Surviving the Online Environment Associate Adjunct Professor: Becky Villarreal The minimum requirement for students to participate in the online aspect of this course is access to a computer, the Internet, and email. If you are taking this course via distance learning, please read the links below: "Is Distance Learning for You?" Distance Learning Student Handbook The MINIMUM Technical Requirements for this Course: Internet access either via modem and phone line, cable (Roadrunner), or DSL (ATT) Access to the online environment. PC Essentials Macintosh Requirements IBM compatible 486 or better, 16 MB  RAM (or more) 28.8 or better modem Macintosh 68040 or better, including all Power PC machines 16 MB  RAM (or more) 28.8 or better modem Software Requirements and Recommendations Microsoft Word or another word processing program (Click here to buy the student discounted version of Microsoft Office 2010!) Web Browser -- (recommended) Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher Adobe Acrobat: Click here to download Adobe Acrobat. Real Player One: Click here to download. Video on Demand: Sign up here. Pop-up Blockers (recommended): Spybot and Google Toolbar Anti-Virus, Ad, and Spyware removers (try CC Cleaner). If you can't afford to buy an anti-virus program like Norton, I recommend freeware like AVG. Windows Update (recommended) Blackboard Help To get started, go to: Blackboard. If you have problems accessing some of the links in Blackboard, you may need to right click with your mouse and open up the link in a new window. Click here for instructions on right clicking using a MAC computer. Click here to learn how to right click using your keyboard. Student Help Line: 512-223-HELP Distance Learning Help: dl@austincc.edu Systems Administrator: sethw@austincc.edu Helpful Hints for Students Taking this Course Online Check email at least once a day. Check the discussion boards at least once a week. Follow the schedule and complete all work on time. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Try to do most work offline. Online readings, emails, and lectures should be printed out and saved in a binder. ACC students must log on to Blackboard every single day or a minimum of 5-6 days a week. Tutoring Services As an ACC student, you can get face to face tutoring at one of the seven main ACC campuses. Click here for lab hours and locations: http://www.austincc.edu/tutor ACC has subscribed to an innovative, online, FREE tutoring system called Smarthinking. SMARTHINKING connects students to qualified educators anytime, from any Internet connection. This service is only available for students who attend ACC. Please go to Announcements in Blackboard for more information about how to sign up. Other Helpful Links Widgets and Web Tools Online Tutorials Distance Learning Services for ACC Students Establishing a Wireless Connection at ACC Created by Becky Villarreal Austin Community College 2004