Welcome!

Just as in a face-to-face class, the next big step is to show up on the first day by connecting to the Internet, opening your browser, and logging into Blackboard. Blackboard is the name of the software Butte College uses to create and run its online classes.

Your Blackboard materials won’t be available until the first day of class. If you’ve registered for a course that uses Blackboard, all you have to do is go to the link below on the first day of class and follow the simple instructions to log in to Blackboard.

Here’s the link:

http://blackboard.butte.edu

• The User ID is your Butte College ID
• The password for first-time Blackboard users is your six digit birth date: MMDDYY
• Log in with your existing password if you are a returning Blackboard user

You must take the initiative to log in on the first day of class. Don’t start early for late—log in on the first day!

Remember, access will not be available until the first day of class. If you don’t log in on the first day of class, you may be dropped from the course because you didn’t show up!

1. How to start your course

• Wait until the first official day of class and log in after 8:00 AM Pacific Time. (Your class will not be available until then.)
• Log in to Blackboard (http://blackboard.butte.edu) by using an approved Internet browser (Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari).

Between now and the day class begins you can prepare yourself for an online course through the following steps.

2. Get your computer ready

BLACKBOARD

The Blackboard log in page contains several important links to help you get your computer ready for your online course. Here are the steps:

1. Go to http://blackboard.butte.edu
2. Notice the box above the log in area that says “Before you begin: Click here to CHECK YOUR BROWSER!”
3. Click on the link to see if your browser works with Blackboard; you’ll get some suggestions if there is a compatibility problem
4. Next, notice the box that says ONLINE SUPPORT (located to the right of the log in area); the links in this box give you additional help in making your browser work with Blackboard
5. Finally, be sure to bookmark the login page; click on the links below the log in area for instructions for several popular browsers

Once class begins and you log into Blackboard, an automatic browser check will let you know the status of your computer setup and give you some guidance if a setting needs to be changed or updated software installed.

STREAMING VIDEO AND OTHER MULTIMEDIA

If your course uses video or audio you may need to download and install a free browser plug-in; once you log in to your course the instructor will make it clear what is needed and provide a link.

If your course uses streaming video produced by Butte College, your computer must have RealPlayer viewing software installed and be powerful and fast enough to play the video smoothly.

For more information and help with streaming video, go to:

http://www.butte.edu/instruction/tmi/support/FAQ_streaming.html

and follow the instructions to check your computer system and to download the required FREE RealPlayer viewing software. Scroll to the bottom of the RealPlayer page for Windows or Mac downloads.

STUDENT HELP DESK

Butte College does not offer general computer repair or virus removal, but our student Help Desk can assist you in getting access to Blackboard and can offer some helpful suggestions. Feel free to call 530.895.2925 or write blackboardsupport@butte.edu.

3. Get yourself ready

Students sometimes think that online courses will be easier than their face-to-face versions, but usually the opposite is true. Taking an online course generally requires more discipline and focus than going to a face-to-face class. The most successful online students find they need to set aside specific times each week to work on their courses.

Most online courses involve a lot of writing, and even class discussions need to be written out. There is a lot of reading, too, including textbook materials, online content, and assignment instructions. If you’re a “detail person” you may find you can flourish in an online environment. If you find you need a lot of human contact, you might find online courses to be especially challenging.

Students may believe that online courses are “go at your own pace.” Though this is true for certain open entry courses, most online courses offered at Butte College require the class to stay together from week to week. Within that time frame, of course, students can work any time of the day or night, and that’s of special benefit to those who work during the day.

What if I can’t log in on the first day of class?

Ans.: Please get the help you need, and keep your instructor informed.

• For technical troubles, contact the Student Help Desk at 530.895.2925
• For personal issues, contact your instructor directly by email or telephone or through the department office.

Where do I find the class syllabus?

Ans.: The class syllabus is available within your online course when you first log in. Some faculty members put syllabi on their faculty Web pages (http://www.butte.edu/staff/staff_sites.html) so you can access them in advance.

My class printout says “TBA” for all my online courses. Will I be sent additional information?

