Navigating Blackboard Learn: A Comprehensive Guide for CCBC Students

The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) utilizes Blackboard Learn as its primary Learning Management System (LMS). This guide provides a comprehensive overview of CCBC's policies and procedures relating to technology use, classroom conduct, and academic expectations, all of which are crucial for students to navigate their academic journey successfully. It further offers a simplified, step-by-step guide to registering for classes at home.

Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources

CCBC provides a rich information technology environment to support its educational activities and administrative functions. These resources, including computing systems and software, as well as internal and external data, voice, and video networks, are shared resources. To preserve them for the common good, the college expects all users, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, other employees, and members of the general public using the college’s information technology resources, to comply in all respects to institutional and external standards for their appropriate use. Although incidental personal use is permitted, these resources should be used primarily for college educational and administrative purposes, and such incidental personal use must conform to these same standards of appropriate use.

By using college information technology resources, users agree to abide by all college acceptable use and related policies and procedures, as well as applicable federal, state, and local laws. The college reserves the right to bar access to its network or other information technology resources to those who violate its acceptable use and related policies and procedures. Further, violations will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action, including suspension, dismissal, and legal proceedings. The college can monitor any or all transmissions on campus computers or systems. All electronic, print, or other media are the sole property of CCBC. No rights or privacy should be inferred or expected. Data communication facilities at the college have been developed to encourage widespread access and distribution of data and information. Non-CCBC users may be required to register for a guest user ID and password. A photo ID will be required. Computing systems facilitate manipulation and sharing of data and information. College data communication and computing resources are used to support the education, research, and public service missions of the college. Protect your user ID and system from unauthorized use. Be considerate in your use of shared resources. Using another person’s user ID and password or permitting another to use your user ID and password under any circumstances is prohibited.

Classroom Conduct and Technology Use

CCBC acknowledges the increased use and benefit of technology in the classroom. Examples of usage include, but are not limited to, using a tablet as a recording device, using a laptop for taking notes, receiving text alerts through CCBC’s emergency alert system, and using smart phones to do research in groups. These devices, however, can also serve as a distraction for students using the device, for surrounding students, and to the faculty teaching the class. To that end, CCBC prohibits the use of electronic devices in the classroom except when permitted by the instructor. Electronic devices must be either turned off or put on the silent or vibrate mode and placed in bags or pockets. During testing/assessment situations, a faculty member may require that all devices be turned off.

The audio recording and transmission of class sessions (lectures and discussions) by students at CCBC are prohibited unless permission is received from the class instructor. Students must fill out and sign the Recording of Class Sessions Agreement form, which will be provided to the student by the instructor. This form needs to be completed prior to the first recording and is applicable for that semester and that class only. Violation of this agreement between the student and course instructor may incur sanctions as a violation of the CCBC Code of Conduct and the CCBC Intellectual Property Rights Policy.

Read also: Learn about Blackboard Learn at UD

CCBC values family and work/life balance. The College encourages families to participate in college-sponsored family activities and to attend on campus community events such as plays, sports competitions, art openings, camps, etc. However, first and foremost, CCBC is an educational and work environment. Although the College recognizes that students may have family responsibilities that sometimes impact their class schedule, CCBC does not encourage students to bring their children with them to the campus. Except for CCBC activities open to children, CCBC accepts neither responsibility nor liability for injuries that may occur to a child while on the CCBC campuses. The child may, at the discretion of the instructor and in accordance with school policy, be permitted to be present in classroom settings. If, after having been given permission, in the judgment of the instructor or his/her supervisor the child is disrupting or otherwise having a negative impact in the learning environment, the child and the parent/guardian may be asked to leave the classroom immediately.

Food and/or drink may be consumed in general, non-specialized classrooms unless prohibited by individual faculty. The consumption of food and drink should be moderate and not disruptive to the teaching/learning process. No food or drink shall be consumed in certain specialized facilities at CCBC, such as theatres. Signs will be clearly posted in and/or outside of such facilities conveying this message. No food or drink shall be consumed in specialized classrooms with computers, specialized equipment, or biological/chemical hazards, all of which pose a safety concern. Examples of these rooms would include but are not limited to science labs, computer labs, classrooms with computers, automotive instruction areas, etc. Signs will be clearly posted in and/or outside of labs or classrooms with specialized equipment or biological/chemical hazards, conveying this message.

Alcohol Policy

This policy specifies the conditions under which alcoholic beverages may or may not be sold or consumed at CCBC events. Under this policy, the sale and consumption of alcohol is generally prohibited unless an exception is approved by the President. The Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) generally does not permit the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages at events sponsored by the College, both on and off campus, or at events on college property sponsored by external groups. A Sponsor shall request use of a CCBC Facility in accordance with the Guidelines for Use of College Facilities by External Users or Guidelines for Use of College Facilities by Internal Users (the “Guidelines), and the terms of the Reservation Request Form (“Reservation Request”); and shall execute an Agreement for Use of CCBC Facility (collectively, “CCBC Requirements”). “Alcohol” or “alcoholic beverages” means only light wine and beer. Under no circumstances will an exception be granted for hard alcohol, i.e. “Application” means the application for a Special Liquor License the Sponsor plans to submit to the Baltimore County Liquor Board.

