North Seattle e-Learning: Virtual College
Virtual College Home>Student Information and Help Desk> Registered Students

Registered Students: Start your course


How do I find out about starting my e-Learning course?

Go to Virtual College home and click on the link for Registered Students for the quarter you are currently enrolled.  You can also go to the Registered Students page for a link to the quarter listing.   Locate your class and email your instructor a few days before the quarter starts to introduce yourself. Early registrants an email to your personal email address directing them to Virtual College.  

The Registered students
listing will provide an email contact for your instructor as well as the course web site.  If your course uses Canvas Learning (a Learning Management System) you will receive your account on the first day of the quarter. (Students registering after the quarter has begun must allow
2 to 4 hours for their account to be activated)  Depending on the course there may also be a link to a syllabus or other class information as well as videos from instructors. 
You can also contact the e-Learning
office for more information regarding starting your course.  NeLSC is open 8:30:AM - 5:00 PM Monday – Friday for drop ins or you can phone: 206 934-3738 or email [email protected].  Please note: emails and phone messages will be answered the next business day.

I am having trouble viewing my course, what browsers are recommended for e-Learning?

Our first suggestion is to check to see if this is a computer set-up problem.  You may have virus protection or networking issues that are blocking access to your course or some media content.  It is also important to have the current versions of media players or readers.   It has also been found that many Learning Management Systems like Canvas deliver content using pop up windows so it would be important to disable pop up blockers while you are logged in to your course.

We suggest that everyone download the free version of Mozilla's Firefox, Google Chrome for MAC's.

It has also been found that some computer configurations work best with one browser over another. If you are currently using one browser and your course is not working correctly, downloading a different browser may solve the problem.

North Seattle e-Learning uses Canvas LMS courseware in many of our Online, Hybrid and Web Enhanced classes.  Canvas best supports  Firefox and Chrome browsers.  Internet Explorer is shown to be more problematic.  For more information please go to Canvas support.

How do I do start my Washington Online (WAOL) class?

Go to the website: https://canvas.northseattle.edu/login and use the information provided to login to your WAOL course.  This link will give more information regarding starting your WAOL course and accessing the online book store.  Determine what textbook is required for your class. You are not required to purchase your book from WAOL and it may also be available through the North Seattle campus bookstore: Please note that shipping of your textbook may require 7 to 10 days.  Note the date that your classroom opens and what the start date is for your course as it may be different from NSCC dates.   Often WAOL courses start earlier than the North Seattle official first day of the quarter.  It is important to get logged in to your course in a timely manner so that you do not fall behind.    

If you have problems logging on successfully to your course, contact Washington Online for technical assistance. It is important to pay your tuition at NSCC by the due date or you may loose your place in the WAOL class. Once lost, your slot is not usually regained as these classes fill early.

Do I have to be online at specific times

Each class is structured differently as set up by the instructor. Your instructor will be able to answer your questions about the course set up and requirements. In general, students are not required to be online at specific times. An instructor's office hours are specific (these hours may be on campus or online) but faculty are usually willing to set up a meeting time with a student outside of this timeframe.

Please Note: ECON 201 D9 will be an "e-Meet" class requiring students to be online at a specific time for an asynchronous class.  This will mean that students will need to be at a computer with audio, and a microphone. Webcam optional (If you need to use a public computer you will need to confirm with the staff and your instructor that you will be able to full fill the requirements for these online meetings)

How much time does a e-Learning class require?

North Seattle e-Learning courses require a student to be self motivated and generally it requires three hours of study and work per credit per week to complete the course successfully. This time frame is only an estimate and a student may take more or less time per class depending on knowledge or interest.

North Seattle e-Learning courses require active participation and students need to log into their classes and contact their instructor by the second day of the quarter to avoid getting behind or being dropped from the course.   It is also important to be proactive in your class work. Students need to make sure they understand the course requirements including assignment deadlines and if you have questions regarding coursework,  emailing your instructor in a timely manner is important. 
North Seattle e-Learning courses have assignment deadlines just as on campus courses do and your instructor has the ability to turn off the assignment drop box so you will be unable to hand in your assignment.  If this occurs you need to contact your instructor for further action. 
If your course has a required discussion segment a student needs to be an active participant to get credit. 

How do I contact my instructor?

