First Steps -TCC Online

Getting Started: New and Returning Online Students

1. Review all information located under New User, Resources for Students and Blackboard.
   • Online students must be proficient users of the World Wide Web and email and must provide their own reliable, regular access to the Internet (and may use TCC open computer labs as well).
   • Online students must fulfill and adhere to all items designated as Student Responsibilities, including but not limited to, all listed technical and skill requirements, plus any additional  requirements listed on individual course sites.
   • Review the Strategies for Success to help determine whether online education fits your lifestyle and learning styles.
2. Enroll with TCC
3. Lookup your Student ID for Blackboard(Bb), Gmail and VIVA/Proxy . New Student ID's are generally not available until 24 hours after the time of registration.
   If it is past the first day of classes and has been 24 hours since you registered and you are still unable to verify your ID contact Technical Support immediately.
   For information about all TCC classes by all delivery methods, see TCC Class Schedules and TCC Course Descriptions.
4. Log in, follow instructions, and participate in your course.  It is each student's responsibility to initiate participation in every online class by signing in (logging in) through myTCC, entering Blackboard, selecting each online class from the “My Blackboard Courses” list, and following instructions.
   Each student should review all class information and requirements, including course outline or syllabus, assignments, class announcements, discussion forums, and any email messages from the instructor.  Each course may have unique requirements, so it is important for a student to examine all posted class information in Blackboard for every class.
   In general, students should log in to each course in Blackboard on the first day of class during a semester.  Most online courses follow a set schedule, with participation, assignments, and other activities revolving around specific due dates.  Throughout a semester, each student should access each course several times per week to keep up with any announcements, new assignments, or changes entered by the instructor.
   Remember that all email communications between a student and an instructor should occur through the student’s official VCCS email account (Gmail), also accessible through the myTCC login and menu.  Students should check their email 4-6 days each week – more often is better.