Welcome to the San Antonio College online courses. The variety of classes helps many students meet their educational needs. Online learning provides options for working professionals, the homebound, and others with rotating work schedules who, for a variety of reasons, are not able to attend college on-campus. Internet classes provide an alternate way for students to continue their education at times convenient to them.
However, Online courses are not for everyone. The student who completes an Internet course successfully is:
- Disciplined
- Highly motivated and
- Able to work independently
Online courses are not designed to be easy. Therefore, students are encouraged to review the steps to success and take the Self-evaluation to see how well online learning fits their individual learning styles.
After I enroll in an Online Course what do I do Next?
- Please do not forget to pay your tuition or you will be dropped from your courses.Click HERE for more information about payments and payment deadlines.
- The READI Self-assessment IS REQUIRED if you enroll in SAC Online Course(s). Go to: www.alamo.edu/sac/online/isc and select Module 1) READI Self-assessment and follow instructions. If you have already taken the READI, submit your results to each Online Course instructor that you are enrolled with.
- Students taking Online Course(s) are encouraged to visit the Internet Skills Center, located in the Moody Learning Center (MLC), Room 400B to receive an Orientation to Blackboard & PALS on Online Courses, Module 2.
- If you are taking Online Course(s), you are responsible for accessing your course(s) by going to: www.alamo.edu/sac/online/courses. Select the correct semester (Fall, Spring etc.) and search course name and number and click on course link. Each instructor will have specific instructions on how to begin their Online Course.
- SAC Online Students automatically get a PALS email account when they register. Students ARE REQUIRED to activate this email account for SAC Online course(s). Go to: http://sacportal.alamo.edu to activate.
- Purchase your books Online by going to the SAC Bookstore at: http://www.sac.bkstr.com.
For technical assistance with PALS or Blackboard, call the Alamo Community Colleges’ Help Desk at (210) 485-0555.
- Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 12:00am
- Saturday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
- Sunday: 12:00 pm (noon) - 12:00am (Midnight)
- 24/7 assistance 1-866-493-3947 (for For Blackboard Vista issues only)
Technical support related to software or hardware problems can contact the SAC IT Helpdesk at (210) 486-0777 or (210) 486-0778 (Mon. - Fri.: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm).
Steps to Taking an Online Course Successfully
- Take the READI Self-assessment to see if you are a good candidate for Internet instruction.
- Complete the lessons in Blackboard Vista - PALS.
- Study the Strategies for Success information.
- The student is responsible for accessing instructors course information. Each instructor will have specific instructions on how to begin their Blended Course.
- Make sure to pay the tuition bill on time to avoid being dropped from your courses. Tuition bill(s) will NOT be sent by the business office. It is the student's responsibility to pay his/her tuition on time.
- On the first day of the semester, login to PALS/Blackboard, begin assignments, submit assignments as directed.
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Recommended Hardware/Software Requirements
- PC system with a Pentium III (three) or higher processor, A 92k dialup modem or faster modem, Windows 2000, XP or Vista operating system, 256MB of RAM, 2GB of free disk space.
- Latest internet browser version.
- Access to the web through a local Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- Students who access the Internet through AOL Browser may experience many technical difficulties.
There may be other software/hardware requirements particular to each course. Students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to check their course site for additional information and other requirements.
Students taking Internet courses should have Anti-Virus protection program installed when they access online class(es). Students are responsible for UPDATING/UPGRADING their Anti- Virus protection software! SAC Online will NOT BE RESPONSIBLE for any computer that is infected or damaged as a result of ANY computer virus infection. Students needing information regarding virus protection can contact the SAC help desk at (210) 486-0781.
Toll Free: 1-800-944-7575 ext. 60781 (for students living outside San Antonio metro area)
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