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Information About RCTC Online

Students taking Internet courses complete weekly assignments at their own computers and communicate with their instructor by electronic mail and by using Desire2Learn. Students complete assignments, take tests, and complete all other coursework just as they would in an on-campus class.

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Online Programs Offerings
• Prerequisite
• Course Delivery
• Minimum System/Browser Requirement

Online Program Offerings

• Administrative Assistant - Certificate, Diploma, AS, & AAS
• Administrative Assistant Refresher - Certificate
• Coding Specialist - Certificate
• Customer Service Administrative Specialist - Certificate & Diploma
• Digital Arts: Web Design and Development - AS Degree
• Digital Arts: Computer Graphics - Certificate
• Health Care Informatics - Certificate
• Health Information Technology (HIT) - AAS Degree
• Medical Secretary - AS & AAS Degree
• Medical Transcription - Diploma & Certificate
• Software Application Specialist - Certificate

Students that have never taken an online class using Desire2Learn, are required to take a short course that introduces them to that learning environment. Read below to learn about this prerequisite.

Prerequisite

All online students will need to fulfill the prerequisite course BTEC 1001 - Orientation to Online Learning & Computing or take the D2L Online Tutorial

BTEC 1001
This 1 credit Pass/Fail course is centered on student readiness and success. It will allow students to discover the technical and learning skills and strategies required for successful online learning. Individuals with previous online experience can complete the requirement through Credit By Exam or with the Instructor's permission. Take note that this class does not measure your computer knowledge, but rather teaches you the basics of using Desire2Learn.

D2L Online Tutorial
This D2L Online Tutorial will help students develop skills that are needed to be successful in online classes at RCTC. This tutorial must be completed before you start your online classes and you must print out a certificate of completion at the end of the tutorial.

Here is how you get started with the D2L Online Tutorial:

1. Log into your Desire2Learn (D2L) account. This can be found at http://rctc.ims.mnscu.edu or with links on the RCTC website under Enrolled Students. Only registered RCTC students can access this tutorial.
2. On the D2L home page, select the Self Registration link found in the top yellow navigation bar.
3. Select the D2L Online Tutorial link for the current term (for example, Fall 07).
4. Select the Register button on the bottom right of the form. Complete the required fields for name, e-mail address and course name (for this field, use “D2L Online Tutorial”).Select the Submit button to complete registration.
5. On the D2L My Home page, navigate to the D2L folder under My RCTC Courses.
6. Select the "+" to the left of D2L and the current term (for example, Fall 07) to show the course link.
7. Select the "D2L Online Tutorial" link to enter the tutorial site.
8. Read the News item regarding tutorial information and instructions, and proceed to the Content link in the tan navigation bar.

Any technical questions should be directed to the Educational Technology department:

• missy.hagen@roch.edu - (507) 529-6126
• steve.higgins@roch.edu - (507) 285-7173

NOTE: Some courses DO NOT use Desire2Learn, therefore DO NOT require you to take this course. Please check the "More Info" screen when registering for class to see if there are any other instructions.

Course Delivery

Desire2Learn is a way to deliver interactive courses or course components over the Web at RCTC. It provides students with static content (e.g. syllabi, schedules, announcements, and lecture notes) as well as access to interactive tools (e.g. discussions, whiteboard, chat) Students may connect to their class from anywhere they have computer access. The secure environment allows students and instructors to communicate and exchange course materials and grades.

Quick Start Guide (pdf) Tool Guides (downloadable pdf files) Preference Settings Content Discussions Drop-box Class list Quizzes Grades Personal Homepage Pager

Tool Use (video tutorials) Using the Class list Using the Drop-box Using the Locker Posting a message in Discussion area Replying to a message in Discussion area Creating a Homepage

Minimum System/Browser Requirements

In order to have efficient use of the D2L system, your computer must meet some minimum specifications. The entries in bold are recommended configurations. If you are not sure of your computer's capabilities or configurations, please consult your local computer service outlet.

Please keep in mind these important points:

1. If your computer is more than 3 years old, it might not be able to efficiently run the programs required for your online class.
2. Online courses require substantial writing and word-processing skills. If you are not comfortable with using Microsoft Word (or a word-processor that can save in a Word format), then you might wish to improve your basic computer skills.
3. Courses in D2L may require media (audio, video, simulations, animations). You might need broadband (DSL or cable-modem) Internet access for these course materials.

Component	Windows	Mac
Internet Browser (Windows)	Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher Mozilla.Com Firefox 1.5 or higher	Mozilla.Com Firefox 1.5 or higher Apple Safari  is NOT supported
Operating System	Microsoft Windows XP or Microsoft Vista Microsoft Windows 98 or higher	Mac OS X Mac OS9 or OSX
System Memory	1GB (Vista) 512 MB or higher (XP, Me, NT, 2000)	512MB or higher (OS X)
Internet Connection	Broadband DSL or Cable-Modem strongly recommended 56kbs dial-up modem - may work for some classes	Broadband DSL or Cable-Modem strongly recommended 56kbs dial-up modem - may work for some classes
Audio	Sound Card and Speakers Also Recommended: Computer headphones with microphone	Sound Card and Speakers Also Recommended: Computer headphones with microphone
Video	SVGA or XVGA monitor capable of displaying 800x600 resolution in thousands of colors	SVGA or XVGA monitor capable of displaying 800x600 resolution in thousands of colors
Software	Microsoft Word (Office Suite available in Bookstore for around $8 - includes PowerPoint and Excel) or OpenOffice.Org Writer You need to make sure your files are compatible with your instructor's computer - If you have Office 2003 - here is a converter to open up document that have been saved in Office 2007: Compatibility pack for 2007 formats If you have Office 2007, you may need to save your documents in the 2003 format. Use the menus choices: FILE>SAVE AS>SAVE AS TYPE: Word 97-2003 Document	Microsoft Word - (Office Suite available in Bookstore for around $8 - includes PowerPoint and Excel) or OpenOffice.Org Writer You need to make sure your files are compatible with your instructor's computer If you have Office 2003 - here is a converter to open up document that have been saved in Office 2007: Compatibility pack for 2007 formats If you have Office 2007, you may need to save your documents in the 2003 format. Use the menus choices: FILE>SAVE AS>SAVE AS TYPE: Word 97-2003 Document
JavaScript	Enabled Download the Java Runtime Environment and find section "Java Software for your Browser"	Enabled Download the Java Runtime Environment and find section "Java Software for your Browser"
Cookies	Enabled Internet Explorer, choose TOOLS > INTERNET OPTIONS > PRIVACY and set the slider to MEDIUM. Netscape Navigator, choose TOOLS > OPTIONS > PRIVACY and in the section for Cookies, check-mark both [X] Accept Cookies From Sites, [X] For the Originating Site Only, and then also choose KEEP UNTIL: I CLOSE NAVIGATOR.	Enabled Netscape Navigator, choose TOOLS > OPTIONS > PRIVACY and in the section for Cookies, check-mark both [X] Accept Cookies From Sites, [X] For the Originating Site Only, and then also choose KEEP UNTIL: I CLOSE NAVIGATOR.
Popup Blocker	set "Popup Blocker > Allowed Sites" to include: mnscu.edu sctc.edu d2l.custhelp.com Internet Explorer, choose TOOLS > POPUP BLOCKER > POPUP BLOCKER SETTINGS and then enter each address above separately (enter the site, then press ADD, then repeat for other sites).	set "Popup Blocker > Allowed Sites" to include: mnscu.edu sctc.edu d2l.custhelp.com Netscape Navigator, choose TOOLS > OPTIONS > CONTENT and check-mark the option [X] Block Pop-Up Windows, and then press the associated EXCEPTIONS button to include the addresses above

 

 

Updated: December 6, 2010