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Introduction
| FirstClass
Courseware: Introduction
FirstClass is an effective electronic communication tool.
It integrates email, group conferencing, real time chats, and file
sharing. The FirstClass structure works well with Distance Learning
modalities as well as on campus classes.
It can also be a very effective tool for administrative group
projects allowing for easily followed and organized sessions that allow
for valuable interactions among the group. After you have registered it is important to send your instructor an introductory email. You can access your instructors email by going to http://www.virtualcollege.org and selecting “How to Start Class for Registered Students”. Then select the current quarter and locate your class on the “Registered Students” page. Only registered students will be set up with accounts. Unless told otherwise your User name will be the first initial of your first name and your entire last name (all one word, all lower case. Your FirstClass password will be the last 6 digits of your SID number. This software is maintained by North Seattle Community College and you have the option of accessing your classroom on the web at http://fc.northseattle.edu. You can also download the software at http://fc.northseattle.edu. Our FirstClass server is scheduled for maintenance every Friday morning from 9AM until 11AM. If you are experiencing difficulty connecting to the FirstClass server during this time please wait until after 11AM and try logging on again. We may also experience server downtime at other times, this is unplanned and we are usually back online within a short time. It is recommended if possible to install the client application, as you will have all of the features of FirstClass with greater speed of use. If you are unable to install the software you can connect to FirstClass on the web but you will find the response time slower and there are less features available. It is also been shown that the web software may interact adversely to a firewall installed on your computer network or personal computer. Recent updates to Windows operating software (Service Pack 2) has made access to some off site servers problematic (including our FirstClass server). If you are having problems logging in to your account you may need to reconfigure your Firewall or Virus protection software to allow for access. Please follow this link to the Microsoft website that will explain the new security features. These features include how to use the new Firewall and other new security features.Some students are also experiencing difficulty connecting if they are using a wireless connection. Depending on the connection (internet cafe's especially) the IPS may have security features in place that will prevent connection to our FirstClass server. You will need to contact the IPS for help.
Please note: for Students registering after the
beginning of the quarter
due to the various types of software associated with online instruction and
their registration requirements, you must require
a time allowance of
2 days
before gaining access to your Virtual
Classroom.
This means that when you register after the first
day, you must consider that it may be another 2 full
business days before you
have access to the classroom.
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