Distance Education Students

Canvas

• Computer Access to online activities in Canvas:

  Please use either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox to access the course from a desktop or laptop computer (do not use Safari, Internet Explorer or Edge - buttons sometimes disappear).
  
  Then you can access your courses in two ways: 

  1. Through the Portal: https://my.vcccd.edu 

  2. Go Directly to the VCCCD Canvas instance:   https://vcccd.instructure.com

• Mobile Device Access to online activities in Canvas: Online courses are best accessed and completed with a computer. When accessing Canvas from mobile devices such as phones or tablets, please use the Canvas app.
  Follow these links to download the Canvas Student Mobile Apps: Android, iOS

Need more help? 

Canvas has user guides and helpful video content. 

• Canvas Guides
• Canvas Guides for Spanish Speakers Guía del Esencial de Canvas
• Canvas How-To videos

Sometimes this is called "MyVCCCD" or just the "Portal" - this is your all-in-one spot for information from the college and the district. You can register for classes, pay fees, and check your email from the portal. In addition to those activities, you will be provided with timely announcements from the school and the district in the "Alert's" area of the portal. 

Access the VCCCD Portal

STUDENT ORIENTATION TO CANVAS COURSE - Enroll in Oxnard College DE Student Orientation

This is a self-paced, online orientation designed to introduce you to successful tips for succeeding in your online courses and how to use Canvas. 

If you prefer live help, please stop by the OC Tech Bar in the library, or reach out to our OC DE Student Help Desk.

Canvas Overview

Depending on your question/need, there are four options for help here. Please see the "Help Topics" that go with each support option. 

24/7 Live Canvas Support 

📞 (844) 603-4262  |  💬 : 24/7 Student Chat Support  | ⏲️ Hours Monday - Sunday: ALL DAY | ❓ Help Topics: Canvas Technical Support (e.g. posting to a discussion board, uploading an assignment, taking a quiz, etc.

OC Distance Education (DE) Student Help Desk

✉️ : OCTechBar@vcccd.edu | 📞: (805) 678-5300 | ⏲️ Hours OC TechBar Anytime by email | ❓ Help Topics: TechConnectZoom, General Technology Questions

Oxnard 1st STEP Center

✉️: OC1stSTEPCenter@vcccd.edu |📞: (805) 678-5864 | 💬: Zoom Chat Student Support | ⏲️ Hours Monday - Friday 8:00am - Noon and 1:00pm - 5:00pm | ❓ Help Topics: Online Applications, Set Up your Portal Access / Passwords, Enrollment, Course Offerings, Class Schedules, Academic Programs, Financial Support, Academic Support, Personal Support, Campus Tours, Dual Enrollment

VCCCD IT Help Desk 

✉️: DistrictHelpDesk@vcccd.edu |📞: (805) 652-7777 | ⏲️ Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm | ❓ Help Topics: Issues with your MyVCCCD Student Portal, Student Email Accounts, Login/Password issues.

Oxnard College offers a variety of online classes each semester. Many are entirely online (with no meetings or orientation in person), and some require meeting on campus for an orientation or for assessments and test-taking during the term. When you enroll in an online class, you should read the accompanying note on each class in the schedule to find out whether or not on-campus attendance is required. If you are using the online schedule, click on the CRN for the course to see the notes about the class.

There are also hybrid classes that require attending one or more classes on campus per week in addition to working online for a set number of hours.

In order to be successful in an online class, students must:

1. Have regular access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection. For specific computer requirements, visit the Distance Education support site. 
   
   Note, should you lose access to your personal computer or internet connection, you are still required to complete your online coursework. 
   
   Oxnard College has many computer labs, free Wi-Fi on campus for students, and a lending library for Wi-Fi Hotspots and devices. 
    
2. Have a word-processing program compatible with Microsoft Word (2003 or later) installed on your computer (The District offers access to MS365 Cloud version, or the desktop version of Microsoft Office software suite can be purchased from the bookstore for about $100).
   
