Student Technical Support

Teaching and Learning Center (TLC)

Student Tech Support, Canvas, Online/Hybrid/Traditional Classes

The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) at Richland Community College understands students’ need for flexibility regardless of whether they are just starting their college career or continuing their education, and works to create an innovative student-centered learning environment through Online, Hybrid, and Enhanced traditional courses. The TLC provides students, faculty, and staff with training, technical support, and the resources needed to enhance their educational experiences with a focus on commitment, respect, excellence, accountability, and diversity.

Definitions of Online Instruction

Students are expected to possess the computer skills necessary to type papers, browse and search the Web, access college information, and communicate through email. Beyond these basic expectations, Online and Hybrid sections offer alternatives to traditional faced-to-face classroom instruction.

Online Classes

In an Online class, all of the instruction is provided online and no face-to-face classroom instruction is required. Students may be required to attend an orientation or take proctored exams on campus or at an approved location near the student; please refer to the course schedule for more information.

Hybrid Classes

A Hybrid class is a combination of face-to-face classroom instruction and online instruction. A portion of the instruction is provided online, but some regular face-to-face instruction is still required. Face-to-face time requirements will vary between Hybrid courses and sections; please refer to the course schedule for more information.

Traditional Classes

In a traditional class, all of the instruction is provided in a face-to-face classroom setting. However, students may be expected to regularly supplement their learning through the use of technology. Examples include sections with online assessments, homework, or discussions.

Mandatory Online Student Orientation

All students taking courses using Canvas are required to complete the Canvas Orientation before they will have access to their course(s). For more information about the Canvas Orientation, please refer to the orientation section on the Online Learning page.

How do I Access my Course(s)?

To access your online, hybrid, or traditional face-to-face courses, log into Canvas (richland.instructure.com) with your username (NetID) and password. Your courses will show up under the “Courses” Link at the top of your Canvas home page. (Note: If you have not ever completed the Canvas Student Orientation, your courses will not appear until this has been done.)

Technical Requirements

Please refer to the hardware & software requirements for the Canvas Learning Management System.

There are a lot of useful free or open-source programs and utilities available on the Web for online students. Listed below are links to some of them:

Utilities

  • Support Details – online scan of your computer to tell you what version of operating system and software you are running to assist tech support in helping resolve a problem.
  • WinZip – a program to zip and unzip files
  • CutePDF – This program allows you to create PDF files from almost any printable document
  • Floola – iPod or mobile phone manager for iTunes
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
    • NOTE: Be sure to UNCHECK the “Optional Offers” before installing the Reader program!
  • WordWeb – WordWeb is a good thesaurus/dictionary resource; it shows pronunciations, definitions, synonyms, and antonyms of words; also, it gives examples of how the word can be used as a noun, verb, adjective, and/or adverb.
  • PhotoScape Image Editor – Photo editing software that enables you to fix and enhance photos
  • Emsisoft Emergency Kit – not a preventative software program; a diagnostic scanner program for computers that have spyware/malware on them.

You must be signed up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) in order to access the Internet from home. Be sure to choose a provider that permits you to use a Web browser.. Some providers require the use of their own proprietary browser; these browsers may not provide all the functionality needed for your online course(s). If you are using a provider like this (for example, AOL), you must minimize that program and use an alternate Web browser to access Canvas.

The Internet browsers that work the best with Canvas are Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari. To download and of these browsers for free, please refer to “Browsers” in the “Downloads” section above

If you do not have home Internet access

For persons without home internet access, computers are available on Richland’s campus in many locations:

  • Learning Resource Center (Library)
  • Open Computer Lab (C150)
  • Academic Success Center (C148)
  • Richland Wireless Access on Campus (if you have a laptop with wireless capability)

General Contact Information:

Teaching & Learning Center
Office: Richland Main Campus, W202
Phone: (217) 875-7211, ext. 6376
Email: student.tech@richland.edu 

Contact Our Team

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Niki Yeaman

Online Support Specialist

Teaching & Learning Center

Richland Main Campus, W203

(217) 875-7200, Ext. 6372

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Anna Shapland

Interim Director of Teaching & Learning Center

Teaching & Learning Center

Richland Main Campus, W205

217-875-7200, Ext. 6385

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