Navigating the Penn College Student Portal: A Comprehensive Guide
The Penn College Student Portal serves as the central online hub for managing academic and student account tasks. For online students, alongside the Platform for Learning and Teaching Online (P.L.A.T.O.), it is an indispensable tool. This guide provides a detailed overview of the Student Portal and related systems, ensuring students can effectively navigate their academic journey.
Key Penn College Systems
As an online-only student, you’ll regularly use three main Penn College systems. Each one serves a different purpose, and together they support your academic experience.
The Student Portal
The Student Portal is where you manage your academic and student account tasks.
P.L.A.T.O. (Platform for Learning and Teaching Online)
All Penn College online courses are delivered through P.L.A.T.O. (Platform for Learning and Teaching Online), which uses the Brightspace/D2L system. P.L.A.T.O. is the online equivalent of a physical classroom-it’s where all course activity happens.
Accessing and Navigating P.L.A.T.O.
To access P.L.A.T.O., log in through the Student Portal. Once logged in, you will see a homepage where instructors may post announcements and where you can view upcoming due dates on the course calendar. A variety of icons runs along the top of the page. These icons will be very helpful to you when navigating the P.L.A.T.O.
Read also: Comprehensive ETAR Guide
Key Navigation Links Inside Each Course
- Course Content: Weekly or module-based materials such as readings, videos, slides, and links
- Drop Box: Where you upload assignments for grading
- Quizzes/Exams: Access assessments, if used in your course
- Discussions: Participate in required online discussions
- Grades: View grades and instructor feedback
- Instructor Information: Contact details and office hours
- Course Syllabus: Course policies, expectations, deadlines, and grading criteria
- Student Resources: Quick links to academic support, advising, tutoring, library services, accessibility resources, counseling, and IT support
Staying Updated with the Bell Icon
Similar to the previous icon, the bell icon will notify you of any updates to the course. What qualifies as an "update" can range from a grade being updated to your professor creating a rubric for an upcoming paper. When there are updates to a course, a small red dot will appear along the top right corner of the bell. Clicking on the bell will expand a drop down menu that will show you the update.
StudyMate Campus
StudyMate Campus is a Respondus assessment tool that enables instructors to use existing questions to generate fun, interactive, and mobile-friendly learning games in P.L.A.T.O. and then monitor student activity. Once you add StudyMate Campus to a P.L.A.T.O. Learning module as an existing activity, you can create or import questions.
Additional Resources
Madigan Library - Access books, journals, and online research resources
Time Management and Expectations for Online Learning
Online learning offers flexibility, but it also requires strong time management and attention to deadlines. Knowing what to expect will help you stay on track from the start. Be sure to login and read through all of your course requirements on DAY 1 of classes!
Time Commitment
Plan for 3-4 hours per week per credit (a 3-credit course = about 9-12 hours/week). Some courses may require more time.
Read also: Accessing the Cal Poly Portal
Course Variations
Each instructor designs their course differently. Review your syllabus and course materials at the start of each class.
The Syllabus: Your Key Resource
The syllabus outlines expectations, deadlines, grading, and policies. Most course questions are answered there.
Firm Deadlines
Online courses are often asynchronous, but they are not self-paced. Weekly deadlines apply, and many courses require participation throughout the week.
Course Length
Most fall and spring courses are 16 weeks, but some programs offer 8-week or accelerated courses.
Seeking Support
Online students have access to the same supports as on-campus students. The key difference is knowing who to contact and when to reach out. If something feels off academically or personally, don’t wait, support works best when you use it early.
Read also: Accessing the MUSD Student Portal
Course Instructors
Your instructor is your first point of contact for anything related to a course, content questions, assignments, or concerns that may impact your performance. Office hours are listed in the syllabus and in P.L.A.T.O.
Hudock, Sr. Center for Academic Success
Hudock, Sr. Center for Academic Success (Davie Jane Gilmour Center, Room 1049) provides academic support for all students, including online learners. Services include academic success planning, peer mentoring, and access to online learning tools and resources.
