♦Barstow College allows students to preview the first lesson, the syllabus, and information about the instructor so students can make an informed decision before registering for a class.  However, previewing a class and/or submitting a syllabus does not mean you are a registered student. To register for a class you must follow the four steps located on the home page of http://www.barstow.edu. Please note classes cannot be previewed until the weekend before the class begins.

Obtaining an Email Account

♦You must have an email account. 
If you do not have an account with your internet provider, you may obtain a free email account from http://www.yahoo.com or http://www.gmail.com.  Go to the website of your choice and open an account.  Be sure you enter your instructor's email address in your contacts and be sure you set your junk mail filter on low.

Accessing a Class

♦Go to http://www.bcconline.com.

♦Click "All Sessions" on the left side of the screen under Online Classes & Services.

♦Scroll down and click the class you are enrolled in. 
Be sure it's the correct class (verify the CRN with your registered class).  Note: Classes are not available until the weekend before the class begins.

♦Submitting the Syllabus  
You must complete the syllabus during the first week of class in order to remain registered.  The instructor may drop you from the class if the syllabus is not submitted during the first week of class. 

Complete the syllabus by filling out your name and contact information in the top table and then responding to all requirements in the syllabus by typing the necessary statement(s) in the appropriate boxes.Finally click the submit syllabus button to send your syllabus to your instructor. 

Time Management
It's always a good idea to print out the syllabus and the homepage of the class. Highlight all assignments and all due dates.  Do not proceed to the first lesson until you have submitted the syllabus.

Using the Navigation Buttons

♦Return to the class home page by clicking the "Home" button at the bottom of the page.

♦If you have Outlook set up on your computer you can email the instructor by clicking the "Email" button at the bottom of the page. If you do not have Outlook set up on your computer send all email correspondence through your free email account.

♦Click the "Discuss" button to go to the discussion group.

♦Click the "Quiz" button to go to the quiz.

Exploring the Home Page

Click the other links listed on the home page for more information you need to know.
♦The "About the Instructor" link will tell you about your instructor,

♦The "Copyright Statement" link explains how the course is copyrighted and what your rights to the course are as a student.

♦ The "Tutorial Area" link has tutorials to assist students with learning how to use the courseware system, and gives the information necessary to contact technical support.  

♦The "Barstow College Online Tutoring" link will explain how to get tutoring for your class. 

♦ The "Mid-Term" and/or "Final" links will be used to take your exams. Note the due dates for these exams. Check to see if the exams are proctored.

♦The "Proctor Form" link must be filled out and submitted by all students who require remote proctoring.

Obtaining a Proctor

♦The "Proctor Form" link must be filled out and submitted by all students who require remote proctoring.

♦You will not need to fill out and submit the proctor form if you are able to come to the scheduled exams at the Barstow or Ft. Irwin campuses.

♦Check this link for the dates and times of the computer commons. 

♦Don't assume the computer commons will be open until the last date of your test. 

♦If your test will be proctored at a location other than Barstow Community College, you must send the Proctor Form to your instructor and make the necessary arrangements by the proctor form due date listed on the home page of your class.

♦It is the student's responsibility to find a proctor and to pay any fees associated with proctoring.

♦ The "Mid-Term" and/or "Final" links will be used to take your proctored exams.

CLASS LESSONS
♦Anyone can access the first lesson by clicking "Lesson One" link. The ability to access lesson one does not mean you are enrolled.
♦Note the due date for each lesson below the link.  Most instructors require weekly lessons.  Read the lesson and do the work assigned by the due date. 

♦To gain access to lesson two and beyond, you must be registered and you must enter your username and password.  Username and password are the same.  First four letters of last name last four numbers of social security. Remember, do not capitalize any part of your username or password, or you will not gain access to your class.

DISCUSSION BOARD
♦Click "Discuss" at the bottom of the class home page to go to the Discussion Board.
You will also be required to post to the Discussion Board weekly or as directed in your lessons or the syllabus.   

♦Type in your user name and password
To gain access to the Discussion Board, enter your username and password - first four letters of your last name in lower case followed by the last four digits of your social security number.  The user name and password are the same. 

Discussion Board Links 

♦The red link will allow you to access lesson two and above. 

♦The green link will allow you to post your discussion group assignment. 

♦The blue link will take you to the home page of your class. 

♦The library resources link will allow to access online library services. 

♦Some instructors may post their quizzes in the discussion group.

♦Other links may be available depending upon the class. Be sure you understand the purpose of all the discussion links.

Discussion Group Links

♦Inside the discussion links will be the Instructor's Posting Area, where the instructor will post important messages pertaining to all students.  Be sure to check this link regularly.  Do not post in the Instructor’s Posting Area.

♦All classes will have an "Introductions" link. Post an introduction before beginning any other discussions.

Posting Work in the Discussion Group 

♦Type your discussion assignment in a word processor

♦Log into the discussion area

♦Click on the appropriate lesson's discussion area to post your discussion work.

♦Scroll to the bottom of the page to paste in your discussion.

♦Copy and paste your discussion assignment into the box labeled "Add Your Message Here." 

♦Remember it is the student’s responsibility to save a copy of all work submitted.  Completing your work in your word processor will allow you spell and grammar check your work and to easily save your discussions on your computer.

♦The discussion group assignments should be written in college level English. Barstow Community College class discussions are not "chats" or "text messages." Do not make the mistake of treating discussion assignments casually. Doing so will lower your grade substantially.

♦Click "Preview/Post Message". 
Your message will appear at the top of the screen so you can review it and check for errors before posting.  You may cancel the post if you wish to correct it.  Be sure to make changes in your word processor and then copy the assignment so you won't lose your changes on your computer copy.

♦Click "Post Message" when you are ready to post.
♦After your work is posted, it will appear with your classmates' postings at the bottom of the list of postings.

CLASS QUESTIONS
♦If you have Outlook set up on your computer, you can email the instructor by clicking the "Email" link at the bottom of the home page.  If you are using a free email account be sure to email your instructor from within your free email account.  Remember instructor email addresses are first initial last name @bcconline.com.  For example, if your instructor’s name was John Smith, his email address would be jsmith@bcconline.com.

TECHNICAL QUESTIONS

Techical questions should be emailed to the Instructional Technology Center at techhelp@bcconline.com.

TUTORIAL QUESTIONS

Tutorial questions should be emailed to the Tutorial Center at Tutorial@barstow.edu

Student Responsibilities

♦It is the student’s responsibility to keep copies of correspondence, quizzes and assignments submitted.  Failure to keep copies of all correspondence, quizzes and assignments submitted could result in failure of the class.

♦It is the student's responsibility to submit all work within the due dates listed on the home page of the course. Early and/or late work may not be accepted by the instructor, and/or could be given substantial penalties.

♦It is the student's responsibility to find a proctor if tests must be taken remotely.

Final Thought

Don't forget free tutoring is available to BCC students for just about all subjects offered!