Dear Online Student:
 

Welcome to Johnson County Community College as an online student. We'd like to share some important information with you. Please print or bookmark this letter for future reference.

Typically, access to course materials occurs on the first day of classes each semester. However, some instructors may grant access earlier. JCCC uses two learning management systems: Blackboard and ANGEL. A class may not appear on the My Blackboard screen until the first day of the semester or the date set by your instructor for student access. However, if the course is taught in ANGEL, the course name will appear (in the courses nugget) within 24 hours of your enrollment, but the link will not be active until the first day of the semester or the date set by your instructor.

Your instructor may send specific instructions to your JCCC Student e-mail username@stumail.jccc.edu so be sure to check your stumail account by logging into MyJCCC.

Courses offered using Blackboard or ANGEL may or may not be self-paced courses. In those which are not self-paced, you will need to diligently meet scheduled dates for projects and assessments that must be completed during specific time periods throughout the semester.

To determine specific requirements for your course, please visit the Online Course Information Guide. Once you follow the link to the Guide, you'll need to search the table of contents for your specific course.
 

To complete an online course you'll need access to the Internet. If you travel or use different computers (at home, at work, or on the road), each computer used will need to be configured properly (see the next section) or you'll have difficulty completing your course assignments.

Most of you will be accessing online course materials using one of two systems (Blackboard or ANGEL)  here at JCCC.

Specific instructions for browser plugins and student technical support can be found at the following page:

http://www.jccc.edu/home/depts.php/S00013/site/Student_Support 

When you enroll in one or more classes at JCCC (whether credit or non-credit), you are automatically assigned a MyJCCC user name plus an email account. Your MyJCCC username is your Email ID (everything preceding the @ in your @stumail.jccc.net email address) and your MyJCCC password is the same password you'll use to access Blackboard CE or ANGEL. If you have never accessed MyJCCC, you'll need to do so using your Personal Identification Number or PIN. When you first access MyJCCC using your PIN, you'll be prompted to create an encrypted password.

Note: You established your PIN when you applied for admission at JCCC. If you do not remember your PIN, visit the Student Success Center on the second floor of the Student Center building, or call 913-469-3803 or Toll Free 866-896-5893.
 

To access your course materials log in at: http://online.jccc.edu

You will find a listing of courses offered in both Blackboard and ANGEL.  Locate the appropriate course from the list then click on the portal link. Login to the system using your username and password. If you use this method, once your  Blackboard or ANGEL page appears, you'll find a listing of all courses (in which you're enrolled) on the screen. Simply click the link for the course you want to enter and you'll see the course materials (where you'll find additional course information and assignments).

Keep in mind that most course content is not available until the first day of each semester.

If you have problems with the technology (web access, and so forth) during the duration of the course, go to the Student Technical Support Page or go to the Online FAQ Page. The Online FAQ page includes answers to many common problems you may encounter. You'll also find a section of the FAQ Page that provides a link to Blackboard CE Student Instructions. This document describes how you can use Blackboard CE's various tools.
 

If you are still having problems after following the FAQ Page's recommendations and exploring the Blackboard CE or ANGEL Instructions document, you can call the Help Desk for Technical Support at (913) 469-8500 ext. HELP (4357), Toll Free at 866-896-5893 or you can email the support line at helpdesk@jccc.edu

When you call, you'll be asked for the following information:

Many of the problems encountered by students are a direct result of not having the most recent "updates" installed. Save yourself some aggravation and be sure to update your browser, operating system and standard office applications (word processor, and so on)

Is there an orientation I can attend?

If you're new to Online Learning, we strongly urge you to attend one of the Distance Learning Orientation sessions on the JCCC campus Carlsen Center 211.
If you have not attended a session in the last 3-4 semesters, we recommend you attend the orientation again, if possible.

Dates for future Distance Learning Orientation sessions are:

Fall 2009

Tuesday	August 11th	10:00 - Noon	CC 211
Wednesday	August 12th	6:30 - 8:30 p.m.	CC 211
Thursday	August 13th	1:00 - 3:00 p.m.	CC 211
Friday	August 14th	1:00 - 3:00 p.m.	CC 211
Saturday	August 15th	10:00 - Noon	CC 211

You can access the JCCC Bookstore online and order textbooks, if needed. Just go to http://bookstore.jccc.edu/.

We hope you have a wonderful, educational experience this semester. Please let us know when we can be of assistance to you!

Cordially, Dr. Ed Lovitt,  Assistant Dean, Distance Learning elovitt@jccc.edu

P.S. The Blackboard Tutorial and ANGEL Tutorial  are available online now. These tutorials include helpful hints that may help you as you prepare for your online courses.

If you have a dial-up connection or would like a copy of the DL Student CD, please contact the Distance Learning Student Technical Support number at (913) 469-8500 ext. HELP (4357), Toll Free 866-896-5893 or you can email the support line at helpdesk@jccc.edu and the CD will be mailed to you.