JWU CPS New student orientation
Tips for Online Learning Success
Below is information on how students can be successful in continuing course work online and information on using ulearn.
Tips for Being Successful
- Check with your instructor.Instructors will be communicating with you about how to proceed, but be sure to ask questions if you are not clear. Communication is key to being successful in an online course. Check below for information on communication with instructors.
- Dedicate the appropriate amount of time to your studies.You may be asked to watch lectures or other videos, use documents and websites, complete assignments or exams, participate in discussions, and engage in other activities as appropriate for each course. Managing your time is critical for keeping up. Check below for information on how to complete many of these activities in ulearn.
- Check ulearn frequently.Access each course site at least four times each week to make sure you’re keeping up. Check for announcements, schedules, course content, due dates, etc.
- Take advantage of your resources.As a JWU student, you have many available support services, such as:24/7 tutoring via Smarthinking,library services,andulearn support.
Using ulearn
Instructors will be selecting the best methods for communicating with you and continuing your coursework. Instructors may use different methods depending on the nature of individual courses. The information below provides an overview of the tools you may see used in ulearn and how to use them. Some, but not all of these tools are usable on the Blackboard Student App for mobile devices. You should ensure you have access to a computer as well in order to successfully complete your online coursework.
Communication Tools
| Tool | Description | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| ulearn Announcements | Faculty may be making annoucements in ulearn to share information with you about how the course will work while it is online, due date reminders, and other important information. The content of announcements are sent to your JWU Wildcat email accounts, but you can also review them at any time within ulearn. | Click the Announcmements link in the left-hand menu of each course’s ulearn site. |
| ulearn Mail | You can send email to your instructor and/or other students in your class directly from ulearn. The email message is sent to each person’s JWU Wildcat email. | User Guide: Send email |
| Wildcat Mail | You can send email to your instructor from your JWU Wildcat email | Wildcat Email |
| Blackboard Collaborate | Blackboard Collaborate is a web conferencing platform that allows for real-time communication between instructors and students. Instructors may schedule live meetings or office hours with students. Meetings can be recorded, so you can listen and watch later if you can’t attend the live meeting. Check in ulearn for announcements from your instructor about any planned Collaborate meetings. | User guides: Quickstart Guide for Students Join a Session from Android Device Join a Session from Apple Device Join a Session from a Computer Access Session Recordings |
| Zoom | Zoom is a web conferencing tool with video and audio for live meetings. Sessions can be recorded. Your instructor will let you know if he or she will be using Zoom. | Instructors will provide a link and/or phone number for you to connect to a Zoom meeting. |
Completing Coursework in ulearn
| Tool | Description | Additional Information |
|---|---|---|
| Course Content | Instructors may use a variety of ways to share course content with you. They may upload documents, add links to websites, link to existing videos, or they may post their own video recordings. Most of these content methods are easy for you to use. Check your course’s ulearn site to see what the instructor has posted. If you have questions, reach out to your instructor. | User guide: Opening a File Attachment |
| Assignments | Instructors may ask you to complete the planned assignments for your class and submit them via ulearn. Depending on the requirements of the assignment, you may be able to type your response directly into ulearn or upload a file. | User guide: Submit an Assignment |
| Turnitin Assignments | Turnitin is used for checking the originality of student work on written assignments. If you are asked to submit a Turnitin assignment, you will upload a file. You will be able to view the Originality Report. Instructors may also provide feedback via Turnitin. | User guides: Submit a Turnitin Assignment View Your Turnitin Originality Report View Instructor Feedback via Turnitin |
| Discussion Boards | Discussion boards may be used to take the place of in-class discussion. You may be asked to post a response to a question posed by your instructor and you may also be asked to respond to classmates. | User guide: Post/Reply in Discussion Forum |
| Quizzes & Tests | Quizzes and tests may be required to check your progress with learning course content. You can take most quizzes using the Blackboard App on mobile devices. | User guide: Take a Quiz or Exam |
| Journals | Journals are used for you to communicate privately with instructors regarding course content. Many journals are graded assignments. | User guide: Create a Journal Entry |
| Blogs | Blogs are personal online journals with a commenting feature so that classmates can respond to one another’s thoughts. | User guide: Create a Blog Entry |
| Wikis | Wikis allow course members to contribute to and modify one or more pages of course-related materials. | User guide: Create a Wiki Page |
| My Grades | You can view all your graded assignments using the My Grades link in the left-hand menu of each ulearn course site. Here you can also access feedback from instructors, such as comments they have written, rubrics that have been filled out, or files they have attached. | User guide: View ulearn Grades Viewing my Grades Feedback |
If you need additional assistance with ulearn, access all the ulearn user guides or contact the IT Service Desk at 401-598-4357, [emailprotected], or via the IT website.
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