Distance Education

Online Learning - Course Login Instructions and FAQ

Online courses will commence on Friday, May 14 for the Spring 2010 semester and most will end Friday, April 20, 2010.

You may access your course on or after Friday, May 14, 2010.

Monthly intake courses begin April 1, May 14, June 1, July 2 and Aug. 3.

Note: It will take 2 business days for your account to be created.

To learn more about on-line learning go to On-line Learning at the OntarioLearn website.

To Access Your Course:

Open your browser and go to www.ontariolearn.com and click on the "Login" link.

For access to Workplace Communication (OEL902) please click here.

Login

Scroll down until you find the name of your course and click on it. At this point, you may be required to download and install software. Follow the instructions on the screen. If you encounter any technical difficulties accessing your course, please contact: Embanet Technical Support Help Desk 1-800-695-5008 or go to http://www.ontariolearn.com/help. Technical assistance is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

UserID/Username to access your course, you will be required to enter a "UserID/Username" and a "Password". Your access information is as follows:

sa, for Sault College a dash (hyphen) character (-)
the first three letters of your first name your last name (up to a max of 15 characters for the entire userid)

For example,

John Jones from Sault College would be sa-johjones
Susan Matthewson from Sault College would be: sa-susmatthewso
Tom Horton-Smith from Sault College would be: sa-tomhortonsmi
If you are registered for OEL902 Workplace Communication: John Kelly from Sault College would be sau_johkelly

Userids are:

all lowercase characters
no spaces in userid
no periods in userid
no hyphens/dashes in userid - except after 2 digit college code (except for OEL902 -- sau).

Your password is: newone (please be sure to change your password after you log in).

Order Your Textbook As Soon As Possible

If your course requires a textbook, textbooks for online courses can be ordered from our online bookstore at http://www.textnet.ca. Click on the All Courses drop-down box and find your course. Use this site to obtain the price or to order using a credit card; this site is secure. For COD orders, to pay by cheque, or if you prefer not to use a credit card on the Internet, call 1-877-289-1151. Textbooks are shipped immediately after ordering and usually arrive within 24 to 48 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sault College is a member of a consortium of Ontario colleges, OntarioLearn.com, that offers courses over the Internet. Online learning provides an opportunity for busy individuals to take courses in a way that more easily suits their schedule.

What is OntarioLearn?
OntarioLearn is a consortium of Ontario colleges that offer online courses. As a member of OntarioLearn, Sault College develops and delivers courses to be offered over the Internet. You can register for all of the courses offered via OntarioLearn at Sault College.

What is Embanet?
The Embanet Corporation provides the enormous server that holds all OntarioLearn.com courses. After you register, your name and course information is forwarded to Embanet and an account is created for you to access your courses. They also provide a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week help desk (North America only)

Embanet Technical Support Help Desk 1-800-695-5008 or go to http://www.ontariolearn.com/help.Technical assistance is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

What is a platform? Why are there different types?
A platform refers to the type of software your course is written in. OntarioLearn currently uses three different platforms that were chosen to best suit each particular course. It's important to know which one your course is written in, in the event that you may take more than one course at a time or from term to term. Knowing the platform can help avoid confusion. The platforms are: FirstClass, Blackboard CE, Blackboard, Angel and Moodle.

What computer hardware and software do I need to participate in an online course?
Visit the OntarioLearn website for the most up-to-date information.

How much do I need to know about computers to take an online course?
You should be able to confidently access the Internet with the basics of logging on to the Embanet server. You should be familiar with your Windows software. You will need to be comfortable using a word processing package so that you may prepare your assignments. Some accounting programs require the use of a spreadsheet. Many computer courses note specific prerequisite requirements to be able to comfortably take the course. If you are unsure, please contact us.

If I am unsure about the concept of online learning, can I get more information?
To help you get online, Sault College will provide an Information Session. Please see below for dates or contact the OntarioLearn Coordinator at 705-759-2554, Ext. 2417 or preferably by email at ontariolearn@saultcollege.ca to confirm your attendance. Everyone is welcome!

Can I access the computers at Sault College?
Computer access is available in E2120 for sending and receiving assignments, for e-mail and chat access. Please note - Software can not be downloaded or installed, nor can data be saved on any college computer system. Computers are monitored regularly. If your course requires specific software packages, you will require access to a non-college computer system.

What courses are available?
OntarioLearn offers a wide variety of courses. Some are general interest courses such as "Aromatherapy" and some are specific to a field of study such as "Human Resource Management". Some courses will give you a Sault College credit toward a particular program of study - this may help you jump - start a particular certificate or diploma program. Please note - some courses have prerequisites. These are listed with the course information. You can register for any OntarioLearn course at Sault College.

What if I can't find the course I'm looking for?
It is possible it still might be available. We select a number of courses, but there are others we may not have anticipated a demand for. Call 705-759-2554, ext. 2417 or email ontariolearn@saultcollege.ca and we will initiate a search for your request. You can also visit www.ontariolearn.com for a complete listing. You can register for any OntarioLearn course at Sault College.