   Please note that Microsoft Works is not compatible. However, other programs such as OpenOffice.org  and Apple's Pages can also create documents in Word format. 
    
3. Be able to perform a variety of tasks on a computer, such as open a browser, navigate the Internet, use a search engine, create a document and attach it to an email, and send and receive email. If you do not have experience with these activities, it is recommended that you take CIS R020A, Introduction to Microcomputers, or an equivalent class before enrolling in an online course.
   
   You can also visit Tutorial Services on the second floor of the library for individualized assistance. 
    
4. Have good reading skills. Much of the course work will be presented in writing and you will have to read and understand the content.
    
5. Have good time management skills. Online and hybrid courses meet for the same amount of time as courses taught on campus. For example, if you are taking a 4-unit English 101 online, you will need to designate approximately four hours each week to work in the online class, plus you will also need to designate time for the required homework, which occurs outside of class time. 

Students who have taken face-to-face classes that include online components should find the transition to a fully online class easier. But if you are enthusiastic about computers and want to learn important skills that will be of great use in your future career, both academically and in the workplace, an online class can be a fun and convenient way to enhance or complete your community college education.
 

Online FAQ

How does a student actually attend an online class? A few hours after you register (it may take up to 24 hours), when you access your my.vcccd.edu account, click on the Canvas tab and you should see the course name. Click on that name and you'll be inside your class, in an online Learning Management System called Canvas. 

Just like in a traditional class, you need to attend the online class during the first week of instruction or you will be considered a no-show and you may be dropped. Logging into the course documents your presence, but you need to interact with the content through submission of a specific activity completed by a specified date in order to show your attendance. Instructors may monitor student activity in the online course, and drop students who are not consistently participating in scheduled tasks. Directions will be posted in the online class. 

Please note that even though some instructors will open their online class up to a week before the semester starts, most will not. Most online classes will open on the first scheduled day of the term. If you are in a late start class, you will not see the class on your dashboard in Canvas until up to a week prior to the course start. 

How does a student learn how to use Canvas or access help pertaining to Canvas? There is an extensive library of documentation and user guides available in the Canvas Guides. Technical support is available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week by calling (844) 603-4262

How can I find out what textbooks or other materials are required? See the Oxnard College Bookstore Booklist.

Can I take an online class if I have a learning disability? Yes, visit the EAC for learner accommodations, if needed.

What is Starfish Connect? 

Starfish Connect is your online connection to immediate support. You can access the tool through your Canvas dashboard on the Global Navigation menu. View counselors' availability and schedule appointements within a time-frame that works for you. Instructors may post progress reports for your classes mid-semester, though messages may occur more often. You'll also receive emails in your my.vcccd.edu account when those correspondences occur. 

The California Community Colleges (CCC) utilizes the Zoom Video Meetings Platform for its TechConnect Zoom Service. This service allows you to participate in Zoom Video Calls in your online classes.

How to Access TechConnect Zoom inside of Canvas

Using the Tools in Canvas to Connect with Your Instructor

Student Connect to schedule appointments inside of Canvas with your instructor

TechConnect Zoom appointment scheduling another tool your instructor may use to set appointments with you in Canvas

The OC Library has the following items available to current students to borrow for the semester: 

• Laptops
• Wifi Hotspots
• Graphing Calculators
• Scientific Calculators

For more information, call the circulation desk at (805) 678-5819. 

As a student at Moorpark College, Oxnard College, or Ventura College, you have access to discounts on technology hardware and software through the programs listed below.

See discount details in the MyVCCCD portal.

OC STEM Center offers tutoring for Math and Science. 

Mathematics Tutors

Science Tutors

Sometimes it's difficult to ask for help with writing and reading because we "think" we should already know more than we feel comfortable knowing. Need help with outlining a paper or a speech? How about wishing you could have help with structuring your essay? Just want to get better at creating a critical argument? These are the best people you can ask for help! All they need is YOU!

Writing and Reading Tutor Schedule