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?
How do I
copy-and-paste between applications?
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 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 or cable modem 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 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 or cable modem 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: You may elect to forward your student e-mail to your personal e-mail address if so desired.
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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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- Select the text you wish to copy.
- Right-click (on a Mac, Control-click) on the
selection.
A shortcut menu will appear.
- Select Copy.
- Switch to the window containing the application you
wish to copy TO.
- Position the insertion point when you wish to paste
and then right-click (on a Mac, Control-click).
A shortcut menu will appear.
- Select Paste.
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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 at the
High Tech Center (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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