READY?

You must have (1) an e-mail account and (2) access to a computer with an Internet connection.

• Register your e-mail account in the WVC campus database so that your instructors and staff at WVC and WAOL may contact you. If you did not enter your e-mail address into the computer when you registered for classes, go to the Student Kiosk and choose the link for Student Address Change. Always keep your student information current (phone, street and e-mail addresses).

• Add the WVC Distance Learning e-mail address to your e-mail address book: DistanceEd@wvc.edu. You can identify e-mail that comes to you from the Distance Learning office by the subject line, which will begin with WVC, such as WVC summer classes, WVC deadlines, etc.
  
  
• Consider getting a separate e-mail address just for your course work. That way you don’t have to worry about personal e-mail and junk e-mail filling up your mailbox, preventing you from receiving important messages from your instructor (and WVC!). Also, if you have privacy concerns, other students in the class won’t have your private e-mail address once the course is over. Just be sure to keep your e-mail address current in the WVC database so we can find you!

Attention First-timers:

Check out the Learn-to-Learn Course at the WashingtonOnline Web site.

This free introduction to online learning is for you, if you are thinking of taking an online class for the first time or haven't spent much time using computers or the Internet. You will feel more confident about what you are doing after reviewing this material. Topics cover online course navigation, how to use e-mail, how to participate in chat rooms, browser functionality, study skills and more.

If you are taking online classes for the first time or have never used Blackboard, you MUST take the free Week Zero tutorial to learn the mechanics of how the Blackboard online classroom works.

Depending on your experience with computers, how fast you read, etc., this self-guided tutorial may take anywhere from 2 to 10 hours to complete. The tutorial does not have to be completed in one sitting. It is very important that you take the Week Zero tutorial. Completing the tutorial is to your advantage.

Note: If the Week Zero username and password aren’t working, please notify the WashingtonOnline staff at 1-888-580-9011.

SET?

Get organized and prepared.

• Read the Frequently Asked Questions and other information at the WVC Distance Learning and the WAOL Web sites. Know whom to contact for technical, library and other assistance. Bookmark these sites for later reference.
• Stock up on printer paper.
• Create organizational folders on your computer for assignments (ALWAYS keep a backup copy of your assignments for yourself!), e-mail from the Distance Learning office, etc.
• Delete old e-mail from your in-box so you won’t miss e-mails related to your course work.
• Buy your books and pick up telecourse videotapes.

Books and Videos for Telecourses

Textbooks are available through the Wenatchee campus bookstore. Telecourse video sets are available for checkout through the Wenatchee and Omak campus libraries.

Books for Online Courses

Check the section code to determine where to buy your books.

Examples:

• ANTH 101 WO = WAOL course section

Books for WashingtonOnline courses are ONLY available through the WAOL online bookstore.

• SOC 102 VC = WVC online course section

Books for WVC online courses are ONLY available through the Wenatchee campus bookstore.

• Don't assume that textbooks used last quarter will be the same this quarter. Editions frequently change. If you are buying a used textbook, the best way to identify what you are getting is through the ISBN number, a unique number that is assigned to every published book.
• After you get your textbook, double-check the information against the instructor’s syllabus.

• Use the WVC/WAOL Course Conversion Chart to find the WAOL number that corresponds to the WVC course number and title. You will need the WAOL number to order your books.
• PLAN AHEAD! It will take 7-9 days to receive your books from the WAOL bookstore, Specialty Books.
• If you prefer to buy a used book, try an online service such as Swapbooks.com. This free service allows you to buy from or sell to other WVC students. Note: WVC only makes this information available to you as a service and does not endorse Swapbooks.com. Any transactions you make are completely at your own risk and choosing, just as with any other Web-based service.
• The Wenatchee campus bookstore staff may also help you to locate used books for online courses. Contact Gary Vandegrift at 682-6535.

GO!!!

Log into your online class no later than the first day of class (check the calendar).

All courses that use a Web-based classroom are managed through the WashingtonOnline Virtual Campus. Go to the WashingtonOnline Web site for instructions on how to log into your Blackboard classroom.

• Do NOT wait to begin your course! You are expected to attend the first day of your online classes, just as you are expected to attend the first day of an on-campus course. Check the calendar for exact dates.
• Expect to participate 5 out of 7 days. The school week runs from Thursday to Wednesday. In most cases, you cannot save up work for specific days of the week that are convenient for you. Assignments may be due any day, including over the weekend.
• Although online classrooms open one week early, instructors aren’t required to post course information until the day classes actually begin. You will find that some instructors have everything ready to go; others may not have anything ready until the date classes begin. Try to be patient! Many students use the week before classes officially start as a time to get acquainted. Sometimes it's even possible to get a jump-start on your assignments.