If this is the first semester you have taken an online or online-enhanced course, you may want to attend an online course tutorial session on-campus to help you get started.

The tutorial sessions last less than an hour and will help guide you through:

• Logging into your course
• Communicating with your classmates and your instructor
• Turning in assignments
• How exams and quizzes operate

Sessions are on a first come first served basis – there is limited seating in each session.

Schedule for Spring Semester:

Unable to attend

For those of you that cannot attend an on-campus Getting Started workshop, or need a refresher on how to work in the online course system – here are some brief video tutorials:

• How to Log In to Online DCTC
• Basic D2L Navigation
• How to use the D2L Discussion
• How to use the D2L Quiz
• How to submit assignments in the Dropbox

You will need the free Flash Player to view these videos.

METNET Email will be eliminated and inaccessible beginning January 1, 2012.   Additional information regarding the email system retirement is listed below.  Email is the official means of communication used by DCTC – so it is important that we have a valid email address for you.

Please update your student email accounts listed with DCTC by completing this brief web form

METNET E-mail to be Retired January 1, 2012

The Metropolitan Educational Telecommunications Network (METNET) has contracted with the University of Minnesota to provide student E-mail services for Metropolitan MNSCU schools for the past 15 years.   The University of Minnesota will be retiring the E-mail service (GopherMail) in the near future and will be moving to an outside E-mail service.

As a result, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012, METNET E-MAIL WILL BE RETIRED.

You will need to migrate to another E-mail system.  You will have between now and January 1, 2012 to move your E-mail off the METNET system should you decide to do so.

After January 1, 2012, your METNET E-mail will not longer be available, and messages will not be delivered to your METNET E-mail address (they will bounce back as undeliverable).

Since the University is retiring the E-mail system we are using, we do not have the option to forward to another E-mail.  METNET GopherMail has an option to export address books to a file format and import them into their new E-mail account.

There are many online options for a free email accounts. Some of the frequently used providers are:

Gmail  – http://mail.google.com/mail/

Yahoo – http://mail.yahoo.com

Hotmail/Windows Live – http://www.hotmail.com

These links are provided  as a small sample of possible email service providers.  METNET and DCTC does not endorse nor recommend any individual provider, nor provide any technical support for any email service provider.

Students -

We are seeking your feedback regarding your experience at DCTC.

This input will be used to help make decisions regarding the future of the college.

The survey should take five minutes or less to complete. Thank you in advance for your help.

Please click the link below to complete the survey before November 4:

Current Student Survey

SIGN UP TODAY!

STAR ALERT EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION TEXT MESSAGING SYSTEM

Sign up NOW for DCTC’s Emergency Notification System.

Star Alert is a notification system that sends a text message directly to your cell phone in the event of an emergency.

The service is free to sign up and completely optional for students.

Only you have the power to sign-up.  If you do not sign up, you will not receive emergency notification via text message.  Instead you will only receive emergency notifications via your email, the web or other news sources.

If you have any questions about STAR ALERT, contact Erin Edlund at Erin.Edlund@dctc.edu

STUDENT SIGN UP

STAFF/FACULTY SIGN UP

Attention Students and Faculty:

D2L will be unavailable Saturday, October 1 beginning at 3pm until approximately 1pm on Sunday, October 2.

Please plan work accordingly.

Thank you.

Success Week—September 12-16!

There are an abundance of activities happening for Success Week, including many opportunities to win scholarships!

Monday, Sept 12

Campus Life Presentation, 4:45 – Apple Valley Room 130

Come to learn the essentials about the various college services offered at DCTC, Student Life opportunities, and general information about the college students should know. This presentation contains information relating to all of the Campus Life Trivia Challenge questions! Apple Valley Campus only—Guess how much money is in the change jar to win a $250 scholarship! Sign up at the front desk.

Tuesday, Sept 13

Campus Life Fair, 11-1 – Central Commons

Come for FREE SUBS and to speak with representatives from student clubs, organizations and college services.

