1.1. Navigating Knowledge Books

Navigating and Maximizing Knowledge Books

Knowledge Books operate like many other web tools, but we want to offer a few pointers to get you up to speed quickly. Let’s start with the home for TN eCampus Students. In this view, the word cloud of knowledge tags is associated with various content pages. Larger font sizes indicate the increased frequency the word is used as a knowledge tag. This can be helpful to locate pages with similar content. There is also a list of pages designated as Most Helpful after the word cloud. A search field rounds out the bottom of this page. The word cloud and search fields are quick ways to seek information.

List View

Choosing TN eCampus Students from the menu on the left opens a list view of all chapters and pages. Notice the callouts arranged in hierarchical order in the image. This shows how the information for TN eCampus Students is compiled in a “book” of numbered “chapters”. Chapters are further divided into “pages”. Scroll through the list and select the chapter or page you want to view.

Breadcrumbs and More

In addition to the content of this page, you will find many more features. At the top of the page is a breadcrumb trail to help you navigate up a level to the book or chapter you were previously viewing. The hierarchy runs through the book, chapter, and page for quick navigation. If you need help, the Email Support and Phone Support options are listed in the upper left corner of the page frame. At the bottom of the page, Knowledge Tags link to other content with similar information.

Feedback buttons Helpful and Not Helpful are placed in the lower right corner. The bottom of the page has a breadcrumb link to the previously viewed page. Browser arrows may be used. Content linked within the Knowledge Books will remain in the same frame of the window you are using. Content linked to outside sites will open in a new window.

Keyword Tags

For example, choosing the knowledge tag, TN eCampus, returns matches presented below. 

Need further help with Knowledge Books or other TN eCampus resources, contact our Help Desk (Helpspot).

1.2. TN eCampus Brochure

TN eCampus Brochure (printable version) 

1.3. Online Courses FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions for Online Classes

Choose a link below or scroll to the section of interest. (Read Textbooks topic first.)

• Academic Calendar
• Attendance Reporting
• Brightspace (D2L) our LMS
• Course Syllabi
• Free Computer Technology Tutorials
• Help Support
• Instructors
• Login Access
• New Online Students Orientation
• Refund Deadlines
• Section Numbers
• Textbooks
• Withdrawal Deadlines
• TN eCampus History

Academic Calendar

The Academic Calendar  is maintained on the TNeCampus.org web site.

Attendance Reporting

TN eCampus instructors do not report attendance.  Attendance is reported via the Student Participation Survey. Students must complete this survey within the first 14 days of class starting for EACH of their TN eCampus classes.

Brightspace D2L our LMS

Brightspace and D2L are terms that are used interchangeably. D2L is the company that developed and manages Brightspace, our current Learning Management System (LMS) for TN eCampus courses. TN eCampus courses in Brightspace have a unique login. To access a TN eCampus course login at gotoclass.tnecampus.org  . Other TBR institutions also use the Brightspace system to manage their own independent online courses, and this can be confusing since they may look similar but use different login URLs.

Course Syllabi

You can find a syllabus for your course(s) at https://tbr.simplesyllabus.com/en-US/syllabus-library. Please note, these are general course syllabi provided for a rough estimate of expectations. Students are expected to review the specific syllabus in their course for precise details to start the course.

 

Free Computer Technology Tutorial

GCFLearnFree.org  provides FREE tutorials on the computer basics, Internet, social media and more you need to build digital literacy skills. Check out the All Topics (new window) page to see the range topics offered.

 

Help and Support

• TN eCampus D2L Help Desk
• Phone: 1-866-895-8429
• tnecampus-support@D2L.com
• Self-Help Knowledge Books
• Find Your TN eCampus Student Liaison

Instructors

TN eCampus courses are taught by instructors from TN colleges/universities across the state. You may or may not have instructors from your home institution for your TN eCampus courses.

 

Login and Access

Login access to TN eCampus’ online classes is different from online classes at your home institution. Login to the TN eCampus portal at gotoclass.tnecampus.org and use assigned TN eCampus username and password, not your home school’s username/password.  TN eCampus typically emails login credentials to enrolled students approximately one (1) week before classes start. Be sure to check your school email regularly (including the junk/spam folder) for updates and information.

Students will not be able to login or access TN eCampus course content until after 3 pm CST on the first day of class.

 

New Online Students Orientation

If you have never taken a TN eCampus course before or have never taken online classes at all, we offer a FREE self-paced Online Orientation class and a short Orientation Video for new students.

You can access the Orientation course approximately one (1) week before classes start by logging in at gotoclass.tnecampus.org . 

 

Refund Deadlines

TN eCampus refund deadlines are different from on-ground schools refund deadlines. Check with your Student Liaison for your specific deadline.

 

Section Numbers

Some online courses are offered directly through each institution alongside TN eCampus partnership courses. TN eCampus courses in the campus registration systems are identified by the section number. TN eCampus section numbers will contain an "R" designation.

For example, ENGL 1010 R01, R25, R35, R50, R80

• R01=1^st-7-wks (accelerated pace)
• R25=2^nd-7-wks (accelerated pace)
• R35 = 10-week (late start, accelerated pace)
• R50=15-weeks
• R80=Learning Support

Only R50 courses are offered during the summer term.

 

Textbooks

We recommend using the TN eCampus Virtual Bookstore . You may use third-party vendors to purchase texts, but they may not have correct or current information about the texts used in your course. Many TN eCampus courses use customized textbooks and eBooks, which require an access code. Access codes are NOT universal and change from semester to semester. If ordering from another bookdealer, you might pay for a code that is no longer valid.

 

Withdrawal Deadlines

TN eCampus withdrawal deadlines may differ from the withdrawal deadlines at your home institution. Check with your Student Liaison for your specific deadline.

 

TN eCampus History

TN eCampus is a cooperative online enterprise among 4 universities, 13 community colleges, and 27 technology centers in Tennessee. Annually, more than 38,000 students take classes through TN eCampus, with a combined enrollment of more than 200,000 students (online and campus-based). TN eCampus online programs and courses are equivalent to those offered at physical campus locations. No differentiation is made between online and campus-based delivery for transcripts or diplomas. All participating institutions are regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), while many programs have additional discipline-specific national accreditation status.

TN eCampus Initiative

Through the TN eCampus, individuals considering a college education or options for accelerating degree completion can now get a comprehensive view of online programs and courses offered by TBR partner institutions, regardless of where or how they were developed. In total, there are 500+ online degree program options and certificates and 400+ online courses!

 

For more information, go to TNeCampus.org .

1.4. Degree Programs

Degree Programs Offered

TN eCampus courses make it possible to earn a number of degree and certificate programs from the 17 colleges and universities. For a comprehensive list, please visit the pages listed below to view the corresponding degree programs:  

• Associate's Degrees
• Bachelor's Degrees
• Master's Degrees

If you would like to search for a particular degree program or search for degree programs by institution, please review the Search for Programs page.

 

Search and Apply to Degree Programs

Follow These Steps

• Visit www.tnecampus.org and choose Search Programs to the right.

• Select the desired options from the search criteria drop-down menus to narrow your search and choose Submit.

• A list of programs that meet your search criteria will be displayed.

• Choose View Program Page for more details on the program which you are interested in researching.

• • You may choose Apply Now on the program and follow the instructions provided.
    
    *Please note, this will not submit an official application to the school. This will only allow TN eCampus to send you more information on your program of choice. To officially apply to a program, go to the school's application website to complete an official application.

• • You may also choose Request Info for program information.

 

1.5. Course Tuition, Fees, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

TN eCampus Course Tuition

General information on tuition and fees associated with TN eCampus courses may be found on the Tuition and Fees page of the TN eCampus website.

For more detailed information on the tuition and fees associated with the type of institution you have chosen, please review the following pages:

 

• View information on Community College Tuition & Fees
• View information on University Tuition & Fees

 

Fees, Financial Aid, and Scholarships

TN eCampus highly recommends students with tuition and fee questions speak with the Bursar's or Business Office at their home institution and/or their Student Liaison since each school may add fees that are unique to their institution. Also, tuition and fees are paid directly to your home institution. TN eCampus does NOT accept any payments.

Financial aid is handled and distributed by the student's home institution. However, general Financial Aid and Scholarship information can be found on the TN eCampus website.

• • The first step in a successful financial aid package is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

1.6. TN eCampus Course Overview

Where can I take classes?

Through TN eCampus, you can choose to enroll at any college or university in the TN eCampus  partnership. Degrees are awarded by the home school upon completion. This degree awarded is no different than any other degree awarded by your home institution. You may take a combination of classes with your home institution and TN eCampus or get your whole degree 100% online.

 

Types of Online Courses

• Regular Online Courses
• Accelerated Courses
• Summer Courses

Regular Online Courses (15-week duration)

A fully online course is conducted completely online, including any associated lab, with no need to visit the campus for instruction. These are typically conducted over a 15-week period in the traditional Spring and Fall semesters. Some fully online courses may use proctored testing for mid-term and final exams. If your exams are proctored, you can schedule your exam at a campus testing center during a specified window of time or find an alternative proctoring solution that meets your professor’s approval.

Accelerated Courses (7-week duration)

Some fully online courses are offered in an accelerated 7-week format. The content covered in a 7-week session is the same content covered in a 15-week semester except at a much faster pace. These courses are offered in the Spring and fall semesters. Late start, accelerated 10-week courses are also available in the Spring and Fall semesters.

Summer Courses (10-week duration)

Some fully online courses are offered in the Summer in a 10-week session. The content covered in a 10-week session is the same as that covered in a 15-week semester but at a faster pace. Currently, there are no accelerated (7-week or shorter) courses offered in the summer.

Will TN eCampus courses transfer to my school?

The best answer is to check with the college you are planning to attend as your home institution. You should check to make sure any outside credits will transfer and count toward your degree program. However, a majority of the TN eCampus participating colleges and universities have an agreement to accept credit awarded by their sister institutions. The Tennessee Transfer Pathway website may aid your investigation to find if credits will transfer.

To check on the credit transfer:

• Visit the Tennessee Transfer Pathway  website and choose Find your Pathway from the top menu.

• Choose either Find Your Pathway by Institution, Major, or Focus Area.

• The next steps will vary depending on the search method chosen.

• Follow the prompts to refine the search and display the transfer information.

 

*Please note, the Tennessee Transfer Pathway is a useful tool, but it is important you confirm the credit will transfer and count toward your degree program by contacting your home institution directly.

 

Registration Times

Registration dates and deadlines along with other important semester information located on the TN eCampus Academic Calendar .

*Please note, students must register through their home institution. If you are not a current student, please review the Application Process  for information on how to apply.

Other Online Courses

Some online courses are offered directly through each institution alongside TN eCampus partnership courses. TN eCampus courses in the campus registration systems are identified by the section number. TN eCampus section numbers will contain an "R" designation. Courses without the "R" in the section number are taught through the individual campus.

 

2.1. Brightspace, D2L, or LMS?

Learning Management System (LMS)

Brightspace and D2L (Desire2Learn) are terms used interchangeably. D2L is the company that develops and manages Brightspace, our Learning Management System (LMS). Brightspace is the course management platform for all of the TN eCampus courses.

To access a registered TN eCampus course, log in to the D2L Brightspace at https://gotoclass.tnecampus.org . Other TBR institutions may also use a Brightspace system to manage their own independent online courses. They may look similar but use different login addresses.

2.2. Textbooks (Read Before You Buy)

Ordering Textbooks

Buy your books before classes begin. It can take a few days to a week for them to be shipped to you, and you will need your books right away. To buy your books and materials, go to the TN eCampus Virtual Bookstore here: https://www.bkstr.com/tnecampusstore/home. Once classes begin, double-check what you bought and compare it to what is listed in the syllabus. If any discrepancies are noticed, please report these to your instructor and also email TN eCampus at tnecampus@helpspot.com. 

A NOTE ABOUT DIGITAL MATERIALS: If your course requires an access card or access code, or is an eText—you really do need to buy it from the TN eCampus Virtual Bookstore! These materials are sequenced and aligned with your exact TN eCampus course section, and if you purchase them elsewhere they will not work! ALSO, once you purchase an access card or access code, wait to activate it until you have accessed your course and read the course directions on activation. Often times there will be a class code you need and you won't have that until the class opens. Once you activate the access code, it cannot be returned!

Order Process

To order your books from the TN eCampus Virtual Bookstore, please follow these steps:

• Go to the TN eCampus Virtual Bookstore .
• Scroll down to Get Your Textbooks and select your Term.

 

Start with Select Department. Then select your Course number. Select the appropriate options from the drop-down menus from left to right.  

For Section choose All. Complete additional courses if needed and then choose Find Materials for Course.

 

Review the book options, select the book, and add it to your bag. Follow the prompts to establish an account and pay for the book(s).

Access Codes

Some access codes are sent to email accounts on file instead of standard postal mail. Please provide a correct and frequently checked email address in your account information. Codes usually arrive within 48 hours. If a code is not received by email, look for it by postal mail within 7-10 days. Instructors typically allow time for students to receive their access codes during the first week. Courses may also provide a temporary pass to the eBook to allow for the arrival of a personal access code. Please check the Course Content section of your class to see the information provided on your eBooks. For more information contact your instructor for any needed clarification.

2.3. Logging Into Your Course

Logging Into Your Course

Students can log in and access their course(s) at https://gotoclass.tnecampus.org/d2l/home.  

Common Issues

 

• If a student does DO NOT know their Username, then contact the Help Desk at (866) 895-8429 anytime for assistance.

• If the Username is known, then the password could be the problem. The Help Desk can help here too, but there are some possible solutions to check first. 

• • For a new student that's taken no previous TN eCampus course before, the password will be their 6-digit birthday (MMDDYY).

• • For students who have taken courses with TN eCampus, the password will be one the student used at their last login.

Automated Password Help

Use the "Forgot your Password?" link on the login page for new and recent students.

• Using the link will send a password reset email to the primary email address on file at the home institution.
• Recently updated email addresses may still be processing. Check any email that could be on file.
• Only request the password reset once and allow approximately 15 minutes for it to process.
• Check your email's junk/spam folder if the message is not received promptly.

If you this does not resolve the problem promptly, then we have 4 ways to reach out for assistance. (Phone and chat are the fastest.)

• Contact the Help Desk at (866) 895-8429 if you have not received the link or need additional assistance. (24/7)
• You may Live Chat with a D2L Support team member. Look for the Live Chat button on the login page and the course home page. (24/7)

• Send an email message to tnecampus@helpspot.com.
• You may also receive assistance by texting a message to (615) 933-5436.

 

Reminder

Remember: Classes don't start until after 3 pm on the first day of class. View our Academic Calendar to find the date classes start.

2.4. Semester Start Prep Tips

TN eCampus wants to help our incoming students be ready for starting a new semester by providing a few tips to get them off to a good start.

For ANY online class, you should:

• Have an updated computer with a working webcam and audio.
• Have a computer that can play and record video.
• Have a computer that will open all browsers (Chrome, Firefox, and Explorer or Safari) in their current versions.
• Feel comfortable navigating online in unfamiliar environments.
• Be prepared to dedicate additional time to learning and familiarizing yourself with your course environment.
• Feel comfortable researching and solving problems independently.
• Feel at ease communicating with your instructor.
• Be able to use common computer software programs for completing assignments such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, etc. (Note: most of our partnering schools can provide free access to these programs. Check with your home school for assistance.)
• Be able to resolve/communicate problems using computer screenshots or snipping tools.
• Commit 3 hours of study time per week per credit you are enrolled. For example, a 3-credit class would require 9 hours of study time per week. A 12-credit hour load = 36 hours of study time; almost the same as a full-time job.
• Have a dedicated space and time to read and study your course materials.
• Provide disability accommodation documentation to your instructor at the beginning of the semester, if needed.

Virtual tutoring resources will be available to you once you are logged into your class. Your home school should also have tutoring available. We encourage you to take advantage of these resources.

Please address any issues with your instructor early in the semester. If you continue to have problems that cannot be resolved, you can contact your Student Liaison (new window) at your home institution as well as the Student Success team by emailing tnecampus@helpspot.com or texting (615) 933-5436.

Special Tips for BIOL 2010 and BIOL 2020 Students

These biology course(s) are Gateway courses. According to the University of Texas at San Antonio, “Gateway Courses are generally courses that are necessary for students to progress through their chosen major and are usually those courses which contain material in which a student needs a clear-cut comprehension in order to be successful in completing other course requirements for the major.”

Students in the TN eCampus BIOL 2010 and BIOL 2020 classes are being prepared for future healthcare careers.

Here are some additional tips for students in our BIOL 2010 and 2020 courses:

• Add additional study time into your week – at a minimum of 3 more hours than standard. Since Biology classes are 4-credit courses (each), this would equate to 15 hours (12 hours base + 3 hours more) a week. If you are taking both (not recommended), 30 hours minimum a week.
• You will have online proctored exams. Your instructor will provide instructions in the class for this; however, be prepared to have a dedicated quiet space to test.
• Review ALL course material. Anything in the class, whether from the textbook, PowerPoint slides, images, lectures, etc. at any point, can be on an exam.
• It is best to view these classes on a desktop/laptop computer.
• Develop online study groups with classmates early in the semester for weekly reviews.
• Your textbook will be available as a PDF embedded in the class. If you want a physical copy of the book, you can order it from the Virtual Bookstore (new window).

 

2.5. Semester Start Checklist

2.6. Student Liaison Contact

A Full-time Resource

The Student Liaison is a full-time, professional employee provided at each institution. This person can be an extremely valuable resource for assistance regarding courses or program of study topics. To locate the Student Liaison for your institution or program, view the Student Liaisons page on the TN eCampus website.

Common topics addressed by a Student Liaison include:

• Advising
• Transcript Review
• Admission
• Degree Program Information
• Graduation Plan
• Registration
• Transfer Credits
• Complaints
• Grade Appeals
• Disability Services

2.7. Contact Instructor and Classmates

Email Instructor and Classmates

Brightspace provides a means of communication within the course, but please note, that the online course system is a closed email system. This means students and teachers cannot send messages to or from external email sites, such as Yahoo, Gmail, or Outlook. Students and teachers are encouraged to communicate within the course email system to streamline response and follow up needs.

Sending Messages

Log in to the course and select Classlist from the navbar menu. The Classlist will open. The instructor and students are listed by role.

In the Classlist, choose the name of your instructor and open the menu to email, or alternatively, check the name and select the Email icon. This will open a new email message.

From this view, note the typical email features such as, To (address), Subject, Body (message), and Attachments, which include Record Audio. Compose the email and select Send to send a message.

Return to your course regularly to see if you have received an email response, indicated by a red dot next to the email icon, at the top of the page.

Note: TN eCampus policy allows instructors up to 48 hours to respond to student emails. 

If you have questions about assignments or other course work, be sure to allow plenty of time before deadlines to receive a response.

If you do not receive a response from your instructor after 48 hours, you can use the Get Help Now! button on your course homepage to contact TN eCampus.

Some instructors provide emergency/alternative contact information. A link to the Instructor Information page is located in the Announcements section of the course's homepage. Instructor Information is also in the Getting Started module of the course content under Syllabus.

 

2.8. Get Help Contacting Your Instructor

Get Help Now

One of our top priorities is to support students on their path to success. We know students must receive timely responses to do their best, and TN eCampus has engagement expectations for instructors with students (usually within 48 hours). If you are not able to reach your instructor or need additional support, we can help you connect to your instructor, a student liaison, or provide other support resources. Choose the Get Help Now button directly from your course page.

Submit a Request

1. Click the Get Help Now button (located on each course home page), to request help contacting your instructor or course support resources.
2. A form will open. Complete as much information as you can in the text fields and dropdown menus. Student should select Instructor Request and Student from the menus for this type of request. Enter the Security Word in the text field.
   
   
3. Your escalation will notify the TN eCampus Student Success staff.
4. TN eCampus Student Success staff will take appropriate steps to assist you.

Please review the Communication Expectations (same frame) tutorial for more information.

2.9. Important TN eCampus Dates

Calendars and Resources

Important dates and deadlines are posted in the Academic Calendar located on the TN eCampus webpage. It is advisable to bookmark or make a favorite of these pages for future reference. Be aware that TN eCampus start/end dates as well as exam dates may differ from your home school's dates for their online classes. If you are taking both TN eCampus online class and online classes directly from your home school, you may need to keep up with 2 different calendars.

 

2.10. Course Syllabus

Course Syllabus

All course syllabi are located on the TN eCampus website under Syllabus Library (TNeCampus.org). However, the syllabus listed inside your course is adapted to include specific information for your class. To locate the course syllabus in a course, log into Brightspace at https://gotoclass.tnecampus.org/d2l/login?logout=1 and select your course. Select Content from the NavBar or choose Getting Started under Welcome.

 

From the Table of Contents, choose the Getting Started folder and then Course Syllabus.

2.11. Orientation Video

The 5 Minute Tour



2.12. External Resources

GCF Global

GCF Global (also known as GCF Learn Free) is a program of Goodwill Community Foundation® and Goodwill Industries of Eastern NC Inc. For more than a decade, GCF Global has helped millions around the world learn the essential skills they need to live and work in the 21st century. 

Highlights

• Completely free, no account required
• Offers more than 2,000 lessons, 800+ videos, and 55+ interactive activities and games
• Covers more than 180 topics including computer basics, typing tutorials, searching the web, Algebra, Spanish, Grammar, and even the full suite of Microsoft products like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Website: edu.gcfglobal.org/en/ 

EdX

EdX was founded by Harvard and MIT in 2012 and is a website offering free courses spanning subjects such as business, chemistry, education, electronics, history, law, and many more. Courses are offered through world-renowned universities, organizations, companies, governments, and non-government organizations such as Harvard, MIT, Amazon, and the Smithsonian. Courses are offered for free, but students can pay a nominal fee to obtain professional certificates and micro-master programs.

Highlights

• Offers courses for free as well as paid professional certificate programs/micro-masters programs
• Courses are available in multiple languages such as English, Spanish, Chinese, French, etc.
• Partners with institutions like Harvard, MIT, Princeton, University of Tokyo, Notre Dame, and other renowned universities as well as global companies such as Amazon Web Services, IsraelX, The Smithsonian Institution, Microsoft, the New York Institute of Finance
• Has over 130 global institutional partners

Website: ed x.org/course

Future Learn

Future Learn is a website based out of the UK offering degrees, as well as free online courses that cover things like business, nature & environment, politics, literature, and many more. They are partnered with many international universities and offer flexible programs for anyone.

Highlights

• Offers 22 degree programs, and 339 courses
• 149 global partners including universities in the UK and other international universities

Website: futurelearn.com/

Alison

Alison is a website offering certificate courses, diploma courses, and learning paths. Some are free, and others are paid. The best attribute about Alison is that the offer courses for skilled trades like plumbing, electrical, carpentry, masonry, and motor.

Highlights

• Offering free courses covering all sorts of courses, including SKILL TRADES
• Has certificate courses, diploma courses, and learning paths

Website: alison.com/

Khan Academy

Offering free courses covering subjects such as math, science, college, careers, personal finance, and many more. They are partnered with many renowned institutions such as NASA, the Museum of Modern Art, and MIT. Also offering test prep for many standardized tests.

