Tyler Junior College
Distance Education Student Orientation

Introduction

Keyboard Welcome to the orientation for TJC distance education students. Read this information carefully. It will help you learn what you need to be successful in your online courses.

Important: This orientation does not replace the course-specific orientation in your online course.

Topics Covered

Here's what you will learn:

How to know if you are ready to take a distance education course
How to find your course orientation meeting date and time
How to access your online course
How to use Apache Online (the online course management system where your course is located)
What computer hardware and software capabilities are required
What technical skills are required for most Internet classes
How to obtain technical support
Where to access the Internet on campus
What student services are available to you
What are the generally accepted rules of behavior in an Internet class
What is the TJC Student Code of Conduct
How to find information about accommodations for students with disabilities

If You Have Questions

If you have any questions, contact your instructor or the TJC Distance Education department. You can find contact information on the TJC Distance Education Web site.

To continue, click the next page link at the bottom of this page or the Next link at the top of the page.

Are You READI for a Distance Education Course?

Try out READI, our distance education readiness assessment, and check to see if you are ready for a distance education course.

What Information Does READI Include?

This assessment will give you detailed information about:

Your readiness to begin an online or hybrid course.
Your learning style, or how you learn. Knowing your learning style or styles can enable you to adapt your study strategies to your learning style.
Your technical skills as they apply to taking a distance class. Don't worry if you lack some technical skills; we have tutorials to help you get your skills where they need to be.

How Do I Begin the READI Assessment?

To begin the assessment, click the READI logo below, and type the user name and password exactly as shown here. Your results will be emailed to you.

User name: tjc
Password: student

Getting Started with Your Course

How to Find Your Course Orientation Meeting Date and Time

Compass See the course orientation schedule to find out when the orientation for your course takes place.

How to Access Your Online Courses

You will access your online courses through Apache Access.

Read these instructions on how to log on to Apache Access and open your online courses.

How to Use Apache Online

You will access the information and activities in your online course through Apache Online, TJC's learning management system for online courses. Complete the Apache Online tutorials so that you will know how to use the system effectively.

We are working hard to make our courses as user-friendly as possible and want Apache Online to help you in your education.

What Are the Computer and Software Requirements for a Distance Course?

Hardware and Software Requirements You have access to computers and the necessary software for your online courses in the college's open lab facilities. But to get the most advantage from a distance course, you will need your own computer and software. That way, you'll have the most flexibility in the time and location for doing your course work.

The costs to purchase all software for your courses may range from $0 to $200. Check with individual departments for additional details.

Minimum Hardware Requirements

Pentium II or better processor with at least 64 MB of RAM
Windows 2000 or above operating system (preferably Windows XP) or Mac OS 10.2 or higher
At least dial-up Internet access (cable or DSL connection preferred)

Browser Requirements

Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
Firefox 1.5 or higher
Safari 2 or higher

Learn more about which browsers are supported and how to check your browser in Apache Online. If you're using Firefox, the browser check will inform you that you're using a non-validated or unsupported browser. But if that's the only error detected, Apache Online will work just fine in Firefox 1.5 or higher.

Tip: Be sure to turn off all pop-up blockers when using Apache Online. You may have pop-up blockers in your browser and in search toolbars such as Google and Yahoo.

Course-Specific Requirements

Course	Requirements
BCIS 1301 BCIS 1405 ITSC 1309 ITSW 1301 ITSW 1304 POFI 2340	Microsoft Office 2007 Professional
English	Word processing program
Math	Minimum 75 MHz Pentium with 1,000 MB uncompressed hard drive space and CD-ROM
ITSE 1401	Microsoft Expression Web

What Technical Skills Are Required for Most Internet Classes?

For most Internet classes, you will need to have the following computer and Internet skills before you begin the class.

Skill Needed	Why?
Send email, open an email attachment, and send an email attachment.	You will need these skills to be able to communicate effectively using Apache Online.
Use your browser to go to a web site.	You will need to know how to use a web browser such as Internet Explorer to browse the web.
Download, open, and view a file.	You will need this skill to download and read your assignments.
Upload a file to a web site.	You will need this skill to turn in assignments.
Use an Internet search engine such as Google.	You may be asked to find information on the Internet as part of a research paper or discussion group.
Open and save a file on your computer in a program such as Microsoft Word.	Much of your work will be done in programs like Microsoft Word, in which you create documents and save them.
Use folders to organize the files on your computer.	You will need to know how to create folders and delete folders and save or copy files into those folders so you can keep your work organized.
Use a word processor. (Create a simple document, save the document, and print the document.)	Most of your assignments must be submitted electronically, so you will have to do your work in a word processor (typically Microsoft Word but also Microsoft Works, WordPad, or Notepad). Check with your instructor on your course's requirements.

Getting Help on How to Do These Things

We are working on adding tutorials on how to do these tasks. We call them 15-Minute Seminars. Stay tuned for more tutorials.

What If I Need Technical Support?

