Information for Online Students
Online courses are taught electronically using the learning management system (LMS) Blackboard. All courses, both on-ground and online, have a Blackboard course shell. Even if you are not taking an online course, your instructor may still post course information, documents, announcements, etc. in your Blackboard course section. If you have never taken an online or hybrid course before, please review the following:
- Technical Requirements: Go to Blackboard Supported Browsers and Operating Systems.
- Online Learning FAQ
If you registered for an online course by mistake or if you decide you are not prepared for online learning, select another course as soon as possible. If you need assistance with course selection, contact Guided Pathways Advisingat 860-512-3320.
How Online Learning Works
In most cases, you will do all of your learning in your online class via your computer. Some instructors, however, may ask that you come to campus for an orientation session or tests. Please contact your instructor for details.
If you are enrolled in a hybrid course, you will have on-campus class meetings and online coursework. The number of on-campus meetings may vary according to instructor, so be sure to check your schedule carefully.
If you are enrolled in a Live/Remote Online (LRON) course these courses are fully online, students will be required to sign in remotely and interact with their professor and/or classmates on some or all of the days and times noted in the myCommNet schedule. Students will participate in live online sessions through Blackboard Collaborate, MS Teams, or WebEx specific information provided by individual faculty members.
Online learning is provided through Blackboard, an electronic environment that includes a grade book, discussion board and electronic access to course materials that may range from simple text files and Web links to PowerPoint presentations, audio files, videos and simulations.
Although MCC’s online courses provide flexibility that allow you to access information and participate in course discussions anytime and anywhere via a computer and an Internet connection,these are not self-paced courses. Just as in any MCC course, you will have weekly deadlines for assignments, discussions and assessments. The content and expectations in an online course are the same as in an on-campus course at MCC. In an on-campus course you talk to your instructor and fellow students and listen to their comments. In an online course these “conversations”take place in the discussion forums or via e-mail messages, increasing the amount of reading and writing you will do in addition to your normal coursework. Before enrolling in an online course, consider the ways that you learn and communicate most easily.
On average, you can expect to spend the same number of hours working on your online course as you would on an on-campus course but without the time and expense of travel to and from class.
Take avideo tourof Blackboard.
New and Returning Online and Hybrid Students
Course Availability
When your course is available, it will appear on your “My Courses” page when you log into Blackboard via myCommNet.
Log in directions are below. The tutorials and links provided on this page will help you understand how to find materials in your course and communicate with your instructor.
Courses are generally available one week prior to the first day of the semester.
Reasons You May Not See or Be Able to Access Your Course
- Your instructor has restricted access until the first day of the term.
- You are not properly registered (including payment of fees).
- There is a technical problem.
- Browser cache needs to be cleared.Click here for instructions.
- Check theBrowser Tuneup Page
- At the start of a new semester, your previous semester’s courses will be deleted after 11 weeks.
If, on the first day of the term, you are properly registered, your instructor has not blocked access to your course, and you still do not see your course listed, check back to this website for help instructions. If, once logged in to myCommNet, additional assistance is required, call the ETDL Sandbox at 860-512-2857 or e-mail sandbox@manchestercc.edu. If you need assistance during evenings and weekends, refer to the Connecticut Community College Online Help Desk.
Whenever you call the Help Desk, be sure to provide your name and Banner ID number, the name of your course and the full CRN (for example: CSC B101 Introduction to Computers, CRN 20059), the type of computer you are using (Mac or PC), the browser you are using (for example: Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox) as well as the browser version, a clear description of the problem and the troubleshooting steps you may have already taken.
Be sure to log in to your class well before the first day of class. Be aware that some courses have a required orientation session on campus; look for information in your Blackboard course site.
Let’s Get Started
Log in to myCommNet
You will use myCommNet, the community college system portal, to access your online courses and to access Student Self-Service. Use Student Self-Service to access personal, academic and financial aid information; to register for courses and make credit card payments to MCC.
