Preparing for Online Learning
Online learning involves regular use of technology to access course content, communicate with others, and complete assessments. All MATC students must have regular access to a laptop or desktop computer to complete course-work. Refer to these basic guidelines when preparing for online learning.
What Should You Do First?
Once you are registered in an online course, access the Online Readiness Module to ensure that you can log into MATC applications, become familiar with your course's required materials, and identify how to access support resources for online students.
What Technology Should You Have?
Computers & Mobile Devices
MATC Libraries will have Chromebooks available for currently enrolled students to check out over the semester starting January 30, 2023; see their FAQ here for instructions. For on-campus support, students are encouraged to use the Academic Support Centers, MATC Libraries and other campus resources. Students may use financial aid to purchase devices at the MATC Bookstore or other stores.
If you plan to use your own technology, review the Minimum Technology Requirements Guide. Your computer must use a supported operating system and web browser with a strong reliable Internet connection, provide access to your choice of file storage solution, and provide access to your choice of office productivity software. Check your web browser to ensure that it has JavaScript enabled, cookies enabled, and pop-ups from Blackboard allowed. If you experience technical difficulties, see our Guide to Troubleshooting Browser Problems.
To view supported content and interact with your class on an Apple or Android mobile device, download the Student Blackboard app. However, please be aware that not all types of course content or assessments may be accessed through the app.
Software
You should have access to word processing software to create and edit documents. See the Software & Plugins page for helpful information about accessing applications commonly used by online students. Your instructors will advise you of additional software requirements as it relates to coursework.
Wi-Fi
Be aware of your computer's Internet connectivity. If you do not have stable reliable internet access off-campus, see the Internet Resources for Wisconsin Residents during Public Health Emergency .
Technical problems sometimes occur when using Wi-Fi due to changes in signal strength or dropped network availability. If you plan on taking a test or completing other high-stakes activities online, we recommend using an Ethernet cable to connect your computer to the Internet for a more continuous and strong connection.
What Skills Should You Have?
Computer Skills
Online learning will require you to know the basics of navigating a computer, managing files, using a word processing program, sending email, and surfing the internet. If you are uncertain of your computer skills, check out the Basic Computer Skills page for helpful self-paced tutorials.
Study Skills
Successful online students know how to select simple and effective study strategies to support their learning. Some excellent tools for notetaking include Google Docs and Evernote. For self-quizzing, we recommend the online flashcard tool Quizlet. Tools for creating graphic organizers or mindmaps include Google Slides, bubble.us, and Popplet.
Time Management and Procrastination Avoidance Skills
Learning online requires good time management skills. Watch the following videos to learn techniques to manage your time more effectively to support your well-being and success as a college student.
How Often Should You Attend an Online Class?
Regular class attendance is among the best predictors of successful course completion. MATC takes attendance for all students. If you take an online, virtual, or blended course, make sure that you are logging into the course to complete weekly activities. Your completion of weekly activities counts as your attendance!
A good rule of thumb is to log into your course several times a week to review communications, access content, complete assessments, and participate in activities. Stay aware of any due dates and guidelines defined in your course's syllabus to guide your participation.
How Should You Prepare Files?
When using software programs, such a Microsoft Word or Google Docs, to compose documents, we recommend the following best practices to ensure that you can successfully share files with your instructors.
File Extensions - Blackboard expects PC-style file-type extensions in order to process documents correctly. Please be sure that any files that you intend to upload into Blackboard have a file extension assigned to it. Some common ones include:
.doc, .docx - Used for Microsoft Word documents
.xls, .xlsx - Used for Microsoft Excel spreadsheets
.ppt, .pptx - Used for Microsoft PowerPoint presentations
.pdf - Used for Adobe PDF documents
File Naming Rules - File names must not contain blank spaces or special characters and must be under 72-characters in length.
File Size Limitations - Files cannot exceed 250 MB in size! If your file exceeds this file size limit, Blackboard will not accept your file. If your file is larger than 250 MB, please compress your file to reduce its size.
Submitting Google Docs - If you are using Google Docs and your instructor requires you to submit a hard file, download the Google Doc as a .DOCX or .PDF file. You can then submit the downloaded file to your instructor in Blackboard. This ensures that your instructor can view and grade the document using Blackboard tools.
If you are new to creating and managing files, please review the following tutorials