1. How to Succeed in an Online Class

2. 1. As you register for classes ...
• Be sure you have reliable access to the
Internet from your home.
• Having to go to the library or a computer lab
will severely limit your participation and
success.

3. 2. After you register,
but before the start of the semester…
Browser Check Log-In Tutorials
1 Run the Blackboard Browser 2 Also make sure you can log- 3 Take advantage of the
Check and make any in to: technology tutorials if you
suggested changes to be feel unsure or are having
sure you can view your class •CUNY Portal trouble with technology.
materials. •eSIMS
•SPS email
3.Log into Blackboard, •SPS Help Desk Tutorials
4.Click on the Home tab, If you cannot, or if you have •Blackboard 9.1 Tutorials
5.Select “Test Browser.” any technical question,
contact the SPS Help Desk

4. SPS Help Desk
Our mission is to provide our academic community with the highest level of support and customer
service while leveraging the most effective online troubleshooting and problem solving tools.
• The SPS Help Desk can be reached at helpdesk@sps.cuny.edu or (212) 652-2888. When you email or
call the SPS Help Desk, please be sure to identify your problem, provide your full name, and a number
where you can be reached. Also, please be prepared to provide information about your computer's
Operating System (OS), Platform, Internet Connection, and the version of the program with which you
are experiencing problems.
• The operating hours of the SPS Help Desk are:
Monday-Friday: 10:00am – 6:00pm.
• If you require assistance outside of these hours, please contact us at helpdesk@sps.cuny.edu.
• You can access the SPS Help Desk Website at: http://sps.cuny.edu/student_services/help_desk.html

5. 3. On the first day of class...
Carefully read the syllabus and all of the assignments.
Review the course site carefully, especially course Information.
This is a example text. Go ahead and replace it questions.
Don’t hesitate to contact the instructor with any
Consider creating a binder or folder for each course.
5 Your binder should include: the syllabus, course schedule, major assignments, and deadlines.
6 Staying organized will help you to keep current in the course.
7 Connect with another student in the class, help each other clarify assignments, etc.
Email is often the best way to keep in touch with your instructor outside
of Blackboard, although some of your instructors may also use Skype
or Wimba.

6. 4. In Week 1
Develop good habits you’ll use throughout the semester…
Log into each of your courses at least five times a week (or more if the instructor suggests).
Read all of the postings in your discussion board, make your posts promptly, and respond to
others' posts as directed by your instructor.
Check your SPS email account regularly.
If personal communication is needed, faculty, advisors, and staff will send email to your SPS
account.
If you do not understand the work expected of you, ask your instructor to clarify.
This will not only help you, the instructor may revise the assignment or project instructions for
the benefit of other students as well.
Many instructors create an "Ask the Professor" Discussion Board forum for questions
about the course. Make good use of it!

7. 5. Don't procrastinate!
Waiting until the last minute to submit
assignments can be risky. In online learning, you
depend on technology to submit your work. You
never know when there might be a glitch that will
adversely affect your ability to post your work.
Take notes. Many courses use audio or video
components to demonstrate key concepts or
unusual or important ideas. Writing summary
notes for multimedia pieces will help you review.

8. 6. In the discussion boards …
Take care when posting to Blackboard – use proper grammar and spelling (use the
spellchecker in Blackboard); do not use informal writing as you do when text messaging a
friend.
Be respectful of your fellow classmates. Use proper etiquette when responding in
discussion board forums. Do not attack someone personally if you disagree with them.
Use appropriate language.
Save your postings in a Word document for yourself in the event a posting gets lost or
misplaced.
Schedule a regular time each day to "go to class" in your online course; if you don’t
make it a habit of logging-in to your online course regularly, it will be all too easy to neglect it.
Note a four-credit-hour class on campus would have four hours of classroom meetings each
week, plus study time outside of class – Be prepared to put in the same amount of time with
an online class!

9. 7. Throughout the semester …
Keep the lines of communication open!
Contact your course
instructor and your
Student advisor immediately if
you are not going to be
able to login to your
Advisor Faculty online class for some
period of time (due to
illness or travel).

10. 8. Be conscious of deadlines:
Academic & Administrative
* If your instructor has provided a course calendar, consider printing it and posting it in
your workspace. Add deadlines for your classes to your personal calendar. Check your
grades often and contact your course instructor if you are struggling with deadlines.
Save the academic calendar and be aware of registration and withdrawal deadlines.