January 2008

Prep Reading and Study Skills

Welcome to Prep Reading and Study Skills online! This letter confirms your registration for the Spring 2008 semester. Please be aware of Blackboard training sessions for students on the following dates:

• Wednesday, January 16, 5:30-7:30pm , Lakeland Campus, Computer Lab
• Thursday, January 17, 9:00-11:00am , Lakeland Campus, Computer Lab
• Thursday, January 17, 5:30-7:30pm , Rhinelander Campus, LRC Lab
• Friday, January 18, 9:00-11:00am , Rhinelander Campus, LRC Lab
• Tuesday, January 22, 11:00-1:00 , Rhinelander Campus, LRC Lab

While attending the training is NOT mandatory, I urge you to attend one of these sessions. If you have any questions in regards to them, please call Penny Kuckkahn at 715-365-4526 or e-mail her at kuckkahn@nicoletcollege.edu . Additionally, I STRONGLY encourage you to sign up for Basic Education lab hours in order to obtain continued academic support while taking a prep class in Blackboard. This one-on-one instruction can help you learn the software used and help you with your coursework. If you decide later that you don't need it anymore, you could drop those hours without any problem. Please contact the Basic Education Department at (715) -365-4455 for additional information, or me at (715) -365-4463.

What materials will I need?

Each registered student will need the following textbooks: Ten Steps to Advancing College Reading Skills, 4th ed., written by John Langan AND Improving Vocabulary Skills, Short Version, 3rd ed., written by Sherrie Nist and Carole Mohr. Additionally, students will need to have access to a college level dictionary.

They are available for you at the Nicolet Bookstore in the Learning Resource Center or online at http://www.nicoletbookstore.com/

How do I access my online course?

Prep Reading and Study Skills is being delivered using the Blackboard online platform. You will be able to login to your online course beginning on Tuesday, January 22, 2008.

To Login:

• Go to http://www.natcbb.nicoletcollege.edu .
• After you access the Blackboard sign-on screen, click on the Login link.
• Enter your Username (your 9 digit student ID number which is located on your admissions slip or your student ID Card) and your password (Also your student ID number) and select "login".
• Please change your password after you have logged in by navigating to "Tools", "Personal Information", "Change Password" on the left side of your screen. Make sure to remember your changed password.
• You will see the course(s) you are enrolled in on the right side of your screen.
• Select the course link of the course you would like to enter. On the next page you will see the course title and links to the different content areas of your course.

If you are having problems accessing your course or have questions about navigating within your Blackboard Course(s) you can contact technical support at 365-4409, Pager # 715-490-9200 or email kuckkahn@nicoletcollege.edu .

What should I do first?

When you access the course, always check for announcements from your instructor or the Blackboard Administrator. The Announcements button is on the left side of your screen. Open and read the information provided, as it will introduce you to the class in a more detailed fashion and guide you through the beginning of a wonderful journey of learning together in cyberspace! Next, select the Course Information Button on the left side of your screen. Select each item and read through them carefully. You may want to print these documents and save them for future reference. Lastly, be sure to familiarize yourself with the Blackboard environment by clicking on all of the links and buttons provided. This will help you learn to navigate the system more efficiently.

Again, welcome to Prep Reading and Study Skills online! I am here to help you succeed, so please don't hesitate to contact me at any point throughout the semester if you have any questions or concerns. Study hard and have fun!

Lisa Young