Online Course Questions
At eLearning, we're committed to helping you find the answers to your questions as quickly as possible. To help, we've compiled a list of questions students ask regularly.
If you have an idea for a question that should be included on this page, please email us at eLearning@lowercolumbia.edu!
No. You cannot complete your courses on a mobile device alone. We do not recommend using the Canvas App to submit assignments, take quizzes, or participate in discussion boards. The Canvas App is best used for viewing course announcements and Inbox messages from your instructor.
If you do not have access to a computer, you can check out a Chromebook from our Library! Chromebooks can be used to complete most courses.
Online courses are not easier than face-to-face classes, but they may be more convenient. Online courses cover the same material that face-to-face classes do, but it sometimes takes students longer to process the material. The most important thing to know about taking an online course is that they they require more self-discipline and time management skills. Without a designated class time, you'll have to make the time yourself.
If you aren't sure whether or not you're ready for an online course, try the Is Online Learning for Me? quiz! Then, check out How to Be a Good Online Student!
Each online instructor runs their classroom differently, but most have assignment due dates. These dates are provided at the start of the quarter, in the course syllabus, so that you can structure your time to meet the deadlines. This allows flexibility in your schedule but also keeps you on track to complete the class by the end of the quarter.
Instructors communicate in many different ways. Generally, email and telephone are the easiest ways to contact your instructor. Instructors include their contact information and schedule of availability in the syllabus of their online class. If you have problems accessing your syllabus online, email us at eLearning@lowercolumbia.edu.
Most laptops will work for online classes. For a detailed recommendation, check out the Recommended Technology for Online Students at LCC. For further questions, contact our eLearning office at (360) 442-2520 or email eLearning@lowercolumbia.edu.
The eLearning Office recommends using the latest version of Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome. You can also view all the supported browsers for Canvas, the learning management system most online courses use.
Buy your books online or in person from the LCC Bookstore. Books ordered online can be picked up at the store or shipped to you for a fee.
See the Class Schedule for a list of classes that feature free or inexpensive textbooks. Just select the quarter you are registering for and click the link for Alternative Educational Resources (AER).
See the Financial Aid Disbursement page for information about the disbursal of your financial aid check. All students are encouraged to favorite the Academic Calendar for important financial aid and other student dates and deadlines.
Contact Registration Services.
Contact your course instructor. Your instructor's contact information will be on the course syllabus and in the Campus Directory. Tutoring services are available on campus by visiting the Tutoring Center. Both online and in-person tutoring assistance is covered by your student fees.
Online courses generally do not have a face-to-face component. Students complete all course work via the Internet, by going to the college's learning management systems (Canvas or MyMathLab), logging in with a username and password, and accessing their virtual classroom.
Online courses might be right for you if you live far from campus, have a hectic home and work schedule that doesn't allow for face-to-face class time, or just love working with technology.
Please Note: Some online courses require that students use a proctoring service for their online exams. This can be done at LCC, other colleges/approved sites, or with ProctorU. Many test proctoring services charge a fee, which students are responsible for paying. Students should work with their instructors if they have any questions about test proctoring requirements.
For upcoming classes, see a list of current online courses.
Hybrid courses blend face-to-face interaction with online participation and learning. For example: students go online, read lessons, take a practice quiz, then come to a face-to-face class and talk about what they learned online. Hybrid courses generally only meet once or twice per week.
Hybrid courses might be right for you if you really love online learning but still value face-to-face time with your instructor. Hybrid courses are a great stepping stone to purely online courses.
For upcoming classes, see a list of current hybrid courses.
Canvas Enhanced courses are face-to-face courses that have an additional required online component. For example: a face-to-face instructor may require you to access reading, assignment material, or submit an assignment online. However, no seat time is replaced by online instruction. Enhanced courses have no reduction in classroom time, and they offer the bonus of being able to access and organize your work electronically.
Canvas Informational courses are face-to-face courses that have an additional non-required online component. For example: a face-to-face instructor makes all syllabus and class handouts available for download or posts grades via Canvas.
Canvas is LCC's Learning Management System. It's where most online, hybrid, and Canvas enhanced courses are housed. In Canvas, you'll complete and submit assignments, communicate with your instructors and classmates, and interact with the content of your courses.
To learn about Canvas, you can use our Fully Online Canvas Orientation or you can schedule a one-on-one appointment with a tutor.
Password Questions
If you're a first time user or you've forgotten your username use the Get Username & Password form. If you need to reset or change your password, use the Change Password form. You cannot change your username.
These links are also available on the Online Services page.
Your LCC username and password are used for accessing your student email and logging on to campus computers and Library databases.
To log in to Canvas, use your ctcLink username (EMPLID) and password.
Get your Student ID number from the Get Student ID form. This form will also retrieve your old SID number if you had one.
This link is also available on the Online Services page.
To change your ctcLink password, click 'Forgot your password?' on the ctcLink login page and follow the prompts to reset it.
Contact eLearning! Call us at (360) 442-2520, email us at eLearning@lowercolumbia.edu, or stop by our office in Library 107.
Other Questions
Our Tech Tutorials page has tutorials for a variety of technical issues, but when all else fails, contact us! Call (360) 442-2520, email us at eLearning@lowercolumbia.edu, or stop by our office in Library 107.
Important: Keep an eye out for Tech Check Days! During Fall, Winter, and Spring quarter, students from the IT program set up shop in the Learning Commons to help students with their personal computers with issues like slowness, installing programs, and more! The dates for this event are set each quarter, so be sure to check the Campus Calendar!
Contact eLearning! Call (360) 442-2520, email us at eLearning@lowercolumbia.edu, or stop by our office in Library 107.
Current students can get help with their personal computers for free! Tech check helps with virus checks and protection, slow computers, software updates, and installation of Microsoft Office.
Tech check does not help with hardware issues like cracked screens or broken cables.
For more information, call or email library.reference@lowercolumbia.edu.