You will use your NetID to log in to myCommNet. If you don’t have it, use theNetID Lookup Utility
For your convenience, the link to myCommNet is always available from theMCC websitehomepage.Make sure you bookmark themyCommNet URL(http://my.commnet.edu) so you can access myCommNet even if the MCC website is down.
Follow this link for FAQs related to using myCommNet: https://cscu.edusupportcenter.com
Resetting Your Password
If you have forgotten your NetID password, you may use the web reset utility at:https://supportcenter.ct.edu/netid/pswdmenu.asp(from a computer already logged in to).
If the web reset utility is unsuccessful, contact the Registrar’s office at 860-512-3220 (e-mailGenInfoRegistrar@manchestercc.edu) or go tohttps://cscu.edusupportcenter.com/ or call 860-723-0221.
You may download a NetID reset request form and fax it to 860-512-3401. You also may walk into the Registrar’s Office (Student Services Center, room L157) or Help Desk (Student Services Center, L204) for assistance during normal business hours.
For more information, visit the NetID webpage.
Accessing Your Blackboard Course
When you log in to myCommNet, you will be on your Home page. In the upper right-hand corner click on the Blackboard link. Alternatively, click on the “Student” tab and from the Blackboard module select the link for “Click here to access Blackboard.”
Logging Out of Blackboard Properly
Be sure to use thelog outlink in the top right corner of Blackboard Learn.Do not merely close your browser window as this will not end your session and could result in slow performance for all users.
Tutorials and Orientation Materials
Tutorials that will help you learn how to use Blackboard are available on your “My Courses” pages in Blackboard. To access the tutorials, click on“Blackboard Learn Student Orientation” course.
If You Have Questions or Need Help
With your coursework
Contact your instructor.
With logging into myCommNet and/or Blackboard
Clear you browser cache or check theBrowser Tuneup Page.
With myCommNet
If you have forgotten your NetID password you may use the web reset utility at:https://supportcenter.ct.edu/netid/pswdmenu.asp. If the web reset utility is unsuccessful, contact the Registrar’s office at 860-512-3220 (e-mailGenInfoRegistrar@manchestercc.edu) or go tohttps://cscu.edusupportcenter.com/ or call 860-723-0221.
Students can walk into the Registrar’s Office (Student Services Center, L157) or Help Desk (Student Services Center, L204) for assistance during normal business hours.
With Blackboard
If after successfully logging in to myCommNet, you have difficulty accessingBlackboardfrom within myCommNet:
Call the ETDL Sandbox at 860-512-2857 during regular business hours or e-mail sandbox@manchestercc.edu. If you are having difficulties during evenings and weekends, refer to themyCommNet/Blackboard support page.
Whenever you call the Help Desk or the ETDL Sandbox, be sure to provide your name and Banner ID number, the name of your course and the full CRN (for example: CSC B101 Introduction to Computers, CRN 20059), the type of computer you are using (Mac or PC), the browser you are using (for example: Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox) as well as the browser version, a clear description of the problem and the troubleshooting steps you may have already taken.
One piece of information that is very useful in troubleshooting is whether or not your course is listed on your Student Self-Service page, accessible through myCommNet. Please check this out and include the information in your communication with the ETDL Sandbox.
Note:
The ETDL staff cannot reset NetIDs, so please directmyCommNetlog in issues to the Registrar’s office at 860-512-3220 (e-mailGenInfoRegistrar@manchestercc.edu), go to https://cscu.edusupportcenter.com/ or call 860-723-0221.
Financial Aid: 860-512-3380 oronline.
Registration: 860-512-3221
Textbooks: Textbooks for online courses may be purchased from the MCC campus bookstore. You may order books online from the bookstore at:http://www.efollett.com.
Online tutoring: http://www.eTutoring.org
For helpful information on a number of subjects, check out the Blackboard Learn Student, which you will see listed on your My Courses page. Also, please visit the CSCU Online Help Desk.
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