Welcome to online learning

Welcome message from the Dean of Online Learning. If you are new to online learning then step through the reality check to see if you are ready to be an online learner.

Reality Check

Complete our Reality Check to see if you are ready to be an online learner.

Step 1:

Take our Readiness self-assessment questionnaire now!

This questionnaire will give you an idea whether or not you have the personality traits, learning aptitude, technical knowledge, hardware and software, and study skills for online learning.

Step 2:

Complete the Online Student Readiness tutorials

Whether this is your first time taking online classes, or you have taken a few online courses in the past; you will find that these resources are tailored to your needs and are focused on enhancing the academic and technical skills needed for success in the online learning environment.

Additional Online Learning Resources

• Online Learning: Self-Paced Introduction
• Learning to Learn Online
• How to Succeed in Online College Courses

Do you need to sharpen some basic academic, professional, and personal skills?

Understanding College and College Life

U101: Understanding College and College Life - free online, Coursera, course by University of Washington Describes how colleges and universities operate, describes what faculty are looking for in college-level academic work, lists effective study strategies and suggests ways to select a major, among other topics.

Public Speaking

Introduction to Public Speaking - free online, Coursera, course by University of Washington Covers unique traits of oral versus written communication in order to help students prepare speeches that are easier to deliver orally and understand aurally. Focuses on understanding the key parts of an argument and drafting clear and concise arguments translates directly to other academic assignments. Study of the principles of argumentation and arrangement; critically examine our own speeches and the speeches of others.

Saylor.org Academy

Saylor.org Academy has created a course that will prepare you for a successful, healthy, and happy college experience. The skills you will gain are life skills that you can apply beyond the college setting.

Try College 101

• Course Introduction
• Unit 1: Building and Working Towards Educational Goals
• Unit 2: Creating a Physical and Mental Space for Space for Studying
• Unit 3: Create an Effective Time Management Plan
• Unit 4: Reading to Learn
• Unit 5: Learning Styles and Learning Processes
• Unit 6: Listen, Take Notes, Read, and Study
• Unit 7: Academic Writing and Research in College
• Unit 8: Using and Improving Your Memory Skills
• Unit 9: Be Ready For Tests and Test Anxiety
• Unit 10: Interacting with Instructors and Classes
• Unit 11: Managing Your Health and Stress
• Unit 12: The Social World of College
• Unit 13: Your Career After College

Canvas is your online classroom

Before the quarter starts

Canvas is the learning management software (LMS) that is used to access your online course.

After you registered for your course, you were given a Canvas account at Foothill if you did not already have one. You can log in to Canvas but you may NOT be able to access your course because most instructors do not grant access to their courses until the first day of the quarter.

How do I log in to Canvas? - Log in using your Student ID and password (same as MyPortal)

Be sure to check for email from your instructor at the email account that you provided when you applied for admission to Foothill College.

After the quarter starts

Please notify your instructor immediately if you are having problems accessing course materials. Do not put it off or quit logging on because if you don't "show up" for any length of time you may be dropped from the course. Please refer to the instructor's syllabus for "attendance and withdrawal" policy.

Use the Faculty Directory to find contact information for your instructor.

Learn how to use Canvas

Attend an orientation on campus or step through the online Student Canvas Orientation.

• On campus Canvas orientation
• Online Student Canvas Orientation