Centre for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning
This kit will provide you with learning advice, along with resources and information available to you as a Loyalist College student.
Your professors are your primary contact for information about your courses and how learning will happen.
Please note: This content is subject to change and will be updated regularly.
Blackboard – Learning Management System (LMS)
This is a learning management system with which you will source and submit course assignments, course information and documentation, grades and other course content. Each course has its own Blackboard menu which you can access via a main menu. Each Blackboard menu is designed and maintained by the professor delivering that course.
Many professors will use Blackboard as the primary method for delivering asynchronous course content. Keep in mind that professors use Blackboard differently and will choose specific tools based on their course goals. For example, some professors may rely heavily on the Discussion Board in Blackboard, while others may only post links to course content. Check regularly for updates to your courses by logging in to your myLoyalist and selecting the Blackboard icon on the dashboard, you will see a list of all your courses.
Chrome and Firefox are the recommended browsers at this time. Be sure to clear your cache (browsing history and cookies) and restart your browser regularly. Check the browser provider’s website to ensure you have the latest version of the browser.
There is a Blackboard App available for your smartphone through the App Store or Google Play.
Within the Blackboard App, you can:
Please note: The Blackboard app is NOT maintained or serviced by Loyalist College. If you are experiencing any connection issues, glitches, crashes etc. report them to the App developer.
To learn more about using Blackboard remotely view the video below:
Assignments Submission in Blackboard
Your professor may create a submission area for your assignments through your course in Blackboard. Be sure to check the course for assessment guidelines and due dates.
The following document outlines the submission process for Blackboard.
Submitting Assignments in Blackboard
Email the Service Desk if you are: unable to access Blackboard within your myLoyalist, missing a course(s), experiencing glitches/freezes when submitting assignments, or other technical issues.
Email your professor if you are: unable to find course content such as assignments, discussion boards, lessons, collaborate sessions, grades etc.
Accessing Collaborate Within Blackboard
Blackboard CollaborateTM is a simple, convenient, and reliable web conferencing solution built for education and training. It allows you to engage with the material and your instructor in real-time.
If your instructor has indicated that they are hosting a live session using Collaborate you should have access to the session in your Blackboard course. Please check with your professor to determine where the link is located.
NOTE: You will need to use Chrome for the best experience. If Chrome is not your default browser you will need to cut and paste the link into the Chrome web url. (web address bar) If you do not have Chrome you will need to download the newest version on your computer.
The following document outlines more details for accessing and participating in a Collaborate session. Accessing and Participating in a Collaborate Session in Bb
Accessing a Recorded Collaborate Session
If your professor has recorded a Collaborate session you can access the recording by following the steps below.
Step 1: Using a Chrome browser log in to your Blackboard course. Click on your Blackboard Collaborate link in your course menu.
Step 2: Click on the icon to open the Collaborate menu.
Step 3: Click on Recordings in the left menu.
Step 4: Select the recording you want to access.
Step 5: Click the Watch Now icon to view the recording.
What Is Respondus LockDown Browser?
Respondus LockDown Browser is a locked browser for taking a test/exam in Blackboard Learn. It prevents students from printing, copying, going to another URL, or accessing other applications during a test/exam. If a Blackboard test requires that Respondus LockDown Browser be used, students will not be able to take the test/exam with a standard web browser, such as Firefox, Internet Explorer and Chrome.
LockDown Browser is only to be used for taking Blackboard tests and exams. It should not be used in other areas of Blackboard such as looking at your lessons or submitting assignments. LockDown Browser tracks student activity within the test or exam and will identify if there are any connection issues with your internet server. There are safeguards to prevent submission by accident, by asking if you are sure you want to close the test/exam.
If your professor has indicated that you will be required to use Respondus LockDown Browser to access your test you will need to follow the instructions regarding your specific device. There are two different versions of Respondus LockDown Browser. Please choose the correct one depending on whether you are using a PC or a Mac computer.
Installing and Using Respondus Lockdown PC or MAC
Installing and Using Respondus Lockdown in SAL
Introduction to Respondus LockDown Browser
The following video provides more information on what to expect when using Respondus LockDown Browser.
Read Speaker with Respondus LockDown Browser
What is TechSmith Knowmia?
TechSmith Knowmia is a video recording and screen capture solution supported by Loyalist College. The software is available to all faculty, staff, and students at Loyalist College.
