Online Requirements for Taking an Online Course

• Make contact with your online instructor. Let them know you are registered for their course and you fully intend to complete this course.
• You are required to log into the Learning Management System (Blackboard) and post an acknowledgement of STC policies and procedures by the third day of the semester. Failure to do so can result in being No Showed from your online course(s). Online instructors may require you to perform additional tasks in order to reserve your seat in their class so be sure you understand each instructor's requirements.
• If you decide not to purchase your textbooks at the bookstore, purchase at least two weeks before classes start. You will need your books from day one.
• It is your responsibility to ensure you have access to a computer that meets the minimum hardware/software requirements to participate in an online course. (Please see your course syllabus for details.)
• Be prepared to check your STC email daily while enrolled in your online course(s).
• All online students are required to complete one proctored event (a major exam, assignment, presentation, etc.) on campus. This event will count a minimum of 20% of your grade. Students who do not complete the proctored event on the scheduled date and do not present a valid documented excuse within three business days of the scheduled event will be given a zero for the proctored event.
• Although you can use a smart phone or tablet to access your online course(s), exams, discussions, and assignments, graded activities should be performed on a personal computer. Neither Blackboard nor GVTC provide technical support for issues relating to the use of a smart phone or tablet so students are advised to not rely on these devices to take an online course.