What equipment must I have to take an online or hybrid course?

You must have a computer, an Internet service provider and course-related software (if required). Students enrolled in for-credit (curriculum) courses are automatically provided with a Wake Tech e-mail account. To receive messages from your instructor, login to my.waketech.edu and follow the instructions to activate your Windows Live e-mail account. Your @my.waketech.edu e-mail address is the default e-mail address for online courses.

Recommendations for Using Blackboard

The screen resolution on your computer should be set to 800 x 600 or higher.

AOL and MSN customers may have trouble with certain features of an online course in Blackboard such as exams or chats. Use Internet Explorer or Firefox to view your online course. Download and install Internet Explorer or Firefox to gain access to your Internet course. Follow these steps: Open AOL or MSN, minimize AOL or MSN, open Internet Explorer or Firefox to login to your course in Blackboard.

MINIMUM Requirements for Using Blackboard

• Platform: Windows 98, 2000, NT, or ME; MacOS 9 or MacOS X

• Hardware: 64 MB of RAM, 1 G of free disk space

• Software: Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat Reader

• Browser: Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari (See complete list below.*)
  JavaScript & Cookies enabled (Enable Cookies, Enable JavaScript)

• Modem: 56 K

*Blackboard 7.2 Compatible or Certified Operating Systems and Browsers

• Windows 2000 and Internet Explorer 6 or Firefox 1.0 or 1.5

• Windows XP and Internet Explorer 6 or Firefox 1.0 or 1.5

• Mac OS 10.3 and Safari 1.1 or 1.2, Firefox 1.0 or 1.5

• Mac OS 10.4 and Safari 2 or Firefox 1.0 or 1.5

You may also need to:

• Allow Pop-ups from a Specific Site
  If your quizzes and exams in Blackboard are presented in a pop-up window, you may need to allow pop-ups from the Blackboard site. Follow the links for browser-specific instructions: Internet Explorer or FireFox.

• Allow Exceptions to Windows' XP SP2 Firewall
  There are issues with Windows' XP SP2 firewall that may interfere with uploading and downloading files in Blackboard. Go to Understanding Windows' Firewall: Using the Exceptions Tab for instructions on allowing exceptions.

Technical Help

What level of computer/Internet knowledge must I have?

Basic knowledge of the Internet, Web browsers, and search engines is necessary. The ability to download and install software may be required. Word processing skills are also necessary, including creating, saving, downloading, attaching and managing files and copying and pasting text from one software application to another. Familiarity with the procedures for sending and receiving e-mail with attachments is essential.

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How do I register?

Before you register, you must be admitted to the College. Registration for online courses is handled in the same manner as traditional course registration through WebAdvisor. Go to the WebAdvisor Online Demonstrations for instructions.

What do I do after I register for an online or hybrid class?

Follow the instructions for online course preview to obtain general information about your course before the term begins. Note: You must wait until the term begins to work on your course, which will appear in your personal Blackboard account on the first day of the term.

If this is your first online or hybrid course in Blackboard, complete the Online Student Orientation. Go to Wake Tech's Blackboard login page, click on the login button, and enter Blackboard with the following username and password:

Open the orientation by clicking on the Orientation link that appears in the My Courses box on the right side of Blackboard's welcome page.

I registered late. When can I login to my course?

Blackboard rosters are updated daily. If you register after the semester begins, please allow one night to pass before you login to the Blackboard system to access your courses.

When does class begin?

Online classes begin on the first day of the term. Hybrid courses include regularly scheduled on campus classes. Check the schedules in WebAdvisor for meeting times and locations.

Are there any required on-campus meetings for online classes?

Some instructors may require attendance in one or more on-campus sessions. Check the course schedules or online course preview to determine if your instructor requires on-campus sessions.

How do I purchase textbooks?

Textbooks may be purchased online. Textbooks are also available at the College bookstore, which is open from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. Telephone: 919-771-1663.

How do I get to the online course website?

Go to http://dist-ed.waketech.edu and login to Blackboard.

How do I login to my online class in Blackboard?

For Credit Courses (Curriculum Students): Use your my.waketech.edu user ID and password. If you need to reset your password, use the "Forgot Your Key Account Password?" link on Blackboard's login page.

Username Formula
For Non-credit Courses (Continuing Education Students):
Combine your first initial, middle initial, last name, and last 2 digits of your social security number. Example: majones21 for Mary Ann Jones, 987654321. NOTE: If you have a hyphenated last name, do not include the hyphen in the formula.

EXCEPTIONS: If you have more than one middle name, use only the initial for your first middle name. If you do not have a middle name (or a first name), that portion of the formula is omitted.

For married female students, if the login formula does not work with your middle initial, use the initial for your maiden name in place of your middle initial. Example: mjsmith21 for Mary Jones Smith, 987654321.

NOTE: If the username formula still does not work, try again without your middle initial.

Password Formula
For Non-credit Courses (Continuing Education Students):
new students only: The first time you login to Blackboard, use your birth date in the following format: mmddyy. Example: 092573 for September 25, 1973. Please change your initial password by going to Tools > Personal Information > Change Password.

NOTE: If you have taken an online course at Wake Tech in a previous semester, use the same password that worked in the past. To reset a password, call the Helpdesk at 919-866-7000.

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Who do I contact if I cannot login to my online class?

Contact your instructor or distance education support. For help after normal business hours and on weekends, go to the 24/7 Online Support center.
 

Where can I find instructions for using Blackboard?

Go to the online student orientation or to Blackboard’s student manual.

How will my instructor contact me?

To receive messages from your instructor, login to my.waketech.edu and follow the instructions to activate your Windows Live e-mail account. Your @my.waketech.edu e-mail address is the default e-mail address for online for-credit (curriculum) courses.

My instructor can't open the assignment that I submitted. What should I do?

If you are using a word processing program other than Microsoft Word (Works, WordPerfect, WordPad, etc.), follow the directions below to save your file in a format that can be read by any word processing program.

• Open the assignment in your word processing program.

• Open the File drop-down menu and select Save As.

• In the Save As window, open the Save as type drop-down menu. Select Rich Text Format (.rtf) from the list of file types and then click the Save button.

After your file is saved in Rich Text Format (the file name will have an .rtf extension), send it to your instructor.

Will I receive full credit for an online class?

Yes, you will receive full college credit. Distance education classes offer credit hours equivalent to those offered in a traditional course.

What are the tuition costs?

Expect to pay the same tuition and fees for an online course that you would for a traditional college course.

Will financial aid pay for an online course?

Yes, financial aid and military tuition assistance may be used for college credit online courses. Contact the Financial Aid Office for details: rmhuggins@waketech.edu or 919-866-5408.

Will veteran’s benefits pay for an online course?

Yes, educational benefits from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs may be used to pay for college credit online courses. Contact the College’s VA certifying official for details: bnsmith@waketech.edu or 919-866-5402.

How do I withdraw from an online course?

Send an e-mail to your instructor declaring your intent to withdraw. Your instructor will submit the necessary information to the Registrar's Office.

A grade of W is recorded for students who withdraw on or before the 60% point in the term. Students who withdraw after the 60% point receive either a grade of WP (pass) or WF (fail).

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