Student Guide

Instructors use various methods to deliver course content in an online environment. For instance, some faculty may conduct lectures online at the regularly scheduled class time and upload supplemental content for students to access. Others may record lectures that are available for viewing anytime and require students to engage in online discussions. Quizzes and tests can be conducted in a variety of ways.

Each of your instructors will communicate to you the expectations for the class.  If you don’t receive an email check the Blackboard course space for details.

If you currently have disability related accommodations or you now need disability related accommodations due to the change in course delivery, please contact your WSU campus Access Center office to discuss accommodations you need to receive equal access to the educational online environment.

Blackboard Learn

Blackboard Learn is WSU’s Learning Management System (LMS). It’s a virtual classroom where students and instructors interact and share information. Every WSU campus course has an associated Blackboard Learn course space that instructors can utilize to deliver their classes online.

To access Blackboard Learn, visit learn.wsu.edu. Your courses will be listed when you log in.

Blackboard Learn Tutorial

Learn how to “go to class”, connect to live Zoom lectures and meetings, find the course syllabus, assignment drop box, gradebook, and recordings, and more:

Blackboard Learn Tutorial video Transcript

Blackboard Learn Sample Course

1. Access the course at learn.wsu.edu
2. Select “Non-WSU sign-in Here” and log in with:
   Username: wsustudent
   Password: wsustudent

Activating Your Zoom Account 

Follow these steps to get started with Zoom and to ensure your name is shown when you participate in a Zoom session:

1. Visit https://wsu.zoom.us/
2. Choose Sign In
3. Enter your WSU credentials to activate and configure your account

You’ve now activated your account and your name will appear when you join a Zoom session.

Zoom for Student-Initiated Meetings

All current WSU students, faculty, and staff have access to a Zoom Pro license. Zoom is a video conferencing service that allows users to conduct a video meeting using any device with an internet connection. Use Zoom to meet up with classmates for study sessions, group projects, and informal check-ins.

Visit Videoconferencing Services for instructions on using Zoom as well as Teams and other useful communication tools.

Tools to Record and Share Course Assignments

Your instructor may want you to create a course assignment using one of the following tools:

Panopto

Panopto is an application that allows users to create and share video.

• Create a Pantopto Recording (Windows)
• Create a Panopto Recording (Mac)
• Additional Panopto Resources

VoiceThread

VoiceThread is a cloud-based application that allows users to upload, share, and discuss documents, presentations, images, audio files, and videos.

• View a Recording
• Create a Recording
• Additional VoiceThread Resources

Tips for being successful in online courses

• Make sure you are tech ready. Visit the Global Campus technology requirements webpage for tips on getting tech ready.
• Log in early and often.  Explore your Blackboard course space so that you can find things easily when you need to.  Check back into the space regularly to be sure you keep up with any announcements or discussion posts, if your instructor is using these tools.
• Set aside regular study time. For example, if your campus class was scheduled to meet on Tuesday and Thursday at 9:10 – 10:25 but your instructor is not conducting live Zoom lectures, use that time to complete course assignments.
• Dedicate enough time and practice good time management. You will need to allow for time to “attend” class, as well as the same amount of time that you currently spend outside of class completing assignments and readings, studing for exams, etc.  If you normally spend three hours per week in class and three hours studying, you’ll still need to allow for 6 hours of classwork.  Learning online does not take less time than face-to-face courses. Avoid procrastination and plan ahead so you can complete assignments on time.
• Stay connected to your classmates: Use Zoom to schedule video meetings for group meetings or study sessions.
• Engage with your instructor. If you have questions, be sure to contact your instructor. Take advantage of faculty online office hours.