MATC will end support for Collaborate Ultra after July 1, 2026. Please reach out to instuctors on available web conferencing tools to use per course.

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 Chromebook or personal computer (Windows or Mac) 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, review the following flyer and guidance to prepare for online learning with Blackboard.

Student Flyer - Blackboard Login Instructions with DUO - FALL 2026 - ALT VERSION FOR LIBRARY.pdf

What Technology Should You Have?

Computers & Mobile Devices

Blackboard is accessible through the latest versions of the Google Chrome, Firefox, and Edge web browsers. A Blackboard app is available for Android and Apple devices. See the Minimum Technology Requirements Guide, Browser Checker, and Browser Troubleshooting Guide to prepare your device.

💡 Note: Some types of course content may require access through a Windows or Mac computer or special software.

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.

Software

You should have access to word processing software to create and edit documents. See the Software & Plugins page. 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

You must 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.

Study Skills

Use simple and effective study strategies to support your learning, such as self-testing, note-taking with graphic organizers, practice & reflection, and flashcards. Studying in short blocks of time over days and weeks is more effective than cramming study in large blocks. 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.

Study Strategies to Support Learning and Memory

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?

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 by their due dates. Weekly completion of assignments 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

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