Students are responsible for finding access.  Internet access faster than dial-up is needed. There are labs at all campuses where students can locate computers with Internet access.

2. WSCC computer systems orientation.

Check the “Student Orientation webpage” (opens in a new window) to find how to log onto campus computers, access online services, activate your accounts, and access MyWS, Senators Mail, eLEARN, and the WSCC HelpDesk website.

3. Orient yourself to the course.

Check to see if there is a module of Content called “Getting Started” or “Orientation” or “Introduction to the Class.” A module in Content with these sorts of titles indicates that the module will contain important information applicable to the course as a whole. In an online course, this module may also contain assignments to complete as an orientation to the course. Your instructor will also have a set of assignments to complete to verify your attendance in the course for reporting of first day attendance. Please let your instructor know if you do not know how to complete that set of assignments.

4. Submit assignments in the file format requested.

Take note of file format requirements. Some instructors require PDF file formats for certain assignments, others require Word files, while still others require PPT. If you are not sure which assignment calls for which format, ask your instructor.

5. Submit assignments by the due dates and deadlines given in your course.

Even though online classes do not meet face to face on designated days, there are due dates and deadlines for assignments. Check dropbox, quizzes, syllabus, and discussion boards to see if there are due dates, or check the Calendar tool, or check with your instructor about due dates and deadlines for particular assignments.

6. Read the syllabus.

The syllabus and related material like the addendum is your contract with your instructor. Read the material carefully. Ask your instructor about anything on the syllabus or addendum you do not understand.

7. Purchase materials for the course.

Your instructor has chosen textbooks, web companion sites, software, and other materials for your class that may be available in the bookstore. Details regarding these materials as well as instructions on how to purchase them can be found in the course syllabus and/or eLEARN. You are expected to purchase these materials within the first week of class in order to be prepared and keep up with assignments (Note: many courtesy access options for online materials end after the first two weeks of the course). If for some reason you cannot obtain all materials within the first two weeks of the course, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor immediately to notify him or her of your inability to acquire the materials. You will not be excused from assignments or given extensions due to your delay in acquiring materials.

8. Email your instructor.

Communication in classrooms assists students and faculty in understanding the content, processes, and procedures in the class. Communication is especially important in an online course. Email your instructor if you do not understand. Email your instructor if you have a problem. Email your instructor if you are sick or unable to accomplish the work of the course. Email your instructor if you have any questions at all. Do not sit and wait. Email as soon as possible. If you do not hear from your instructor within a week, contact the division's Executive Aide. This information should be located on the syllabus. If you go to “email” and then “settings,” you will be able to create an electronic signature that will help you and your instructor communicate effectively.

You should check and READ your eLEARN email at least three times a week. If your instructor emails you weekly assignments, use it to guide you through the material. 

9. Email and mobile phone notifications.

From Notifications, you can have automatic notifications sent to an email account or to your mobile phone. Items for notification include new News items posted, new grades posted, updates to Content pages, due date reminders for Dropboxes and Quizzes, and other information about the course.

10. Attend class.

Students attend online class by clicking into class and completing assignments. If you don’t click into class and complete assignments online, you are not attending class. If you are not attending class, you are not learning. Check with your instructor about how frequently he or she expects you to check into class.

11. Academic Dishonesty is not acceptable.

Copying others’ work, plagiarism, cheating on tests, and having others do your work are various forms of academic dishonesty. Walters State’s policy on academic dishonesty prohibits these acts. Check the syllabus in your course for possible consequences of violating this policy.

12. Avoid “recycling” work from previous courses.

If you have projects, papers, and other written work from previous courses, do not submit them again in your current course without prior approval from the current course instructor. This is considered a form of plagiarism.

13. Schedule any proctoring service well in advance.

Some online courses include the requirement of proctored examinations. Check the syllabus for your course. Be sure to create needed accounts, contact proctors as needed, and create appointments for the exams far in advance.  Visit the Counseling and Testing Center website (opens in a new window) for additional information.

14. Follow the rules of Netiquette.

“Netiquette” is a word created from “etiquette” and “net”—where etiquette meets the Internet. While you are working online, it is important to note that email, discussion boards, web pages on the Internet, and other forms of communication via the computer seem (but only seem) private. Although the Internet seems closed and private, it is actually a very public place.

Please be aware you should always consider your work in your online course a public matter. Write your emails to your professor in such a way that you would not mind if his or her department chair read them. Write emails to other students in such a way that you would not mind if your professor or other members of the class read them.

In emails and discussion board postings, know that human beings will react as much to how you say your message as they will to what you say in the message. Your readers are human beings with human strengths, failings, flaws, biases, and feelings. As you write emails or post to discussion boards, think: how would I say this if I were speaking aloud in a regular, brick-and-mortar classroom; how would other people react to how I say this idea?

Always be polite, considerate, and mindful of your readers as you work inside your online course.

Be respectful of others' reactions, opinions, and interpretations. If you disagree with others, you are welcome to say so. But you should talk about the ideas, not about the people who have them. Saying "I don't think the article says students of Asian descent are better students" is much better than saying "I think you are an idiot for thinking the article says students of Asian descent are better students."

15.   Student Conduct.

All students, regardless of the type of course you are taking, are required to follow the Walters State Student Code of Conduct.  This can be found in the Catalog and Student Handbook (opens in a new window).