Ans.: Some printouts may say “TBA” for online courses but that just means there is no specified day or time for the class to be in session. There is no additional information you need; if you’re registered for class just log in on the first day.

Do I need to log in at a specific time to view my course?

Ans.: You should log in to Blackboard after 8:00 AM Pacific Time on the first day of class to read the syllabus and become familiar with due dates and times within the class. There is no need to log in at an exact time since course materials are available throughout the week. Your instructor will inform you within the course if there are exceptions.

Do I need to write my instructor after I register for an online class?

Ans. Some instructors like to hear in advance from students who are enrolled so they can send out the course syllabus and orientation information. Other instructors begin interacting with students on the first day of class when students log into Blackboard. If you’d like to write and let your instructor know you’ve registered, feel free to do so. It’s the instructor’s option whether or not to respond before class begins.

If you do email your instructor, please provide the following:

• your own name;
• the name and number of the course your writing about (such as FN 2 Basic Nutrition or PHIL 18 Eastern Religions);
• the control number (such as #5695).

Instructors may teach a number of online courses and need to know the precise course you’re interested in.

If you call your instructor and leave a phone message, please enunciate clearly and provide the following:

• your name and phone number,
• name, number and control number of the course you’re referring to.

If an instructor can’t decipher your phone number you may not get a response. It’s always a good idea to follow up a phone message with an email to the instructor.

I have a specific question about the course and have contacted instructor but I haven’t heard back. What should I do?

Ans.: Sometimes online instructors do not begin interacting with students until the first day of class, so you may not get a response to a phone message or email. In that case please contact the appropriate academic department and someone will assist you.

How do I get the textbooks for the course?

Ans.: Textbooks are available by course and control number from the bookstores on the main campus and at the Chico Center, or you can order online. Make sure you have the correct control number for your course since an online section may use a different textbook than a face-to-face section of the same course. In some cases digital versions of the textbook are available. Here’s the bookstore link:

http://buttecollegebookstore.com/home.aspx

I’m on the waitlist for an online course. What should I do?

Ans.: Before the first day of class, waitlisted students are automatically added, in order, to any spaces that open up if students drop the course.

Your instructor may choose to add a group of waitlisted students before the first day of class; if you’re included in that group you’ll receive a confirmation email that you’ve been added.

After the class begins the process of adding waitlisted students is no longer automatic. If you’re on the waitlist and still interested in adding the course, please send an email to your instructor within 24 hours of the first day of class letting the instructor know you’d like to add.

If the instructor has decided to add students from the waitlist, the instructor will send you an authorization to add. You will have 48 hours to add the course. You are responsible for checking with Admissions and Records in a timely fashion to make sure you are actually added to the course.

Remember that just because your instructor may have allowed you to access the course while you’re waiting for official enrollment, you are not officially enrolled until the course appears on your course schedule in WebAdvisor!

I’ve just added the course but I either can’t log in to Blackboard or my class is not showing up on the My Blackboard page. What should I do?

Ans.: If you’ve added the course before the first day of class, a Blackboard account should have been created for you. If you’re having trouble logging in on the first day of class (remember that your course is not available until the first day), or you’ve forgotten last semester’s password, please contact the student Help Desk at 530.895.2925. They can help resolve the problem.

If you add after the course has begun, it may take up to 24 hours for your new Blackboard account to be created. Until that time you won’t be able to access course materials. If your WebAdvisor account shows you have successfully added the course, and 24 hours has passed and you’re still not able to log in to Blackboard, please contact the student Help Desk at 530.895.2925.

What is Media Services? Should I contact them?

Ans.: If you’ve signed up for an online course, and you need assistance, there’s no need to contact Media Services since they will simply direct you to the Student Help Desk or the instructor.

Media Services is for those who are taking a telecourse or a course through EBS (Education Broadband Services) where courses are broadcast live to the Chico or Glenn County Centers. Students can contact Media Services (530.879.4055) to get a copy of a syllabus for a telecourse; syllabi for online courses are provided to students when they log into their courses. Media Services does not have syllabi for non-telecourses.

Media Services also facilitates on-site test proctoring for students taking telecourses and online courses. Your instructor will give you details once you get into your online course.