Student Success Guide

Navigating the Virtual Campus

at Indian River State College

Table of Contents
What is My Student ID? . . . . . . . . . . 3

Blackboard Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Sign into MyIRSC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Taking Tests and Quizzes . . . . . . . . . . 26

Change My PIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Discussions Boards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

PIN Resets . . . . . . . . . . ... . . . . 6

Uploading an Assignment . . . . . . . . . 35

RiverMail Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Viewing Your Grades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Download Office 365 Free . . . . . . . 8

Tools and Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Sync RiverMail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Communication and Contacts . . . . . . 46

Logging into Blackboard . . . . . . . 12

Tips for Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Accessing Your Course . . . . . . . . . 14

Virtual Campus Support Center . . . . . 52

2

What is My Student ID?

At the time that you applied to IRSC, you were issued a unique
9-character Student ID.
If you do not know your Student ID, you can log into MyIRSC
using your SSN and PIN. You can also stop by any campus and
present a photo ID to obtain your Student ID.
Who should I contact if I have additional questions?

admissions-info@irsc.edu
1-800-462-IRSC (4772)
3

Sign into MyIRSC

From the IRSC homepage, click MyIRSC to log in.

www.irsc.edu
4

Change PIN
When you first log in, the system will require you to change your PIN to another
number at least 4 digits long. You can change your PIN at any time by selecting
profile, clicking Change PIN, and following the instructions.

MyIRSC PIN Resets

Online: Security question and answer must be set up in MyIRSC
(Profile menu)
https://esweb.irsc.edu/Mariner/security/repin1.jsp
This will take about 30 minutes to automatically sync with
Blackboard

On Campus: Visit any IRSC campus

By Phone: Call Center (772) 462-IRSC (4772)
6

rivermailhelp@irsc.edu

RiverMail Setup
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

6.
7.
8.

If you received an email from IRSC with your RiverMail username / email
address and temporary password, use the info sent to you to log in.
Log in to MyIRSC to get your RiverMail address found in My Details
and click the RiverMail link.
By activating your RiverMail account, you are agreeing to the IRSC
Acceptable Use Policy.
Enter your email address as your user ID and temporary password.
Your temporary password is S#MMDDYYYY, i.e. CAPITAL "S" + pound
sign (#) + birth date = monthdayyear (S#01011999).
Create a new password (6 characters minimum must be strong) with
letters, numbers, special characters, and/or case change.
Enter your new password again to confirm password and click SAVE.
You should be ready to start sending and receiving RiverMail email!
7

Download Office 365

RiverMail is hosted on Office 365. Office 365 is Microsofts Online
Productivity Suite. As part of the free email service, students will have access
to: Office Web Apps, OneDrive, social networking, and collaboration tools.
To download Office 2013/2010 from Office 365:
1. Log into RiverMail on the computer you want to install the program on
2. Select the Gear in the upper right corner of the web page
3. Select Office 365 Settings
4. Select Software
Install the version you need by doing the following:
1. Click the Install button to install Office 2013 or the link Install
Office Professional Plus 2013
2. Follow the instructions displayed
8

Synching RiverMail
to Your IPhone
1. Go to Settings > Mail, Contacts, Calendars > Add Account
2. Select Exchange
3. Enter RiverMail email address and password and type RiverMail
in the Description box
4. Tap Next
5. If prompted, enter outlook.office365.com in the Server Box.
Leave the Domain box blank
6. Type your RiverMail email address in the Username Box and
your password in the Password box
9

Synching RiverMail
to Android Phone
1. Go to Applications > Email > Manage Accounts > Add Account
2. Enter your Rivermail email address
(studentname@mail.irsc.edu) and password
3. Select Exchange
4. Enter Domain\Username as irsc.edu\studentname
5. Enter Exchange Server as ex4.irsc.edu
6. Choose settings of your choice

10

Learning Management System

https://blackboard.irsc.edu

IRSCs learning management system (LMS) is Blackboard.

All online courses (fully online, blended, and web-assisted) are
taught using Blackboard.
You can access Blackboard directly through the link above or via the
IRSC homepage: www.irsc.edu
Click on the Blackboard Login link at bottom of the Quick
Links section on the IRSC home page.

11

Logging on to Blackboard
www.irsc.edu

12

Logging on to Blackboard
https://blackboard.irsc.edu
Username: IRSC nine-digit Student ID
without dashes.

Password:
Same PIN as MyIRSC PIN:
Default: MMYY of birth
Example: May 1, 1986 = 0586
Forgot PIN? Call 772-462-4772.
Blackboard Student Support:
1- 888-281-5187
13

Accessing Your Course

You may not see your course in Blackboard until the day the course
opens (first day of the semester for online classes and day of first
class meeting for on-campus classes).

Log in to your course on the first day! Daily course login is

recommended!
Read the syllabus and schedule of activities to review the
grading policy, due dates, and course expectations.
Complete attendance requirement!
If you do not, you may be withdrawn from the
class for non-attendance.
Your financial aid may be affected.

14

Institution Page

Notice the tabs at the top of the page that will

allow you to navigate to your courses, and to the
student support center.

15

Your Course Home Page

16

Content Blocked: Chrome

17

Content Blocked: Firefox

18

Content Blocked: Internet Explorer

19

Still need help?

Visit the Blackboard Online Student Support Center
via the Virtual Campus webpage
via your Blackboard course

Help is available 24/7.

20

Via Virtual Campus Webpage

21

From the VC home page

22

via your Blackboard course

http://ondemand.blackboard.com

Click
here in
Blackboard
to get to the
Blackboard
Online
Support
Center.

