Distance Education Department
About Internet Classes
What are Internet courses?
Answer:
JSCC provides Internet courses that are conducted online by a JSCC faculty
member using the online course delivery program Blackboard. You can
access your Internet classes anywhere an Internet connection is available.
Online access to your class is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Depending on the course, instructors may require some on campus time for
orientation, presentations, assignments or testing. Check the Class
Schedule for any specific time requirements.
What is the purpose of JSCC Online Courses?
Answer:
JSCC's goal is to provide flexible learning opportunities tailored to meet
the needs of students who are balancing education with jobs and family as
well as for anyone who may have difficulty accessing the campus for a
variety of reasons including childcare, transportation, and physical
disabilities .
What are the advantages of taking a JSCC Online Course?
Answer:
- Online courses allow a more flexible schedule.
- Students may review online lessons more than once.
- There is little or no commuting time, expense, traffic, or parking.
- Students can email the instructor as questions arise.
- Students are usually able to take more time to think about and
compose meaningful responses to discussions.
-
How do I know if I should take a JSCC Online Course?
Answer:
Online courses may be more convenient than having to go to a campus to take
classes; however, they are not any easier and they require just as much
study time. Additionally, you'll be learning on your own. No one will be
around to remind you to take part in online discussions, to hand in
assignments on time, or to study for a test instead of going out with your
family or friends.
You may want to ask yourself the following questions to help determine if
online courses are a good fit for your learning preferences, study habits,
and lifestyle.
- Are you self-motivated?
- Do you possess a high level of self-discipline?
- Do you enjoy working independently with minimal supervision and
social contact?
- Are you comfortable using Microsoft Word? Do you know how to create,
save, and attach files? Do you know how to open attached files?
- Can you follow written directions easily?
- Do you have convenient access to a computer with an Internet
connection, a browser, and Microsoft Word?
How much time is involved?
Answer:
While JSCC Online courses allow a more flexible schedule it does not mean
less time is required versus an on campus traditional course. Online
courses are comparable with traditional classes in that the instructor will
cover the same material, assignments, and tests.
Do I need to speak to a special advisor for JSCC Online courses?
Answer:
You may use any of the advisors in Enrollment Services.
Who is the instructor and should I contact the instructor before
registering?
Answer:
Consult the Class Schedule for the instructor listing of JSCC Online
courses. If you have questions concerning the course, you may contact
the instructor. If the instructor's contact information is not
available in the Class Schedule, you may contact the department for the
instructor's name and contact information.
What are the technology requirements?
Answer:
Blackboard is JSCC's online course system for delivering online education.
Students must have convenient access to a computer with a reliable Internet
account. (Note: Computer labs are available on campus for student use in LWH
204, RSH 206, RC 120, and the Shelby-Hoover Campus LRC.)
I do
not have Microsoft Word. Can I still take English without buying new software?
Answer:
Check with your instructor. You may be able to use another application
and save work/assignments in another format (i.e. rich text format/rtf).
Microsoft offers a version of MS Office for students and teachers that
includes Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, priced at around $149.
Is there any available information or orientation for students about
Blackboard? How do I get started?
Answer:
Refer to
Blackboard Help.
I am having problems with my course. "What should I do?
Answer:
Refer to
Blackboard Help.
In Blackboard, there is also online help through the Blackboard login
portal. Select the "Help" link (in the upper right side of the screen) to
view online documentation.
If you are having problems with an assignment, discussion board, or tests
you will need to contact your instructor.
Jefferson State provides Internet connections in the Computer Labs
located on Campus:
- The open lab is RC 110 (Jefferson Campus) and GSB Library (Shelby
Campus). The instructional labs used for lab classes are RC 115, 120,
122, and 124 (Jefferson Campus) and HSB 451 (Shelby-Hoover Campus).
Before using an instructional lab, check the lab hours posted outside
the door to make sure a class is not meeting in the lab.
- Campus Lab Hours: Open lab hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-9 p.m.,
Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m., and Saturday hours vary each term (see sign posted
outside the lab). Instructional labs are usually open between 2 p.m. and
5 p.m. Labs will be closed on all holidays for which the college is
closed. Labs close on the last day of regular classes for the semester.
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Learning Success Center.
If the technical difficulty is with the Jefferson State server or
software, usually any such problems are resolved very quickly, but should an
extended problem occur, you may need to email your instructor from your
regular email account if Blackboard is not available.
How will I submit my work?
Answer:
Policies on how work is submitted may vary slightly from instructor to
instructor, so checking the instructor's policies and/or syllabus is always
a first step. If you need to know this information before you
register, however, you may need to contact the instructor. Generally,
an area is provided online where you can submit work. If you are in an
English class, for example, the assignments area allows you to submit your
writing assignments as a file attachment.
How do I take tests?
Answer:
Some courses have online tests in Blackboard while others require on-campus
exams. Instructors may have different requirements for administering
quizzes or tests. Review the information in the printed version of the
class schedule concerning these requirements.
Do I have to come on campus for tests?
Answer:
The number of on-campus visits required depends on the instructor.
Some instructors require one or more tests to be taken on campus.
Other instructors allow tests to be taken online. These are usually
timed tests that are only available for a certain time period. You
will need to either contact the instructor or check the instructor's
policies and/or syllabus to confirm how the instructor handles tests .
Is online tutoring available?
Answer:
Online tutoring is provided by
Smarthinking ( for all JSCC students enrolled in English and math
courses.
Will I be required to use the library?
Answer:
Instructors may have different requirements for using the library. For more
information on library hours, go to:
Library http://www.avl.lib.al.us/). The Alabama Virtual Library
provides all students, teachers, and citizens of the State of Alabama with
online access to essential library and information resources. Students may
obtain an AVL library card with username and password from the libraries on
campus or from their local public libraries.
How do I check my grades?
Answer:
Instructors may use Blackboard to post grades on work in the class,
assignments, and tests. Currently, you can view "Final" grades for the
entire course through Banner.
Will I get to interact with other online students?
Answer:
Instructors may use Blackboard to encourage online communication using the
Discussion Board and Chat.
How do Labs work?
Answer:
Some courses include lab assignments. Instructors often use a
combination of virtual labs, at-home lab kits, and on-campus labs/clinicals
on location. Contact the instructor for more information.
Who do I contact for help?
Answer:
For information concerning registration, contact Enrollment Services (help@jeffstateonline.com)
or call 205-856-7704 (toll free 1-800-239-5900, extension 7704). You may
also leave a message on the evening voice mail (205-856-7775) after normal
business hours. All questions during normal business hours will
receive a response within 24 hours.
For Technical Assistance with Blackboard, email
webcthelp@jeffstateonline.com or call 205-856-8537.