Technology
All Gifted LearningLinks (GLL) courses use the Blackboard Course Management System. Blackboard’s online learning tools, such as discussion boards, web conferences and audio and video files, make the online course environment rich and multidimensional -- giving you the same benefits as a bricks-and-mortar classroom plus scheduling flexibility. Students communicate electronically with their instructor and classmates via the course site, e-mail, blogs, and/or virtual class meetings. With course sites available 24 hours per day, seven days a week, students from around the world can complete course work at any time and place they choose.
Technology Requirements
All Gifted LearningLinks courses require:
Orientation
A one-week orientation, optional for students who have successfully completed a Gifted LearningLinks course, ensures that students are familiar with the details of their virtual classrooms before the course even begins. Orientation allows you to familiarize yourself with the Blackboard system, submit practice assignments and quizzes, interact with other GLL students and ask questions of GLL staff. Also during this first week, instructors initiate contact with you, establishing a communication framework for the exchange of assignments, projects, tests and other materials. Upon completion of the orientation, GLL gives you access to your course site through Blackboard and your online learning adventure begins!
Tutorials
Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g., login, cut and paste, e-mail attachments) and to acquaint themselves with the following GLL tutorials prior to the first class session.
Technical Support
We are committed to providing friendly and accessible technical support throughout your GLL course experience. If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please consult our answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) or submit a Technical Support Request Form. Additionally, GLL instructors and administrators are always just an e-mail or phone call away. Contact us anytime for assistance.
next: Evaluations, Grades & Credit
All Gifted LearningLinks (GLL) courses use the Blackboard Course Management System. Blackboard’s online learning tools, such as discussion boards, web conferences and audio and video files, make the online course environment rich and multidimensional -- giving you the same benefits as a bricks-and-mortar classroom plus scheduling flexibility. Students communicate electronically with their instructor and classmates via the course site, e-mail, blogs, and/or virtual class meetings. With course sites available 24 hours per day, seven days a week, students from around the world can complete course work at any time and place they choose.
| View the Gifted LearningLinks Tutorial for a glimpse of how Blackboard works. |
Please note: Gifted LearningLinks welcomes all gifted students – “techies” and “technophobes” alike – to enjoy the benefits of online learning. Our goal is to challenge you with course content, not the course delivery system. By complying with our technology requirements and taking advantage of our orientation and tutorials, you’ll feel comfortable with the mechanics of online learning before your course even begins. If issues do arise, we supply myriad technical support options to ensure that, before you know it, you are back to your first priority – mastering course subject matter!
Technology Requirements
All Gifted LearningLinks courses require:
- a properly-maintained computer with broadband Internet access
- a recent-version web browser (such as Explorer 7, Firefox, or Safari) that is Java- and cookie-enabled
- a stable e-mail account. Once students register for a course, they should not change e-mail addresses unnecessarily, as difficulties in communication will greatly affect their success in the course.
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Orientation
A one-week orientation, optional for students who have successfully completed a Gifted LearningLinks course, ensures that students are familiar with the details of their virtual classrooms before the course even begins. Orientation allows you to familiarize yourself with the Blackboard system, submit practice assignments and quizzes, interact with other GLL students and ask questions of GLL staff. Also during this first week, instructors initiate contact with you, establishing a communication framework for the exchange of assignments, projects, tests and other materials. Upon completion of the orientation, GLL gives you access to your course site through Blackboard and your online learning adventure begins!
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Tutorials
Students are expected to be familiar with standard computer operations (e.g., login, cut and paste, e-mail attachments) and to acquaint themselves with the following GLL tutorials prior to the first class session.
- Student Tutorials (includes tutorials on setting your NetID and password, accessing your course website on Blackboard, and configuring your audio/video settings for use in virtual classrooms)
- Blackboard Course Management System Tutorial (provides a glimpse inside the Blackboard Course Management System, with a look at a variety of Gifted LearningLinks courses)
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Technical Support
We are committed to providing friendly and accessible technical support throughout your GLL course experience. If you are experiencing technical difficulties, please consult our answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs) or submit a Technical Support Request Form. Additionally, GLL instructors and administrators are always just an e-mail or phone call away. Contact us anytime for assistance.
next: Evaluations, Grades & Credit
