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Welcome to A-B Tech On-line At A-B Tech we are dedicated to student success. Distance education offers a great deal of convenience for students whose schedules or location make it difficult for them to attend classes at existing campus sites. Our On-line course offerings provide an alternative avenue of learning for students who otherwise would not be able to further their education and advance their careers. Frequently Asked Questions: Is on-line learning right for me? What skills/equipment do I need to have? Are online courses comparable to a traditional classroom experience? How will I conduct research if I'm not on the campus? Will I need an e-mail account to take an online course? How will I receive a user-name and password for Blackboard once I enroll? How do I get academic advising from a distance? How do I get books from a distance? Who do I call with problems/questions about On-line Learning? Is on-line learning right for me? If you cannot or prefer not to attend classes on campus... If schools near you do not offer the courses you are interested in... If your job, family, or other obligations make it impossible for you to follow a rigid class schedule... The right candidate for online learning is self-directed. Self-directed Are you able to work independently and without the constant guidance of a teacher or classmate? Highly motivated Self-disciplined Are you able to manage your time and stay on task to completion? Do you complete projects on time? Distance education requires self-discipline and the management of time conflicts that may affect coursework. In addition, online classes: require you to be highly interactive   require you to log on the first day of class and participate frequently   require moderate computer and online skills   often require more time than taking classes at a campus or other location   Back to top What skills/equipment do I need to have? You must own or have regular access to: A computer Check the minimum standards for computer and software before purchasing. An Internet service provider (ISP) Internet Service Providers or ISP is a company that provides Internet access for a fee. There are many ISPs available. Be sure to look for an ISP that will supply you with a local phone number (so that you will not encounter long distance charges). Your charge for an Internet connection is not covered by course fees. A telephone In addition, you may wish to have a dedicated line -- such as phone, cable, DSL, etc. -- for your Internet connection. TV/VCR Some courses use videotapes. You must have basic computer skills and know how to: Connect to the Internet and use a current browser Do online searches Use a word-processing program, spreadsheets, presentation software, and the ability to attach files to email Basic Internet surfing skills Have the ability to download/update their computer system with the latest OS and browser patches and updates Back to top  Are online courses comparable to a traditional classroom experience? Online courses are designed to have the same rigor and standards delivered in a traditional classroom setting. To accomplish this, courses are designed to ensure the same learning outcomes, and standards that you would receive in the classroom. Back to top How will I conduct research if I'm not on the campus? The Library at A-B Tech offers extensive databases for online research. Be sure to visit NCLiveIn (http://www.nclive.org/index.phtml) for anytime, anywhere on-line resources, and for Live on-line help 24/7 click here - ! In addition, you can visit the library at http://www.abtech.edu/LRC/ , or call (828) 254 – 1921 x 301 for more information. Back to top Will I need an e-mail account to take an online course? Yes, Blackboard is an e-mail driven system. This means that communicating with your Professor and fellow students is accomplished via e-mail.  Upon enrollment in an on-line course, it is the responsibility of the student to login to Blackboard (http://bb.abtech.edu) and update your personal profile to include your current email address. Students can obtain email accounts from free sources on the web (i.e.: yahoo.com, gmail.com, hotmail.com). Back to top  What capabilities will my computer need to complete an online class? Blackboard can be used from most computers. Your major limitation will be the speed of your Internet connection. A standard 56k baud modem will provide significant access to a Blackboard course (DSL/Cable is recommended). You will need some form of word processing capability, spreadsheet capability, and presentation capability. Other software that might be required: Course Specific Programs. Some courses may require other software programs in addition to those named here. Be sure to check with your professor or program advisor. Internet Explorer. It is recommended that users employ Internet Explorer version 6.0. Earlier versions may have display problems. Users must enable the Java console and the JIT compiler for virtual machine. Web TV. Due to the need for the browser to support JavaScript, WEB TV is not compatible with Blackboard. America Online. It is recommended that users of America Online minimize the AOL browser and employ another browser (i.e. Internet Explorer). CompuServe. It is recommended that users of CompuServe minimize the CompuServe browser and employ another browser (i.e. Internet Explorer or Netscape).   Back to top   How will I receive a user-name and password for Blackboard once I enroll? User Names and Passwords are entered into the system the day before the start of class. Your username will be your first name, middle initial and last name. Your Password = first initial, last initial, birth month and birth day EXAMPLE: Lee Q. Student with a birth date of 05.14.60 becomes... username: leeqstudent password: ls0514   Back to top   How do I get academic advising from a distance? Academic advising. Academic advice is available as follows: students classified into programs may receive academic advice by e-mailing their assigned advisor at the College. Unclassified students who are not in any program may receive academic advice from the Director of Counseling. dharmon@abtech.edu. Veteran’s Services. Veteran’s services and advice are available. Back to top How do I get books from a distance? Click here for access to A-B Tech's online bookstore! Back to top Who do I call with problems/questions about On-line Learning? More Informational Resources: If you have questions concerning the enrollment process, contact the Director of Admissions at (828) 254 – 1921 x 202. If you have questions concerning the Registration Process, contact the Director of Student Records at (828) 254 – 1921 x 147. If you have questions concerning Financial Aid, contact the Director of Financial Aid at (828) 254 – 1921 x 160. If you have questions for the Bookstore, call (828) 254 – 1921 x 200. If you have questions or problems within your class, contact your professor. If you need further assistance, contact the Director of Distance Learning at dcasey@abtech.edu Back to top

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