The faculty and staff at Michigan's community colleges want all students to be successful in their online courses, but we know it often takes new skills to work and learn in the online environment. To assist you in becoming an effective online learner, short orientation lessons are provided to assist in developing such skills. The Blackboard® and Educator® lessons may be particularly helpful after you've begun your online courses if you find you don't know how to do something required for your class.

• Expectations
• Myths
• Learning Styles

• Time Management
• Academic Expectations
• Supportive Environment
• Life Skills

While you don't need to be a "computer wizard" to be a successful online learner, you will need to be proficient in basic skills with your computer and web browser. Short lessons are available:

Orientation - Technical & Computer Skills

Course management systems are servers that create the online environment or "online classroom". You'll need an "account" to log in to when you take an online class. Most Michigan community colleges use one of the these two course management systems:

These orientation resources developed with support from the Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE), U.S. Department of Education.