| DAILY ACCESS TO A COMPUTER AND THE INTERNET ARE ESSENTIAL! COMPUTER SKILLS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR SUCCESS IN ONLINE COURSES!
Are the online courses self-paced?
Are there any limits as to how many online classes I can take during a semester?
Can I register for my regular course(s) at the same time as Learning Strategies?
Can I use browsers or external software that stop pop-up windows?
Can I use a firewall with Blackboard?
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Do I have to log on to my course(s) at certain times of the day?
How are exams administered?
How do I navigate my courses?
How do I log out of Blackboard?
How much work is involved in my online class(es)?
How will I interact with my fellow classmates?
I just registered for my online course(s) and I tried to log into class, but I wasn't able to log in. What is wrong?
I tried to register for a course and keep getting a message, "You do not have the necessary co-requisite to take this course." What am I doing wrong?
What are my computer needs?
What are the features of Blackboard?
What computer skills do I need?
What do I do if my computer doesn't work?
What do I do if the college's network is down?
What if I forget my username and password?
What is my username and password?
What is Blackboard and why should I use it?
Where can I access my course(s)?
Where can I get textbook(s) for my class(es)?
Who do I contact if I have a question about my online course(s)?
Why am I having trouble accessing the Blackboard page, reading discussion board or mail messages or taking a quiz?
Why can't my instructor open my assignment?
Why does someone else's name keep showing up when I try to acces My Blackboard?
Will I need to come to campus during the semester?
Will my financial aid cover my online class(es)?
Will online courses fulfill degree requirements and will they transfer to other colleges?
What computer skills do I need?
Prior computer skills are essential for success in an online class. Prior to enrolling in an online class, you should be able to: - Surf the Internet and download web pages
- E-mail and attach files and know proper e-mail etiquette
- Use word processing (MS Word) skills and submit papers with correct format, grammar and spelling. If you do not have MS Word, go to http://portableapps.com/apps/office/suites/portable_openoffice to download free word processing software that is compatible with MS Word.
What are my computer needs? Computer Hardware:
Blackboard is a web application which does not run on your desktop computer. As long as your computer has access to the Internet and a web browser (i.e., Internet Explorer, Netscape, Safari, etc.), you are good to go!
Compatible Web Browsers (for all browsers, JavaScript must be enabled): Click the "Check Browser" link from the login page or your My Blackboard area.
What other programs will I need in order to take SAU Tech online classes?
In addition to your textbook, there are other programs and/or items that you will need in order to take online classes at SAU Tech. To make it easier for you, we have compiled a list of these things for you. Click here (pdf format) to view and print the list.
What is my Username and Password?
After you have enrolled in and paid for an online course the first time, you will be e-mailed (to your SAU Tech e-mail account) or mailed a letter of notification advising you of your username and password for your Blackboard online course(s) with SAU Tech. The correspondence will be sent out approximately one to two days before classes start. Your username and password are unique and should not be shared with other students. Click here (pdf format) for more details about your Username and Password. You will only receive this letter once. After that, the letter will be updated each semester and is available at the link above. Where can I access my course?
Go to http://sautbb.sautech.edu. Then click the "Log In" button. Enter your username and password. You should now see the course(s) in which you are enrolled.
Where can I get textbook(s) for my class(es)?
Most online courses require textbooks. Textbooks can be purchased from SAU Tech's bookstore. You can access SAU Tech's online bookstore at http://www.sautech.bkstr.com. Not having a textbook will not be accepted as a legitimate reason for beginning your classwork late and/or missing course deadlines unless the SAU Tech bookstore does not have your requested textbook in inventory at the time you register. If you elect to purchase your textbook(s) from other textbook vendors, you do so at the risk of receiving the wrong textbook and/or experiencing a delay in receiving your textbook neither of which will be an acceptable reason for beginning classwork late and/or missing course deadlines. It is highly recommended that you purchase your textbook from SAU Tech's bookstore.
Can I use a Firewall with Blackboard?
Blackboard does not function properly with a firewall. For detailed information, visit firewalls.pdf (pdf format). Can I use browsers or external software that stop pop-up windows?
No, Blackboard uses many pop-up windows for various things. These browsers and software interfere with some of Blackboards functions. Click here (pdf format - 171K) for more details. How are exams administered?
In order to take regular exams in Blackboard, you will need to load Respondus LockDown Browser onto each computer you will be using to take exams. Click here (pdf format) for installation instructions.
Final exams for online credit transfer courses will be proctored and taken at an approved site. Picture identification will be required at the designated sites. Click here (pdf format) for test site information. How do I navigate my courses?
All first time online students are required to take an online orientation course (Learning Strategies). It will take approximately 18 to 24 hours to complete the Learning Strategies course. The purpose of the course is to prepare students for the online community that will be experienced throughout the online courses. Students will practice using Blackboard e-mail, discussions board, chat room, assignments tool, quiz and survey tool, and other pertinent Blackboard tools. The course will have to be completed before students will be given access to their other online courses. The Learning Strategies course will begin at least one week prior to the first day of regular classes. Note: Students enrolled in Environmental Academy Non-Credit courses are NOT required to take Learning Strategies.
Can I register for my regular courses at the same time as Learning Strategies?
If you are a first time online student, register yourself into a section of Learning Strategies first. The system will then allow you to register into your other course(s).
I tried to register for a course and keep getting a message, "You do not have the necessary co-requisite to take this course." What am I doing wrong?
All first time online students are required to take Learning Strategies. Add Learning Strategies to your registration and then add your other courses.
Do I have to log on to my course(s) at certain times of the day?
No, you will not have to log into your course(s) at certain times of the day. You can work on your course work at your convenience. However, you must maintain regular contact with your instructor throughout the course. Are the online courses self-paced? In other words, can I start them at any time and end them at any time?
There is a start date and an end date for all courses as well as specific deadlines for assignments within the online courses. You have to begin work in your courses no later than the 10th class day (for fall and spring courses) and the 5th class day (for summer courses) and all work must be completed by the course end date. Students must make continuous progress toward completing online courses. Any student who has not completed at least half of the class by mid-term will be subject to being dropped from the course by the college. Continuous progress DOES NOT mean accessing the course by the specified deadline and then not doing any more work until the end of the semester. Instructors require students to access their courses on a regular basis throughout the semester. Are there any limits as to how many online classes I can take during a semester?
You may take as many online classes as you would be able to take on campus. The college catalog contains specific information regarding the maximum number of hours you can take in a semester. I just registered for my online course(s) and I tried to log into class, but I wasn't able to get in. What is wrong?
If you have registered, you will have to wait until the day classes start before your username and password will work. What if I forget my username and password?
You should contact the Center for Web-Based Learning at 870.574.4453 or 870.574.4586. How much work is involved in my online class?
The workload varies from class to class but you can expect to spend more time on your assignments than you would in a regular class. For specific course information, click here. How will I interact with my fellow classmates?
You will be able to interact with your classmates in a variety of ways---the discussion board, e-mail, and the chat room. Will I need to come to campus during the semester?
The final exam in the credit transfer classes will be taken in a proctored environment. Test sites have been established to make it convenient for you. Click here (pdf format) here for more details about proctored exams. What do I do if my computer doesn't work?
If you experience computer problems or failures during the semester, for reasons other than natural disasters, it is your responsibility to have a backup plan that will enable you to complete your work on time. You should always keep copies of your work and your work in progress on diskette that you can take to another computer in the event that your computer crashes. Will my financial aid cover my online classes?
Online courses are treated the same as traditional classes. Will online courses fulfill degree requirements and will they transfer to other colleges?
Online courses at SAU Tech will fulfill degree requirements and transfer to other Arkansas colleges in the same way that their traditional counterparts will. Who do I contact if I have a concern about my online course?
