Internet Skills Center

• Purpose
  
  
• Steps to Successfully Take an Online Course
  
  
• Hardware/Software Requirements
  
  
• Steps to access an Online Course
  
  
• Technical Support

Purpose

Module 2, Online Course Readiness is designed to teach students how to take an Internet course successfully. Upon completion of this module, students will be able to:

• Access the SAC Distance Education web site
• Use the Internet for SAC courses
• Use email in web courses
• Access Online course files
• Obtain technical support

Local students are encouraged to visit the Internet Skills Center located on campus in the Moody Learning Center (MLC) room 400B to enroll in Module III. San Antonio College distant learners are strongly encouraged to access this module online before taking an Online course. Two computer lab technicians are available on campus for assistance. We have 27 computers for the use of currently registered SAC students.

The information presented in the next several pages is designed to prepare students to take Online courses offered by San Antonio College. The basic information needed to successfully complete an Online course will be covered. To successfully understand this information as well as complete any Online course, students must have access to a computer with Internet access. Some basic computer and Internet skills are assumed. Various features will be presented that will prepare you to successfully navigate through an Online course. One of the goals of San Antonio College is to expand access to higher education through Online courses.

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Steps to Successfully Take an Online Course

1. Take the self-evaluation test to determine if you are a good candidate for an Online course. This test is located on the "Distance Education" web page in the red box to the left of the screen. The test is labeled Self-Evaluation under the Online Courses.
   
   
2. Be sure to pay your tuition by the due date to avoid being dropped from the course.
   
   
3. There are three very important aspects of taking an Online course.
   
   
   1. The first and most important step is to read ALL information on the website of the course(s) you have registered for. The course site includes the course syllabus, course requirements and course schedule of assignments.
   
   
   2. The second most important step is to email the instructor immediately after registering for an Online course. The instructor's email address can be found in the course site. The format for the email message may be contained in the website. If no format for the message is found a simple message stating that you are enrolled in the class will suffice.
   
   
   3. And, finally you must stay current with your assignments. If you do not turn in assignments or have any contact with your instructor for two consecutive weeks the instructor has the option of dropping you from the class.
   
   
   
   
4. The Online courses are designed to have the same quality as the classes taught in the classroom. The Online courses provide you with the freedom to access and study the course material at times that are convenient to you.
   
   
5. Once you have registered for an Online course(s) you are responsible for accessing the course site and reviewing the course information (i.e. course syllabus, course assignments, and any other information provided on the course site.)

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Hardware and Software Requirements

Students experiencing the least trouble in the past had PC equipment which met these minimum requirements:

• PC system with a Pentium II (two) or higher processor
• A 56k dialup modem or faster modem
• Windows 98, ME, 2000 or XP operating system
• 64 Mb of RAM
• 15 Mb of free disk space
• Latest internet browser version from: Mozilla or MS Internet Explorer or Netscape
• Access to the web through local Internet Service Provider (ISP)
• There may be other software/hardware requirements particular to each course. Students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to check the course site for additional information and other requirements.

Warning: Students who access the Internet through AOL browser may experience many technical difficulties. Macintosh or Linux users may also experience problems.

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) 785-6330.

Toll Free: 1-800-944-7575 ext. 6330 (for students living outside San Antonio metro area)

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Steps to Access an Online Course

1. Access the Internet using a browser you are familiar with, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape.
2. In the address box of the browser key in www.accd.edu/sac/online and press enter or click the Go button. The SAC Distance Education web page will appear.
3. Click on the button that reads Courses.
4. On this page scroll down to locate the year. Immediately to the right of the year, click on the term you are applying for (i.e. Spring | Spring Flex I & Flex II | Summer I & Summer II | Fall | Fall Flex I & Flex II in red). The schedule page for the term selected will appear.
5. You now see a list of Online courses. Do not click on the instructor name as this will open an email window for the instructor. This address may not always be up to date. Locate and click on the course name (i.e. ACCT2301.085). The web page for the course will open.
6. Read ALL the information on the Internet website for the course. The information should give details of how to proceed through the course. These instructions will vary from instructor to instructor.
   
   (HINT: Once you have enrolled in the class or classes of your choice consider book marking (Netscape) or setting a favorites (Internet Explorer) to the website of the course. This will allow you to access the website without having to re-type the address repeatedly.)

See the following illustrations for the steps above. (Steps 1 & 6 not shown.)

Steps #2 and 3

Step #4

Step #5

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Most courses will have the following categories of information

Orientation

Usually these are the specific instructions of the Instructor on how to take the course.

Syllabus

The syllabus includes course outcomes, grading system, textbook requirements and other important course information.

Instructor

This section includes information about your instructor which may include a welcome message, instructor photo, instructor's educational background and other information about your instructor.

Schedule

This is a very important link to your required readings, assignments and exam information. Usually instructors will outline the course with timelines for all assignments and readings. Students are required to view this page by the first day of class to stay on schedule with course assignments.

Other links in Website

Instructors may include research links to assist students with further readings, or a discussion link to describe interactive group discussions required. Students are required to review all links in the website. Internet courses are archived by semester to allow students to view important course information before registering.

There are three points in any Online course that should be of major interest to the Internet student:

1. The syllabus
2. The schedule or calendar
3. Instructions of how to submit assignments

The Internet student should be aware that if you have not communicated with the instructor for two straight weeks that the instructor has the option of dropping you from the course. Communication could be simply turning in your assignments or sending an email to your instructor explaining why you are not able to turn in your assignments. Of course, this varies from instructor to instructor so just keep in touch with your instructor.

The link www.accd.edu/sac/online/html/tech.htm will provide some additional help into How to Subscribe to Newsgroups.

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Technical Support

If further help is needed on how to access the Internet courses or how to proceed through the Online course feel free to call the Internet Skills Center at (210) 785-6105 or (210) 785-6106.
Toll Free: 1-800-944-7575 ext. 6105 or ext. 6106 (for students living outside San Antonio metro area)

Students needing technical support can contact the SAC help desk at (210) 785-6330.
Toll Free: 1-800-944-7575 ext. 6330 (for students living outside San Antonio metro area)

Good Luck!

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Module Authors: Helen Torres, Director of Distance Education
Randy Thornton, Computer Lab Technician