Getting Started with Your Online Courses
You may be thinking about taking online courses but don't know how to get started. Follow the steps below and the links on the left to complete your registration
Step #1: View our current schedule here, to see which courses we offer online. For complete degree and course descriptions, see our Course Catalog. For a full list of services, return to the "Future Students" section.
Step #2: If you are a future student, you must enroll at OTC before you can register for online courses. Visit the Future Student section or contact Student Affairs for more information.
Step #3: Complete a READI Assessment that will help you decide whether an online course is right for you. This is a required part of online registration and your academic advisor will discuss the results with you. If this is your first semester at OTC, contact the Student Affairs office to talk to a counselor.
You may also want to complete a Learning Styles Survey to discover ways you learn best. This is not required, but it is fun and helpful!
Step#4: If this is your first online course, we recommend that you complete our free Online Orientation Course. Once you've registered, this course will be added to your myBlackboard Courses page so you can access it throughout the semester.
Step #5: If you have taken online courses before, your Blackboard UserID and Password will be reset at the beginning of each semester. You will not have access to your course(s) until the first day of the semester. Contact the Student Helpdesk only if you have forgotten the default UserID and Password.
Once you've registered, you'll need to buy your textbook either at our on-campus Bookstore (501-337-5000 ext. 1168) or at our Online Bookstore. Select the "Continue Arrow" at the bottom left of the blue box, select your course's department abbreviation, then select the course's section number. Hint: select "All" if you don't see your course's section number.
To drop an online course, you must contact Student Services to complete the paperwork by the last day to drop (see the Course Catalog for dates). If you stop logging on to your course or if you have been denied access, you are still enrolled until you complete the appropriate forms in Student Services.
The remaining links on the right are resources for you to use throughout the semester. The Library link gives you access to thousands of online articles for research and other projects. The Tutoring link gives you access to online resources in specific areas of study.
The Student Helpdesk link will give you an opportunity to send a message to the HelpDesk, letting them know you are having trouble with Blackboard. Be sure to explore the section on Online Course Help in the Computer Services section.