What type of Distance Learning courses are offered at PVCC?
Where do I go for more information on Distance Learning at PVCC?
Where can I find course descriptions and requirements?
What are the costs of Distance Learning courses?
How can I register for Distance Learning Courses?
How can I get my textbooks?
When does class start?
I have a personal email address, do I really need to use the college email?
What will my school email address be?
What kind of computer equipment do I need?
Will I need to come to the PVCC campus?
How do I communicate with my instructor?
What if I don't have Internet at home?
When I Paste text from Microsoft Word into a discussion board or Blackboard text editor, why does it often get fouled up?
In Blackboard I am supposed to be able to open a Word document for my class, but nothing is happening - what gives?
I have registered for courses but why does Blackboard not show me as enrolled in any classes?
I can't log into Blackboard. What do I do?
I'm new to online learning. Where can I get help?
What type of Distance Learning courses are offered at PVCC?
Hybrid -In Person & Web (HY) - Hybrid is the combination of face-to-face and electronic delivery where 50-99% of the course content is electronically delivered. The electronic delivery can be either asynchronous or synchronous.
WWW Online (WW) - Instruction for these courses is online using the Internet. Most courses are taught using Blackboard, but may also include the World Wide Web, PowerPoint, special software, listservs and email.
Where do I go for more information on Distance Learning at PVCC?
For technical information about distance learning at PVCC, please contact The PVCC Training Center at 434.961.5316.
For details on academic programs please contact the PVCC Admissions & Advising Center at 434.961.6551 or admissions@pvcc.edu.
Where can I find course descriptions and requirements?
The course descriptions and prerequisites are listed in the PVCC Class Schedule.
What are the costs of Distance Learning courses?
Distance Learning tuition fees are the same as those for on-campus courses. Tuition & Fees.
How can I register for Distance Learning Courses?
Registration procedures for Distance Learning courses are the same as procedures for on-campus courses. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at 434.961.6551. Detailed Application & Registration Instructions.
How can I get my textbooks?
You may purchase your textbooks at the PVCC bookstore.
When does class start?
An online course starts the same date as other PVCC scheduled courses.
It is the student's responsibility to initiate participation in each online class by contacting the professor. The student should complete the online orientation, then find Username and Set Password at MyPVCC and finally log in to Blackboard, go to their course site and contact the professor either through email or whichever preferred method of communication is specified in the course syllabus or announcements. Students will wish to include the following information:
- Full name
- VCCS Email address (check spelling)
I have a personal email address, do I really need to use the college email?
Yes, all faculty and staff are required by Virginia State regulations to only respond to requests for official information (this includes grades and academic progress) if sent through email supplied by the Virginia Community College System.
What will my school email address be?
Your VCCS email will consist of your username@email.vccs.edu.
What kind of computer equipment do I need?
See the minimum Technical Requirements
Will I need to come to the PVCC campus?
Occasionally, you may also need to take proctored exams in the PVCC Learning Center or in another approved proctored testing site. See your course syllabus.
How do I communicate with my instructor?
There are many methods of communication available, depending on the course you are taking. Most instructors encourage communication via Discussion Boards, virtual office hours through virtual chat, email and phone. Please review your course syllabus for preferred methods of communication.
What if I don't have Internet at home?
Online students must be proficient users of the World Wide Web and email and must provide their own reliable, regular access to the Internet (they may use PVCC open computer labs).
When I Paste text from Microsoft Word into a discussion board or Blackboard text editor, why does it often get fouled up?
MS Office 2007 documents are created in a web-like language called XML. You do not SEE this, because the office applications are interpreting it, but it is there. Blackboard will try to execute this code, but often not all copies over so it doesn't work well. One quick fix is to use the Validate Markup button on the bottom right of the text editor tool bar. This looks like a green checkmark set between greater than/less than signs. This will fix most issues behind the scenes.
In Blackboard I am supposed to be able to open a Word document for my class, but nothing is happening - what gives?
If you are using Internet explorer, you are encountering one of its built in security functions. If you look near the top of your screen you should see an information bar telling you the file had been blocked and asking you to click on the bar to continue to open the file.
To stop the information bar from blocking file and software downloads:
- Open Internet Explorer.
- Click the Tools button and then click Internet Options.
- Click the Security tab and then click Custom level.
Then Do the following:
- To turn off the Information bar for file downloads, scroll to the Downloads section of the list and then, under Automatic prompting for file downloads, click Enable.
- Click OK, click Yes to confirm that you want to make the change and then click OK again.
If you do not have access to change your browser security settings in Internet Explorer (as many corporate users may not), you will need to use an alternate browser to avoid this issue. Firefox 3.51 is recommended.
I have registered for courses but why does Blackboard not show me as enrolled in any classes?
New enrollments are processed nightly. You should show current semester classes in your Blackboard Learn tab within 24 hours of registration. Coming semester classes, however, will not appear until the first day of the semester unless the instructor makes the class available early.
I can't log into Blackboard. What do I do?
First, contact your instructor and make sure that you are enrolled in the course. They may also be able to resolve username and/or password problems. You may also contact the Blackboard System Administrator at bbsupport@pvcc.edu or call 434.961.5316. *Note: All Blackboard accounts are created overnight by the VCCS within 24 hours of initial student registration.
I'm new to online learning. Where can I get help?
Is Distance Learning Right for me? www.pvcc.edu/distance_learning/self_evaluation.htm
Characteristics That Help to Ensure Success & Study Tips www.pvcc.edu/distance_learning/self_evaluation_study_tips.php
Computer Literacy & Hardware/Software Requirements www.pvcc.edu/distance_learning/technical_requirements.php
Distance Learning & Blackboard Tutorial www.pvcc.edu/distance_learning/orientation/index.php
Distance Learning main: www.pvcc.edu/distance_learning/registration_information.php
