Technology Resources for Students

Recommended Computer Literacy & Personal Skills for Distance Education Courses

From the Distance Education department at NWSCC, these are some recommended Computer Literacy and Personal Skills for Distance Education Courses.

Students who decide to take Distance Education classes should have these basic computer literacy and personal skills:

  • Be able to navigate the Internet easily.
  • Be able to upload and download files.
  • Be able to install software.
  • Be able to send and receive e-mails.
  • Be able to attach files to emails.
  • Have self-motivation and self-discipline
  • Exhibit college-level reading comprehension

Students without this fundamental knowledge should attempt distance classes AFTER they have successfully achieved these skills.

Recommended Technology Requirements for Distance Education Courses

  • A Desktop or Laptop computer (preferably Windows based; not all software will work properly on Apple devices)
  • Microsoft Windows 10 or 11
  • Latest version of Mozilla Firefox browser and Google Chrome browser (Multiple browsers give students options if technical problems occur.)
  • A reliable high speed, DSL/Cable Internet Connection (minimum 768 Kbps (download) and 384 Kbps (upload) recommended)
  • A webcam with 640×480 video pixel resolution and microphone (web cams built into laptops or monitors are acceptable)
  • Working speakers or headphones connected to the computer
  • Access to a printer to print important class documents (printing is available at our campus libraries for 10 cents per one-sided copy)
  • Microsoft Office may be required in some courses and may be downloaded for free through student email

Student Technology Request – If you are in need of a laptop or Wifi hotspot, please use the link below to request these items for checkout and pickup at our campus library.  Note:  You must be a current NWSCC student or employee to request technology items and must show your driver’s license or state-issued ID upon pickup of requested items.  Items must be returned at the end of the semester but may be checked out again if needed.

Student Technology Request Form

Software Tools – Support, Tutorials, Privacy, and Accessibility

Below you will find information on a variety of tools used at NWSCC, including support information as well as privacy and accessibility policies.

Adobe Reader

Many instructors post documents online for students in Portable Document Format (PDF). Adobe Reader is available for free and is needed view PDF documents.

Big Blue Button

BigBlueButton is a virtual classroom software designed to facilitate interactive online learning. It provides a range of features such as screen sharing, multi-user whiteboards, breakout rooms, polling, and video playback, all aimed at fostering engagement and collaboration. BigBlueButton integrates seamlessly with Canvas, allowing instructors to easily incorporate real-time communication tools into their courses. This platform enhances student engagement through live analytics, interactive discussions, and collaborative tools, making it a versatile option for both synchronous learning and office hours in educational settings. Link: https://bigbluebutton.org/

Canvas

Canvas is the Learning Management System (LMS) used at NWSCC. It is used as a starting point for all online courses and is also used by instructors in face-to-face courses to supplement activities in the classroom.

Visit the Virtual Learning Center for help with Canvas, or contact us:

Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. CST
Email: distanceed@nwscc.edu / Phone: 256-331-5344

ConnectMath

ConnectMath is a program developed by textbook publisher McGraw-Hill. It is developed to be used together with their textbooks. The program guides the student through the problems step-by-step to the solution.

Submit Help Form:  https://www.connectmath.com/support/form
Phone:  949-390-2095

Hayden McNeil Online Labs (Macmillan Learning)

Hayden McNeil is a virtual lab system used in some online Biology and Chemistry courses.

Honorlock 

Honorlock is an online proctoring company for higher and professional education. It enables instructors to easily implement remote proctoring to allow students to take exams on or off-campus, offering flexibility and greater accessibility while maintaining the integrity of the exams, instructors, and college reputation. Honorlock proctoring provides oversight of exams through both human and AI monitoring, allows live proctors to assist test takers in the event of a problem, and permits candidates to complete online testing at their convenience from any location. Honorlock Support (link: https://honorlock.com/support/)  is available 24/7/365 via chat. 
 

MindTap

MindTap is a product developed by textbook publisher Cengage and designed to be used with their textbooks.

MyMathLab

MyMathLab is used for all developmental math courses at NWSCC and is also used for some higher level math courses.  Use the links below to get support or view the student user guide.

If you need additional assistance with MyMathLab, please contact Erica Daniel at erica.daniel@nwscc.edu or 256-331-5318.

MyNWSCC (Banner)

myNWSCC (Banner) is NWSCC’s student information system. You can use it to register and pay online, view final course grades, and financial aid information as well as view your transcript and other important information. myNWSCC is linked on the website homepage or directly at the link below. 

myNWSCC

Office365

Microsoft Office 365 is available for free to all currently enrolled students.  Our student email site explains how to log into your Microsoft Office Outlook student email account. After logging into Outlook, students are able to download the Office 365 software by clicking on the Gear icon at the top right of the Inbox and then on Install Status.  There should then be a link to download.

