- What do I need to do to take a distance education (DE) course?
- Do I need to come to campus for any of my DE courses?
- Are all DE courses online?
- Do I need books for DE courses? If so, how do I know what is required and where I can purchase them?
- When can I access my materials and start the course?
- Who is my instructor and how do I contact him/her?
- Where do I submit assignments and take tests?
- When will my instructor grade my work?
- How do I get my grades?
- If I received media for my course, where do I return it at the end of the semester?
- How do I get help with Blackboard?
- Where do I find my Blackboard account information? What if my Blackboard account isn’t accessible or doesn’t work?
| Q. | What do I need to do to take a distance education course? |
| A. | Register as you would for any other course offered through NRCC. You must be registered and have paid tuition to pick up or access any DE materials. |
| Q. | Do I need to come to campus for any of my DE courses? |
| A. | Some DE courses (print and online) may require trips to campus. On-campus requirements are noted in the class schedule and more specifically in the course syllabus. |
| Q. | Are all DE courses online? |
| A. | Most courses are online but some courses are still offered in print-based format. |
| Q. | Do I need books for DE courses? If so, how do I know what is required and where I can purchase them? |
| A. | It is rare that a course does not require a textbook. Before classes begin, you can visit the Virtual Bookstore at www.nr.edu/bookstore to determine books needed for your classes. Once classes start, your course plan will list books and materials required. Check the bookstore Website for business hours. Books can be purchased on campus or through the Virtual Bookstore Website. |
| Q. | When can I access my materials and start the course? |
| A. | On or after the first day of classes, visit Blackboard (http://learn.vccs.edu) to access course materials. Courses and course materials are not available until classes have started. |
| Q. | Who is my instructor and how do I contact him/her? |
| A. | Instructor information for online courses is listed in Blackboard and also included in the course plan. Print-based courses include instructor information in the course plan. |
| Q. | Where do I submit assignments and take tests? |
| A. | Refer to your course syllabus for assignment submission and testing guidelines. Assignments for print-based courses can be turned in at either of our two testing centers: Martin Hall on campus or NRCC’s NRV Mall site in Christiansburg. Online courses usually require electronic submission through Blackboard. Tests for print-based courses and some online courses can be completed at either of our two testing centers or through an approved proctor if you live outside the college’s service region. Proctors must be approved at the beginning of each semester. The proctor request form can be accessed at: http://www.nr.edu/de/proctoring.php |
| Q. | When will my instructor grade my work? |
| A. | Grading schedules vary with each instructor. Contact your instructor if you have specific questions about your assignments and/or tests. |
| Q. | How do I get my grades? |
| A. | Grades for most courses are posted in Blackboard under My Grades; but you will need to check your course plan or with each instructor if you have questions about grades during the semester. Final grades are accessible online through the SIS (PeopleSoft) system. |
| Q. | If I received media for my course, where do I return it at the end of the semester? |
| A. | Media may be returned in person to the circulation desk at the Library in Martin Hall. If you need to return your media by mail, use the following address: (UPS, FedEx, etc.) (US Postal Service) New River Community College New River Community College Attention Diane Viers Attention Diane Viers 5251 College Drive P.O. Box 1127 Dublin, VA 24084 Dublin, VA 24084 |
| Q. | How do I get help with Blackboard? |
| A. |
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| Q. | Where do I find my Blackboard account information? What if my Blackboard account isn’t accessible or doesn’t work? |
| A. | Access http://my.vccs.edu to look up your username and set your password. If you are having login and password problems, contact the NRCC Help Desk at nr4help@nr.edu or phone (540) 674-3600, ext. 4400. If your course is not showing in Blackboard, contact the DE Office
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