The live real-time orientations are provided via WebEx technology for students taking asynchronous (ONLN or OLCR) or synchronous (LRON) online courses. No seat reservation is needed. The access link will be available 30 minutes before a session starts. The schedule posted below is for fully online students (ONLN, OLCR, or LRON). The Orientation for New Online Students will help you get familiar with Blackboard interface, learn basic features, and obtain online learning success tips. WebEx, Blackboard Collaborate Ultra or MS Teams for LRON Students are for students registered LRON (Live/Remote Online Courses) courses to get familiar with the web conferencing technology to participate in the live remote lectures. First-time fully online students or students registered LRON courses at Middlesex are highly recommended to attend an orientation. You are expected that before attending an orientation, you have used your NetID and the password to log on to your Blackboard course via my.ctstate.edu.
Before coming to an orientation, you should know your NetID and test your password. If you do not know your NetID, click here to find out. If your initial password does not work, click here for password reset.
Online orientation is available for those who are not able to attend a real-time live session. Students registered LRON courses also need to visit LRON preparation page prior to attending your class online.
The WebEx access link will be available 30 minutes before a session starts. (You may need to refresh the page or clear out the browser history to see the access link.) Please log on 5 minutes before a session by clicking on the access link. Enter your full name and college email address. Then click on Join Meeting. Visit here for more information on how to use WebEx to attend a meeting.
For Winter 2024 Courses Starting on December 27, 2024
Monday, December 23, 10:00 am – 11:30 am, Orientation for New Online Students
Thursday December 26, 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm, Orientation for New Online Students
Friday, December 27, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm, Orientation for New Online Students
For Spring 2025 Courses Starting on January 27, 2025
Thursday, January 23, 12:30 pm –1:30 pm, WebEx for LRON Students
Thursday, January 23, 2:30 pm –4:00 pm, Orientation for New Online Students
Friday, January 24, 12:30 pm –1:30 pm, Blackboard Collaborate for LRON Students
Friday, January 24, 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm, Orientation for New Online Students
Monday, January 27, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm, MS Teams for LRON Students
Monday, January 27, 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm, Orientation for New Online Students
Tuesday, January 28, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm, Orientation for New Online Students
Tuesday, January 28, 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm, Orientation for New Online Students
Wednesday, January 29, 10:00 am – 11:30 pm, Orientation for New Online Students
Wednesday, January 29, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm, Orientation for New Online Students
For Spring 2025 Late Start Courses Starting on February 7th
Friday, February 7, 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm, Orientation for New Online Students
More training workshops throughout an academic semester are posted at https://mxcc.edu/ttfs
* Students registered LRON (Live Remote Online) courses will be notified by their professor regarding which web conferencing technology they will be using to participate in the live real-time class.
Topics -Orientation for New Online Students
(1) Log on to Blackboard
(2) Navigation in Blackboard
(3) Basic tools: Announcement, Discussions, Mail, Assessment (online tests), and Assignments (drop boxes).
(4) Success tips in online learning
(5) Troubleshooting tips and help contact
Introduction – Login (PDF)
Orientation Handout (PDF)
Those who cannot make the live real-time orientation sessions should go through the online orientation.
Handout – Blackboard Collaborate for Students (PDF)