Email is the most effective means of contacting your instructor. Their address is available by looking up your specific course in the Registered Students page.  It is important to contact your instructor by email a few days before the quarter starts and introduce yourself. This will allow the instructor to send you any necessary passwords or information you will need to access your courseware and your virtual classroom as well as giving them an up to date email address.   

Instructor response times should be addressed in the course syllabus, generally instructors will respond within 24 to 48 hours.  If this response time is not found in the syllabus students can email our NeLSC office with questions. 

How do I arrange for proctored exams?

Most college facilities have a testing center staffed to proctor exams. Currently the North Seattle Testing Center is not providing proctoring services.  For other schools you will need to call or email ahead to schedule an appointment at the Testing Center closest to you. You may also have a test proctored at a library or other educational institution. The North Seattle e-Learning office is also able to proctor exams during business hours with prearrangement.  Your instructor will need to mail or email your exam to the testing location or give the proctor electronic access to the exam. It is important to determine if your course is fully online or primarily online. If your course is fully online you will be able to take a proctored exam at a location other than North Seattle. If your course is partly online you may be required to make other arrangements with your instructor if you are not able to take the exam during the designated time.

How do I obtain my grades after the quarter is complete?

Go to the Online Services at North Seattle web site and select the transcript/grade option.  For any questions regarding a specific grade please contact your instructor. 

As an e-Learner can I use the campus computers for my class work?

All registered students at North Seattle can use the computers on campus in the library, classrooms and computer lab. You will need to sign up for a NetID account to activate this access. Your NetID account will also give you web storage as well as online apps such as email, a calendar and a document sharing application through the "Google Collaboration Apps" interface. NetID will also give you wireless access on campus.  If you are not planning to use campus computers it is not required to obtain a NetID.    

When will this class be offered again?

See online schedule for next quarter at the North Seattle web site or a listing may be posted in Virtual College - follow the links from the home page.  For more information contact the division for courses that may be planned for future quarters:  https://northseattle.edu/programs.

How long do I have to access my to courseware and course work?

If students want to download copies of their course work to archive this must be done by the last day of the quarter.  Student accounts are deleted at the end of the quarter along with all course work.  After the accounts have been cleared students need to email their instructors any requests for information.  NeLSC will not be able to facilitate requests for student information, any request must be made to the instructor or to their Division. 

The quarter has started and I would like to add a class can I do this?

For the first 4 days of the quarter it is possible to add a class by going to the Online Services and add as you did for your initial registration. From the 4th day of the quarter until the 10th day any class you wish to add requires instructor permission. You need to contact the instructor by email explain your situation and request his permission to register. Ask the instructor to indicate in the return email that you have permission to register for his course. This email will then function as the instructors signature and needs to be forwarded to North Seattle registration at [email protected] or a copy of the email can be brought to campus registration. You will then need to request a special code to enter into web registration. You can request this code by email or by phone, please contact Registration [email protected] or 206 934-3663.

How do I register for an online class that requires a course entry code?

You will need to email [email protected] or phone 206 934-3658 to verify that all your prerequisites are met. They will then give you the required course entry code. You will need to enter this code when you register online or on campus.

I need to drop a class how do I do this?

Dropping a class uses the same resources as registration. You can do this on line at the Online Services.  You can also drop a course at campus registration located in the College Center on the second level.  Between the 4th and the 10th business days of the quarter a student may drop a course; without instructor permission. The 10th day is also the last day to withdraw without a "W" appearing on transcript.

A student at North is allowed to drop a class or change audit/credit status up to the 8th week of Fall, Winter or Spring quarters and by the 6th week of Summer quarter without instructor permission. For confirmation of the exact dates you can view the Instructional Calendar at http://www.seattlecolleges.edu/academiccalendar.aspx.  You must make sure that you are enabled in the NSC system before you are able to complete the drop. If you attempt to drop and you receive the message that you need an appointment to register you must call Registration at 206 934-3663 and tell them what has occurred and they will enable you in the system. This might happen if you registered for the course through a different college.
After the drop deadline you cannot drop the course it will show up on your schedule as an incomplete or NC. You will need to contact your instructor and he will give you an incomplete or a no credit for the course. If you want to complete the course you will need to contact your instructor to make arrangements.

NSCC Star logo image  e-Learning @ North Seattle College | e-Learning News Feed
  For more information email NeLSC: [email protected] Phone: 206 934.3738  
 On Campus: LB 2237   2014-2015 Virtual College Disclaimer