Questions regarding your course work should be directed to your instructor. Technical questions should be directed to the Center for Web-Based Learning. What do I do if the college's network is down?
If the college network is down, your instructor will be aware of this as soon as you are if not earlier than you. Scheduled outages are posted in the Announcements section of Blackboard. If outages affect course completion, instructors will make allowances for this.
Why can't my instructor open my assignment?
If you are using a word processing software other than Microsoft Word, you should save your document in "rich text format (rtf)" before submitting it to your instructor.
What is Blackboard and why should I use it?
Blackboard is a course management software that supports a course web site, and offers features designed to enhance your learning. This is the software that SAU Tech uses to deliver its online courses. You can check assignments, grades, communicate with your instructor and fellow students, and lots more. Having your course content on the web accommodates different learning styles. You can also access your course materials anytime, from anywhere, since the materials are on the web. How do I log OUT of Blackboard?
Click the "Log out" button in the upper right-hand corner of the screen. Why does someone else's name keep showing up when I try to access My Blackboard?
The computer remembers someone else's password if another user used the remember password feature in the browser. Here's how to turn this option off: - On the Tool menu in Internet Explorer then click Internet Options.
- Click the Content tab.
- In the Personal Information area, click AutoComplete.
- Select the check boxes for the AutoComplete options you want to use.
- Uncheck Use AutoComplete for Usernames and Passwords.
- Under Clear AutoComplte History, click the Clear Passwords button.
- Click OK.
- Restart computer and re-enter Internet Explorer. The problem should now be fixed.
Why am I having trouble..accessing the Blackboard, page reading Discussion Board or Mail messages..taking a Quiz or taking a Quiz a second or third time (when I "should" be able to do so)?
Either ... - Your computer is not set up correctly - you may not be using an approved browser or your Java may not be enabled, for example. Be sure to perform your Browser Check;
OR ... - Your computer may be running an anti-popup, anti-virus, or firewall software and possibly you don't even know about it. Be sure to perform your Browser Check.
Note that even if you disable the "anti-popup feature" you STILL may have to disable the "anti-JavaScript feature." Don't know if you have one? Look for programs similar to this list below: - Norton Anti-Virus
- ZoneAlarm Firewall
- Outpost Firewall
- OutGuard-IE: Used to fix major security hole in Internet Explorer. Used by Earthlink.
- Earthlink now comes with a built-in anti pop-up ware automatically turned on - you need to turn it off. See this webpage for help turning the Earthlink pop-up blocker off. If you need help, see the Earthlink support website or call them at 1-800-719-4660.
- PopUp Stopper (Panicware): Used by Internet Explorer. Go here to find out how to locate and disable PopUp Stopper (Panicware).
- Ad Filter and Pop-Up Stopper: More directions for disabling are available here.
- Pop-Up Defender
- Pop-Up Zapper
Blackboard Features
All of these features are utilized in most of SAU Tech's online courses. - Calendar - view scheduled events and add your own private entries.
- Mail - send and receive private mail to your instructor and other class members.
- My Grades - allows you to check your performance in the class - grades, etc.
- Discussion - messages can be shared with your entire class.
- Chat/Whiteboard - your instructor may create chat rooms for real-time discussions with members of your course or group.
- Assessments - take quizzes/exams or complete surveys online.
- Assignments - complete and submit assignments and receive immediate feedback .
- Who's Online - chat with others who are logged into Blackboard at the same time as you are.
- Announcements - receive important information from your instructor.
- Learning Modules - an organized way of presenting content and activities to students.
- Web Links - Internet resources.
- My Files - allows students to store their own files.
- Notes - allows students to take notes.
SAU Tech Web-Based Learning Address:
Center for Web-Based Learning
P.O. Box 3499
Camden, AR 71711-1599
Contacts:
870.574.4453 or 870.574.4586 or 870-574-4514
E-mail to: wblrng@sautech.edu
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