Important Information for Online English Students From the Department of English

The information contained here is accurate as of Spring/Summer 2008. We have compiled this information in an effort to help you get off to a strong, successful start in your online English course. Please read through it carefully and refer to it as needed, especially during the first couple of weeks of the term. If you have questions, contact your instructor or one of the other TTC representatives identified in the sections below.

You will be able to access your online classes no later than the first day of the semester. To access the class for the first time, follow these steps:

Go to Trident's home page

Click on the Online Course Login/WebCT link, located in the lower right corner under Web Resources

Click on the Academic Online Course Login link

Look for “If you are an Academic Student click here for instructions.” The "Click Here" link will take you to a page where you will find instructions for your UserID and your WebCt password.

Once you have followed these instructions and successfully logged in, you will arrive at your My WebCt page which will list all online courses you are taking this semester.

Note: you must go through the password process all over again every semester.

BEFORE CLASSES BEGIN: Optional Orientations are held every semester during the week before classes begin. Dates, times, and locations are advertised through a variety of channels, including the OnCourse, the English Department webpage, and Campus Cruiser.

We especially recommend that you attend one of these sessions if you are new to online learning or if you are taking English 100 or English 101 online. These sessions are one hour orientations for students who are interested in finding out how to manage and succeed in online English courses. Online English instructors present information and respond to your questions.

DURING THE FIRST WEEK OF CLASS: Optional Drop-In Assistance is offered each semester during the first week of classes. Dates, times, and locations are advertised on the English Department webpage and on Campus Cruiser.

During these drop-in sessions, English Department instructors are available in a computer-equipped room where they can help you log in to your English course and find your way around your particular class.

In addition to your instructor, who is a resource for you throughout the semester, several designated English instructors are on call (by phone during regular working hours and by email after hours) to help with English online during the first week of classes. Names and contact information are published on the English Department webpage and on Campus Cruiser.

THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER: Extra Help

For help with WebCt at any time during the semester, you may email webcthelp@tridenttech.edu or your individual instructor.

Each home page will look a little different, but they all have icons titled Start Here or Important Information, Syllabus, Calendar, Discussions, and Mail. Pay particular attention to the page under Start Here titled “What English Instructors Expect from Online Students.” This page explains English department requirements for logging in and participation. Carefully review the requirements for class participation and reading instructor emails.

Every instructor will post a welcome to you either on the home page or the Discussions, so make sure you look for that and follow any directions it contains. Normally, you are asked to introduce yourself to your classmates. Posting this introduction within the first week will indicate that you have “attended” the online class (see information below).

1. Being reported as “Never Attended” after the first 2 weeks

In order to count as having attended an online class within the first 2 weeks, you need to have posted at least one discussion response within that time (see above). If you have not logged in and posted a discussion within the first 2 weeks of class, the Registrar will remove your name from the roll and your instructor will deny you access to the class.

1. Special rules for Veterans and Foreign Students at TTC

The TTC rule for veteran and foreign students requires that instructors turn them in as non-attending if at any time during the semester 2 weeks go by without active participation. We define “active participation” as turning in an assignment or posting a discussion.

If you are interested in evaluating your suitability for online learning, you can take the Online Readiness Test, TTC READI. The username is ttcstudent and the password is online. This test is optional, and the results do not go to any instructor. It’s simply an opportunity for you to learn a little about the strengths and weaknesses you bring to an online course.

From the TTC home page, make sure you can find the Library link. Once you get to the Library page, you will see a special link for online students.

Also explore the TTC Distance Learning Resources. To get there from the TTC home page, click on Academic Programs, just under the TTC logo. Click on the Distance Learning option in the left column and spend some time exploring these pages. You will find a great deal of information about the goals of online faculty and information on becoming a success in online classes.

Send questions or feedback to Barbara Allen, Coordinator for Online/Upper Level English