Before starting your course work for online/hybrid/live remote online classes, please complete the first THREE steps of this orientation. If you have registered a LRON (live/remote online) course, additional steps of preparation are needed. For the last step of orientation on this page, students will conduct a course evaluation three weeks before the end of a fall or spring semester.
The general overview of FOUR-STEP orientation is stated below. Click on  or the step title to start the orientation.

  Step 1 – Getting Started

In this step, students are recommended take a self-assessment test, check the college email, log on to the courses on Blackboard, verify the course CRNs, review the course beginning and ending date, configure computer, purchase textbooks, and obtain information on technical support and orientations. Courses will be shown on the Blackboard Courses page within 7 days of first day.

 Step 2 – Learning Basics

This step guides students in navigating a course and learning basic technology needed for online learning. Blackboard tutorials help students learn basic Blackboard features. Additionally, students registered MxCC current semester courses are enrolled to a Blackboard course titled as Essential Skills for Attending Courses Remotely/Online.  Before classes start, we recommend students log on to Blackboard and visit Essential Skills for Attending Courses Remotely/Online.

  Step 3 – Achieving Success

This step provides students with important tips about what they should do to ensure success with technology and receive a good grade in online classes.

 Step 4 – Evaluating Courses

About three weeks before the end of a Spring or Fall semester, students will go through this step to complete the online course evaluation. Students will access the evaluation via Blackboard. Log on to my.ctstate.edu using your NetID and password. Click on the Blackboard link and then Tools link. Click on Course Evaluation & Surveys. Click on Evaluation link next to a course. Fill out the evaluation and click on Submit. Students will need to fill out the evaluation for each course they take. The evaluation link for a current course will be disabled the night before the first day of the final exam.

First, you will navigate the Getting Started with Online Learning to get yourself well prepared before your online courses start. 

1. Navigate Your Online Course

Upon logging onto my.CTState.edu, click on the Blackboard link. You then enter Blackboard and land on the Institution Page.  Click on Courses on the left panel.  Seven days before your classes start, you will see the list of classes that you have registered. Click on your online class Title to enter the course Blackboard site.  To go to a different course, close out the current course by clicking on the X sign at the upper left corner and select a different course.  To avoid a “time out” message while you are working on Blackboard, once you are on Blackboard, you will go back to the my.ctstate.edu window and logout my.ctstate.edu.

Video - Blackboard Course Navigation

A. Entry Page
Your course entry page could be the Announcements page or a content page.  A content page is divided into two parts: the Course Menu and Main Page. The Course Menu shows the links to basic tools such as announcements, discussions, messages, syllabus, Course Content, etc. When you click on a link on the Course Menu, the Main Page displays the content of the page.

B. Class Information & Organization
It is important to click on each of the links on the Course Menu (left panel) and explore various files and tools provided by your instructor. 

Syllabus - All online courses have a syllabus that serves as your learning guidance.  On the course syllabus, pay special attention to the section titled as Evaluation, Assessment, or Grading Methods which show you what assignments are included and how much weight each of assignments is counted toward your final grade. Another section on the syllabus is Course Outline or Course Schedule. This section gives you an idea on what you are expected to do each week and when an assignment is due. You should print out the class syllabus and read it closely.

Course Content - Online courses use Folders or Learning Modules to display class files and assignments, and each of a Folder or Learning Module represents a Week, a Lesson, a Unit, or a Session. In many courses, you will see a link labeled as Course Content on the Course Menu and when you click on Course Content, you will see folders or learning modules.  When you click on a Folder or Learning Module -such as Week 1, you may see two split windows (learning module), click on a link in the left window, you will see detailed information in the right window. 

Discussions - Most online courses use Discussion Boards or Discussion Forums (bulletin board) to engage students in active participation. On the Blackboard Tutorials page, there are instructions on how to read, post, or reply a message on a Discussion board. You should draft your answers in a MS Word file.  Save a copy of your answers to your computer and then copy/paste your answers to the discussion message window.

Files - In your Blackboard course you may need to download or read a file.  If a file is not open up, you will click on the A sign icon next to the file name and select an Alternative Format to open up the file. 

Assignments - this is where you will submit a paper, a class project, or even an exam. 

Tests - Online tests may be available for students.

2. Learn Blackboard Basic Features

After you have gone through various links located on the Course Menu or a Course Content page, you may further explore various tools used in your online course such as announcement, message, discussion, tests, and assignment.  The Blackboard Tutorials provide you with the instructions on how to use various Blackboard tools.  

This step provides you with helpful tips to ensure that you will do well in your online courses.