Technical Support If you are having problems with your computer or with Apache Online, you can get help by contacting the TJC Help Desk.

TJC Help Desk

Student Help Desk Request Form

Or you can contact the Help Desk by phone or email:

Phone: 903-510-3269 or 903-510-2413
Email: helpdesk@tjc.edu

Where Can I Access the Internet on Campus?

You can access the Internet in several locations on campus using your own laptop computer. You can also access the Internet in the college's open computer labs.

Wireless Internet Access

The TJC campus includes several wireless hotspots where you can access the Internet using your own laptop computer. For a list of those locations, see the WIFI - Air Apache web site.

Open Computer Labs

TJC has open computer labs available to students, including the Vaughn Electronic Research Center on the second floor of the library and the Pirtle Open Computer Lab T315.

What Student Services Are Available?

Student Services The Distance Education program and Tyler Junior College as a whole are focused on your success. Our goal is to give you as much flexibility as possible in achieving your educational goals. All of the services that we offer to traditional students are also available to distance students.

To see what student services are available, go to the Student Services web site.

To find out whether tutoring services are available for the course you are enrolled in, visit the Tutoring Services web site.

You can also find helpful information on the Vaughn Library Distance Learning Services web site.

Netiquette

Network etiquette or "netiquette" includes generally accepted rules of behavior when interacting with others on the Internet (email, chat, discussion boards). Here are a few suggested rules that will help keep your interaction with others professional, positive, and productive.

	All the people in your classes are students like you. They are probably new to this too. So don't be afraid to post messages. You will learn a great deal.
	Be positive. If somebody says something you like, tell him or her, either by commenting to the whole group or by sending an individual reply. If you disagree with the person, try to do so in a constructive rather than negative way.
	Be polite. Be careful to avoid misunderstandings. Try to be polite and friendly in your postings.
	Humor is great if it is polite. Avoid comments that could offend or confuse people. Many people in your classes are from other cultures.
	Respond to a post properly. Remember: if your response is only of individual or personal interest, send a reply to the person who posted the message. (Use the Reply option.) If you think it might be of general interest, post a message to the whole group.
	Let people know what you're going to be talking about. Make sure your posting has a clear and descriptive entry on the Subject line.
	Be brief. Try to keep your messages brief, no more than 2 screens.
	Refer to another person's comments properly. It is usually a good idea to quote that person. On some systems, the Forward feature will help you do this. However, please edit out that person's header and any other irrelevant information to avoid clutter and wasted space. Under no circumstances should the quoted material be longer than your own comments!
	Make the right choice: email or discussion. If you want to speak with a classmate personally about something, send an e-mail. If you want to post something to the whole group, use the class discussion board. On the classroom discussion board, you have an audience, so think carefully about the content of your message before posting it. Also, the grammar and spelling of a message reflect on you, and your audience might not be able to decode or interpret misspelled words or poorly constructed sentences.
	Proofread your writing. Always reread your emails or discussion posts one last time before sending or posting them. If you have a particularly long email or post, you might want to use a word processor so you won't lose your work if your network connection is lost. When you've finished typing your comments in your word processor, copy them to the email or discussion window. To do this, highlight the text you want to copy in your word processor and then click on the word processor's Edit menu and select Copy. Then go to the email or discussion window, right-click in the Message window and select Paste.
	Use symbols in your messages. People often use symbols to make their points. Asterisks or capital letters can give emphasis. For example, "That was a great movie!" Or "That was a GREAT movie!" Or "That was a g-r-e-a-t movie!") You can use the "sideways" symbols to help convey your emotions: :-) (a smile) ;-) (a wink) :-( (a frown)

Student Code of Conduct

Students at Tyler Junior College assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a manner compatible with the college's function as an educational institution. Students are subject to disciplinary action according to the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct.

All students are expected to read the Student Code of Conduct and abide by the standards of expected behavior in each course.

Academic Dishonesty

Please be advised that acts of academic dishonesty are violations of the Student Code of Conduct and will be handled academically by the instructor and then referred for judicial action. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to:

1. Cheating

2. Plagiarism

3. Collusion

4. Falsifying academic records

5. Misrepresenting facts to the college or a college official

6. Any act intended to give unfair academic advantage to the student

Where to Find the Student Code of Conduct

You can find the Student Code of Conduct on the Student Judicial Programs web site at the following link: http://www.tjc.edu/studentaffairs/2007_2008_Student_Code_of_Conduct.pdf.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Information

If a student has a disability that qualifies under the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) and requires accommodations, he or she should contact the ADA Student Coordinator, Margaret Rapp, for information on appropriate policies and procedures.

Disabilities covered by ADA may include learning, psychiatric, physical disabilities, or chronic health disorders. Students can contact the ADA Student Coordinator if they are not certain whether a medical condition or disability qualifies.

Margaret Rapp's office is located on the second floor of the Roger's Student Center, and her phone number is 903-510-2878.

For more information, see the Disability Services web site.