Highlights

• Offering free courses covering math, science, college, careers and more
• Personal finance courses like saving & budgeting, car expenses, taxes and paying for college
• Partnered with institutions like NASA, The Museum of Modern Art and MIT
• Also has test prep

Website: khanacademy.org/

Academic Earth

Offering free courses covering things like art history, business, healthcare administration, social work, and many other subjects. They show video lectures through YouTube all from real classroom settings.

Highlights

• Offers free courses that show lecture videos through YouTube
• Covers a lot of topics and courses

Website: academicearth.org/

3.1. Request Disability Accommodation

Providing Accommodations

Accommodations are reasonable academic adjustments or auxiliary aids that provide equal access to programs and services on an individual basis. Accommodations are requested by a person with a disability and determined to be reasonable on an individual basis by an appointed representative, often, in a disability services office. Extended time on tests or taking an exam in a minimal distraction area are examples of reasonable academic adjustments.

Initiating the Process

A student with a disability has a responsibility to initiate the accommodation process with the disability resource center or campus office if they wish to request a reasonable accommodation. The office determines whether the student is eligible for services. If so, the office coordinates appropriate accommodations and services in consultation with the student, faculty, and other professionals, as appropriate. All students must follow the policies and procedures and meet the graduation requirements of their particular program.

Student Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the student to inform and provide documentation to their TN eCampus instructor via course email. 

3.2. Attendance and Student Participation Survey

Survey Requirement

ALL STUDENTS taking TN eCampus classes MUST complete the Student Participation Survey in order to be reported as attending classes. Students may be automatically dropped from a class if the survey is not completed on time. For some students, completing the Student Participation Survey will also release financial aid.  Attendance verification is automatically sent to schools on the 4th, 9th, and 14th day of the semester.

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The Student Participation Survey MUST be completed by the 14th day of class (including weekends).

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Access Survey

Log into the class. Choose Surveys on the navbar. This may be under More on smaller screens or windows.

 

 

The Survey List will open. Find Student Participation Survey. Select the survey and follow the prompts.

 

 

 

Choose survey in Announcements.

 

 

3.3. Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

Academic Integrity

All students are expected to comply with the TN eCampus Online Integrity and Online Student Behavior policies. Students participating in any form of academic misconduct will be subject to the penalties outlined by their home institution. Students should refer to the student handbook provided by their home institution for more information.

Citing References

Sometimes students are not aware of how to cite references or sources to avoid plagiarism. The following links may be helpful to correct source citation and through the styles, your instructor prefers for citation purposes.

Citation Styles

• APA -  The OWL at Purdue APA Style Citations
• ASA  - The OWL at Purdue ASA Style Citations
• MLA - The OWL at Purdue MLA Style Citations
• Chicago - The OWL at Purdue Chicago Style Citations

 

3.4. Filing a Complaint

Filing a Complaint

Please know that all concerns are taken very seriously. Complaints regarding grades, instructors, or other students have official procedures that must be followed to ensure the complaint is addressed properly and in a timely manner.

To learn more about the steps to file a complaint, please review the TN eCampus Complaint Process on the TN eCampus website.

 

3.5. Grade Appeal

Grade Appeal Process

Before filing an appeal, the student should contact the instructor by phone, message or in writing to verify the grade awarded agrees with the grade on the student's transcript. The student should allow the instructor time to investigate and respond.

Next Step

If the grade concern remains unresolved, the student must work with their home campus Student Liaison   by submitting the concern in writing. The student liaison will be involved in the following steps:

1. The home campus' Student Liaison will communicate with the Student Liaison from the delivering institution regarding the complaint.
2. The Student Liaison from the delivering institution will notify the instructor or department chair.
3. The Student Liaison from the delivering institution communicates back to the home campus' Student Liaison once a decision has been reached.
4. The home campus' Student Liaison will record the decision and communicate with the student.

Final Appeal

The student has the right to appeal the decision following the Student Rights and Appeal Process at the student's home campus. In the event a student elects to appeal the decision made by the delivering institution, all course documentation should be provided to the student's home campus for evaluation. The student must adhere to the grade appeal process at the home campus, which is responsible for the final grade appeal decision.

3.6. Drop or Withdraw from Class

Official Class Changes

As with admissions and registration for classes, the official process of withdrawing from a class or from school completely must be handled through the student's home institution. TN eCampus does not manage student withdrawals, even from our online classes. The student should contact their TN eCampus Student Liaison to ensure proper processes are followed. View a list of TN eCampus Student Liaisons.

*Please note, failure to attend class or participate in class is not sufficient for initiating a withdrawal. Students may be held responsible for any fees acquired. Please visit the Academic Calendar to determine the fee percentage returned along with the corresponding deadlines to withdraw.

4.1. Navigating Your Online Course

Navigating Course Content

 

Log in to the course site at gotoclass.tnecampus.org .

 

Courses will be listed under My Courses. It may be necessary to scroll down the page to see the list, or choose View All Courses to see more than 12 courses at a time. Select the course to access the course content.

 

*Please note, for attendance purposes, students must complete the Student Participation Survey by the end of the 14th days of class. Students are encouraged to complete the survey as a first step to be certain it is completed on time.

 

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Choose Content from the NavBar on the course homepage to access the course content.

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In this example, the left column contains the Table of Contents and lists all modules in the course including the Getting Started module.  The right column displays the contents of a selected module. Choosing Message from your Instructor opens a sample page.

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Navigate through each page in the module by selecting the Back and Forward arrows at the top and bottom right corner of the page or use the Bread Crumb Trail to navigate back to the table of contents, a module, or page by selecting the desired location.

 

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Watch this video to learn more about TN eCampus home, Messages, Updates, Subscriptions, and Personal Menu buttons and icons.

Section Numbers

 

Section numbers may be confusing. Course section numbers for full semesters begin with R50. Additional sections will be numbered R51, R52, etc. 7-week classes for the first half of a semester start with R01 and continue to R02, R03, etc. 7-week classes for the second half of a semester start with R25 and continue to R26, R27, etc. The 10-week (late start) classes start with R35 and may continue to R36, R37, etc.

 

 

4.2. Ally Student Overview

Ally Student Overview

TN eCampus has integrated Blackboard Ally into the online course experience. Ally helps instructors maintain accessible content for all users, but Ally also gives students choices in the way they access course content. Ally uses the original course files and documents to create alternative format files that include:

• readable text for screen readers,
• electronic braille,
• audio from text,
• ePub (ebook reading)
• and enhanced reading with BeeLine Reader. 

 

Access an alternative file anywhere the Ally download icon is present. Ally works right where you are within your online course without accessing third party sites or special logins.

Choose a new version of the original that is best for your needs.

Which one is right for you?  It may depend on how you like to learn, the place you are when you want to learn, or other reasons you need specific support. Use this table to review the choices.

Choosing an alternative format does not change the original content of the course. You can always view the original content or try another format. If this option is not available, then it is not one of the 6 file types available for conversion, or your instructor has restricted that specific file.

Ally provides alternative formats for these content types:

• PDF files
• Microsoft^® Word files
• Microsoft^® Powerpoint^® files
• OpenOffice/LibreOffice files
• Uploaded HTML files
• Content created in the LMS course editor

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Prefer a short video? Watch Blackboard Ally for Students.

(This video is made for the Blackboard LMS, but the functionality is the same.)

Read more about each feature on the Blackboard Ally site (new window).

 

4.3. Getting Started Widget

Getting Started Widget

The Getting Started Widget is a customization in Brightspace designed to help your instructor communicate important information the first time you log into the course. The widget will open automatically to the first page. Choosing Next prompts the next file to load. Scrolling may be necessary for longer pages.

Continue to read the pages and choose Next until the last file is presented. The last file offers the option to Dismiss the widget. Choosing Dismiss will stop the initiation of the widget at the login to the course.

You are only asked to view the content once, but you can always see the content again even if Dismiss was selected previously. Choose Getting Started to run the widget. (This is the same information found in the Getting Started content module if you prefer to navigate the table of contents.)

 

4.4. Surveys

Common Surveys

There are three surveys that you will see each semester in your online course. There may also be other surveys in the course created by the instructor, but these are the most common to every course.

Student Participation Survey

The Student Participation Survey verifies attendance and must be completed by the student in the first 14 days of class. Attendance is reported to the home institution on the 4th, 9th, and 14th day of class. Failure to complete the survey can negatively impact your financial aid. The Student Participation Survey can be accessed by following the link on the Course Home Page or selecting Surveys from the NavBar during the 14 day period.

 

 

Student Services Survey

The Student Services Survey asks students about their use of, and experience with, a variety of resources and services that have been available to them during the semester. Completing this survey helps TN eCampus improve student resources and services.

A prompt to complete the Student Services Survey will "pop-up" when logging into Brightspace near the end of the semester. Be sure to allow approximately 10 seconds for the "pop-up" to appear.

Follow the link to complete the survey. Once completed, the survey will no longer be available.

 

Course Evaluation Survey

The Course Evaluation Survey asks students about their experience with their TN eCampus course(s) and their course(s) instructor(s).

Like the Student Services Survey, the Course Evaluation Survey will be available close to the end of the semester and will "pop-up" when logging in and accessing your class(es) in Brightspace. Be sure to allow approximately 10 seconds for the "pop-up" to appear.

Follow the link to complete the survey. Once completed, the survey will no longer be available.

4.5. Course Evaluation Survey

TN eCampus Course Evaluation Survey

TN eCampus uses surveys to capture important feedback from students regarding course quality and effectiveness. Please review the instructions and screen images in this tutorial.

*Please note, this is not the Student Participation Survey . Student Participation Survey is a very important, but separate survey, that must be completed in the first 14 days of class. Please refer to that tutorial for specific information.

Survey Prompt

When logging in, you may be prompted to take one or more surveys. Select the Go to Survey or choose Do It Later. Prompts will popup after a new login. Please check the due date before choosing Do It Later.

 

Multiple Surveys

There may be more than one survey to complete. Some students may be enrolled in multiple TN eCampus courses at the same time. Check the Academic Calendar for the active survey date range. If multiple surveys are available, but only one survey is completed, the system will not prompt a reminder again until you have logged out and back into Brightspace. Additionally, you will see reminders on the TN eCampus homepage for the Student Services Survey.

*Please note, the popup does not display on the course homepage. The popup is visible when logging into TN eCampus. It is not triggered each time the student lands on a course's My Homepage. A link to return to the active list is presented at the end of each survey as well.

Complete a Survey

After choosing a survey link, the survey will be displayed in Brightspace. Choose radio buttons for each question to respond to. Check the bottom of the page and select Next to continue if the survey has multiple pages.

Surveys may also include Textbox responses to add personalized comments.

 

Choose the Submit at the bottom of the last page when finished or choose Exit to leave the survey without submitting it. The survey is not complete without choosing Submit.

Choose Submit again to confirm in the next window.

After submitting the survey, a completion message will appear in the next window. You may choose My Surveys to see available surveys. This link can be used to complete any remaining surveys.

 

4.6. Notifications and Activity Feed

Course Notifications

Students can receive announcements, notifications of changes, and updates to course content. Notifications may also be for Activity Feed. You will see announcements on the home page, but your instructor may choose to use Activity Feed as well. Activity Feed allows more of a two-way conversation like social media communication. Choosing notifications will allow users to be active in the conversation without logging into their course constantly.

To customize notifications, select the down arrow from Announcements and choose Notifications.

Use the Brightspace Pulse app to receive notifications on your phone. Download Brightspace Pulse available on iTunes  or Google Play .

Set up your email account or register your phone depending on your preferred notification delivery option.

Choose any or all of the notifications you prefer. Then choose the delivery method SMS for your phone, email, or both. While you can choose all options, consider how distracting multiple notifications could be. Choose the notifications that best fit your needs to stay informed.

There are a couple more options to consider here. You may also manage how to handle one or more courses if you are enrolled in multiple courses at the same time.

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Prefer a brief video to watch this process in action?

 

4.7. Assignments

Assignments

Locate Assignments

Assignments are accessible in two locations. Either choose Assignments from the NavBar or follow the links available in the course modules. It is a good idea to check the Assignments listed on the landing page to keep a mental note of upcoming assignments as well as a double-check of the list in each module (in the table of contents). Students are less likely to miss a due date by cross-referencing.

In this example, there is a current and closed assignment. Instructors may set Assignments to be available and visible or they may specific Start and End Dates and choose when to make them visible. Be sure to check the far right column for the Due Date and time on the assignment. Assignments are spread across the semester to distribute the pace of the course. Make a mental note of upcoming activities to be prepared and plan accordingly.

Each assignment page will show when an assignment should be submitted. Grades or scores as they are posted are visible in this location. If there is a dash in the Score column, the assignment has not been graded. Students should contact the instructor regarding grade questions or missed deadlines.

Submit an Assignment

Select the blue link for a current or active assignment on the Assignments page. Instructions about the assignment will be given on the submission page. Some instructors may provide this in the modules. However, be sure to read any instructions provided on the Assignments page as well. Instructors sometimes mention "Submitting an Assignment to the Dropbox." This is referring to the submission to Assignments inside Brightspace (not the Dropbox app).

Students may choose to select Add a File or in some courses, students may be allowed to Record Audio.

 

The Upload page will open. Either upload from a folder or use the drag/drop method to the Upload button/area. Choose Add once the file is selected. Word and PDF files are typical. If the file type is not correct, there will be a red X. Choose the correct type. A message may be added for the instructor as well. Choose Submit when finished.

Expect to receive an email confirmation (via your D2L email, NOT school/personal email) with a successful submission. To double-check, go to the Assignment page and view the Submission column for the file. 

Watch a brief video from D2L on this process if you prefer.

Turnitin

Turnitin has a variety of resources for students and instructors. If your assignment has this resource enabled you may receive feedback and the opportunity to review a Similarity Report that compares your work and other written resources. This can be a valuable resource to help students write better.

Video Note

You can also submit video recordings directly in Brightspace by using Video Note to record and auto caption your submission. Watch this tutorial for more information.

4.8. Rich Text Editor

HTML Rich Text Editor

D2L has released an HTML editor in Brightspace. The most visual change is the removal of the lower tool bar. Those features were moved to the top bar.

Old  HTML Editor

Updated Tool Bar

Changes to the Editor

The Check Accessibility, HTML Source Editor, Preview, and Toggle Full Screen functionalities have now been placed in the top bar. Other changes include:

• New formatting options
• A full and standard set of Emojis and Symbols
• The move of footer options like 'preview' ' source' 'accessibility checking' and 'expand' to the main toolbar.
• Updates to the font size menu
• A refreshed Accessibility checker

Additions to the Editor

• New Advanced Tables that include sorting options.
• Contextual menus for editing text, links, and images (image editing is not available in all areas still)
• Word Count including character and selection word count
• Advanced Source Code Editor that includes code suggestions and color coding for tags
• Lato font
• An 'Other Insert Options' menu for overflow items 
• Copy/paste and/or drag and drop images is now available 
• Design improvements to enhance use of the editor on mobile devices and improve general usability.
• Accessibility improvements – Improved keyboard navigation for keyboard users and toolbar icons are spaced out more in accordance with WCAG standards.

Not included in the Editor

These items were not carried over from the classic editor.

• Spellcheck functionality. D2L recommends using your browser spellcheck functionality.
• Cut/Paste functionality. D2L recommends using your browser hot keys/menus for this functionality.

 

4.9. Quizzes and Assessments

Quizzes and Assessments

Quizzes and other assessments such as, exams and tests are found in the course under Quizzes on the NavBar of the course homepage. Only the tests and quizzes currently available will be visible. Some assessments, such as practice quizzes, may always be available. Typically, practice quizzes may be taken multiple times. Students are encouraged to take advantage of these options.

Some courses may administer assessments through a 3rd party service such as MyMathLab. For details on the required assessments in the course, please refer to the course syllabus located in Content.

The course content may also have links to quizzes. Check the table of contents and course calendar for additional references to quizzes.

Which Assessment

Dates are often displayed below each assessment as shown in the image below. These are the dates the assessment opens and closes. Refer to the course calendar for assessment due dates.

Get Started

To begin an assessment in D2L, open the summary page for the selected assessment. The page will display information such as the time allotted for the attempt, number of attempts allowed, and some general instructions. Select Start Quiz to begin an assessment.

Proctored Exam

A proctored exam means the exam must be administered under the supervision of a neutral third party. Students may schedule an appointment at one of our TBR Testing Centers or an instructor approved alternative proctor. It is strongly recommended students schedule their proctor appointments well in advance. Testing centers have a limited number of seats. Visit the Proctoring Overview (new window) page for instructions.

Automatic Grading

Most assessments are auto-graded as they are submitted. However, assessments that include the following types of questions are typically not auto-graded:

• Fill in the blank
• Short/Long Answers
• Essay

Instructors can answer questions about when or how an assessment will be graded.

Retake an Assessment

This decision is at the discretion of the instructor. If a student misses an exam or an assignment for any reason, the student should contact their instructor. TN eCampus cannot override instructor decisions on grades or make-up work.

If you experienced an emergency, illness, or other situation that caused you to miss an exam or assignment, try to obtain documentation (doctor's note, police report, etc.) to send to your instructor, if at all possible.

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4.10. Brightspace Pulse Mobile App

Brightspace Pulse

Brightspace Pulse is a mobile app that can help learners stay connected and on track with their courses in the Brightspace Learning Environment. It provides one easy view of course calendars, readings, assignments, evaluations, grades, and announcement items. The app can help learners make better decisions about how to handle the workload, when to submit assignments, and when to prepare for tests. Real-time alerts can let learners know when new grades are available. The schedule view and weekly visualization enables learners to quickly view what is due today, this week, and upcoming across all their courses.

Using Brightspace Pulse

• View announcements on the Pulse app home page
• View calendar of upcoming readings, assignments, tests, and content module descriptions
• Create personal milestones such as study sessions or group meetings
• Receive real-time notifications when news items and grades are posted for a course from a new Grades tab

To Get Started

1. Download Brightspace Pulse available on App Store or Google Play
2. Search for TN eCampus or enter the URL: https://gotoclass.tnecampus.org

Multiple Accounts

If you already use the Brightspace Pulse app for your home campus, you will need to add TN eCampus to it.  When you log into the app, you can toggle between your home campus and the TN eCampus portal.

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Added Functionality

Brightspace Pulse for Android now displays in Dark mode when Dark mode is enabled on your Android device. Using this mode can reduce eye strain and conserve battery power on your device.

4.11. Checklist

Course Checklists

Using the checklist is a great way for students to feel confident in their progress through a course. The Checklist is set up by instructors to identify essential tasks that must be completed within a module. The Checklist is not automatically updated when you complete a task, but it is something for students to check to ensure they have completed all tasks before moving on to the next module.

*Please note, not all courses use Checklists. If you do not see one in your module, then it is not available.

Access a Checklist

Open Class Progress from the NavBar. If the course has a checklist it will be located under the Table of Contents.

Checklist Progress will open. Choosing a checklist will expand the list. Check the boxes next to the items completed. Notice the Complete Bar changes as checkboxes are added. Choose Save when finished.

4.12. Class Progress

Check Your Class Progress

This feature allows students to view their coursework progress over the semester. Progress in the following areas can be monitored:

• Grades
• Objectives
• Content
• Discussions
• Assignments
• Quizzes
• Checklist
• Surveys
• Login History

Information includes log-in history, completion dates of activities and assessments, and which content modules have or haven't been viewed. At the start of the semester, there will be limited information, but when students check progress from time to time as the semester progresses.

Checking Your Progress

Select Class Progress from the navbar.

Progress Views

Choosing Content in the left-hand column opens Content Progress. Notice progress is displayed by percentage and graphically.

Print a Progress Report

Choose Print to print a record of progress.

Choose Settings to edit the default progress components to print or choose Print to finish.

Choose the components to print and then Save and Close.

Choose Print to print the custom choices.

4.13. ePortfolio

ePortfolio

Brightspace ePortfolio is a personal portfolio tool for storing, organizing, reflecting on and sharing items that represent your learning. You can include items such as documents, graphics, audio files, videos, presentations, and course work to demonstrate your improvement or mastery in certain areas.

You can control what items you want to include in your portfolio, how they are organized, and who you want to share them with. When you share items with your peers, mentors, or potential employers, you can give them permission to view items, edit items, see or add comments, and see or add assessments to receive feedback.

More Information

D2L has 9 videos to assist learners on Youtube . Watch the first video here.

4.14. Grades

Grades

Automated grading features may decrease response time to students for some graded items. However, some graded items require instructors to manually assess all or part of an assignment, quiz, or exam. Additionally, some courses complete homework and other assignments on 3rd party sites such as Pearson’s MyMathLab or Cengage's MindTap. Grades from these types of sites may offer grade results within that site upon completion. Those grades may take time or action by the instructor to migrate to D2L Brightspace grades pages. Students may need to check both sites to review all grades during transition periods. Students should contact their instructor for any questions or clarification regarding grades.

View Grades

View grades by selecting Grades from the NavBar on the course homepage.

 

 

There is a row for the Final Letter Grade which will remain blank until the final exam and the instructor has submitted the final grade for the semester. There are two assessments in this example. MicroQuiz's score is highlighted and reflects 10 out of 10. This quiz has been graded. Module 1 Quiz does not have a score. It has not been graded. This sample is simplified to highlight these details, but typical courses will have numerous categories for assignments, discussions, and quizzes.

 

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4.15. Discussions

Discussions

Most courses utilize discussions as a method for creating class interaction and student engagement with the material and each other. In some cases, instructors assess student responses through the discussion board and provide feedback. Understanding how to manage the Discussions page is very important for students.

To access Discussion threads, choose Discussions from the NavBar.

However, some instructors may also embed a link to the Discussion thread as part of an activity for the module. This embedded link will direct students to the appropriate thread. Discussions can be accessed by going to the course homepage if there is a problem.

 

If the course instructor uses Discussions as an activity in the class, students will probably see one or more discussion forums on the page. There may also be one or more topics under each forum. As with other online forums you may have used, the forums can be sorted and filtered in a variety of ways. However, students are warned about using these too carelessly. Often students think they have "lost" their post when the filter was set in a way that would "hide" their new post.

The small menu arrows next to forum and topic names can be used to Subscribe to either the entire forum or to specific topics. This allows students to receive a notification in the top bar next to the student's name when a new post or reply has been added.

 

Some instructors will set dates of availability on the Discussion forums or individual topic threads. If a discussion forum or topic is supposed to be available, but not displaying correctly, there could be a mistake availability date setting. Please check with the instructor first to ensure the dates are correct. Date restrictions may limit when items display and when posts can be made.

After opening the topic link, choose Start a New Thread to post your response to the topic. Choose any response already posted and select Reply to respond to another student. When finished, choose Post.

Updated Editor

The Brightspace editor is largely the same but there are some changes to tool sets. The Check Accessibility, HTML Source Editor, Preview, and Toggle Full Screen functionalities have now been placed in the top bar. The editor also has an improved color picker, improved keyboard navigation, advanced table options (all WCAG compliant), word count, drag and drop images, improved mobile user experience, and a full set of Emojis.

Discussion Grades

The requirements for discussions vary by course. Students should refer to the course syllabus or specific instructions for each discussion topic. Contact the instructor for more specific information.

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4.16. Embed Code and Linked URLs

Embed Code and Linked URLs

Many assignments or discussions may require embedded or linked content. Find the Insert Stuff icon to embed or create links in your content.

From the Insert Stuff window, choose Insert Link or Enter Embed Code.