To find your NWSCC email address, log into your myNWSCC Banner account, click on the Student tab and then Personal Information.  You should then see a link to View Email Addresses.

OpenStax

OpenStax is an online resource of open educational resources. These are free resources that your instructor may use to help with textbook costs. If your course uses an OpenStax textbook, you can find additional information below on using OpenStax.

OpenStax Support

ProctorU

Distance students who are unable to take exams at the campus testing center, have the option to use ProctorU, an online service that allows students to have exams proctored remotely from their home computer 24-hours a day and 7-days a week. There is an additional fee to the student and certain technical requirements, but this is a great option for busy students since it will allow them to take exams outside of regular Testing Center hours.

Quizlet

Quizlet is a review tool and website used in some courses. Below you will find information on computer requirements as well as accessibility and privacy policies.

Remind

Remind is a free messaging service that allows instructors and students to communicate via text or email without having each other’s cell numbers or email addresses. It is used by some NWSCC instructors to communicate more efficiently. If you will be using Remind for your class, your instructor will give you the information needed to set up your account.

 

Revel

Pearson’s Revel is an interactive ebook site used in some Music, History, and Art courses at NWSCC. It uses the text, videos, quizzes, and other interactive components to help students learn the material.

SAM

SAM is a product developed by textbook publisher Cengage and designed to be used with their textbooks.

 

Studio

Canvas Studio is an interactive video education platform designed to enhance learning in higher education. It allows instructors to create, share, and organize video content in their own media libraries. Students and educators can upload videos, and instructors can track viewership data to gauge engagement and understanding. Studio encourages active participation by enabling discussions and interactions within the video content itself. It integrates easily with other platforms like Zoom and Google Hangouts, making it versatile for both in-class and remote learning environments. This tool fosters collaborative learning and offers a range of features to improve teaching and professional development. Link: https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Studio-Guide/tkb-p/studio

Teams

Microsoft Teams is a collaboration platform that brings together chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and task management to streamline communication and teamwork. It is widely used in educational settings to facilitate virtual classes, meetings, and collaborative learning. Teams allows instructors and students to connect in real-time through video calls, share materials via the integrated file-sharing system, and collaborate using features like shared documents, whiteboards, and task lists. It is especially valuable for remote learning and hybrid classrooms, integrating seamlessly with other Microsoft tools and offering a centralized space for class activities, discussions, and announcements. Link: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software

Tutor.com

Need help with your coursework any time of day or night? NWSCC has partnered with Tutor.com to offer free, 24/7 online tutoring for currently enrolled students in a wide range of subjects – from math and writing to science, business, and more. Connect with a live tutor, drop off a paper for review, or access test prep resources. 
 
Get Started:
 

TurnItIn.com

TurnItIn is primarily used by NWSCC English faculty to check for plagiarism of student essays and research papers.  TurnItIn checks the Internet and all previously submitted student work for plagiarism.  Students may use the links below for help and support.

WebAssign

WebAssign is online software that is integrated with several textbooks. WebAssign is an assessment tool that provides students’ with helps to increase student performance.

 

YouTube

YouTube videos are frequently used within distance or web-assisted courses to provide additional information or instruction on various topics.

Copyright Basics

Copyright is an area of law that provides creators and distributors of creative works with an incentive to share their works by granting them the right to be compensated when others use those works in certain ways.  Under the fair use provision, a reproduction of someone else’s copyright-protected work is likely to be considered fair if it is used for one of the following purposes:  criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship and research.  It is important that all faculty, staff, and students understand how and when copyrighted works may be used. 

Digital Millennium Copyright Act Compliance

In 1998, the U.S. Congress passed into law the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), which essentially updates copyright law for the digital environment.  Under DMCA, Northwest Shoals Community College is considered to be an Online Service Provider (OSP) for faculty, staff, and students.

Northwest Shoals Community College has established Dr. Shelby Luna, Director of Distance Education and Information Technology, as the College’s agent to receive notification of claimed infringement from a copyright owner as required by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act.  The College is listed on the website of the U.S. Copyright Office.  Copyright information is available online on the NWSCC Technology Resources site and on the website of the U.S. Copyright Office.

If you suspect that anyone at NWSCC, including a student, is using any copyright-protected material without the permission of the copyright holder, immediately report this to Dr. Shelby Luna by email at shelby.luna@nwscc.edu or call at 256-331-5395.