Starting Your Course

1. Begin by clicking on the Start Here link
on the course menu. *Note: Course
menus may vary by instructor.
2. Review materials provided in the Start
Here Module.
3. Take the Start Here Quiz.
*Note: Many courses require you to pass
the quiz with a 70% before your course
content is released. Multiple attempts are
allowed.
24

Navigating Content
All the course materials can
be found under the Content link in the course menu.

25

Taking Tests and Quizzes

Find the quiz you
need to take.
Click on the
underlined name.

Read Instructions
Click Begin
26

Taking Tests and Quizzes

Answer all questions.

Be sure to click on Save and Submit before your time is
up.
27

Taking Tests and Quizzes

Here you can see the test

information.
Once you have
submitted your quiz,
you will see this
screen. To see your
grade click on the OK
button on the bottom
right.
28

Taking Tests and Quizzes

See your total score.

29

Posting to the Discussion Board

Access the
discussion in the
module.
Select the
discussion you
want to join by
clicking on it.

30

Posting to the Discussion Board

To create a post,
click on Create
Thread.

31

Posting to the Discussion Board

Click the blue

submit button
once you have spellchecked your post.

Enter the subject

The ABC button will

check your spelling.
Click it before you
submit your post!

Write your post in here.

32

Responding to a Discussion Post

Select the student

to whom you would
like to respond.
Click on the blue
thread.

33

Responding to a Discussion Post

Read the post and then
click on the blue reply
button to respond.

34

Uploading an Assignment
Create your assignment and save it as
a doc, docx, pdf or rtf. It is important that you
save your document in a format that your instructor will
be able to open. (If you submit an assignment in an
unreadable format, your instructor may not accept that
assignment. Please check your syllabus for directions
from your instructor.) * When you are writing your
assignment save it somewhere you know you can find it.
Save it frequently so that you do not lose your work if
your power goes out.
Before you submit your work, make sure you proofread
it carefully for any factual, spelling, or grammatical
errors.
35

Uploading an Assignment
From the Content
Menu, find the
Module to which
you wish to
upload an
assignment. Click
on the folder.

36

Uploading an Assignment

Click on the
assignment
into which
you will
upload your
document.

37

Uploading an Assignment

Click on Browse
My Computer to
find your file.
38

Uploading an Assignment

Select the
file you
want to
upload.
Click Open.

39

Did My Assignment Upload

Once you see the file

under the attached files
heading. You know it is
there.
After you have checked
that your file is attached,
click the blue submit
button.

40

Viewing your Grades

On the lefthand menu,

click on My
Grades.

41

Viewing your Grades

Your
grades
will
appear in
the
grade
column.

42

Viewing your Grades

You can view instructor
feedback on your essays by
clicking on the assignment
you want to see.
* Note: Not all instructors use
this feature, so check with your
individual instructor to find out
how they will provide feedback
to you on your assignments.

43

Student Tools
Open the Tools menu by
selecting from the left-hand
menu.
View Activity Compared to
Others in the tools screen.
The instructor may also assign
Blackboard Collaborate or
other tools on this screen.

44

Other Helpful Resources

Smarthinking
Free online tutoring
Access via Blackboard
Tools Menu

Academic Support Center

ASC on each campus
Free tutoring
Free workshops

IRSC Library
http://www.irsc.edu/libraries
45

Communications
Question or Issue

Who to Contact

Technical assistance (logging in and

content access)

IRSC Blackboard Online Support

Center

Course-specific assistance (grades,

assignments, deadlines, etc.)

Instructor *

* Most instructors respond within 48 hours. If you do not hear back from your
instructor, contact the department chair. If you do not hear back from the chair,
contact the department dean (info found on course syllabus).

46

Contact Information
We are here to help! Please reach out to us.
For help getting oriented and
questions about the virtual
campus, please contact:

For help with enrollment and

student services, please
contact:

Kim Laffont,
Student Learning Coordinator
(772) 462-7040
klaffont@irsc.edu

Dr. Meredith B. Coughlin

Virtual Campus Counselor
(772) 462-7093
mcoughli@irsc.edu
47

Important Phone Numbers

Department

Phone

Department

Phone

Academic Advising

772-462-7800

Library

772-462-7600

Academic Support
Center (Tutoring)

772-462-7625

Student Activities

772-462-7476

Assessment Services
(Testing)

772-462-7585

Student Affairs Office

772-462-4706

Bookstore

772-462-7700

Student Disability
Services

772-462-7782

Career and Transition

Services

772-462-7470

Student Success
Services

772-462-4740

Financial Aid

772-462-7450

Student Support
Services

772-462-7480

48

Tips for Success

Dont procrastinate!
Keep a calendar that includes important due dates
Schedule study time
Create a dedicated study space with no distractions
Build a support system
Ask for help when needed

49

Tips for Success

Familiarize yourself with Blackboard

Have a backup plan!
Have more than one internet browser
Know how to clear cache and cookies
Save your work in multiple locations
Communicate with your instructor and
classmates frequently

50

Proctored Exams
Every online class requires that you take at least one
proctored exam. Some classes may require more than one
proctored exam. Please make sure you read your syllabus
and/or schedule of classes carefully so that you are aware of
how many proctored exams you will need to take.
Please contact the testing center to schedule your proctored
exam on campus at 77-462-7583. If you are unable to come to
campus to take your exam, you may also arrange to take it at
an offsite testing center.

51

Virtual Campus Support Center

http://virtualcampussupportcenter.weebly.com

Kim Laffont
klaffont@irsc.edu
772-462-7040
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