To request the consent of the President to serve alcohol at an Event, a Sponsor shall submit a Justification and, when required, an Application with its Reservation Request to the Scheduling Office at least 60 days in advance of the event. The President shall approve, reject, or conditionally approve the request for an exception to the alcohol policy within 15 business days of the receipt of the Justification and Application. If the President approves the request for an exception to the alcohol policy without conditions, the President will sign the Permission Statement and, when required, the Application solely as the property owner and return these documents to the Scheduling Office. If approval is conditional, the Scheduling Office of the College shall notify the Sponsor, in writing, of the additional requirements. A Sponsor must submit to the Scheduling Office, a copy of the Special Liquor License issued by the Baltimore County Liquor Board at least 15 days prior to the event. Ask a guest to leave the event if the guest becomes disruptive and/ or refuses to abide by the CCBC Requirements or this Policy.

Solicitation Policy

We encourage visitors and guests to enjoy the many events and services offered by the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). The use of any CCBC facilities and/or resources for any activity or event that involves the sale of items, the solicitation of funds, or the donation of materials must be approved by the appropriate academic/administrative structure and the Campus Director. The solicitation of funds to support any activity or cause is forbidden on any college premises except when approved by the appropriate Campus Director. Guests and visitors violating this policy may receive sanctions as delineated by CCBC administration and may be responsible for restitution to the college.

Academic Policies and Expectations

Assessment and Proctored Exams

Authenticated assessment represents at least 30 percent of the final grade. Proctors and proctoring sites must be authorized by CCBC. Some course requirements will be proctored at CCBC authorized sites. Proctored Authenticated Assessment represents at least 30% of the final grade. Proctors and proctoring sites must be authorized by CCBC.

Course Syllabi and Student Expectations

All CCBC faculty will provide syllabi to students. Syllabi must meet the minimum requirements of the CCBC Syllabus Template. Students should first attempt to take concerns to the faculty member. The statement of a student’s out of class work expectations must be included in the syllabus for every section of a course. The Department of Education is mandating that students are to be made aware of their school work expectations outside the classroom. Statements of these expectations are to be placed in all syllabi to make it available for all students in all classes.

This is a credit/billable hour course. For each credit/billable hour, the student is expected to complete at least two hours of work per week outside of the class, including reading, class preparation, homework, studying, etc. For example, a three credit course requires at least six hours of work per week outside of the class including reading, class preparation, homework, studying, etc. A four credit course requires at least eight hours of work per week outside of class including reading, class and lab preparation, homework, studying, etc. A three-billable hour class requires at least nine hours of work per week of reading, course preparation, homework, studying, etc. For a ___ credit/billable hour course, with __ in-class hours, a student is expected to complete at least three hours of work per week including class time and work outside of class, such as reading, course preparation, homework, studying, etc. For example, a three-billable hour course, with one hour per week in-class requires students to complete 8 hours outside of class.

The statement of a student’s out of class work expectations during non-traditional semesters must be included in the syllabus for every section of a course. This includes courses offered over a shorter duration, such as 5 or 7 weeks. The Department of Education is mandating that students are to be made aware of their school work expectations outside the classroom. Statements of these expectations are to be placed in all syllabi to make it available for all students in all classes.

For a credit/billable hour course offered over weeks, the student is expected to complete a certain number of hours of work per week outside of the class, including reading, class preparation, homework, studying, etc. For example, a three-credit course offered over 5 weeks requires at least 17 hours of work per week outside of the class including reading, class preparation, homework, studying, etc. A three-credit course offered over 7 weeks requires at least 12 hours of work per week outside of the class including reading, class preparation, homework, studying, etc.

For a credit/billable hour course, with in-class hours offered over weeks, the student is expected to complete a certain number of hours of work per week including class time and work outside of class, such as reading, course preparation, homework, studying, etc. For example, a three-credit course offered over 5 weeks requires at least 25 hours of work per week including class time and work outside of class, such as reading, course preparation, homework, studying, etc. A three-credit course offered over 7 weeks.

Traditional Spring and Fall semesters are 14 weeks. Regular attendance/participation is critical to student success in college. All students are expected to attend and participate in face-to-face/distance education course sessions regularly to gain the maximum benefit from instruction and to contribute to the learning environment.

Online Office Hours

Computers are considered a basic educational tool and are available for student use on each campus. To best serve the students, the number of online office hours will be equal to one online office hour for every three online teaching load hours. The physical location of these online office hours is at the discretion of the faculty member.

Registering for Classes at Home: A Simplified Guide

This is a simplified, step-by-step guide to registering for classes at home. Please take into consideration if there are any holds on your account, this will not work. Also, keep in mind that you still need to pay/or pay online for the classes as soon as possible to guarantee that your name is on that roster. Please utilize a desktop or laptop for best results.

The registration system will give you selection options/fill in blanks. Don’t panic! Just focus on “subject”, “course number”, “campus”, (and “web classes” if looking for online courses). Now all classes available will appear. Please thoroughly examine days, times, and location before making any selection.

With this step you can either A.) Hit “register” or B.) Hit “add to worksheet”. The difference between the two is that once you hit “register” you are registered and you need to pay for that class as soon as possible so that your seat is guaranteed, if not paid that seat will be given away. If you do not want to pay online visit the Bursars office on campus to pay your bill and check out payment plans. But please, pay your bill and don’t forget!

Additional Resources

Conduct research using CCBC Library Databases.

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