Instructions

Introduction

It is time to take a walk through the Colorado Technical University Virtual Campus (also known as the VC). As you know, becoming familiar with your learning environment is vital to your success. The VC contains resources and information that will help you as you complete your degree. As you will soon find out, the VC provides you with access to your classroom and to other areas and resources that will support you as a student.

For this activity, various points of interest within the VC have been grouped into four “neighborhoods” that you will explore. Click on each neighborhood to learn more about why it is essential to your success. You will see that each neighborhood includes elements that will help you as you continue with your degree program. Be sure to review each area so you have a solid base as you begin your coursework.

Click the Forward arrow to continue.

Instructions

Communications

As a CTU online student, various modes of communication will help to keep you connected to the university and to various support teams. Being familiar with how and where to communicate is an essential part of being a successful student.

a. CTU Messenger: A 2-way messaging system, similar to texting or chat apps, that allows you to communicate directly with faculty and staff. You can access CTU Messenger here, or from the CTU Mobile app. A yellow dot indicates that you have received a new message.
b. E-mail (within gray bar): Every student is issued a CTU student e-mail address. You can access your e-mail account from here. E-mail is an important way for you to communicate with your instructor, classmates, Student Success Coach, and others. Be sure to check your e-mail regularly so you don’t miss important information.
c. Student ID (on Home page): This is one of a few locations where you can see your student ID number. Make sure that you know where you can access your student ID. You may need to provide it when sending e-mails, leaving voice messages, or calling in to CTU’s different departments.
d. Student Success Coach (on Home page): This is your Student Success Coach’s direct contact information. Your Student Success Coach is an important contact for questions as you complete your degree. You can contact your Student Success Coach by phone by calling the number listed. You can also e-mail him or her by clicking on the e-mail address provided.
e. University Announcements (on Home page): This area is one of many where CTU communicates with students. Be sure to check this space regularly.

Learning Support

The Learning Support neighborhood includes areas of the VC that provide resources and support both in and out of the classroom.

a. Library: This area of the campus has resources you will need to do research for coursework. The Library also has research guides and research databases that support your learning.
b. Learning Centers (on Learning Center page): The Learning Center area provides academic support. This support includes program- and topic-based learning centers.
c. Smarthinking (on Learning Center page): Use Smarthinking for free tutoring. You can also use it for written assignment feedback and other resources.
d. Career Services Resource Center (on Career Services page): This area helps students connect with resources that relate to the following:
    i. Job search
    ii. Resume and cover letter development
    iii. Professional networking
    iv. Interviewing

Learning

The Learning neighborhood includes areas within the VC that relate to your current courses and to your degree program.

a. Degree Plan (on Academics page): The Degree Plan will list all of the courses included in your program. The title of your degree program and credits earned to date can also be found on this page.
b. Bookshelf (on Academics page): The Bookshelf is where you can access the electronic books used for your courses. You will have access to these materials even after the course ends.
c. Academic Resources (on Academics page): The Academic Resources area provides helpful resources such as the following:
    i. CTU Catalog
    ii. Student Handbook
    iii. Academic Calendar
d. Storage Box (on Academics page): The Storage Box provides over 10,000 kb of free storage space. Files uploaded to your storage box are easy to retrieve anywhere on the VC.
e. Degree % (on Classroom page): This indicator tracks how much of your program you have completed. It is updated after each session.
f. GPA (on Classroom page): This is your current cumulative grade point average; it is updated after each session.
g. Current Courses (on Classroom page): Use the links provided for quick access to your current courses.

Finance and Resources

The Finance and Resources neighborhood provides you with information about areas that will help you complete tasks.

a. Accounts: This area provides current information about your account summary and activity. You can choose to do the following:
    i. Explore payment plans
    ii. Make a payment online
    iii. Sign up for automatic payments
    iv. Request account documents
    v. Provide a release of information
b. Financial Aid: You can explore your financial aid options here. You can choose to do the following:
    i. