Online Student Resources | MCTC

Current Students

Online Student Resources

If you've never taken an online class, or if you're looking for some tips and tricks to keep you on track, you'll find resources to help you here.

Blackboard Learning Guide [PDF]

This guide is designed to help you navigate some of the technical concerns you may have with Blackboard.

Online Student Training Materials

Complementary access to online student training materials. Includes orientation for online learners and workshops.

MCTC Online Tutoring & Writing Assistance

Free tutoring is available for all MCTC students. You can make an appointment with the tutor on your campus, or you can utilize tutor.com 24/7.

Campus Library / Academic Commons

Each MCTC campus has a Library/Academic Commons where students can study, access research materials, and receive assistance with citations and other project requirements.

Training & Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC is your one-stop shop to find information and assistance for all the systems and solutions you use every day. From Blackboard eLearning tips and training, to Student Self Service best practices, to help with Microsoft Office 365 tools.

I'm enrolled. Now what?

For students who have officially enrolled in classes.

As a KCTCS student, you will have three accounts that share the same username and password: student self-service, Blackboard, and webmail. If this is your first time to be enrolled, activate your accounts. This same link will be used to reset your password if you have previously had access to your KCTCS accounts.

Students enrolled in online courses should refer to the KCTCS distance learning bookstore to find textbooks and materials required for online courses. Navigate to the KCTCS bookstore portal, and select "KCTCS distance learning" from the drop-down box on that page.

As an MCTC student, you do not have to pay for Office 365 which includes Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc. MCTC gives you access to these tools for free, as well as step-by-step directions on how to download Office 365.

Once you enroll in courses, you become financially obligated, regardless of whether or not you attend/complete the course(s). MCTC offers information on paying your tuition, including payment plans and instructions on how to pay online through your self-service account.

Once you are enrolled in at least one class, you will gain access to your KCTCS webmail account within 24-48 hours. This is an important tool that you'll need for nearly every aspect of being a student. Your KCTCS webmail account should be used for all correspondence with your instructor, as well as KCTCS staff. Be sure to check your email account regularly. Your login credentials for this will be the same as your KCTCS student self-service and blackboard accounts. If you require any assistance with your webmail account, please contact the help desk.

Once you have completed each of the steps above, you're ready to log in to Blackboard and begin your course (as long as the course start date has arrived). KCTCS online courses are accessed via Blackboard. Your login credentials for Blackboard will be the same as your login credentials for your student self-service account and your KCTCS webmail account. Log in to Blackboard, and click the "go to your classes" link. If you're new to Blackboard, you'll also find several resources to assist you on the "student support" tab at the top of any Blackboard page.

Our director of e-learning has made a video just for you! This short video walks you through step-by-step how to find your online classes and where to find information to get a head start with learning how to be a successful online learner.

You may have questions about what kind of computer will meet your needs. Our Chief Information Officer has provided some details you may find helpful. His simplest advice is to search for a new laptop with 8 gigabytes (gb) of memory installed. That should give a selection that can meet most general needs.

Whether you are shopping for a new or used laptop, or want to be sure the computer you have will do the job, these specifications should set you up to do almost anything required for course work:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 or Apple macOS
  • Ram: 6-8 gigabytes of memory, 4 gigabytes minimum (does not include Optane Memory – not the same thing as RAM)
  • Hard Drive: 240 gigabytes or more solid-state drive (SSD) (128 gigabytes minimum)
  • Processor:  Intel i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 or higher (any dual-core CPU as a minimum)
  • 1-year warranty or better on a new laptop

A laptop that meets the minimum criteria should be available for $250-$300, depending on the deals going on at the time you look. Most of the time Best Buy/Staples/Office Depot etc will have a laptop that meets the ideal criteria for around $350-400. I would avoid Chromebooks, Android tablets, and iPads. Those devices can work to a degree but tend to have shortcomings based on previous student experiences.

Some examples of laptops that meet the preferred criteria are:

The college has a limited number of laptop computers for students to check out. You must be enrolled in classes to be considered. You can apply here. You can also utilize computers in the tutoring lab and library during college business hours.

BlackBoard Collaborate Troubleshoot

Having some issues with Blackboard Collaborate? Let's see what we can do to fix it! Contact eLearning if you're still having issues.

There are a variety of reasons why connecting to a Collaborate session can fail. When this happens, try:

There are a few things that can cause communication issues in Collaborate. When this happens, try:

There are a variety of reasons why you cannot hear others in the session. When this happens, try:

There are many reasons Collaborate suddenly kicks out users from sessions. It could be a Blackboard glitch, an issue with internet speed, or your browser. If this happens, try: