For general information regarding the communication tools used in BCCC's Online Learning program, please read the information below.  For more detailed information you can link to the following:

[Guide to Using BCCC's VoiceMail System] [Student Email Accounts] [Guide to Using Web Mail] [Guide to Participating in  a Discussion List (ListServ)] [Internet Accounts]

• TELEPHONE-- The telephone is a common tool for consultation between a student and a teacher, for collaboration with other students, and for advising, counseling and tutoring.
• VOICE MAIL-- Students may have a College voice mail box set up for them by the instructor. If established, the instructor will provide the instructions and password directly to each student at the orientation session. Voice mail boxes provide for the delivery of questions and information and provide a way to reply automatically.
• PRINT MAIL-- It may be old fashioned, but the U.S. mail is still very useful and reliable for the delivery of papers and assignments. Mail to the campus should be addressed as follows:
  

  Name of Addressee
  Department (if known)
  Bucks County Community College
  275 Swamp Road
  Building & Room Number (for example, Library 118)
  Newtown, PA 18940

• COMPUTER*-- Use of the computer for text messages, information, electronic mail, on-line class discussions, collaboration, Internet access, computer conferencing, multi-media and interactive programs is also common. All students using computers must comply with the BCCC Electronic Communication Policy.
• INTERNET*-- The Internet provides effective, easy-to-use computer communications. In some courses, an Internet account is required in order to access interactive tools used in the courses. Students using the internet must comply with the BCCC Electronic Communication Policy. The College has made special arrangements with a local Internet Service Provider, so that the cost of an Internet account and local phone number access is within easy reach of every student. Details of this arrangement are available from Academic Computing Services, 215-968-8002.
• WebCT* -- Web-based communication tools which are used for sharing information, holding on-line discussions, and collaborating with classmates. All students using WebCT must comply with the BCCC Electronic Communication Policy.  If you have never used WebCT before, online information and tutorials are available which will help to familiarize you with WebCT and assist you in setting your computer up so that WebCT functions correctly.
• FAX-- Fax machines are common tools for delivery of documents and all online learning instructors have access to fax machines at the College. Increasingly, fax capabilities are available with computer modems, providing the capability to fax a document directly from the computer used to create the document.
• VIDEO-- Carefully selected video programs are sometimes part of an online learning course.  All courses which use video also provide video cassettes, which may be viewed at the College libraries or rented from the online bookstore, MBS Direct.
• AUDIO-- Audio tapes provide an effective way to listen to lectures, plays, musical recordings and other ancillary course material.
• CD ROM-- This extremely compact form of read-only data storage may be used to supplement courses such as computer and math tutorials and science laboratory sessions.

*-- If a computer/Internet access is not otherwise readily available, computers may be used at the college's Newtown, Bristol and Upper County campuses.

I'm not really up with today's technology.
What can I do?

To ensure online learning students that they will have the technological skills needed to successfully complete their eLearning/Hybrid course, free workshops and one-on-one help  are available.  Please refer to the Technology Assistance page for further details.

The specific skills needed depend on which course you are taking, so it makes sense to check the information provided by your instructor to see which are required and even if the instructor has set up a separate session for your class to learn these skills.

Most students find, even if it is not required, that knowing how to use e-mail and how to use the library are two skills which add considerably to their ability to communicate and research efficiently.