1. Take a self-assessment test to see if you are well prepared for online learning.

SmarterMeasure test is designed for you to self-diagnose your strengths and weaknesses in online learning. Click here for info on how to take the test, how to evaluate the test result, and how to improve a weak area.

2. Get prepared before the start of class.

• Go over the first THREE steps of the Online Orientation to ensure that you are ready before your course starts.

3. Carefully read all class documents and follow the instructions closely.

• Read the announcements and welcome message from your instructor.
• Read the course syllabus, course overview, or course outlines; these documents provide an overview of the course.
• Print or download the syllabus and assignment files to your computer for references in case you are unable to access your online course due to technical problems.
• Read all course documents carefully to follow instructions for class assignments. When you have questions about a class assignment, ask your professor immediately.

4. Actively engage in your class

• Make sure you navigate all class files and submit the assignments during the first two weeks and beyond.  Per Academic Engagement Policy, you need to actively participate in class activities as soon as the class starts. If you have not submitted any work by the end of first two weeks, you will be dropped from the class and you will not be added back in.

5. Keep pace with reading and assignments.

• Visit the announcements and check messages every time when you log on. Your instructor may use announcements and messages as the major communication channel to provide you with updated class information. You must read announcements and messages from your instructor regularly.
• Follow the deadlines your instructor sets. The deadlines for assignments may be indicated in syllabus, course overview/outline, or posted on the calendar.
• Do not put assignments off till the last minute. Be proactive-submit all assignments early. By doing this you can ensure that you have time to deal with any last-minute technical issues that might arise and still meet all deadlines.
• When you have questions about the class, ask your instructor immediately.
• Do not use mobile devices (e.g. Smartphones -iPhone, Android, etc.; Tablet PCs – iPad, Samsung Galaxy, etc.) to submit any course assignments (e.g. discussions, email, assignment drop boxes, online tests, etc.) since Blackboard is not fully compatible with mobile devices. You may be able to browse information in your online courses with a mobile device.  Click here for more information about using mobile devices in Blackboard.
• Have an alternative plan to access the internet in case you have technical difficulty at home. Use a computer in MxCC college library, an MxCC computer lab, local library, or at a local school or friend/relative’s home.
• If you are unable to complete a class assignment on time due to illness, textbook problem, or family emergency, please inform your professor immediately.

6. Report and resolve technical problem promptly.

When you encounter a technical problem,

• Contact Technical Support Center with Ticket Submission or phone support (860-723-0221) at any time (24×7) x 365. You should bookmark this web site for later reference.
• If you have missed a deadline due to technical issues, you MUST notify your instructor immediately.
• Should the technical problem persist, report this to MxCC Distance Learning using one of the following methods:
  • Call (860) 343-5756
  • Email to mxccdistance@ctstate.edu
  • Stop by the Distance Learning offices in Chapman 701 B/C, college library, Middletown Campus, Office hours: M-F, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

7. Disclaimer

It is your responsibility to ensure your computer is set up correctly for accessing online class information. You must also complete all class work on time in order to satisfy the academic requirements of an online class. You are responsible for dealing with technological issues proactively so your course performance will not be affected.

8. Academic Honesty

PLAGIARISM AND CHEATING ARE PROHIBITED.  YOU MAY FACE DISCIPLINE OR DISMISSAL FOR THESE AND OTHER ACTS OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT.

At CT State Community College Middlesex, we expect the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic misconduct is prohibited in accordance with the Board of Regents Policy on Student Conduct, Part D, Section 1. This policy prohibits plagiarism, defined as the submission of work by a student for academic credit as one’s own work of authorship which contains work of another author without appropriate attribution, and all forms of cheating including not limited to: (i) use of any unauthorized assistance in taking quizzes, tests or examinations; (ii) use of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor in writing papers, preparing reports, solving problems or carrying out other assignments; (iii) the acquisition, without permission, of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the College/University faculty or staff; and (iv) engaging in any other behavior specifically prohibited by a faculty member in the course syllabus.

The Course Evaluation will become available approximately 3 -4 weeks before the final exam week until the day before the final exam. The exact dates will be announced. 

How to Access Course Evaluations
1. Logon to https://my.ctstate.edu using your NetID and password.
2. Click on “Blackboard” link.
3. Click on “Tools” in Blackboard.
4. Click on “Course Evaluation and Surveys”.
5. Next to a course you would like to evaluate, click on “Evaluate”. Answer the questions and click on “Submit”.

Need help? Don’t have computer access? Come to Chapman Hall 701 B/C – the college library. Educational Technology staff will assist you in filling out the evaluation. Please contact the Distance Learning Office at (860) 343-5756, if you have any questions.