Getting Started Checklist
Getting Started Checklist
To enroll in a Distance Ed program or class, you should complete the items in this checklist. Online orientation material to show you how to do each of the steps listed below is included in the Attachments area on the right side of this screen. Click those links to get more details on how to do many of the processes listed below. (Please note that the OIT website changed on 9/15/08. The directions on the right were created before that day, so the screenshots will look slightly different until we get all of these updated.)
For additional information on any of these steps, check out the FAQ section of the Distance Education webpage.
1. Programs
- If you haven't looked at the programs that OIT offers online, you should first take a look to verify that the program you're interested in is offered. List of programs.
2. Ask Questions
- Next you should talk to the Distance Education staff to ask questions about how the program works. If we don't have the answer for you, we will put you in touch with the person on campus who does know the answer. Toll free phone number: 866-497-0008 Email: de@oit.edu
3. Apply
- Apply for admission using the special Distance Education admission forms, not the forms found under the Admissions Home webpage. See the Distance Ed application forms here. If you aren't sure which form to use, see the information in this FAQ link. If you are not seeking full admission to OIT and only wish to take up to eight credit hours per term, you will need to submit the Distance Ed Non-Admit form. Students enrolling in DHE 100, MIT 103 or RES 201 should use this Non-Admit form.
4. Register
- Register for classes during the registration period shown in the Academic Calendars. You must be fully admitted or in a "non-admit" status at OIT before you can register. You can use the Web for Student program to register for classes. Note that first time, non-admit students however will be registered by the Distance Education staff. See the link labeled "How to register for classes" in the Attachments area to see screenshots on how to register. Get more information about this topic in this FAQ link.
5. Check OIT Email
- Within an hour of registering for a class at OIT, you will have an OIT email account. Information on how to log into that account will be sent to any personal email address you have on record. Note that the message may be delivered to your junkmail or bulk mail folder.
- Check your OIT email account regularly at https://mail.oit.edu. Many important announcements from OIT offices will be sent ONLY to your OIT email address. See the link labeled "Logging into your OIT email account" in the Attachments area to see screenshots on how to log into your email account. Get information on what your username and password is in this FAQ link. For detailed directions on how to USE the OIT email program, see the link labeled "Outlook Web E-mail Instructions" in the Attachments area.
6. Pay Bill
- Once you are registered in a class, you are fully responsible for the tuition and fees. You can view your charges in Web for Student under Student Records>Account Summary by Term. You can pay your bill online using OIT's CASHNet program. Click the link labeled "CASHNet Login Instructions for Students" in the Attachments area to view the instructions on how to use that program. If someone else is paying your bill, the link labeled "CASHNet Login Instructions for Benefactors" gives instructions for how they can pay your bill online. For more information about paying your bill, click here.
- If you need to drop a class, be sure to read the information in the Refund Polices and Deadlines located here. NOTE: Never assume you will be automatically dropped from a course for any reason. It is your responsibility to drop a course. You may drop a course by using Web for Student through the second day of the term. After the second day of the term, you may fax a signed request to the Distance Ed office at (541) 885-1139, or send an email to de@oit.edu from your OIT email account requesting to drop a class.
7. Order Books
- Most classes require a book and in some cases extra class material. You should order your books from the OIT Paper Owl Bookstore as early as possible. Book listings are usually available three weeks before the term starts. See the link labeled "Buying books online at the Paper Owl Bookstore" in the Attachments area to see screenshots on how to buy books online. For more information about this topic, click this FAQ link.
8. Check Computer
- Prepare for the start of classes by checking that your computer is set up correctly to work with Blackboard CE (formerly called WebCT). Click the link labeled "Preparing your computer" in the Attachments area for detailed information on what to check. If you have questions about how to log into any program, check the FAQ list for information.
9. Start Classes
- Be sure to log into Blackboard CE (formerly called WebCT) and access your classes on the first day of the term after 8am Pacific Time to verify that your classes are there. (An email message was sent to you with your Blackboard access information shortly after you registered for a class.) For directions on how to log into Blackboard CE, click the link labeled "Logging into Blackboard CE (formerly called WebCT)" in the Attachments area. Also inside of each online class, you should click the "Read Me" first icon and the "Syllabus" icon to become familiar with how each class is set up. To read additional information about Blackboard CE, click here. Before the term starts, if you want to see an example of what your class will look like, click the link labeled "Example of online class" in the Attachments area.
- If you need to drop a class, be sure to read the information in the Refund Polices and Deadlines area located here. To get a full refund, you need to drop your class by Friday of the first week of classes. You can get a partial refund up until the 26th calendar day of the term. After the 26th calendar day, there is no refund. You may still drop a class after this date, but you won't get any refund. (Summer term deadlines are different and are listed in the Refund link.) Remember to never assume you will be automatically dropped from a course for any reason.
10. Further help
- For questions about using Blackboard CE, you have many resources available to you. You can email your instructor using the Mail tool in your class. You can call the ITS helpdesk at 541-885-1470 or email the helpdesk at helpdesk@oit.edu. You can view the information listed in the "FAQs for Students" link inside your Blackboard CE classes. You can call the Distance Ed office at 1-866-497-0008.
- To view a quick help document showing how to use the tools in Blackboard CE, click the link labeled "Using Blackboard CE - quick help" in the Attachments area. For a more detailed manual, click the link labeled "Using Blackboard CE manual." The detailed manual was developed by OIT students and explains how to use the tools in Blackboard CE.