Distance Learning Department
Del Mar College
101 Baldwin Blvd.
Corpus Christi, TX 78404-3897

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Welcome to Distance Learning at Del Mar College!

Our records indicate that you have enrolled for at least one course that will be either substantially or totally delivered via the World Wide Web using WebCT, the course management system for delivery of online course at Del Mar College.  WebCT may also be used to augment your campus-based courses using learning tools such as discussion boards, chat rooms, quizzes, electronic assignment drop boxes, and more.  We hope the following information helps get you started in your online classroom for the coming term.

To log in to WebCT (both new and former users of WebCT)

• Open a web browser and type in the web address http://online.delmar.edu
• Click the “Log in to” link located just below the WebCT logo at the top of the page.
• In the WebCT ID box type in your WebCT ID and Password:

WebCT ID:  «WebCT_ID»
Password:  <mmddyy>                         

NOTE:

• Your WebCT ID is case-sensitive.  Type the WebCT ID exactly as it appears above.
• Your password is your two-digit birth month, two-digit birth day and two-digit birth year.

       Example:  if you were born on October 15, 1986 you would type 101586.

• Click “Log in”. 
• This is your personalized My WebCT page where all of your courses using WebCT will ultimately be listed.  DON’T PANIC if you do not see your courses listed upon initial log in.  Instructors will be adding students to courses over the next several days but this may not occur until after the beginning of the semester.  Please contact your instructor if you have enrollment concerns.
• Once your course is listed on the My WebCT page you may enter the course by clicking the course title.

NOTE: Remember to change passwords after initial log in and NEVER share your password with anyone.

NOTE:  It is vital you log in to your online course or at least contact your instructor within the first week of the start of the term.  Failing to do so may result in being dropped from the course.

Questions? Problems?
You will find that WebCT is quite easy to use.  However, when the occasional problem occurs you can get back on track by contacting the Del Mar College Helpdesk in any of several ways:

• Telephone and E-mail support is available Monday-Thursday 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. and Friday 7:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.  Call the DMC Helpdesk at 361-698-2330 or e-mail helpdesk@delmar.edu

• Use the Web-based Del Mar College Helpdesk Assistance Request Form at

        http://www.delmar.edu/itdept/helpdesk/studentform.html

WebCT Tutorials

Whether you are new to the online classroom or a seasoned veteran, Del Mar College offers several ways of getting you oriented to your WebCT classroom:

• The Del Mar College WebCT tutorial is available online at  

http://www.delmar.edu/webct
This tutorial will orient you to your online classroom environment. 

•  Many instructors have additional course orientations at the beginning of each semester.  Contact your instructor for additional information or go to:

http://www.delmar.edu/distancelearning/webfall08.php

• Additional tutorials on using WebCT are available at:

http://www.delmar.edu/distancelearning/help/mywebct_about.html

• Still need assistance? Call the Helpdesk at 361-698-2330.

General information

For general information on WebCT or any aspect of distance education at Del Mar College, call the Distance Learning Department at 361-698-1312 or visit our Web site at
                        http://www.delmar.edu/distancelearning

Here you will find several resources to help you succeed in your online classes including:

• Our Student Success in the Online Environment mini-workshop;
• The Aptitude for Online Classes self-test;
• WebCT tutorials, both video-based and text-based, to familiarize you with your online course environment.

Are you READI?

Prior to beginning your online course(s) please complete the READI indicator for online success.  READI stands for Readiness for Education At a Distance Indicator and is a series of questions designed to indicate your readiness for taking online courses. The READI indicator takes 25-30 minutes to complete and asks questions dealing with the online course environment in the areas of reading comprehension, technical competency, individual attributes, preferred learning styles, and typing speed and accuracy.  Upon completion you receive immediate feedback in the form of colorful charts, graphs, and text.  Remedial activities will be suggested for areas you may be weak in.  You only need to take the READI indicator once regardless of the number of Web-based courses you take at Del Mar College.  To begin, go to

http://delmar.readi.info

User name:           delmarfall08
Password:             fall08

Then follow the instructions. Remember that this is not a test but rather an indicator of general abilities geared towards the online learning environment and designed for making you a better online student.

24/7 Tutoring Service Available September 2008

Beginning September 2008, Del Mar College students will have access to Smarthinking, an online tutoring service offering extended hour (up to 24/7) access to live tutors in subjects such as Mathematics, Algebra, Calculus, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Anatomy and Physiology, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Spanish, Statistics, and others. To access Smarthinking, simply log in to MyDMC at http://mydmc.delmar.edu and click the Smarthinking link. You’ll have your choice of a live chat with a tutor, submitting a question for a 24 hour response (usually sooner), scheduling an appointment for a live chat, or simply browsing their assortment of supplemental materials. Studying late and have a question? Smarthinking is there for you!

Good luck!

Del Mar College and the Distance Learning Department are here to assist you in your Web-based academic studies. You will find Web-based courses to be a rewarding yet challenging experience. However, by

1. Logging in regularly (a minimum three times per week or adhering to your instructor’s directions;
2. Setting reasonable goals at the beginning of the term, and
3. Using sound time management techniques, you should have no problems being a successful online student.

Have an enjoyable term and the best of luck with your studies.