eLEARNING
FAQ'S
1. What should I know before I start an online course through JCJC eLearning?
2. What are the advantages and disadvantages of online courses?
3. How long do online courses last and when do they start?
4. Can I complete the courses at my own pace?
5. What type of equipment or materials will I need for an online course?
6. Do online courses through Jones eLearning require that I have a personal computer?
7. Can I use dial-up internet for online classes?
8. Can I access Blackboard by using AOL?
9. How many online courses can I take at one time?
10. What is the withdrawal policy?
11. Does Financial Aid cover online classes?
12. Do I need to come to campus for any class meetings?
13. What are proctored exams?
14. Are online classes counted differently by the school? Do they show differently on my transcript?
15. Do online courses cost more than traditional classes?
16. Do I need a textbook for online classes?
17. Is there any way to know if online classes are right for me?
18. What computer skills do I need?
19. How do I communicate with my instructor?
20. What should I do if I didn’t receive an email containing my Blackboard login information?
21. This is my first time taking an online course. How will I know what to do?
22. Can I log into my course and get started before the first day of class?
23. I have logged into Blackboard on the first day of classes, but I can’t see my course listed. What do I do?
24. It is the middle of the semester. I have logged into Blackboard and one (or more) of my courses are missing. Why?
25. My question is not listed here. Who can I contact?
What should I know before I start an online course through JCJC eLearning?
It is the student’s responsibility to know the following information before enrolling in an online course:
Admissions process and registration procedures
Academic advising procedures
How to add/drop and change courses
How to withdraw from online courses
How to access and navigate the JCPortal including class schedules
How to access and navigate Jones Microsoft Outlook Web Access Email
How to navigate the eLearning website and Jones website for information
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of online courses?
Online courses offer students complete flexibility to schedule their classes around work and family. This works well for many students; however, some students perform better in a traditional classroom.
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How long do online courses last and when do they start?
Fully online courses taught through Jones last fifteen weeks in the fall and spring and eight weeks in the summer. Normally classes begin the week after the traditional classes begin. View the MSVCC Calendar for specific dates for each semester.
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Can I complete the courses at my own pace?
Most of the courses are not self-paced. Students should read the course syllabus to obtain the layout/structure of the class.
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What type of equipment or materials will I need for an online course?
Access to the Internet
Ability to browse most web sites without difficulty
Updated version of Internet Explorer or Firefox
Textbook as listed in the Online Student Profile
Additional software as noted by the course syllabus
Recommended equipment:
Personal/Home Computer
Broadband Connection
Word Processor such as Microsoft Office Word 2003 or 2007
Adobe Reader
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Do online courses through Jones eLearning require that I have a personal computer?
No. Courses can be accessed through the Internet from any available internet-accessible computer. Most public libraries have available computers for use. Jones Junior College has internet ready computers in the Terrell Tisdale Library and the Computer Aided Learning Lab in the Academic Support Building. It should be noted that students with a personal computer have greater success in turning in assignments on time.
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Can I use dial-up internet for online classes?
While students do complete online classes using a dial-up connection, a broadband connection is highly recommended. Students will not be given extensions for their inability to download course content.
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Can I access Blackboard by using AOL?
It is recommended that students have a Broadband connection; however, if the student chooses to use AOL and the AOL browser to access their online courses, it is possible that Blackboard will be inaccessible due to a known compatibility issue. There is a solution for this problem: Students need to log in and connect to the internet using AOL, minimize the AOL browser, and open Internet Explorer or Firefox to access the Blackboard site.
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How many online courses can I take at one time?
Jones Junior College does not limit students in the number of online classes they can take in any given semester. Jones does have a student load policy as outlined in the catalog. Generally, a student can take up to 19 hours of online classes without the Dean’s approval.
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What is the withdrawal policy?
The policy for Jones online courses is the same as for traditional courses. Attendance is taken in online course. Failure to turn in assignments could result in the student’s withdrawal from the course. For more information, check the Student Handbook for specific withdrawal guidelines. Students can contact the Counseling Center located within the Administration Building to withdraw from a course.
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Does Financial Aid cover online classes?