Planning for Success
Schedule a day and time that's convenient for you. Plan ahead for support Instructor responses and tutoring appointments are not immediate.
Summer Camps at Penn College
Penn College also offers summer camp programs with their own set of guidelines and resources.
General Information
Penn College is committed to providing a safe and fun environment for all of our participants. Nurses, College Police, and/or EMTs are available at all times throughout your stay. Participants are supervised at all times. During the day, participants are in workshops with faculty and staff. In the evenings, program staff supervises activities and down time.
Housing and Meals
Overnight participants reside exclusively in Rose Street Commons. Rose Street Commons is air-conditioned and room configurations vary by hall. Your registration fee includes all meals and an evening snack. Meals take place in various locations on campus, including the Keystone Dining Room, Capitol Eatery, and Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.
Roommate Matching
Yes, participants may have one or more roommates. We match participants based on program and academic grade year.
Staff Supervision
We have full-time, live-in staff who provide interaction, supervision, and help ensure the health and safety of our participants.
Financial Assistance
Yes, financial assistance is available on a first-come, first-served basis, and aid will be awarded based on available funds.
Important Rules and Guidelines
All participants and parents must read and sign the Overnight Summer Camps Participation Waiver & Rules document.
Housing Condition
The staff is aware of the condition of your housing at check-in. If you notice damage when you check-in, please bring it to the attention of the staff so you are not held responsible for damages. Participants will be billed for any new damages that occur. Please make sure your area is clean and all trash is removed when you checkout. Furniture in the residence halls is not to be removed from the halls, nor is it to be moved from one room to another within the hall.
Driving to Penn College
Participants are not allowed to drive or ride in personal vehicles during the dates of their scheduled camp unless they receive specific permission to do so from the Program Director. Participants must turn their car keys in to the Program Director for the duration of the program.
Summer Camp Attendance & Participation
Participants are to remain on campus for the duration of the program unless program activities require otherwise. If a participant needs to leave campus for any reason, the Program Director must receive prior written notice from a parent/guardian and grant specific permission. Participants must attend all workshops, classes, and planned social or recreational activities. Full participation is the only way a participant can gain real value from the program. Participants must abide by rules and guidelines set by the instructors for each academic facility in use.
“Lights Out”
Participants will abide by nightly curfews and “Lights Out” announcements from the Program Director or staff. Participants must be in their OWN room at “Lights Out” and remain there until morning.
Property Protection
Penn College is not liable for the theft, destruction, or loss of money, valuables, or other personal property. Penn College cannot be responsible for personal property left behind by campers after the date of their departure. Please be sure to take a “walk-through” of the apartment before you depart.
Prohibited Items
Alcohol, drugs, firearms, explosives, and weapons of any kind are not permitted in the complex.
Animals
Keeping, feeding, or harboring any animal is prohibited with the exception of guide and service dogs.
Tobacco & Electronic Cigarette Use
Tobacco and electronic cigarette use is prohibited in on-campus apartments except in designated outside smoking areas.
Visitation
Persons of the opposite sex are not permitted to be together in assigned residence halls or apartments (unless accompanied by a chaperone).
Keys
Keys are issued to each participant at check-in.
What to Bring
Packing lists vary based on the program you are attending. Dress is casual and includes what you would be allowed to wear to school. Some programs require certain footwear or long pants.
Cell Phones
Yes, cell phones are permitted but must be used during appropriate times and should remain off or on silent during program workshops.
Spending Money
Spending money isn’t required. However, participants will have access to FUEL (an on-campus convenience store) in the evenings. FUEL offers snack items, drinks, and limited sundry items.
Refunds
If you cancel prior to the close of registration for your particular program, you are eligible for a 100% refund.
Waiting List
If there is no availability in your program of choice, we will place your name on a waiting list and reach out if a spot becomes available.
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