To Insert a Link, go the to the website and select the URL or use a Share option and choose Copy. (This example is from a popular video sharing site. Share is located under the video window.)

Paste the code in the text window

Add descriptive text to replace the actual URL to help all users understand the link destination. Choose Insert.

To embed a video, the video-sharing site must provide the embed code through a Share option. Choose the word Embed or the <> icon. A window will open with a long code that starts with <iframe> and ends with </iframe>. Use the copy button.

Paste the code in the text window and choose Next.

The next window will offer a preview. Choose Insert to finish.

Check the editor to review the newly added link or embedded video. 

Video Note

Video Note is another option to create and share a video directly in Brightspace. From Insert Stuff, choose Add Video Note and follow the prompts.

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Prefer to watch a short video?



4.17. Rubric

Discussion Rubrics

To view the graded rubric for a discussion question, go to the NavBar and choose Class Progress.

From the class progress page, scroll down to Discussions on the left side.

Select Details of the graded item.

Select the Rubric icon to open the rubric.

4.18. Using the Classlist and Email

Emailing a TN eCampus Instructor

TN eCampus uses the D2L Brightspace Learning Management System. This system uses a closed email system that will not allow external emails to or from your school email or your personal email (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc).

TN eCampus highly encourages students to use the course email system to contact their instructor(s). The TN eCampus team is able to verify if you have made attempts to contact your instructor regarding assignments, grades, and more, but only if you use the course email system. 

Group Message

Select Classlist from the NavBar to initiate email messages to your classmates and/or instructor. Email can be sent to an individual or to the entire class using the Classlist. Choose Email Classlist to send a class-wide message. This is the fastest easiest way to message the group.

*Please note, outside email tools and addresses (Gmail, Yahoo, Outlook, etc.) will not work inside D2L. Use the D2L email and messaging tools to contact classmates and instructors.

Individual Messages

There are several methods to send individual messages. Classlist has a search tool that can be narrowed to Instructors or Students. Type in a name and select the user to message. The class list is at the bottom of the page. Choose the checkbox of the user and the Email icon. Multiple users can be selected. (Choosing the top checkbox will also select all class users to send a group message.) A user's name may also be selected to start an individual message.

Using the Classlist to locate and email your instructor and classmates is the preferred method of sending emails in D2L Brightspace.

Email from the NavBar

The Email icon at the top of each page is another way to message classmates and instructors. Choose Email to continue.

The Folder List page opens. Choose Compose to start a new message. A new message page opens. To: and Subject: lines and Body are highlighted for standard content. This page also has familiar formatting tools and Attachment options. Choose Send when finished composing the message.

 

4.19. Virtual Tutoring

Virtual Tutoring

TN eCampus offers students a free virtual tutoring resource. Students receive tutoring help through live tutoring or offline for follow up later. Students receive individual instruction and support from expert tutors across a wide variety of subjects—up to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

How does tutoring help?

Tutoring establishes a welcoming environment. Tutoring engages and empowers students where they are. Tutors will not give answers to problems or do the work, but they will help students become independent learners. Tutoring Overview (new window)

From any TN eCampus course, choose the Virtual Tutoring link from Course Resources widget on the right side of the page.

Main Features

Logging into Virtual Tutoring offers 4 options.

• Meet with a Tutor in a Live Session
• Ask a Tutor a Question
• Drop off Your Paper for Review
• Your Locker (archive of past sessions, submitted questions and reviewed papers)

 

Meet with a Tutor in a Live Session

Choose Meet with a Tutor in a Live Session to get started. Then choose a subject.

A window will open with instructions and estimated wait time, if applicable. Students will also have the option to drop off a question at the bottom of the window. Students may decide which option is best for their time constraints.

Ask a Tutor a Question

After choosing Ask a Tutor a Question, follow the prompt, and give the question a name. Choose Proceed To Question Entry to continue.

The session's White Board will open. Use this area to post a question. Use the text tool to write the question or use any of the tools appropriate to the subject.

Drop off Your Paper for Review

After choosing Drop Off Your Paper for Review, follow the prompt and give the paper a name and description. Students are encouraged to share instructions for the assignment to the tutor. This will help the tutor provide the best feedback.

Choose Next to continue.

Select 2 areas of feedback, Citation Style, Paper Type and paper length. Choose Next to continue.

Drag and Drop or Choose a File to upload your paper. Choose Drop Off Your Paper to continue.

Video Tutorial

Watch a brief video to see these features in action.

Help and Support

Need help? Send a detailed email to support@linksystems.atlassian.net (sends email) (24x7). Or call (813) 674-0660 x204 Monday through Friday 9 am to 5 pm EST.

5.1. Respondus: BIOL2010, 2020, 2230

BIOL Students: Using Respondus Lockdown Browser for Assessments

 

What is Respondus Lockdown Browser?

Respondus Lockdown Browser is a special browser that prevents students from printing, copying, going to another URL, or accessing other applications while they are completing their assessment.  If the assessment requires Respondus, students will be unable to take the assessment with a standard web browser.

How do I know if I need to use Respondus?

BIOL 2010, 2020, and 2230 students are required to use Respondus Lockdown Browser for their midterm examination.

How do I install Respondus?

When you click to begin your midterm, you will be directed to download Respondus.  Here’s how you install it:

1. Follow the prompts on the screen to complete the download. 
2. Once Respondus has been downloaded, click on the midterm again. 
3. If Respondus was downloaded correctly, it will direct you to launch the midterm in lockdown mode. 
4. Launch the assessment in lockdown mode.
5. Take the assessment!

I need more help!

1. Contact your instructor.
2. Check out D2L’s Student Quick Start Guide for more Respondus information.
3. Call the Help Desk: 1-866-895-8429
4. Email TN eCampus at tnecampus@helpspot.com

Watch this short video.

6.1. Communication Expectations

What Students Can Expect

• Instructors will follow up to messages and calls typically within 48 hours.
• Instructors will evaluate and post grades for assignments, discussions, quizzes, and exams typically within 2 weeks.
• Instructors primarily post course communications in Announcements, course assignments, or group email messages.

What Is Expected of Students

• Regularly participate in all aspects of the course
• Frequently check the course calendar, email, and announcements for changes
• Use student resources like Student Liaisons, Virtual Tutoring, and the Virtual Library
• Communicate with the instructor promptly for any concerns

Remember to:

• Make sure to check the Announcements on your course homepage for group communication from your instructor
• Make sure to send email from your Brightspace (D2L) email account to the instructor. You can do this by going to the Classlist on the NavBar and choosing the instructor's name to open a new message window.
• It is strongly recommended that all student/instructor communication occur in the Brightspace (D2L) learning environment and not via outside email.

If you have called or emailed and still have difficulty reaching your instructor, then you can use the Get Help Now button on your course homepage to send a notice to TN eCampus, or you can contact your school's TN eCampus Student Liaison .

 

6.2. Announcements and Course News

Announcements

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The instructor's contact information is located along with time-sensitive announcements. Students are encouraged to keep the Announcements section expanded and checked frequently. Collapsing the announcements section will hide messages from the instructor. Students could miss important information on assignments or assessments.

Only the instructor can create announcement items. If a student wants to share something with the entire class, use a discussion board to post a message or send an email to the class.

Be sure to scroll to the bottom of your course Announcements and click Show All Announcements to ensure you haven't missed important information.

6.3. Course Email System

Course Email System

D2L provides a means of communication by email within the course, but this is a closed email system. That means students and teachers cannot send messages to or from external sites, such as Yahoo, Gmail or Outlook. Students and teachers are encouraged to communicate within the course structure to streamline response and follow up needs.

Message to Classlist

Messages can easily be sent to individuals or the entire classlist. See this information in the Classlist Knowledge page.

This is the preferred method for emailing instructors.

Email Inside the Course

A direct link to your Brightspace (D2L) email is provided at the top of your course homepage located on the minibar. Select the Email link from the drop-down menu that is displayed.

 
 

Use the compose button to start a new message or select message to read from the list.

