Keep Learning

online students

Need Help Resetting your Password?

Call 956-872-2538 or email support@southtexascollege.edu with your name, phone number (or other contact), and A-Number (if you know it) and our staff will reach out to you.

This toolkit was developed to provide students resources and support as they keep learning in the event of rapid changes due to emergencies. The tips, tools, and resources below are here to support students with unexpected transition to remote learning and promote course completion.

Completely new to online learning? Check out our quick how-to for first-time online students on how to log into Blackboard and find your classes. En español

Be well - our main priority is your health! Please check out the CDC health tips and FAQs on our Coronavirus info site: southtexascollege.edu/coronavirus.

Be proactive - the more you prepare in advance, the easier the transition. Update your contact information with STC, check your STC email and any course communication tools (for example, Blackboard) for updates.

We're ready to help

Online Learning Toolkit

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  • Setup Your Accounts

    Setup Your Accounts

    New students will need to activate their accounts before using blackboard. This also includes setting up your JagMail email account (Office 365). Already have an account but forgot the password? Follow the links below to get squared away.

    Activate JagNet Account

    Activate JagMail Email

    Reset Password

    NOTE: Students will receive their JagNet user name and temporary password via mailing address on record or contact 956-872-8311. For technical questions, like how to reset your password, contact Distance Learning support 956-872-2538 or 956-872-2111 or email support@southtexascollege.edu (include your name, phone number or other contact, and A-Number).

  • Stay Informed

    Stay Informed

    Course Communications

    Faculty have been encouraged to send updated course completion directions to all enrolled students via Blackboard or email.

    It’s the responsibility of the student to monitor their STC email and Blackboard course site to learn about updates and next steps to completing their classes on-line/remotely.

    Stay up-to-date about COVID-19

    We want you to stay informed with accurate information regarding STC and the current COVID-19 situation. Our COVID-19 information website will be regularly updated to keep you up-to-date with the latest coronavirus news.

  • Blackboard/Office 365

    Blackboard / Office 365

    Just because you're not in the same room doesn't mean you can't collaborate. A variety of tools open up options to keep working with other students and faculty

    Office 365

    The Microsoft’s Office 365 suite allows you to keep working no matter where you are and is free to all students and STC employees. You'll need to login with your full STC email (youremail@southtexascollege.edu).

    Details

    • Access to ALL Microsoft products (including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.)
    • Available online or can be installed locally to your PC or Mac.
    • Free Cloud storage and access.

    Resources

    Blackboard

    South Texas College’s official Learning Management System (LMS), you can login and attend class from the comfort of your home.

    Details

    • Blackboard Login
    • Students who are new to online learning will have a link titled Blackboard Online Student Orientation that is available on each student’s Blackboard to assist them in becoming familiar with the College’s web-based learning platform.

    Resources

    Blackboard App

    Provides a mobile resource for students to react quickly to their changing course needs and participate in your courses on their mobile device. With Blackboard app, students can view new content available and see course assignments and test grades, as well as to stay on task with push notifications.

    NOTE: It is NOT recommended for students to submit assignments or to complete test (apart from mobile compatible test) on the Blackboard App.

    If students access Collaborate sessions on their mobile phones, it is recommended that they use the Chrome or Firefox browser on their phone instead of the Blackboard App for Students.

    Install App:

    Pronto Instant Messenger

    Pronto is a great tool for communication in your classes, both directly through direct (one-on-one) messages and whole class streams.

    Resources

  • Technology Support

    Technology Support

    Laptop Purchase

    Most laptops now have integrated webcams and wireless headphones usually have integrated microphones in them, which can be used for remote learning. Windows and Apple computers fully support Blackboard and Office 365.

    Internet Access Options

    STC Wireless

    South Texas College students can log into the campus WiFi using their JagNet credentials.

    Pecan Campus

    Mid-Valley Campus

    Nursing & Allied Health

    Starr County Campus

    Students can use the external (3rd party) resource below to search for all the free Wi-Fi hotspots near their location. The complete address of the Wi-Fi location is also given to you so you know exactly where to go: 
    http://www.freewifinearbyme.com/

    City of McAllen FREE Wifi Hotspots

    The following report from ConnectedNation.org also provided locations with free Wifi hotspots: ConnectedNation.org report – Hidalgo County

    Telecommunication companies are offering both reduced cost and increased bandwidth options. (Updated 3/16/2020)

    STC IT Support

    If you can’t find the answer to your questions, please email support@southtexascollege.edu. A support staff member will then contact you as soon as possible.

  • Academic Support

    Academic Support

    • Academic Advising: Log into our online advising system, DegreeWorks, and stay on track to graduation.
    • Your instructors are making every effort to address accommodations proactively. For students with approved accommodations, there may be some changes to how these are implemented. This will become a collaborative process between you, your professors, and the Office of Counseling & Student Disability Services.

    Virtual CLE

    The Virtual CLE is open Mon-Thurs 7:30am-7:00pm, Fri 7:30am-5pm, and Sat 10am-3pm. After hours support is also available.

    • Tutoring
      All CLE content tutoring is now managed online through Zoom or Blackboard. One peripheral benefit of making this change is that tutors from all campuses can meet with any student! Visit the Tutoring page at the CLE website to join a tutoring session and view individual tutor or subject schedules.
    • Writing Support
      CLE tutors now offer online writing support in addition to real-time writing tutoring. This means a writing tutor will give feedback about an assignment via email within 24-48 hours. Smarthinking is also still available. Learn more about how Online Writing Support works at our Online Tutoring webpage.
    • Academic Coaching
      Students can meet online with an academic coach to strengthen skills that apply across courses. Coaches help with goal-setting, analyzing syllabi, managing time, effective communication, and much more. Request an appointment at the Academic Coaching webpage.
    • Supplemental Instruction
      If your course has SI included, the SI Leader will continue to hold regularly scheduled sessions, but now they will be online, accessed through Blackboard. Wondering about the schedule or if your class has SI support? Check for that on the SI webpage.
    • Workshops
      Although we’ve had to suspend face-to-face workshops (including TSI prep), many Student Success workshops are available online around the clock. Learn more at the Workshops webpage. And remember, you can still prep for the TSI by working with a tutor.
    • After Hours
      The CLE partners with a group called Upswing to make tutoring available when the CLE is closed. Be aware that there is a limit on hours for tutoring through our partners, but we’ve temporarily raised it. Learn more and access Upswing tutors at the Online Tutoring webpage.

    This move is a big change for all of us, but the CLE staff are with you all the way. If you still have questions, contact the CLE.

  • Policies

    Policies

  • Labs

    Labs

    For courses with labs as a component of the course, please speak with your instructor about the plan for lab work in a remote or online format.

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