This guide introduces you to the various online platforms you'll be using as a NWC Distance Student. It is intended to assist and familiarize you with the many websites, online resources and advising services you’ll have access to while taking distance courses.
Make sure this process is completed on the actual computer you’ll use to attend your class(es).
The following steps will guide you through the NWC “GOLD” Process. You may want to print out these directions and follow them as you go through the various websites. Or, keep this window up and refer back to it as you go through the process step by step.
1.) UA Google Mail Activation
We'll start the process by activating your UA Google Mail. http://www.alaska.edu/google/ will take you to UA's Google Apps login page. Click on the link "Signing Up".
A new page will load showing "Step 1" through "Step 4" of the activation process. At this point you need to know your UA username and password.
To get those, scroll down and find the red "ELMO" link. This will develop a site called the "Easy Login Maintenance Option". Choose "Option 3: Search for my UAusername and ID#". You will be asked some questions to establish your identity. After answering those questions correctly, your UAusername and student ID number will be displayed. WRITE THESE DOWN- they will be important to you in the future. Of special importance to this GOLD Process is your UAusername. It normally contains the initials of your first and middle names with your last name and perhaps a number. (John Fitzgerald Kennedy's would have been "jfkennedy".) It is also used to login to Blackboard, a step in this NWC GOLD process.
At this time, you will also have the opportunity to set up your password. In the lower right part of your screen, type in your UAusername and enter your chosen password two times. WRITE DOWN THIS PASSWORD AS WELL!
Once you have a password set for your account and your UA username, return to the "Google Apps @ UA" page. Click "Let's Get Started". A "UA Authentication Service" page will load. At this time enter your UAusername and password. You will then be walked through the UA Google opt-in process to set up your new email account!
2.) Send NWC a Message from your UA Google Mail account!
Now that you've successfully activated and retrieved your account information, send an email message to NWC from your newly activated account to: nwc.info@uaf.edu.
Simply type in the body of the message "GOLD" and include your Blackboard Account UAusername, since we will use it to add you to the GOLD Process Blackboard "course". This email will confirm that you've activated your account and ensures that you’ll be able to sign in for the next step (Blackboard Orientation) of the GOLD process. If you are completing this step during the weekend or closed hours of NWC, please expect some delay.
3.) Blackboard Orientation
This step introduces you to Blackboard, which is an online Course Management System that you’ll use to retrieve, post, and share important material online regarding your course(s).
http://classes.uaf.edu is the Blackboard site.
4.) The Blackboard Session
Upon logging into the Blackboard site, you will see (or eventually see) the Blackboard classes you're enrolled in listed. Because you emailed NWC a “GOLD” message, you should be enrolled in a Blackboard course named “NWC GOLD Process”. If you are not, please call NWC at 1.800.478.2202 and ask to be added into the Blackboard section of the GOLD Process.
If the course does show up, click the title to be brought to the course content and information. Explore the links on the left and review documents we’ve posted for you. There are several resources for your reference. This is the format you’ll have for each Blackboard course you’re registered for, so get familiar with the website and please add a comment to us in the Discussion Board. Perhaps you can give us feedback about this “GOLD” Process.
5.) Experience Elluminate Live (E-live!)
You have one more step in the NWC GOLD Process! Learn Elluminate Live!
Elluminate Live (also called E-Live) is basically an online, synchronous, live classroom. You can chat/message, speak, listen, watch lessons from a whiteboard and emoticon simultaneously with others in your class.
Most often E-Live sessions that are offered along with a Blackboard course are found in the "Communications" course folder under "Elluminate Live!" If a course has E-Live sessions without a Blackboard component, they can be found at http://elive.uaf.edu.
Read, then follow these directions to experience Elluminate Live:
VERIFICATION: First, you must verify that your computer is equipped with the required software to run E-Live. *When you verify your computer, you will not be able to return to the Blackboard page. So after verification, close the window and return to the Blackboard window.*
Click this link: http://elive.uaf.edu/support.help to verify your computer now.
Another good resource for qualifying and setting up your computer is http://www.elluminate.com/support/. If you need additional software, download or install it at this time. This Elive Orientation help gives good step-by-step instructions, if you use the http://www.elluminate.com/support/ website.
If you DO have the necessary software then login to Elluminate Live!
LOGIN: Open the "Communications" folder, then "Elluminate Live!" link in the NWC GOLD Process Blackboard site, and you'll find the list of "Live Sessions" where you'll see the "NWC GOLD Process E-Live" Session Name. Open that link and you'll enter a live E-Live session. A similar process would occur for an course that has E-Live instruction, with the current class session available.
You'll also see that "Live Session" is a pull-down menu. This is where you'll find any recorded class session. The other option is "Recorded Session", which is where you'll find an example of a recorded E-Live class session.
Cngratulations on completing the NWC GOLD Process. Enjoy E-Live, Blackboard, and "thanks" for completing the NWC GOLD Process. You’re ready for distance learning!
Developed by NWC Student Services Coordinator Kacey Miller and Registrar Bob Metcalf, August 2008
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nwc gold
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