Yes. The Financial Aid Office does not differentiate between online or traditional classes when it pertains to receiving funds.
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Do I need to come to campus for any class meetings?
No. Fully online classes do not meet on campus. Proctor exams (see below for more information) are the only times a student will need to come to a junior/community college. Note: Hybrid courses DO meet at specifically stated times listed under the Hybrid Class meeting times on the eLearning website.
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What are proctored exams?
Proctored exams are exams given at a testing center. Photo ID is required to verify the identity of the student. The purpose of proctor exams are to ensure that the student completing the coursework at home is the same as the student registered for the class. This ensures the honesty and integrity of online work. They cannot be taken at home and must be taken at a participating MSVCC testing center in Mississippi such as the one at Jones. Exceptions: out-of-state residents or military personnel stationed outside the state, who must arrange for an acceptable test site at their own expense. Contact the Office of eLearning for more information.
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Are online classes counted differently by the school? Do they show differently on my transcript?
No. Online courses count for the same amount of credit as traditional courses. They do not show any differently on a transcript. Transcripts do not indicate whether the course taken was online or traditional.
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Do online courses cost more than traditional classes?
Yes. The tuition and lab fees are the same as other courses. Additionally, there is a $30.00 fee added per online course.
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Do I need a textbook for online classes?
Yes. All online courses require a textbook. Textbook information can be printed by accessing the Online Student Profile. Students need to contact the JCJC Bookstore to purchase textbooks. Textbooks purchased from other bookstores or from online vendors are not guaranteed to be the correct edition or contain needed access codes.
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Is there any way to know if online classes are right for me?
This is a very individual question. Online classes require dedication, motivation, easy, uninterrupted access to a computer, time available to spend on the course, and the ability to work alone. Students must realize that most online classes require as much or more time than traditional classes. Students are encouraged to take the Readiness for Education At a Distance Indicator quiz to determine their readiness for online courses.
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What computer skills do I need?
Students need basic computer skills that include using e-mail and the Internet.
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How do I communicate with my instructor?
The primary way of communicating with instructors is through email. Some instructors may also be reached at their office phone during office hours.
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What should I do if I didn’t receive an email containing my Blackboard login information?
First students will need to contact the Information Technology Helpdesk at 601.477.4160 to make sure they have an email created. Sometimes it takes up to a week after enrolling for a student’s email to be created. Contact the I.T. Helpdesk for help with email logins.
***Students should still be able to log into Blackboard without an email account by using the following:
Website: http://jcjc.blackboard.com
Username: first letter first name, last name, last 4 of Student ID Number
Password: last 4 of Social Security Number
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This is my first time taking an online course. How will I know what to do?
Each class is setup differently, but all will have the same basic elements including weekly assignments and 2-3 proctor exams. When logging into the course for the first time, students should read all announcements and the course syllabus. Most instructors have instructions for the course listed in the announcements. If you have any questions at any time, email your instructor.
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Can I log into my course and get started before the first day of class?
Students will not be granted access to their courses until the first day of class. Some students may be able to log into Blackboard before this date, but they will not have access to their courses.
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I have logged into Blackboard on the first day of classes, but I can’t see my course listed. What do I do?
Be sure to click the JCJC Student tab at the top of the screen. If the course is still not listed, contact the eLearning department immediately. Don’t panic. Courses typically do not have assignments due until the weekend, so students that do not have access on the first day will still have time to complete any work. Concerned students can email their instructors to let them know that they do not have access, but have contact the eLearning office to resolve the problem.
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It is the middle of the semester. I have logged into Blackboard and one (or more) of my courses are missing. Why?
Usually this means the student has been dropped from the course due to excessive absences. Contact the instructor first to find out more information. The only way to be re-entered into the course is by contacting the instructor. The instructor will then send an email to eLearning to have you re-admitted.
If for some reason, you have not been dropped, but still cannot see the course under your course listing, contact the Office of eLearning at 601.477.5454 as soon as possible to correct this issue.
My question is not listed here. Who can I contact?
Please feel free to email us at online@jcjc.edu or call our office at 601.477.5454 Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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