TechSmith Knowmia can be used for assignments, learning activities, and creating videos that can easily be shared on Blackboard.
The following documents outline the steps to access and create videos as well as how to upload and share on Blackboard.
Student Information System at Loyalist College
The myLoyalist portal is your gateway to technology tools at Loyalist College. You can save your files on the college server. There’s a link on the Loyalist College homepage, but it’s easier to go directly to myloyalist.com where you can login directly.
MyLoyalist is how you access your Blackboard; Office 365 applications such as Outlook email, Microsoft Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote etc., OneDrive; Remote Access Computer Lab; Service Desk support and more. Take a moment to review the FAQs menu (top right), you may find answers to your questions there.
Loyalist Email
Email is the official record of communication between you and your faculty members. Upon registration, you are given a Loyalist College email account which is your responsibility to manage. The account holds a finite amount of mail space (50GB) so it is critical that you maintain your mailbox daily. Do not allow your mailbox to fill or you will lose valuable communication. There is an archive folder that can allow you to store older messages on non-college drives such as a USB portable drive. Your user name will be set up as firstnamelastname@loyalistcollege.com. If you encounter problems with your email account, please contact servicedesk@loyalistcollege.com.
The Outlook account can be available to you on your smartphone as well. Configuring Loyalist email to an iPhone or Android.
Office 365 – Teams, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, OneNote and OneDive
This is a FREE program while you are a current student at Loyalist College. To access Office 365 applications within your myLoyalist, select your mail icon, then click the Apps launcher icon in the top left corner. A menu will open that lists all of the Microsoft Office applications you have access to while logged in to your myLoyalist.
These products are available to students for home/personal use. To install Office 365 to your laptop or desktop follow these installation instructions. All Loyalist users (students, faculty, and staff) have access to 1 TB of free storage in One Drive, a personal cloud storage space. Students can easily store and share files with other Loyalist users as well as those outside of the college.
If you have any questions or encounter problems, please contact servicedesk@loyalistcollege.com.
Remote Access Computer Lab for Accessing All Other Software
If you require other software during your studies such as MS Project, MS Visio, Adobe Creative Cloud, Milano Spa, Zbrush etc. they can be accessed through the Remote Access Computer Lab icon that is in your myLoyalist dashboard. Once this icon is selected, you will be presented with a login screen, where you will connect with your Loyalist credentials. Then select an available computer to “join”. Once joined to an on campus computer, log into myLoyalist. There is an application called Apps2U which will provide access to all available software titles. Remember to save your work to your M:drive or other online storage such as OneDrive. If you have any questions, please contact servicedesk@loyalistcollege.com.
Autodesk: (AutoCad, Revit, Inventor, Maya, etc.) This software should you require it during your studies is available to students to download for personal use directly onto your own computer. The installation instructions are located within the FAQs in your myLoyalist. Download Autodesk Applications
Note: Please ensure your computer meets the minimum hardware requirements to properly run these applications.
If there is software that you are required to use as part of your program of study and it is still inaccessible off campus, please contact servicedesk@loyalistcollege.com.
Banner
Upon registration, the college provided you with a user ID and password, those are your Banner credentials. Access your banner within your myLoyalist dashboard, click on the Banner icon, once logged in, you can access registration and other information including your final marks. Banner is the official transcript for your College course marks.
Loyalist College’s Student Success Hub offers support and resources in one easy, central place. Visit the Student Success website to view the many services available to Loyalist students.
The situation around COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. As we continue to adjust our plans in response to the situation, we are requesting students direct their general accessibility and counselling related questions and concerns to the following email address studentsuccess@loyalistcollege.com. If you have a primary Mentor or Counsellor, you may contact them via email.
AccessAbility Services
For new students looking to register with AccessAbility Services, please fill out the AccessAbility Services Application Form. Once submitted, they will contact you to book your first appointment.
Student Success Mentors
Student Success Mentors support students in areas such as study skills, time management, referrals to other college resources etc. Mentors are available for consultation by email. Contact studentsuccess@loyalistcollege.com for referrals.
Counselling Services
Loyalist College is here to help. Counselling appointments are available via telephone. To schedule an appointment, please email studentsuccess@loyalistcollege.com. Please note, there is a 48-hour turnaround for processing and scheduling. Appointments will be scheduled between Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
The following supports are also available:
If you are in crisis or having thoughts of suicide, please contact your local Crisis Intervention Centre or call 911.
