Starting a new online courses can be very challenging. Follow these steps to start off in the right direction to making your experience in online learning a success. Since you are reading this page, you have already read through the introduction/welcome page. If you have not, please return to the Welcome section of Blackboard and read the introduction before proceeding.

Course Syllabus

Let's start by reviewing the syllabus. The syllabus can be reviewed in the Syllabus section of Blackboard. After you have completed your review of the syllabus, click on the Surveys button and complete the quick survey on the CIS102 Course Syllabus. Your completion of this survey will serve as acknowledgement that you have read and reviewed the course syllabus for CIS102.

Communication

Welcome back! Now that you have read and reviewed the course syllabus, let's work on communication. Blackboard is the main delivery system for this course so it is vital each student has a current and correct email address in the Blackboard system. The next task in this section is to update your email address in Blackboard.

To complete this, following these steps:

1. Click on the My Institution tab in Blackboard
2. Click on Personal Information
3. Click Edit Personal Information
4. Ensure there is a current and correct email address entered in the email block
5. Click Submit, then OK

Pre-Course Assessment

Now that you have updated your email address, it is time to move onto the pre-course assessment. This assessment gives the instructor information on the students' level of knowledge entering the course. Students are not graded on their results, but are awarded 10 points for completing the assessment.

Click on the Surveys section in Blackboard and complete the Pre-Course Survey to the best of your ability. Do not look up or research the answers.

E-mail confirmation to instructor

Congratulations on successfully completing all of the getting started tasks. Just send an email confirmation to your instructor; rachelle.hall@gcmail.maricopa.edu by copying the below questions and pasting them in your email application and answering them. Be sure to include your name and course in the subject line.

1. Have you reviewed the course syllabus and completed the syllabus survey?
2. Have you included a current and accurate email address in Blackboard?
3. Have you taken the pre-course assessment?
4. Are you an employee of the Maricopa College System or a student worker?

After you have sent the confirmation email, you are ready to start work. Proceed to the Assignments section of Blackboard to begin.