For Students

How Are We Doing?


PGCC students, as part of our ongoing effort to improve the services and resources we offer to students, eLearning and the Student Governance Association (SGA) invite you to complete the eLearning & SGA Student Survey. We'd like to learn about the ways you engage with Canvas (the College’s online learning management system to access coursework and materials), learning technologies, and student organizations and activities. Share your thoughts to help enhance the student experience.

 

Your voice matters! With you in mind, we have provided resources including:

  • Brainfuse, the College’s 24/7 online tutoring service;
  • The Canvas Learning & More website, your go-to resource for the educational tools you need to succeed;
  • Upcoming Student Zoom Overview sessions and;
  • A Canvas Course Feedback form, which will soon be made available.

Please help us continue improving by dedicating a few minutes to complete the eLearning & SGA Student Survey by Monday, May 6, 2024. Students who complete the survey will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win one of four $50 Visa gift cards, compliments of the SGA!


A dark blue rectangular button with white text stating "Click to complete the eLearning & SGA Student Survey" and a light blue arrow pointing to the button





Screen shot of the Understanding Course Modalities video from eLearning Services

Course Formats Can Be Confusing - Here's How To Tell Them Apart

We know that course formats can be confusing. It’s valid given the many different ways students can take their courses. Review the formats below to help you make informed decisions.

Face-to-Face – This is the format that students tend to be most familiar with, the traditional face-to-face or in-person course.​

Online – The online course format can be challenging given we often say “online” as a catch-all term for any course that isn’t a face-to-face course. At PGCC, online means a course that does not meet virtually or face-to-face. Students submit their classwork, which is due on a specified day and time. Students in online classes do not interact with their instructor or classmates in-person. They may interact via discussion boards or emails but their communication often isn’t happening in real time.

Remote – In remote courses, students engage with their instructor and classmates in real time through devices like desktops, laptops, and tablets. Students are expected to log into class on specific days at specific times. Students in remote classes, like students in online classes, generally do not attend face-to-face classes.​

Hybrid – Hybrid classes refer to classes that combine course formats. Students engage in some in-person classes at a PGCC campus. And students can also be required to complete online coursework or participate in classes on specific days at specific times on their device. Note that one hybrid course can be different from another in terms of the formats that are combined.

To learn more about PGCC's course formats, check out this brief video!


Technology Doesn't Have To Break The Bank: Check Out These Discounts & Downloads

To support your learning, PGCC offers enrolled students free discounts and downloads of technology you may need for your courses. Check them out below!

  • Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other apps)
  • Discounted devices, software, and services (scroll down on page to the "Students Only" section)
    • Adobe Creative Cloud
    • Autodesk for Students
    • Discount Computer Purchases (Apple, Dell, Lenovo)
    • Discounted Computer and Mobile Repair Services from The Gadget Guys
    • SoftChalk (web-based lesson creator)
    • Textbook Discounts from eCampus


Is Canvas Giving You Trouble? Here's How To Get Help - Any Time

If you run into an issue while using Canvas - like your document won't upload, or you need help finding your grades, or you can't find the announcement that your instructor posted - you have access to Canvas help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Encountering challenges, especially while trying to succeed in your course, can be frustrating but you're not alone! Help is at your fingertips. Follow the instructions below or check out this brief video to get unstuck.

If you're logged into your Canvas account

  1. Click the question mark icon on the Global Navigation Menu (blue section on left side)
  2. In the pop-up window, select an article topic at the top or scroll down to the bottom for additional support options
  3. At the bottom of the window, select either the email, call, or chat option to connect with a support representative
If you cannot log into your Canvas account
  1. Submit a Canvas Technical Support ticket online via askPGCC
If you'd like in-person help from eLearning, please visit us at the Largo campus. Find our location and hours of operation on our Contact Us webpage. We look forward to connecting with you!



Laptop with screen open to the Student Overview page in Canvas. Text above the laptop invites PGCC students to join eLearning for a Student Canvas Overview session. Text below the laptop provides a website where students can find session links and a recording. The website is bit.ly/pgcccanvasoverview

Learn How To Access Your Canvas Course(s)!

Throughout the year, eLearning hosts sessions, "Get in the Know - An Overview of the LMS, Canvas" for students. Each session is 60 minutes in length on Zoom and includes information on basic features, course set-up, and how to access training and 24/7 support.

We hope you (or students you know) are able to join us for the next session! For additional details, including links for upcoming sessions and a recording of a previous session, visit the Student Overview webpage.



Male student sitting in chair, typing on a laptop, in the PGCC library

Do You Need A Laptop?

To support your academic success, PGCC offers a laptop loaner program to students. If you are a student who needs a laptop (or know a student who does), we encourage you to request to borrow one. To request to borrow a laptop, complete and submit the online request form, which can be found by following these instructions:

  1. Go to the PGCC Technical Support webpage
  2. Scroll down on the page and click the "Request Device" button in the Mobile Device Loaner Program section
  3. Complete the form and click "Submit Form"

The Student Canvas Learning & More homepage with a smiling woman in the header welcoming visitors to the page

A New Student Resource: Canvas Learning & More

PGCC Owls, have you explored your new Canvas Learning & More website? It’s your go-to resource to learn about Canvas and the technologies you use in your classes, like Ally Alternative Formats, Hypothes.is, Respondus LockDown Browser, and more.

The Canvas Learning & More website includes:

  • Student Overview: Participate in a Zoom session or watch a recording to learn about Canvas' basic features, course set-up, and how to access training and 24/7 support. 
  • Student Training: Dive into step-by-step tutorials and resources, guiding you through the ins and outs of Canvas.
  • Student FAQs: Looking for answers? Check out these responses to the questions students ask most frequently.
  • Student Channel: Immerse yourself in a Panopto-based video library where you can view content including explainer videos, technology tips, and more.
  • Student Technical Support: When you need Canvas help, a variety of 24/7 technical support options are available. Explore your support options here.
  • Student Tools: Learn about the educational tools you'll use in your courses and learn how to make them work for you.
  • Student Support Services: Find information about a wide range of services and resources designed to help you succeed throughout your time at PGCC and beyond.

We can’t wait for you to see what we’ve created for you. Check out your Canvas Learning & More website today! Have questions or need assistance? Reach out to us at eLearning@students.pgcc.edu. We're here to help!



Brainfuse online tutoring services promotion, which include live tutoring, writing lab feedback, submit a question for tutor response, and skills building lessons and videos

The News On Brainfuse 

 

Are you struggling in a class? Do you need help with a writing assignment? Would you like support with fully understanding what you’re learning in class? With Brainfuse online tutoring, you have access to on-demand, one-on-one assignment help and writing assistance with highly-qualified tutors. 

 

If you are enrolled in a class at PGCC, you are provided 3 hours of free Brainfuse tutoring time. And if needed, you may request a time extension after using your initial 3 hours. Hundreds of PGCC students have used Brainfuse to stay on track in their classes. We encourage to you make use of this resource too!

 

Here’s how to access Brainfuse:

  1. Log in to Canvas
  2. On the Global Navigation Menu (blue section on the left side), click on Courses
  3. Click on one course
  4. On the Course Navigation Menu (white section on the left side), click on Brainfuse Online Tutoring
  5. Click on Launch Brainfuse and you will be taken to your Brainfuse tutoring dashboard

Use these resources to learn how to navigate Brainfuse:


In addition to Brainfuse, the eLearning team encourages you to make use of The Learning Commons to support your academic success. Happy learning!
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)