Email Settings

Choose Settings on your email landing page to select a variety of options. All of the options are checked by default but easily customized. It is highly recommended that students keep the first two options checked. This provides a record of prior replies and messages sent. These saved messages can be a handy reference for instructions and communication. The other options are more of a preference.

6.4. Email Troubleshooting

Email Troubleshooting

Trouble receiving emails inside your D2L course? Check these pointers.

• Check the email filter is set to show All Messages.
• Check the Inbox is highlighted over another folder.
• Check with the sender to make sure the sender is emailing you from within the Brightspace (D2L) learning environment. 
  

Please contact the TN eCampus Help Desk or call (866) 895-8429. You may also choose for assistance.

7.1. Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting

If you have trouble accessing Brightspace or staying connected, there are some easy points to check to resolve problems. The Help Desk, student liaison, and your instructor are good supports if you need them, but you may want to check some of the tips here before reaching out for help.

Login Issues

Login ID and password are among the most common issues students have with their course. Please review the tutorial specifically for Logging Into Your Course (new window). There you will find detailed instructions and tips specific to that topic.

Your Computer

Even though the computer is on and functioning, this is still the best place to start troubleshooting issues. We encourage students to use a wired connection to the Internet, but we also know wifi is commonly used for just about everything, but it can be temperamental due to a variety of factors. Consider the following points related to your computer:

• Check you are logging into gotoclass.tnecampus.org
• Check your provided credentials for logging in if you can't log in
• Try accessing other sites to rule out a connection issue
• Try another browser. See the Supported Browser tutorial (new window)
• Try logging off and back into Brightspace
• Try restarting your computer allowing time for everything to start up before trying again

Help Desk

You may always reach out to the Help Desk at (866) 895-8429 anytime for assistance with the recovery of your login or password. 

The Help Desk can provide some assistance with the basic navigation and functionality of Brightspace tools. The Help Desk cannot provide information about course content, assignments, deadlines, assessments, or similar information. Contact your instructor for course-specific information.

7.2. Supported Browsers

Brightspace Supported Browsers

(Updated 01.26.2022)

Brightspace works well with several browsers. Brightspace no longer supports any version of Microsoft Edge Legacy. You will receive a warning message if you use this browser.  Microsoft Edge Chromium version is supported.

Brightspace Learning Environment's browser version check now displays warnings for browsers earlier than the following versions:

• Chrome 107+ (released October 2022)
• Android Chrome 107+ (released October 2022)
• macOS Safari 16+ (released September 2022)
• iOS Safari 16+ (released September 2022)
• Firefox 106+ (released October 2022)

You may be able to access Brightspace Learning Environment with older versions of the supported browsers; however, D2L does not test Brightspace Learning Environment against these older versions. You may also receive a warning that your current browser is not supported. For an optimal experience that offers better performance, accessibility, and security, D2L strongly recommends that all users access Brightspace Learning Environment with a supported browser.

Legacy Edge or Chromium Edge

Follow these steps to quickly check MS Edge. (Many browsers have similar menu options, including Google Chrome.)

7.3. Working with Java in OSX

Working with Java in OSX 

Download the latest version of Java here:  How do I update Java for my Mac?

Open System Preferences and locate Java preferences.

Adjust Preferences

1. Launch Java preferences (another window will open).
2. Go to the Security tab
3. Change security settings to no lower than High.

Edit site list to add https://gotoclass.tnecampus.org. Select Apply and then OK.

 

Next Steps

Back in the course, you may still be prompted to allow Java to run. When prompted, choose Run. Continue to check your system settings for JAVA updates.

8.1. BryteWave Reader

The BryteWave Reader 

Some digital textbooks can easily be accessed from within a single account at BryteWave.com . To begin, purchase an access code from the TN eCampus VirtualBookstore . Install BryteWave Reader software. From your reader account, you may be able to access a whole collection of digital textbooks. Check with the TN eCampus bookstore to confirm whether or not your textbook requires BryteWave reader.

Use the Brytewave Digital Reader

After locating the textbook in the virtual Bookstore, select the Provider (Cengage, McGraw-Hill, etc.) link at the Digitaloption. A small pop up window will appear.Check your textbook information, and then select the Brytewave.com link under the section "Activating Your Digital Textbooks."

At the brytewave.com Web site, select BryteWave Reader from the navigation. 

At the brytewave.com Web site, select BryteWave Reader from the navigation.

Select Create an Account from underneath the login button.

Complete the registration form. You may opt not to receive marketing e-mail.

*Please note, password must be no longer than ten characters.

You will receive an e-mail with an activation link. Select the link to activate your account. 

At the site prompt, enter the username and password from the confirmation e-mail and choose Enter.

At the reader.brytewave.com Library page, enter the access code purchased from the TN eCampus Bookstore.

*Please note, this code is sent to your e-mail address in a separate message not from BryteWave.com.

You may continue to add digital textbooks to your BryteWave Reader account as needed. If you need further assistance, contact the TN eCampus Help Desk .

8.2. Cengage MindTap

Many TN eCampus courses use Cengage MindTap for eBook access and assignments. Students access this tool inside the course. The links below will open the respective guides to assist with the registration process and provide instructions for navigating the MindTap site.

• Registration and Login (video)
  
• Getting Started Student Guide
  
• Check MindTap System Requirements for a PC
  
• Check MindTap System Requirements for a Mac
  
  
  

For technical problems within the MindTap system, please contact Cengage Support .

8.3. McGraw-Hill Connect Access

Connecting to Text Materials

After selecting the link to McGraw-Hill Connect from within this course:

• Students may be prompted to answer if they are new to Connect.
• Students may be prompted to enter your access information for a Connect account. 

Choose Connect to begin.

After connecting to the book, enter the code provided by the bookstore.

After completing the above, a student have direct access to the Connect text. For more information, please see the McGraw-Hill Connect Student Guide attached to the bottom of this page.

Support

For technical support for texts purchased from the TN eCampus Virtual Bookstore, contact the TN eCampus Help Desk .

TN eCampus course materials are custom materials only available via the TN eCampus Virtual Bookstore . If a student has purchased a textbook from another vendor, the code provided will not work for TN eCampus courses.

8.4. Pearson eText

Getting Started

Before registering or accessing any Pearson products, please check and verify web browser settings by visiting the corresponding website. Please read the requirements for each browser.

•  Pearson Support 
•  Chrome Requirements 
•  Internet Explorer Requirements 
•  Firefox Requirements 
•  Safari Requirements 
•  Edge Requirements 

Gaining Access

There are two ways that the Pearson eText may be embedded into your course:

1. Integrated Model — access the eText from a link in the Content area of your course.
2. MyLab and Mastering widget — access the eText via a widget on the course homepage.
   

Integrated Model

Review the Steps for Accessing the Online Materials document in the course. Check the Getting Started or the How to access Pearson Mastering document in the Start Here! module of the course. Then, open the link to Pearson eText.

The page that opens will contain a link similar to the one shown in the image below. Select the link to open the Pearson Product Selection page.

An End User License and Privacy Agreement statement similar to the one below will be displayed. Scroll to the bottom of the page and choose I Agree.

On the Pearson Product Selection page, the option to enter your Access Code or Buy Now. It is highly recommended in order to avoid problems and errors students only purchase access codes from the TN eCampus Virtual Bookstore . If materials are purchased through any other means, TN eCampus is unable to resolve problems with other vendors.


The page will advance and prompt for the access code. Choose Next to complete the registration.

Access your eText via the MyLabs & Master Widget

Choose the Pearson's MyLab and Mastering link located in the top left of the course homepage.

A message, "Application Pearson's MyLab and Mastering v1.0 by Pearson's MyLab and Mastering is trying to access your information. Would you like to proceed?" will be displayed. Check Do not ask me again for this application and select Continue.

Then select the link on the Pearson page to your course. Once you've selected the course, complete steps 3 through 5 of the integrated model instructions (above) to gain access to the online materials.

Pearson Tutorial Video