16. Contact the department of Student Support Services as needed.

If you need an accommodation to your learning (extra time on tests) please contact the department of Student Support Services. The department of Student Support Services includes advisement, counseling and special assistance in all school related matters. The department offers a wide variety of services. The department utilizes resources of both campus and community agencies to meet the needs of students with disabilities and support them in meeting their educational goals. Please call 423.585.6860 to schedule an appointment with the Coordinator of Disability Services.

17. Academic support.

The college offers all students the support of the following services.

• Student Tutoring – The office of Student Tutoring provides support services to help students make the most of their abilities. Seek assistance from Tutoring Services as soon as you experience any academic difficulty in any course. This increases your chances of succeeding in college. Tutoring services are available in most subjects and are free to students at all campuses. 
  
  Offices include: 
  **Morristown Campus, Student Services Building lower level, Room L108
  **Niswonger Campus, Bldg. 2, Room 226
  **Sevier County Campus, Maples-Marshall Hall (MMH), Room 210
  **Claiborne County Campus, Room 123A
  
  Online tutoring is also available.  Contact Fran O'Connor for more information by calling 423.585.6770 or by email at tutoring@ws.edu.
   
• Writing Lab – This free lab serves all Walters State students to improve their writing abilities and become more independent learners. The lab provides one-on-one tutorial services to students who are involved in any writing-related activity, including documentation of research. Call 423.585.6970 or email englishwritinglab@ws.edu to make an appointment, or just drop by Room 120 in the Judge William H. Inman Humanities Complex on the Morristown Campus. Online tutoring (opens in a new window) also is available.
   
• Mathematics Lab – Free tutoring is available at the Mathematics Learning Lab (opens in a new window). Students can email questions to beth.dixon@ws.edu.  Instructional Videos (opens in a new window) are available. Click on your course to see the list of videos. Videos are also available on YouTube (opens in a new window) – search Beth Dixon and Statistics to see a list of MATH 1530 videos.
   
• Research Coaches – Research Coaches or librarians are available to help students with completing the research needed for any class. This includes finding sources for assignments, evaluating information, or citing sources correctly. Research coaches are available to assist students in-person, via email, or over the telephone. Students are encouraged to contact Research Coaches through contact information on the library homepage (opens in a new window) under Make an Appointment with a Research Coach or to call the Reference Desk at 423.585.6946.

18. Use the tables below as needed.

A wide range of services are available to all students. Use the tables below to find answers to your general questions about advising, student success, retention, and other important matters.

Academic difficulty, not sure where to get help, feeling stressed or overwhelmed.

Retention Services Contact Information

Contact	Campus Location	Room Number	Phone	Email
Connie Earls	Morristown Serves students on all campuses	SSB, U111	423.585.6938	connie.earls@ws.edu
Brandy Lester	Morristown Serves students on all campuses	SSB, U114	423.585.6925	brandy lester@ws.edu

 

Career and personal counseling

Counseling & Testing Contact Information

Contact	Campus Location	Room Number	Phone	Email
Andy Hall	Morristown	SSB, U139	423.585.6801	andy.hall@ws.edu
Roxanne Bowen	Morristown	SSB, U144	423.585.6806	roxanne.bowen@ws.edu
Debbie Johnson	Claiborne County	SSB, U145	423.585.6802	debbie.johnson@ws.edu
Jason Newcomb	Sevier County	MMH, 120A	865.774.5812	jason.newcomb@ws.edu
Ray White	Niswonger	WSGC2, 104	423.798.7962	ray.white@ws.edu

 

Free student tutoring services

Student Tutoring Contact Information

Contact	Campus Location	Room Number	Phone	Email
Fran O'Connor	Morristown	CCEN 112	423.585.6770	fran.o'connor@ws.edu
Jennifer Baker	Sevier County	MMH, 210	865.286.2787	jennifer.baker@ws.edu
Mary Brannock	Niswonger	WSGC2, 226	423.798.7982	mary.brannock@ws.edu
Marlin Curnutt	Claiborne County	Room 31	423.851.4777	marlin.curnutt@ws.edu

Students whose first language is not English

ESL Contact Information

Contact	Campus Location	Room Number	Phone	Email
Michelle Mitrik	Morristown Serves students on all campuses	CCEN, 207E	423.585.6930	michelle.mitrik@ws.edu

Support service for disability-related issues, academic accommodations

Student Support Services Contact Information

Contact	Campus Location	Room Number	Phone	Email
Amy Jackson	Morristown Serves students on all campuses	SSB, U136	423.585.6860	amy.jackson@ws.edu
Helen Cox	Morristown Serves students on all campuses	SSB, U130	423.585.6893	helen.cox@ws.edu

Major change or selection, class selection, transfer to another institution

Student Success Center Contact Information

Contact	Campus Location	Room Number	Phone	Email
Karen Lawson	Morristown Serves students on all campuses	CCEN, 222D	423.318.6176	karen.lawson@ws.edu
Frank Umbarger	Morristown Serves students on all campuses	CCEN, 222A	423.585.3849	frank.umbarger@ws.edu
Erin Dean	Morristown Serves students on all campuses	CCEN, 222H	423.585.2654	erin.dean@ws.edu

Approved by Academic Administrators on April 1, 2016

Approved by Academic Affairs Committee on April 12, 2016