Campus Life Presentation, 3 & 5 – Room 1-116

Come to learn the essentials about the various college services offered at DCTC, Student Life opportunities, and general information about the college students should know. This presentation contains information relating to all of the Campus Life Trivia Challenge questions!

Campus Life Trivia Challenge Begins – Win scholarships and other prizes!

The Campus Life Trivia Challenge encompasses 20 questions about DCTC. Students will be able to access the trivia challenge through www.dctc.edu on Tuesday and must submit their answers by Thursday night at 11:59 p.m. Students can learn the answers to the challenge by attending activities happening during Success Week, referencing the student handbook, searching www.dctc.edu or blogs.dctc.edu/student-life/, asking DCTC employees, or by visiting areas on campus related to the questions. All students who receive a score of 100% will be entered into a drawing for prizes, including a $250 scholarship, one of five $50 scholarships, and other DCTC giveaways. Students must be a currently enrolled in 6 or more credits to be eligible for the scholarships.

Wednesday, Sept 14

Aaron Cross—Focus on your Target, 11 – Dakota Room

Aaron is a three-time Paralympian in the sport of archery and his presentation aims to help individuals accomplish their goals in their personal and professional lives. In 1991, the doctors told Aaron and his family, “The best thing you can do for him is get him a good color television and a good remote.” Since that day, Aaron has dedicated his life to following his FOCUS. “Start now, Act now, Go After, and FOCUS on Your Target,” a five-step program about inner strength, believing in yourself so you can overcome life’s obstacles.

Learning Center Open House, 1-3 – Learning Center/Room 2-414

Come for free popcorn and to hear about all the support for students offered through the Learning Center, such as the Writing Center, Math Center, Counseling, Veterans Services, Disability Services, and TRiO.

Wellness Center Orientation, 1 – Wellness Center/Room 1-704D

Did you know DCTC had a workout facility on campus that is free of charge for current students, faculty, and staff to use? Come to the Wellness Center orientation to learn more about the facility and how to use the workout equipment.

Campus Life Presentation, 9 & 2 – Room 1-116

Come to learn the essentials about the various college services offered at DCTC, Student Life opportunities, and general information about the college students should know. This presentation contains information relating to all of the Campus Life Trivia Challenge questions!

Thursday, Sept 15

Wellness Center Orientation, 10 – Wellness Center/Room 1-704D

Did you know DCTC had a workout facility on campus that is free of charge for current students, faculty, and staff to use? Come to the Wellness Center orientation to learn more about the facility and how to use the workout equipment.

Library Orientation, 12 – Library/Room 1-115

The DCTC Library offers many resources to students, including books, videos, periodicals, AV viewing rooms, quiet study spaces, computers, Wi-Fi, and helpful librarians. Come to the orientation to learn how to utilize the resources provided through the library, including online access to an array of databases for research.

Campus Life Presentation, 9, 11, & 1 – Room 1-116

4:45 – Apple Valley Computer Lab

Come to learn the essentials about the various college services offered at DCTC, Student Life opportunities, and general information about the college students should know. This presentation contains information relating to all of the Campus Life Trivia Challenge questions! Apple Valley Campus only—Guess how much money is in the change jar to win a $250 scholarship! Sign up at the front desk. Winner will be announced after this presentation!

For more information

Visit the Student Life Blog (http://blogs.dctc.edu/student-life/) for a complete list of days, times, and locations of activities happening September 12-18.

Questions? Contact:

Nicole Meulemans
Director of Student Life and Activities
Nicole.Meulemans@dctc.edu
651-423-8403

If you are new to online/hybrid/online enhanced courses we offer a brief workshop on-campus to show you how to log in, navigate the course system, participate in online discussion, turn in assignments and take quizzes.

Workshops are held in room 2-102.  Space is limited.

