For more information, including hardware and software requirements, please refer to the KCTCS Student Tutorial.

Minimum technical requirements:

• Access to a personal computer-Pentium I processor recommended
• Use of a Web Browser (Internet Explorer 5.0 + or Netscape Navigator 4.7 +, unless the course description indicates a more recent version is necessary.)
• Windows 95 (98 or 2000 preferred), and 32 MB RAM (or more) * Reliable e-mail software and an active e-mail account
• Reliable Internet access
• Modem speed of 28.8 or higher (recommended)
• Printer strongly recommended
• Your course may require special plug-ins (free) to access Streaming Media (video clips)

Students with disabilities need to have the hardware and software, in order to make their home computer accessible for their use.

If you take a course totally online, (identified as Blackboard Web World “Z”), follow the KCTCS Academic Calendar, NOT Gateway’s. This calendar can be found online at: http://www.kctcs.edu/distancelearning/Calendar.htm.

Once registered for online courses, students may login to courses at http://elearning.kctcs.edu/, if you want to add this bookmark to your home computer. If you are logged onto a Gateway campus computer, you will find the Blackboard icon on the Gateway W.A.Y.S. page. The same username and password used to access your KCTCS email and PeopleSoft accounts is used to access courses through the Blackboard teaching/learning portal.

Go to the Kentucky Virtual Campus (KYVC) website. On the left side, type in your course number; for example, PY 110. Select GO and wait a few seconds. You should see a new page that lists all the PY 110 courses with section numbers, the home colleges, instructors, and the terms. You can click on the section number to open the course and gather additional information on that specific class. If you cannot find your instructor on KYVC or through Peoplesoft, contact your Distance Learning Coordinator for assistance.

If you take a KCTCS online class (Blackboard Web World “Z”), you will need to order your textbook from the Online Bookstore.   Make sure you have your schedule of classes with you when you order, student financial aid information or a credit card.
S T E P S
Log onto www.whywaitforbooks.com

1. Select your state- Kentucky

2. Select your school- KCTCS/KYVU/Distance Learning

3. Click “Submit”

4. Find the link in the middle of the pages that says “Order you Textbooks.” Click here to continue.

5. Select your school- KYVU/Distance Learning (for online classes) or Gateway CTC (for on campus classes)

6. Select the term you are ordering for (W08 for Spring 2008,  A08 for Summer of 2008 etc)

7. Select the Dept for your class (ACT, ACR, PSY, MT etc)

8. Select the Course number for your class (101, 109, 201, 210 etc)

9. Select the Section Number for your class (90z1, 5b81, 48832 etc)

10. Click GO

11. Select the book/books and click “add to cart” ( If you would like used, make sure you check the box that says used)

12. To purchase additional books, click on “Select another course.” Repeat steps 5 thru 11 for each class.

13. When all books have been selected, click on “Check Out.”

14. Follow the directions to “Check Out.” It is better NOT to check-out as a “guest.” See the left side of the box to click “here” to become a registered customer. (If you are a returning user skip to #16)

15. Set-up your ID and password. Click on Submit

16. In the upper right-hand corner, you will see “Check Out.” Click on that when you are ready to check out and complete your order. Enter your billing information, either Student Financial Aid or a credit card.

17. Click “Submit Order.”

18. Once you have completed the check-out, the website will automatically send you an email stating your order was received. You will get a separate email when your order is processed with the UPS tracking number on it.

If you should have any trouble ordering online, please contact the online bookstore: 1-866-823-2601

Dropping an online class is similar to dropping a face-to-face class. You will need to follow these steps and follow the dates from the KCTCS online Academic Calendar

1. It is always a common courtesy to inform your online instructor that you plan to drop the class.

2. If you have a drop/add form from any of the Gateway campuses.

3. Have your advisor or an advisor from the advising center sign the drop slip.

4. Take the drop form to any front office of the Gateway campuses.

IF it is after the drop date, you must get the instructor’s permission to drop the class… follow the guidelines in the KCTCS Academic Calendar.

Sometimes an instructor will require students to take a proctored test-- testing that is supervised at a central location. These services are offered at Gateway’s Covington Campus at no charge to KCTCS students.  Students are responsible to call at least one week in advance to schedule the test and should bring a picture identification card with them on the day they report to take the exam. Call 859-442-1159 for an appointment.   

Here is the contact list for all of the KCTCS Assessment & Testing Centers. 

Students with disabilities need to contact the Disability Services Coordinator at their home
college to request accommodations for their online classes.  Students who have Gateway as their home college should call 859-442-4120 or e-mail Colleen Kane (colleen.kane@kctcs.edu) to discuss the process for accommodations in online classes.

Question:
How can I test my browser to see if my computer will work with all the software the class requires?

Answer:
After you go to the Blackboard Website, click on the Help tab at the top of the page and then click Test Browser (lower right corner). Do this before you log into Blackboard and the class.

Problem:

• My password does not work. What is wrong?
• Blackboard quit accepting my password. What should I do?
• I cannot get into my campus email. What should I do?

Solution:
Go to the Gateway W.A.Y.S. page and select Activate your GCTC Username and Password, Password Reset. You will need your last name and your student ID (also called EMPLID). This number was listed on your schedule when you registered (example: 001234567).