What is Online Learning?
Online Learning expands the college campus by creating “virtual classrooms” where faculty and students can meet anytime, anywhere - without leaving the comforts of your home or office. You have access 24/7 to course content, library reserves and messages.
Online Learning provides flexible, learner-centered instruction to students who may experience barriers of time and place with traditional campus-based course offerings. All of the Online Learning courses and degree programs at Capital are fully accredited. Instructional content is equal to traditional on-campus courses, but it has been modified for online presentation.
Orientation sessions are offered at the beginning of each semester for students who are new to online learning. You are strongly encouraged to attend these sessions to receive basic instruction on the use of Blackboard Learn. Visit http://capitalcc.edu/dl for days and times. All students are also enrolled in the “Essential Blackboard Skills for Students” course. This course is free, and contains short video tutorials for all the major tools you will need to use in your courses.
Should I take an Online Learning Course?
Prior to enrolling in an Online Learning class, students should seek the advice of an Academic Counselor and answer the following questions honestly:
- Am I prepared for self-paced, independent work?
- Am I a good reader?
- Am I highly motivated?
- Do I have regular access to an internet-connected computer with a printer?
- Am I familiar and comfortable with computers?
- Can I load specialized software on my computer with no assistance?
- Am I willing to spend 10-12 hours a week for an online course?
What is Blackboard Learn?
All Online Learning courses and many on-campus courses use Blackboard, a powerful online learning management platform. Blackboard provides a rich, multimedia experience by combining text, graphics, computer documents, and audio/video in an easy-to-learn web-based environment. Many faculty use Blackboard’s communication and learning tools, such as announcements, course messages, discussion boards, assignments, electronic testing, gradebook and web conferencing functions.
What do I need for an Online Learning course?
We highly recommend to Online Learning students that they have a personal computing device and access to broadband internet. This recommendation becomes a requirement when online courses are involved.
The recommended device is a laptop or desktop computer. Tablet computing devices and mobile phones do not have the computing power of a normal laptop or desktop computer. For this reason, they are not recommended for use as your primary computing device.
If you do choose to buy a new or used computer, we recommend that you own a fairly recent model. PC manufacturers such as Dell, HP, and Apple offer package deals and student discounts. In addition, the College Bookstore offers software at discounted prices for students and faculty.
Mobile Devices
Some course content as presented in Blackboard Learn is not fully supported on mobile devices at this time. While mobile devices provide convenient access to check in and read information about your courses, they should not be used to perform work such as taking tests, quizzes, completing assignments, or submitting substantive discussion posts.
Computer Specifications
Operating Systems: Windows 8 or newer or Mac OS 10.12.x or newer
- Firefox* 78 or higher
- Google Chrome* 87 or higher
- Microsoft Edge* 87 or higher
- Safari* 13 or higher (desktop, Mac only)
- JRE versions 7 & 8
* Although mobile app versions of these browsers aren’t supported at this time, users may have success using them. We highly recommend that students download the Blackboard Student app provided for free through iTunes, Google Play and Microsoft app stores.
Courses may require some or all of the software listed below (Windows/Mac)
- Adobe Reader*
- Apple QuickTime*
- Windows Media Player*
- Microsoft Silverlight*
* free download available
NOTE: Some courses may require Windows-only software.
Linux Operating System is NOT supported by Blackboard Learn. Internet Explorer, AOL, Safari 12 and lower, and Firefox 77 and lower, Chrome 86 and lower, are NOT supported for use with Blackboard Learn.
Online Learning Support
Technical Support
Academic Support
- Counseling Services, 860-906-5040
For the latest computer specifications, course information, illustrated tutorials, directions for logging into Blackboard Learn and a complete list of contact information, visit the College Online Learning website at www.capitalcc.edu/dl
Login to myCommNet / Blackboard Learn
Follow the instructions below to access Blackboard Learn using the myCommNet portal.
- Go to http://www.capitalcc.edu
- Click on the myCommNet button (or go directly to: http://my.commnet.edu)
- Enter your NetID (12345678@student.commnet.edu) & Password (same ID & Password used to log on to college computers)
- Click Login
- Click on the Blackboard Learn icon, a new browser window will open. Pop-ups must be enabled for *.commnet.edu and *.blackboard.com (Note: Some courses may not use Blackboard Learn)
- Click on the title of the course you wish to enter
- Click on My Institution tab to view your course list and/or to select another course to enter.
- Use the log out buttons (do not use the red X to close the window) for Blackboard Learn and the myCommNet portal.
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