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Question: |
Answer/Resolution: |
| Login Questions |
| How do I access Blackboard? |
http://waol.blackboard.com/
Bookmark this link and write it in your text, just in case you can't access
your computer. |
| How do I log on to Blackboard? |
Go to
http://waol.blackboard.com/ |
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NEW STUDENTS - To Login:
- UserID = waol + your student ID number
(i.e. waol111222333)
- Password = first 5 letters of your last name
(i.e. Johnson=johns, Lee=lee,
O'Reilly=oreil)
RETURNING STUDENTS - To Login:
- UserID = waol + your student ID number
(i.e. waol111222333)
- Password = password from previous quarter
Need Help Logging In?
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| I logged onto Washington Online (WAOL) and was unable to view my courses. |
Contact WAOL Technical Help services at http://www.waol.org/help or
1.866.425.8412 (Toll free) |
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Online Learning FAQs |
| Are distance learning courses easier than face-to-face courses? |
No. Distance learning courses are generally designed to be
as challenging as face-to-face courses.
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| Do distance learning courses take less time than
face-to-face courses? |
No. College level classes are generally designed so that students spend two to three hours in preparation or homework for every hour in class. You can expect to spend as much as three hours each week for each credit. For a five-credit course, this will mean 12 to 15 hours per week.
Online courses can be a lot more work than those on campus due to the time spent on a computer rather than face-to-face communication. However, you save on commute time. |
| What is the difference between Cascadia On-line (OL) and Washington On-line (W)? |
Cascadia Online (OL) classes have been designed by Cascadia faculty for Cascadia students.
Courses coded W are offered through Washington Online (WAOL), the state’s virtual campus. They are taught by faculty from colleges throughout the state system. |
| Are the registration and start dates different between OL and W courses? |
Yes, registration dates and refund dates vary slightly between the Cascadia campus and WAOL. Please check the Cascadia Distance Learning webpage for more information and dates: http://www.cascadia.edu/distancelearner.asp |
| How will distance learning courses appear on my transcript? |
Teaching mode (online classroom) is not noted on your transcript for any class. |
| Is there an Academic Advisor for Distance Learning students? |
The Distance Learning Academic Advisor is
Carri McDermott. You
can reach her via email (cmcdermott@cascadia.edu) or instant messaging.
Click here for IM advising hours
You can also visit the
Advising homepage for general information. |
| Can I pay for tuition on-line? |
You can pay tuition on-line through the Student On-line Services site at: http://www.cascadia.edu/StudentResources/cis.asp
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| How do I order textbooks? |
All materials are NOT available online. Your courses will require texts and possibly other support materials. Books for distance classes are available through the UBookstore, Bothell branch, as well as, other online vendors and college bookstores.
You can identify and purchase the texts for your class in three ways.
*
Order Textbooks online
* by phone (425.352.3344) or
* in person at the bookstore on campus |
| How do I get off-campus access to "UW restricted" library resources? |
You can access "UW restricted" library resources from off-campus by getting a UWNetID from this page: http://www.cascadia.edu/uwnetid.asp.
For instructions on how to use your UWNetID to access "UW restricted" resources, please see: http://www.uwb.edu/library/computing/offcampus.html.
Note: A UWNetID is not required to access "UW restricted" resources from any computer in the library, Cascadia, or UWB.
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| How can I access the wireless network in the library with my laptop? |
You need a UWNetID to login to the wireless network. You can create one from this page: http://www.cascadia.edu/uwnetid.asp.
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| What are the hours for the Open Learning Center (OLC)? |
The OLC hours can be found at: OLC hours |
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Technology Questions |
| What are the computer system requirements? |
http://www.waol.org/getstarted/requirements.asp |
| Is Blackboard compatible with Windows Vista? |
Microsoft has recently released Vista, a new version of Windows. The visual text boxes used in Blackboard discussion forums and tests/surveys will not work correctly with Internet Explorer 7 in Vista. This doesn’t apply to computers using earlier versions of Windows, including campus computers.
There are two workarounds:
- If you are planning on upgrading a computer to Vista, Blackboard will work correctly if you use Mozilla Firefox as your browser (it can be downloaded at http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/).
- Disable the Visual Text Box Editor in your Blackboard account. To do this, click on Personal Information on the left side of the My Blackboard tab, then choose "Set Visual Text Box Editor Options", and change the option to "Unavailable". This will allow you to type messages in the Discussion Board, but you will not have all of the formatting features available to other users.
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| How do I get help with technical problems for my online courses? |
Contact the 24/7 Technical Help services at http://www.waol.org/help or
1.866.425.8412 (Toll free) |
| Do I need high speed access or DSL? |
No, you will find that you may prefer to access class with a high speed
connection, but it is not essential. |
| Why does Blackboard timeout after a certain amount of time when I have not worked on an assignment, but was logged on?
|
Blackboard Cascadia has a preset default timeout in which an individual session log-in will be cancelled, but the screen will still be viewable. If you leave Blackboard open, but leave for a certain period of time your access may be cancelled for that current session, but you will not be aware of this until you try to submit your assignment. To prevent timeout issues when working on an assignment it is advisable that you work in Word or another Office program and log-on to Blackboard when you are ready to upload your assignment.
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| Why do I have several different user ID accounts? |
There are three primary user ID’s that you may be assigned while at Cascadia:
- Cascadia Computer Network ID:
allows you to log on to any Cascadia student computer
- Blackboard ID:
allows you to log on to Cascadia Online courses (this is the same ID assigned if taking a WAOL course, those ID’s are assigned by WAOL and not Cascadia)
- UW Library NetID:
allows students to access all library resources from home or a non-campus computer
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| Do I have to use my Cascadia student account for my class e-mail? |
No, you don't. You can change your email to another account in Blackboard using the personal information
link under Tools in your Blackboard classroom. |
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Course Information |
| How do I find my professors’ contact information: office hours, e-mail, phone, and office number? |
All staff and faculty members' contact information at Cascadia can be located through the Employee Directory.
We advise you to print out your professor's information for quick reference, especially
when you are unable to access information on the computer. |
| I have emailed my professor several times and have heard no reply, what should I do? |
Keep trying to reach your professor by email and phone.
You may also contact the Distance Learning Offices for assistance: Stephanie
Delaney at sdelaney@cascadia.edu or 425.352.8166. |
| How do I get help regarding assignments, course content, or other course-related questions? |
Your professor will provide all the necessary course information through the Blackboard system.
You can find contact information for your instructor using the Employee Directory.
We advise you to print out your professor's information for quick reference, especially
when you are unable to access information on the computer. |
| My computer quit working, how do I submit assignments for my course? |
Contact your professor to make arrangements. You can also come to campus and use any of the computers available throughout the campus,
including the Open Learning Center (OLC) and the library. |
| Who do I contact if I have questions regarding Distance Learning at Cascadia |
Stephanie Delaney in the Distance Learning Office at
sdelaney@cascadia.edu or
425.352.8166. |