For Fall Semester 2011 Online Tutorial Workshops will be:

Monday, August 22  8am, 11am, 2pm or 5pm

Tuesday, August 23 9am, 1pm or 3pm

If you cannot attend an on-campus session or just need a refresher – here are some brief online videos to help you be familiar the D2L course system:

• How to Log In to Online DCTC
• Basic D2L Navigation
• How to use the D2L Discussion
• How to use the D2L Quiz
• How to submit assignments in the Dropbox

You will need the free Flash Player to view these videos.

If you  have any questions or concerns – please contact the online help desk at online@dctc.edu or 651.423.8655

Students:

To log in to the computers or wireless on campus – you will need a network ID.

To Activate your Network ID you will need to first know your e-services log in (this is the log in you used to register for classes)

If you have your e-services log in information then follow these steps to activate your account:

1. Go to https://www.dctc.edu/account/
2. Click on “Create My Campus Network Account (Students Accounts Only)”
3. Enter your tech ID number (8 digits) and your e-services password.
4. Create a password for your network login

The password must:
- Be at least 8 characters long
- Contain at least one upper and one lower case letter
- Contain at least one numeral
- Not contain your username(tech id)

5.  Click Create Account
6. Account created successfully

Your Student Network Username = Tech ID number

Your Student Network Password = Password created during account activation.

You can complete this process from off-campus. If you have not activated their account before coming to campus there will be computer kiosks available in Student Services and the Instructional Technology Center (Room 2-104).

You will not be able to use a computer on-campus without an activated NetworkID

If you have previously activated your Network ID – but do not remember your password – you can reset it at https://www.dctc.edu/account and click on “Change my DCTC Campus Network Password”

If you have used a network ID at DCTC other than your student/tech ID number you will need to re-activate your account.

All Student Network ID’s are student/tech ID numbers.

Email is the official communication medium for Dakota County Technical College.

Please update your email so we can effectively contact you.

What does that mean? DCTC will use email as the primary way of sending you information. If you do not wish to provide us an email address, we will send you all correspondence using standard postal service which may delay the information you receive.

Where will my email be used? DCTC will use your email address to send you important college information and announcements. If you are taking an online or hybrid course, email will also be important for course communication. DCTC will not send private information via email. DCTC will not lease or sell your email address to others.

What do I have to do? DCTC would like you to verify what email address is best to reach you. Previously, DCTC had requested you use a MetNet email address, but that is no longer necessary. You can use any email address, but it needs to be one that you check on a regular basis.

Still using MetNet email? Your account will be eliminated January 2012. Please read this important information

References:

DCTC Policy 5.24 Email as Official Means of Communication, 5.24.1 Procedure: Email Accounts

METNET E-mail to be Retired

The Metropolitan Educational Telecommunications Network (METNET) has contracted with the University of Minnesota to provide student E-mail services for Metropolitan MNSCU schools for the past 15 years.   The University of Minnesota will be retiring the E-mail service (GopherMail) in the near future and will be moving to an outside E-mail service.  After evaluating alternatives, METNET member schools have all decided to move to outside E-mail services as well.   The reduced costs and increased capabilities of the outside E-mail services such as Google and Microsoft now make those services far more effective than to continue to provide the service internally.  All METNET member institutions have either already moved to another E-mail service, or are in the process of making that move.  All moves should be complete by the end of Fall semester, 2011.

As a result, EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012, METNET E-MAIL WILL BE RETIRED.

You will need to migrate to another E-mail system.

You will have between now and January 1, 2012 to move your E-mail off the METNET system should you decide to do so. After January 1, 2012, your METNET E-mail will not longer be available, and messages will not be delivered to your METNET E-mail address (they will bounce back as undeliverable).  Since the University is retiring the E-mail system we are using, we do not have the option to forward to another E-mail.  METNET GopherMail has an option to export address books to a file format and import them into their new E-mail account.

It is important that you keep your email address updated with DCTC - here is more information on the DCTC email policy and resources for setting up a new email address.