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Free 1.800.262.2103 ext 4144 Dial
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Getting Started — Index of Topics
Logging into Blackboard (Username & Password)
Taking your first Online course? Try this self-quiz to see if you are ready.
Your Email Address: CampusConnections Email
What is Blackboard?
Blackboard is a Course Management System used by WCCC as a supplement for some traditional face-to-face courses and as the primary means of communication for online courses. It is accessed via the Internet and a browser program such as Internet Explorer for Windows and Safari for Mac.
When used as a supplement, it provides a place for your instructor to post announcements, handouts, assignments, and links to web sites of interest to the class. Some of the more advanced features include a Discussion Board, Gradebook, Groups, and Assessments. Your instructor may choose to use the basic features in Blackboard while others will make use of the more advanced ones. Check with the instructor to find out how Blackboard will be used in your course.
If you are taking an online course, Blackboard will take the place of the traditional classroom. All of your lectures, assignments, and course interaction with the instructor or other students will take place via the Internet. Most of your assessments (quizzes and exams) will take place in Blackboard. Some instructors will require that you take major exams in a proctored setting. See the section below on Proctor Tests for more information.
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Logging into Blackboard View Video
Blackboard and CampusConnections now have a common login. To access Blackboard first log in to CampusConnections at http://my.wccc.edu and then click on the Blackboard tab. Blackboard will open in a new window.
Courses will NOT be visible in Blackboard until the first day of the semester.
Login to CampusConnections. Click on the Blackboard tab. |
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Blackboard will open in a new window that looks like this. |
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If the Blackboard window does not open and your screen looks like this then there is a pop-up blocker preventing access to Blackboard. Click here for information on dealing with pop-up blockers. |
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Your Email Address: CampusConnections Email
Each student at WCCC has access to a free college email account. This service is not in Blackboard but on another web site called CampusConnections, http://my.wccc.edu. Your initial username and password for CampusConnections is the same as Blackboard. When your Blackboard account is created, the email address listed is your CampusConnections email address. Your CampusConnections email address is your username@my.wccc.edu - for example, doej@my.wccc.edu
If you need help with your CampusConnections email account call for support at 724.925.4130 or email at ccsupport@my.wccc.edu
By default, all of course email will go to your CampusConnections account. If you do not want course email to go to your CampusConnections email account, it can be changed to another email address in Blackboard. Follow these steps:
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Log in to Blackboard
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Choose Personal Information in the upper left hand corner of the welcome screen. Select Edit Personal Information.
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Change your email address in the email field
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Scroll down and click on Submit
This will affect ALL of your online courses through Blackboard. It does not deactivate your CampusConnections email account. Email from the college administration will still go to your CampusConnections account, so you should check that account on a regular basis.
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Email Etiquette
The following are some suggestions to improve communication between students and instructors.
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Include your course and name in the subject line of all emails
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Put your name in the body of the email
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Use complete sentences with appropriate capitalization and punctuation
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Run Spell Check if that function is available
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Use the Reply button when responding to an email so that the message includes the original message to you and your response
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Avoid using all capital letters because this is considered "SHOUTING"
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Give your instructor adequate time to respond
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Avoid Acronyms, not everyone knows that BTW means By The Way or TIA means Thanks In Advance
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Read your message before sending it to make sure the email includes all pertinent facts
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Watch out for similar words such as "your" & "you're" (short for "you are") and "hour" vs. "our"
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When attaching files to your email include your name, course, and assignment name IN the file
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Taking Proctored Tests
Most of your assessments (quizzes, exams, tests, etc.) will be online through Blackboard. Some WCCC online instructors, however, require that their students take major tests under supervised circumstances. Your instructor will mention this in the syllabus or post an announcement about it early on in the class. Students can take tests in person at one of the college education centers located throughout Westmoreland, Greene, and Indiana Counties. Students also have the option to identify an outside test proctor to supervise their test.
A proctor is an individual who agrees to administer tests in a suitable environment and return them to the instructor. You are responsible for making arrangements to secure a proctor for your course tests, including any costs for faxing or mailing. If you are unable to find a suitable proctor, please contact Carol Proud (1.800.262.2103 extension 4103 or proudc@wccc.edu) for assistance immediately. Proctor arrangements must be completed as soon as possible to ensure timely delivery of your tests.
Please use the Proctor Nomination Form [download here in Adobe PDF] to arrange for proctored testing. You will need to complete the top part of the form. Use one form for EACH course you are taking, even if you are using the same proctor for several courses. The proctor must complete the remainder of the form, have it notarized, and submit it to the address provided. You should supply your proctor nominee with an addressed, stamped envelope. Proctors must be identified as one of the following:
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College or university personnel: Dean, Department Chair, Registrar, Professional Staff Member of an adult/continuing education office or counseling center, Librarian, Professor, or testing center personnel.
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Public or Private School personnel: Superintendent, Principal, Guidance Counselor, Librarian, or Teacher.
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Other: Civil Service Examiner, or Librarian for city/county.
NOTE: Relatives, regardless of their positions, are not permitted to be proctors.
Please be sure that you identify any and all special testing equipment or conditions related to your course, so that the proctor is aware of allowable items. For example, you may be allowed to use a calculator as part of a test. This information must be given on the nomination form ahead of time, or the proctor will not allow you the use of additional materials. Send the completed form to the address below:
Carol Proud, LRC
Test Proctoring
Westmoreland County Community College
145 Pavilion Lane
Youngwood, PA 15697-1895
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Academic Dishonesty
WCCC holds its faculty and students to a rigorous Academic Code of Honor. Before you begin your online course work, you should read and familiarize yourself with the Academic Dishonesty Code in the Student Handbook which is contained within the College Catalog. An online version can be accessed by going to CampusConnections. Scroll down on the opening screen and look for a link with the current year Catalog.