Tutoring Services
The Parrott Centre Library is your gateway to a world of information. In addition to the books, journals, and films on the shelves, the Library has an extensive online collection that includes more than 237,000 eBooks, numerous electronic databases that hold tens of thousands of journals and journal articles, multiple streaming video services, research guides for all Loyalist College programs, and more.
Download the Parrott Centre Pamphlet to learn more about the Library’s services and resources, or feel free to visit www.loyalistlibrary.com for more information.
Students working off campus can sign in with their MyLoyalist login for complete access, and students needing help with finding information can email library staff any time at library@loyalistcollege.com
Getting Started
Set up a dedicated workspace if you will participate in any remote online classes. You’ll begin to establish a routine by repeatedly completing your work there. Establish connection to high-speed internet access, whenever possible. If you cannot access a reliable internet connection, contact your professor if you think it will interfere with joining class sessions or completing your work. Make sure you have somewhere peaceful to work, try and use a workspace like a desk or table, and cut down on external and online distractions.
Make a schedule for juggling the various activities you will need to complete for your courses. Get organized and write down all class meeting times and assignment due dates in one place. Based on your regular class schedule and the strategies your faculty members communicate, develop a learning schedule. Stick to a routine where you will join live sessions, work on course work, and study. There are many time management techniques, so find one that works for you. Plan a daily, weekly, and monthly schedule to manage these different timescales.
If you are unfamiliar with the technology (e.g. Blackboard, Collaborate, Teams), make sure you take time to familiarize yourself with how it works and test it out before connecting for the first time. There are many excellent “How to” resources in this kit.
The main tools for remote learning at Loyalist College is Blackboard, our learning management system, and Collaborate, a conferencing tool within Blackboard. Access to Blackboard is available through your myLoyalist dashboard. Some faculty may be using Microsoft Teams as a conferencing tool for their course(s). Loyalist students have access to Office 365 for free, it is available through your myLoyalist dashboard via the mail app.
Communicate potential challenges to your professor or Student Success Mentor. Contact your professor or Student Success Mentor as soon as possible if you have concerns about accessing course content because of Internet access, technology limitations, sickness, etc.
Review your course outline, syllabus and critical path within your Blackboard course site(s).
Check your Loyalist email and Blackboard daily for any announcements.
Things to Keep in Mind
Attending vs. Participating in a Remote Class. Attending class remotely doesn’t mean just signing into Collaborate or Blackboard. That is the virtual equivalent of just “showing up.” What it really means is participating — in discussion board posts or in collaborative activities and live sessions when possible, and in engaging in the materials. Engagement leads to a better understanding. Since some activities will not take place in real-time, make an effort to check in often on spaces like discussion boards and email. Share ideas and good resources you discover that help you to learn.
Plan your time. Be realistic about how much time you have, and how much time you need to devote to each of your classes. Depending on the design of learning your professor provides, you should expect to spend at 3-5 hours per week per course – taking into account reading, practicing, and assignments.
Be patient with your faculty and peers. Keep in mind that professors have a lot of students, and your classmates have a lot of peers. High ethical standards will be upheld and consequences enforced. Please adhere to Loyalist College’s Student Code of Conduct Policy and ask the professor for clarification if you are not sure of instructions.
Be aware of Loyalist College’s Academic Integrity Policy. Academic dishonesty: includes a variety of actions including, but not limited to, plagiarism, conflict of interest, cheating, falsification, misrepresentation and fraudulent behaviour, and copyright breaches.
Develop your initiative and resilience. Don’t give up if you hit a technical issue. For example, if your reading link is broken, maybe you can search for the journal article yourself by using the library search.
Embrace discussion boards. If your course has them, these are a great way to discuss with your peers and work through learning as a group. Ask questions, comment on your course mate’s answers, and enter into dialogue.
Advice for Students
Get connected with your course peers.
Follow proper “netiquette” when participating online.
Participate in Collaborate or Teams sessions.
Be an effective email and Collaborate or Teams communicator.
We’d like to hear from you
Please take a moment to let us know if this student kit was helpful in preparing you to make the transition to remote learning with Loyalist College.