As a distance student, you can participate in class in a variety of ways.  Please read the informational letter by clicking on "Students" in the left navigation bar as well, to familiarize yourself with this web site and what it has to offer you.

We have streaming media: 

In Real media, our live stream is a multi rate, encompassing 28k, 56k and Corporate Lan connections.  Our archived files are a Corporate Lan connection and a dial up modem connection.

In Windows media, the live stream is a150kbpsand the archived file is a 240kbps connection.

Please read through our  FAQ's for setup and performance.

You can access all live streams by clicking on "Watch Class Live " in the navigation bar to the left.  The URL for that page is:  http://vcc.mst.edu/stus/classschedule/course_listings.html

You can access all current semester archived files in the navigation bar under "Archived Streaming Media links" or by clicking here:  http://vcc.mst.edu/classarchives/

We have phone conferencing: 

You can dial in toll free and ask questions, answer questions, participate and even listen to the entire class that way.  Please read through our FAQ's to avoid problems over the phone.  The conference number is listed under "Watch class live" in the navigation bar.  Click on distance education, then your title of your class, and on the class page you will find this information.

You can use our phone conferencing system for your homework assignments that require interaction with your fellow students.  Fill out the form available at this page of our website:  http://vcc.mst.edu/stus/meetingrequest.html .

The professors usually augment their presentations with hard copies of what they will be presenting in class.  A lot of students download and/or print these copies to have as a second view of what the video is showing you.  You can open both the streaming media file and the powerpoint/pdf/etc. file on your computer, using both as reference.  Students have also used the hard copy and the phone conferencing solely, when they didn't have another option.  You can download these files from your class in Blackboard .

We are using the collaborative software  WebEx. This allows the Professor and the students to share in the presentation.  You can manipulate your own files during your presentations to class and you can view the Professor's presentation, real time, without the delay inherent in streaming media.  The generic password for students to join a WebEx meeting is "123456".  Some of our rooms are updated for two way VoIP into the classroom, those are Library G-11 (573-341-6490), Library G-14 (573-341-7673), Civil 213 (573-341-6600), and Emgt 103 (573-341-6643).  The rest of our rooms should be two way VoIP capable by the end of summer 2008.  For more information on WebEx, click on "Collaborative Software" under "Students" in the navigation bar.

You can use our collaborative software for your homework assignments that require interaction with your fellow students. Fill out the form available at this page of our website: http://vcc.mst.edu/stus/meetingrequest.html.

The Professors post class information, lecture notes, media links, etc. in Blackboard. 

Blackboard has a "Blackboard help site" link that gives you the basics of what it has to offer. 

You must reset your password in Joe'SS before you can access Blackboard or your Missouri S&Temail. 

If you have any technical difficulties with your class, please contact us. 

The best way to do that is by sending an email to vcchelp@mst.edu , or calling our office at 573-341-4526.