Welcome to Spring Quarter!

Greetings!

Welcome to Spring Quarter 2008 at Cascadia. You are registered to take one or more online courses. This letter will give you some important information about how to get started. Whether you are a new distance learner or an experienced one, please read this letter carefully.

Cascadia based classes begin April 2nd  

You will need to log in to your course on that day for important information from your instructor.  If you are taking OFTEC classes with Section code OLS, please click here for additional information.  If you are taking Phlebotomy classes with section code OLY, please click here for additional information. 

Before classes begin:

·       New students should participate in the Week Zero tutorial to get comfortable with Blackboard. Once class starts, you want to concentrate on the course, not the technology (http://www.waol.org/getstarted/weekZero.asp ).

·       Be sure your computer meets the technical requirements (http://www.waol.org/getstarted/requirements.asp ); and try logging in to the Week Zero site above as an experiment to test that you have no firewall issues. If you experience difficulty, you can get technical help 24 hours a day at 1-866-425-8412.

·       Buy your textbooks (http://www.bookstore.washington.edu/ ).  Click on the “Colleges” link in the left menu to get to the Cascadia CC section). You can also buy books on campus.

·       Activate your library card (http://library.uwb.edu/cccnewstudent.html ). Even if you don’t plan to use the physical campus libraries, you will need your library card to access valuable library research databases.

·       Plan time in your schedule to participate in class. A 5 credit online class takes just as much time as a 5 credit campus based class. Plan on at least 15 hours a week.

·       Make a “Plan B.” What computer will you use if your primary computer is unavailable? Campus computing options are one great alternative, but you will be expected to participate on time, regardless of technical glitches.

·       If you need to communicate with your instructor, remember that he or she is on vacation through April 2nd and may not respond to you until after that date.

On April 2nd, the first day of class:

·       Log in to your class: online classes allow for a lot of freedom, but are not self paced. You will have regular assignments and you need to get started on the first day. If you won’t be able to, be sure to contact your instructor.

 Classes are offered on Blackboard

http://waol.blackboard.com

Login Instructions

http://www.waol.org/getStarted/findClassroom.asp

Classes open to students on March 23^rd.

 If you don’t access your class or contact your instructor by April 4th by 8pm, you may be administratively dropped from the course and lose your space in the course.

 ·       Review the course: Each instructor uses Blackboard in a slightly different way. Be sure you know where to find and submit assignments, how to take tests, etc. If you have questions, be sure to ask your instructor for clarification.

·       Make sure your email address is correct in Blackboard: Email is the primary way that your instructor will get in touch with you. Be sure that the email address in Blackboard is correct. The instructions are in the attached sheet.

·       Print out your syllabus & calendar: Your instructor provides you with lots of important information in the syllabus and/or calendar. Print these out and read them. Then, put them in your book as a backup. Put key dates (tests, due dates, etc) in your personal calendar. Be sure you have noted a phone number for your instructor in case you need to get in touch and cannot use a computer.

·       Attend an orientation: Optional orientations are available on campus April 2nd from 6-7PM and April 3rd from 10 – 11AM. Both are in the OLC, Room CC2-060. The orientation is also available online at www.cascadia.edu/distancelearner .

After classes begin:

The first two weeks of an online class can be the most challenging weeks of the quarter. Don’t give up! If you encounter any trouble, here’s where you can get help

·       Your instructor: This should be the first person you contact for most questions about the class itself. For trouble with Blackboard, see Technical Support below.

·       Technical Support: For passwords and other Blackboard matters, you can get technical help 24 hours a day at 1-866-425-8412.

·       Distance Learning Office: If you aren’t sure where to go, contact the distance learning office for help. You can reach me at sdelaney@cascadia.edu  or 425-352-8166. You can also contact the Advising Office. Carri McDermott manages distance learning issues and she can be reached at cmcdermott@cascadia.edu .

Good luck in your studies this quarter.

 Stephanie Delaney

Director of Distance Learning

www.cascadia.edu/distancelearner