Title: Get Help & FAQ
Course: DEPT MC - PERSONAL COMPUTER HARDWARE > Section: Start Here

The following resources will help you succeed at NCTC. Please use this discussion area as a place to ask questions regarding the course. Note that Canvas technology questions are best directed to the eCampus Help Desk. Questions about your grades or other private information should not be posted to this discussion - instead use the course Conversations (email).

Technology Help and Requirements

- eCampus Help Desk - Click the blue "Submit a Ticket" button
- eCampus Student Resources

Student Support

- Library
- Are Online Courses for you?
- Grade Results Online Tutoring
- Disability Services and Disability Services FAQ

Help with this Course

- Course Assignment and Content Questions: For general content questions please the Get Help Discussion (this Discussion). For specific assignment questions relating to grades, use Conversations (email through Canvas).
- Get Help (this Discussion): Use this discussion to ask questions regarding the course, navigation, logistics, etc. If you ask here, another student may have the answer or the same question, so please feel free to respond.

FAQ

These are Frequently Asked Questions and responses taken DIRECTLY from previous student emails.  If you have a question about the course it is wise to search through the FAQ and see if the question has already been posted with a response.

- I see the acronym GOOJF, what is GOOJF?

Get-of-jail-free (GOOJF) assignments provide students with an opportunity to replace missing or unsatisfactory grades on quizzes or assignments while gaining relevant exposure to industry topics outside those which we directly cover in the course. The technology field changes so rapidly, and is so dynamic that becoming a part of Use Groups, Meet-Ups, or any Professional Organization is a very positive thing.  I recognize educational opportunities OUTSIDE of the classroom & invite & allow you to utilize attendance to an event or participation in a Use Group. You may substitute these events for a Quiz you missed or for an Attendance lost.  You may also utilize these events for Extra Credit. (Max per semester: 3)

- Do I have to have a computer to complete the assignments?

As a hybrid course, this class requires access to a computer and a fairly robust network connection. Homeworks, TestOut labs, and quizzes are all completed online (generally through Canvas), and as such, require a computer. If you do not have access to a computer, it is your responsibility to utilize lab resources at the NCTC campus to complete assignments. Our face-to-face meetings do not include enough time to complete missing homework and virtual lab assignments which should have been completed prior to the meeting.

- Do the questions and answers change every time you start a new homework/quiz assignment? Or are they the same questions and answers every time you start a homework/quiz assignment?

The questions and answer options are the same. There is a shuffle function that shuffles the questions, but not the answers. This makes for a better learning experience.

- I just did the homework assignment for week one and it’s been taking the average grade for the amount of attempts I have done. Is that correct? I thought it was going to take the highest grade not the average.

A graded Quiz should return the maximum score. (if NOT, it is an error in configuration, and it will be corrected if it is brought to my attention.)  Take the test once without looking up the answers, immediately after reading a chapter. Then look up the correct answers and retake the test. If you can do the work, you can ace the course.

- Have you graded my labs or discussion posts? I haven’t seen my grades for those assignments. I just wanted to know how I did.

The goal is to have Labs graded within a week of when the Chapter closes. Occasionally, it may happen that the grades get delayed.  Patience is appreciated. For Review Questions, Quizzes and some Assignments, you should automatically receive a score and it should appear on your Course Home Page under the GRADES block.

- I cannot access the software Program _________  from from home computer anymore, is there some lab of some sort where i can use a computer to complete all assignments from this point on?

Yes, on the third floor. Room 366.  Check with them for their hours.  You may also occasionally schedule additional time in this classroom, schedule time through the course Mentor at wscpennington@nctc.edu, and there are PC's in the Library.

- I will not be in class today due to being sick. I will complete all work for this week while I am at home.

You may complete Labs and other assignments at home, however, you will not receive full score unless the Lab is completed IN CLASS.  Exams may NOT be taken at home.  Exams will only be taken in the classroom and in the Testing Center.

- The very last test needs corrections. Thank you.

I might have over 100 students, with 4 to 6 tests opened, at one time.  IF there are problems with a test and the responses or answers – you must be very specific. Also, be prepared to defend your response.  Note a page number and your logic for disagreement.  It is possible the key is in error. Do not be aggressive.

- I noticed that I am failing your course and need serious help in knowing what to do in bumping my points up for passing.  I see most of it is lab work.  Some of the labs I know I did, I just didn't submit in the drop box.  Please let me know as soon as you get this email, because my financial aid could be jeopardized.  I don't want to end my education because of my irresponsibility.

The week before Finals is NOT NOT NOT the week to send this email. Make a commitment today to READ the assignments, attend class, complete and submit the Labs in class, and to complete the Quizzes BEFORE the deadline.  Subscribe to the philosophy   “A failure to plan is a plan to fail”. Things can happen at the last minute. Computers crash, networks break, connectivity is lost, power goes out, ice storms happen, a family member or you gets sick.  Unpreventable kinds of things occur and working ahead helps lessen the damage of these unforeseen life events.

- Chap. 11 homework does not open it says -This item is not currently available-

Did you miss the deadline?  If NOT send me an email.

- Hello, I have gotten confused and thought the test for this class was online and am unable to make it to class.

You can take an Exam in advance, but you cannot take an Exam late. If you have a scheduling issue AND if you communicate the issue in ADVANCE, you can take the test in advance.  Otherwise, you have a 0 until the Final.  The final becomes your option for redemption.