What about equivalencies toward Sault College programs? How does that work?
A number of courses have equivalencies listed following the course. These equivalencies are being updated on a continuous basis. These are most valuable when you are considering entering or completing a Sault College program, and would like to take a web-based course or two because of a busy schedule. If you do not see an equivalency noted next to a course that you believe may be relevant to a particular certificate or diploma, contact us. We'll be happy to research it for you.

How do I identify myself with a learning accommodation?
Contact your OntarioLearn Coordinator immediately if you have a documented learning accommodation.

What should I do after I have logged in for the first time?
It is strongly recommended that you explore the delivery platform for each of your courses prior to start date. The online tutorial will provide all information you will need to work through your course.

Do I have to log in at certain times?
You may log on whenever you wish. The server functions 24 hours a day. Check your course outline and instructions from your instructor to see if a specific schedule has been set for online chats (see next question) or for due dates for assignments.

How do I communicate with my instructor or other students?
Communication is through e-mail or "chat". You may send a message to your instructor or to another student. Some instructors will arrange a "chat" time. In the chat mode, the instructor and students talk on-line in real time.

What if I decide I do not wish to take the course after I have registered?
If you wish to withdraw from a course, you must notify the Registrar's Office at 705-759-6700 before 4 pm on the date listed below. Your payment will be refunded minus a $15.00 administration fee. After the deadline date, there will be no refund of tuition fees.

May I transfer to another course?
You may transfer to any other course prior to noon on the date listed below. Any fee adjustments will be made at the time of transfer.

How do I get a tax receipt?
Your Income Tax Receipt (T2202A) will be available to you through my.saultcollege.ca (student portal) mid-February for eligible courses taken in the previous year. If you are experiencing difficulty accessing my.saultcollege.ca, please use Firefox internet browser.

How do I receive my final grade?
Your instructor submits your final grade to Sault College once it is calculated. (Instructors must post grades within 3 weeks of the end date of your course.) You can view your final grade report at my.saultcollege.ca (student portal). If you are experiencing difficulty accessing my.saultcollege.ca, please use Firefox internet browser.

What do I do if I am having difficulty?
Get help immediately!! If you are having technical difficulties, remember to contact the 24-hour, 7-day/week help desk immediately:

Embanet Technical Support Help Desk 1-800-695-5008 or go to http://www.ontariolearn.com/help . Technical assistance is available 24 hours per day, 7 days a week.

If you are having difficulties with your course content, contact your instructor as soon as possible!

Who do I contact at Sault College if I have problems that can not be worked out with my instructor?
Contact the OntarioLearn Coordinator at 705-759-2554, ext. 2417, or e-mail ontariolearn@saultcollege.ca

What if the course requires lab work? Field work? Clinical practicum? If your course requires fieldwork or a clinical practicum, we would be happy to work with you to explain how you can set this up. Contact the OntarioLearn Coordinator at 705-759-2554, ext. 2417.

When does this course end? What happens at that time?
The end date for this semester is noted at the top of this page. At the end of that day, access to the course and the server will be unavailable.

What if the course has an exam?
Some courses have mid-term exams and/or final exams. Your course schedule and course outline should tell you. If it does not, contact your instructor.

If your exam is paper-based or computer-based, it must be written before the date listed below. For written and online invigilated examinations, book your examination time with the OntarioLearn Coordinator by e-mail to ontariolearn@saultcollege.ca .

If you are unable to write the exam in person at Sault College, you can write the exam at a local community college. If you cannot write at the local college you can write under the supervision of a proctor. You are responsible for obtaining a proctor (approved by the College) and for the proctor fee incurred. If you are using a proctor, the proctor needs to contact the OntarioLearn Coordinator by e-mail to ontariolearn@saultcollege.ca with details of where to send the final exam.

Important Contacts

Sault College
To register: 705-759-6700 or 1-800-461-2260
Visit our site: www.saultcollege.ca/Distance

OntarioLearn Co-ordinator
705-759-2554 Ext. 2417
ontariolearn@saultcollege.ca

Booking your Final Exam
Contact the OntarioLearn Coordinator at 759-2554 Ext. 2417. The exams are written our Testing Centre, E1101. Preferably, you may book your exam via the following email address: ontariolearn@saultcollege.ca

Important Dates to Remember

Registration begins Monday, March 29, 2010.

An Information Session for students new to online learning is offered Wednesday, January 13 from 6 to 7 pm in Room E2130. Email the OntarioLearn Coordinator at ontariolearn@saultcollege.ca to confirm your place.

Access to online platform Friday, January 15, 2010
Courses begin Friday, January 15, 2010
Last date for late registration or transfer Friday, January 22, 2010 at Noon
Last date to withdraw Friday, January 29, 2010 at 4pm *
Final Exam Completion (online) Friday, April 23, 2010
Final Exam Completion (in person) Friday, April 23, 2010

After withdrawal from a course, you will receive a refund less a $15 administrative fee. There will be NO REFUND after Friday, January 29, 2010

Dates may vary for some courses, be sure to check your course outline.

Grades become available 3 weeks following the end date of your course. Check your grade my.saultcollege.ca.

You can view our courses by subject, by searching or by viewing all. Look for the (OL) designation at the end of the course name.

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