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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What
is a Distance Education (online) course?
What
experience do I need to succeed?
Is
an online course right for me?
How
do I...
Requirements
What
are the hardware/software requirements?
What
browser should I use?
What
about e-mail?
General
When
does the class begin and end?
What
if I don't finish the course at semester end?
Getting
Help
Who
do I contact if I have questions?
Who
do I contact if I can't log on?
What
if I have technical problems?
Where
can I get help with Moodle?
Problems
The
instructor can't open the assignment I submitted! What do I do?
Why
isn't my class showing up?
Why
do I get a "Login or password" error message?
Answers
Distance
Education (DE) courses are delivered "at a distance" using
computer technology with either limited or no required on-campus sessions.
Course objectives and curriculum for DE courses are the same as a classroom
version - only the way that instruction is delivered is different. In other
words, a distance education course may involve the student communicating
with the instructor via e-mail or online discussion. Course assignments,
handouts, and lecture notes might be accessible on the course web site, and
assignments and tests may be turned in and taken online.
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- Basic
knowledge of the Internet, and ability to use multiple web browsers
- Ability
to effectively use search engines (like Google) and information
resources (like the Library's online databases)
- Ability
to download and install software may be necessary
- Basic
computer skills including (1) ability to differentiate between file
formats and applications, (2) creating, saving, downloading, attaching
& managing files, (3) switching between multiple applications, (4)
copying & pasting text from one application to another
- Sending
and receiving e-mail with attachments
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Not
everyone is well suited to take a course online. Typically online courses
require greater self-discipline, as well as computer expertise and strong
reading skills. Students who are auditory (hearing) or kinesthetic
(touching) learners may do better in a traditional face-to-face class. Click
here for more on whether a distance education course is right for you.
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Registration
for a distance education course is no different than that of a regular
classroom course and is done through http://my.cuesta.edu/. If you are a new Cuesta student
you must first complete an application (http://www.cccapply.org/applications/CCCApply/apply/Cuesta_College.html).
Once enrolled, you will be sent information on how to access myCuesta and
register for classes.
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Once
enrolled, you may pay for courses at the Cashier's office on either the San
Luis Obispo or North County campus, or your may pay online by doing the
following:
- Log
into myCuesta.
- Click
Pay Fees View Account in the Steps to Success channel on the
Student tab.
- Select
a Term and then click Submit.
- Note
the Account Balance and then click Pay Now.
- Type
in the Payment Amount and then click Submit.
- Click
the link, Pay by Debit or Credit Card.
- Complete
the form and then click Continue.
- Follow
the on-screen prompts.
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Textbooks
and materials are available at the college bookstore or online. Bookstore
hours of operation, online ordering, and additional information are
available by clicking on the Bookstore link in the "Cuesta
Quick Links" channel on myCuesta's Home tab.
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Refer
to the course welcome letter.
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Welcome
letters can be viewed at the DE web page or when accessing course information via
the Class Finder.
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Instructions
on logging in can be found on the Moodle quick reference card here.
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If you
are using your own computer, your system will need to meet the following minimum
standards.
Windows XP, Vista or Windows7:
1. 1 GHz or equivalent computer with a minimum of 512 MB of RAM (1 GB
recommended), a color monitor, a DSL, cable modem, or satellite for
broadband access, a sound card and headphones or speakers;
2.
An account with an ISP (Internet Service Provider);
3. Mozilla Firefox 5.6 or higher (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html);
4. A minimum of 500 MB of free space on their computer hard drive.
5. Microsoft Office XP or later or OpenOffice (http://download.openoffice.org/)
6. Adobe Acrobat Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html?promoid=BUIGO)
7. Adobe Flash Player (http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&promoid=BUIGP)
8. QuickTime Player 6.5 or higher (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/)
9. Silverlight (http://www.microsoft.com/getsilverlight/Get-Started/Install/Default.aspx)
10. Anti-virus software
Macintosh OSX v 10.x:
1. 1 GHz or equivalent computer with a minimum of 512 MB of RAM (1 GB
recommended), a color monitor, a DSL, cable modem, or satellite for
broadband access, a sound card and headphones or speakers;
2. Mozilla Firefox 5.6 or higher (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/personal.html);
3. An account with an ISP (Internet Service Provider);
4. A minimum of 500 MB of free space on their computer hard drive.
5. Microsoft Office for Mac 2004 or later or OpenOffice (http://download.openoffice.org/)
6. Adobe Acrobat Reader (http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html?promoid=BUIGO)
7. Adobe Flash Player (http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash&promoid=BUIGP)
8. QuickTime Player 6.5 or higher (http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/)
9. Anti-virus software
You
must have a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP) offering DSL, Cable or
Satellite setup. Refer to the course welcome letter for any additional requirements.
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We
recommend the most current version of Mozilla
Firefox, although current versions of Internet Explorer, Safari or Google Chrome
should work as well.
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E-mail is provided to all students enrolled at Cuesta,
accessible via myCuesta. Your e-mail address typically consists of:
your
first name
+ an underscore (_) + your last name + "@my.cuesta.edu"
Example:
"sam_spade@my.cuesta.edu"
Information
regarding student e-mail is sent by Admissions & Records to all
enrolled students.
Note: The only
email address your instructors have is your Cuesta address. If you wish to
use another email address, you must forward your student e-mail to your personal e-mail
address.
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Most
distance education (DE) courses at Cuesta follow the same semester schedule
as regular classroom-taught courses. In some cases students of a DE course
are required to meet prior to the start of the course or regular semester.
The class schedule lists required meeting days (if any) for all DE courses.
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This
would be no different than in a regular classroom-taught course.
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Contact
the course instructor if you have questions about your courses. Contact Admissions &
Records if you have questions about your enrollment.
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Always
first contact the course instructor if you have problems. If you are unable
to reach the instructor or they are unable to help, you may e-mail or phone
tech support at support@my.cuesta.edu or 805-546-3100 x2802.
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Answers
to many questions can be found on the Moodle quick reference card here. Your instructor can
also help you with common problems. Complex issues can be addressed by
contacting Lee or Al (support@my.cuesta.edu or 805-546-3100 x2802).
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Ask
the instructor their preferred format and then use Save As to convert the
document to that format:
- Open
the assignment in your word processing program.
- Select
File > Save As.
- In
the Save As window, select the Save As Type drop-down menu and
pick the format preferred by your instructor.
(Note: You can also select "RTF" or "PDF," see
next paragraph.)
- Save
the file and then send it to your instructor.
Another
option is to save in a universal format. For example, save all word
processing documents in RTF (rich text format) and all spreadsheets in CSV
(comma separated values). And if the instructor only needs to view the
document and not make changes, save as a PDF.
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Your
class will only appear on the date of the opening day of class...unless
your instructor has indicated otherwise.
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Verify
the URL (web address) your browser is going to. If correct you may be
entering the wrong password. The password is case sensitive; make sure your
Caps Lock is not on. If you have forgotten your password, you can have your
password reset by clicking the "Forgotten your username or
password?" link.
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