Q. What the heck is an "online course"?
A. An online course is a course that is taken strictly through the internet. Think of it as a regular, traditional course, except that instead of physically having to be present in a classroom, your classroom is now on the internet. The intellectual material that you learn in an online course is the same as in a traditional course, but instead of coming to a physical classroom, you log into a website. Holmes is part of the Mississippi Virtual College (MSVCC), and offers classes via the internet platforms that the MSVCC chose: Blackboard and Desire2Learn. You log into the Blackboard and Desire2Learn course sites to access course materials, interact with your instructor, interact with other students, etc., in much the same way you do in a traditional course, except everything is electronic.
Q. How do I "attend" class when it is internet-based?
A. The MSVCC has adopted a classroom platform called Blackboard and Desire2Learn. The platforms are websites, located at msvcc.blackboard.com and http://msvcc.desire2learn.com. As a registered student, you will have a username and password that grants you access to the "classroom". You "attend" by logging into Blackboard or Desire2Learn, finding the materials you need to do your work, interacting with your instructor, interacting with your fellow students, using discussion boards, and chat rooms. MSVCC online courses follow a regular semester schedule (see the calendar at their website, msvcc.blackboard.com, look on the left side of the page for the MSVCC calendar), but you generally log into Blackboard or Desire2Learn at times convenient to you. Some instructors may require chats in which you must be logged into Blackboard or Desire2Learn at a specific time, but the bulk of your work, if not all, is done at your convenience, within the framework set by the instructor. These "chat" sessions may be similar to what would be called "office hours" in a traditional setting. The instructor is there for you in real time during these periods, if needed. Also, you may want to chat with your fellow students as well. Some instructors will require weekly amounts of work to be done for you to be counted as "attending", but you can do this work within this week at times that are convenient to you.
Q. What is the MSVCC?
A. MSVCC stands for the "Mississippi Virtual Community College". You can learn more about the MSVCC by clicking on the link http://msvcc.blackboard.com/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp, or clicking on their logo at the bottom of every page in the online course set of webpages. Initially conceived of as a separate 16th Community College that would teach courses strictly online, it has evolved into a consortium of 14 Community Colleges in the State of Mississippi with the State Board for Community and Junior Colleges.
Holmes both provides courses (courses that our own teachers are teaching) as well as host courses (courses that other Community Colleges are providing-our instructors do not teach courses we host) through the MSVCC. With certain restrictions, you can register through Holmes for any course offered by the other members of the MSVCC, as well as register for courses provided by Holmes.
Q. Are online courses for me?
A. Take a look at our "Is Distance Learning Courses Right For Me" page.
Q. Online courses are for me. What do I need?
A. Each course may have different requirements. Make sure you check the course offerings at the public MSVCC website for specific requirements (msvcc.blackboard.com), as well as the Holmes catalog for prerequisites. You must have an email account, and know how to use it well, a computer connected to the internet, and the textbook for the course. There may be additional, specific things for each course.
Q. What online courses are offered through Holmes?
A. Check out the Online Course Offerings web page to see. We also open for registration a number of hosted courses.
Q. How do I register through Holmes into these courses?
A. You must meet admission requirements before you can enroll into any online course. In addition, if you have recent "gaps" in your attendance at Holmes, you will be required to fill out another application for admission before you can be registered into an online class. The admissions process is separate from the registration process and the admissions process must be done first.
If you have taken classes at Holmes in the previous semester (excluding summer), you have met admission requirements and can register. The single biggest reason students don't get registered into online classes is because they have not met admission requirements. This includes not having an updated application if the student has some "gaps" (did not enroll in classes at Holmes in the current, or a previous, semester) in attending Holmes, or do not have transcripts on file, as required to meet admission requirements. The second biggest reason a student is denied registration into online courses is because of a "hold" on the student's account. This typically either means that the student has some business to take care of with the Business office, or the student has been put on academic suspension. See the "Registration" link on the main distance learning page.
Q. Can I register through Holmes, and take classes that are taught by another Community College that belongs to the MSVCC?
A. Yes. In fact, this is one of the purposes of the MSVCC. However, there are some restrictions. If the courses you wish to take are already provided by Holmes, you must register into our sections. In addition, the course you want to be registered in must be listed in the Course Descriptions part of the Holmes Catalog. You can look this up in Part IV of the HCC Catalog. We refer to classes taught by an instructor at another Community college as "hosted" classes.
Q. I'm registered. Now what?
A. First, you should check to make sure that you are indeed registered. Go to the MSVCC Student Profile website, and try to login. If successful, you will see what classes you are registered for, with a lot of info for each course. You can also get to the Student Profile website by first going to the public MSVCC website at msvcc.blackboard.com site and clicking on "student profile" located on the page.
Secondly, be aware that the start and end dates for the classes will likely not be the same as our traditional courses. Go to the public MSVCC website (msvcc.blackboard.com, look on the left side of the page and see MSVCC calendar) and look at the dates there, as well as other info. The course takes place in Blackboard or Desire2Learn. Once Blackboard and Desire2Learn are open for the term, you need to login there as soon as possible to become familiar with it, and to start taking your class. You are assigned a username/password combo that is explained elsewhere on the Holmes website. However, you will NOT have access to your course(s) in Blackboard or Desire2Learn until the "Batch Upload" is completed. That usually is by the Saturday before the Monday that classes open.
Q. How do I withdraw from an online course?
A. It is important for you to formally withdraw from the course, and not just stop participating. There is a tendency for online students to think they can just stop going to class, probably because of the nature of online courses. However, if you do not formally withdraw, you will end up receiving an F or an I for your grade, and owe Holmes money. If you withdraw formally, then you will either have a W, or a WP/WF, depending upon when you withdraw and you may be entitled to a partial refund. The Academic Deans of all consortium members of the MSVCC has set the policy that students may withdraw with "W" up to the 75% mark of the term. After that, Holmes currently has the policy that you will receive W or F after that point. For the specific date of the 75% mark, see the MSVCC calendar (look on the left side of the page and see MSVCC calendar ). We have had several students that have failed to take the responsibility of formally withdrawing, and have ended up regretting it. If you no longer want to be in the class, make sure you formally withdraw by following the instructions on the withdrawal page.
Q. How much does it cost?
A. Click here to check for current fees.
Q. How do I get the textbook for the class?
A. Click here for current textbook policies.
Q. What is a "proctored exam"?
A. A "proctored exam" is an exam in which you must come to a testing center where a person checks your identity and then allows you to take the exam, under supervision. Almost 100% of MSVCC courses require at least one proctored exam.
Q. Will I have to take proctored exams?
A. All Holmes provided classes require at least one proctored exam. The vast majority of courses provided by other institutions also require at least one proctored exam. You must make arrangements to come to an official testing center as listed by the MSVCC. The ONLY exceptions for not using an official testing center as listed by the MSVCC are:
- If you live out of state, you must contact the distance learning office for instructions. Students must pay any required fee for out of state testing.
- If you are disabled to the point that it is not physically possible for you to make it to a testing center.
Q. Do online courses count toward full-time status?
A. Yes. Due to a decision made in June 2001 by the Presidents of all the Community Colleges, online courses count toward full-time status, and are charged accordingly.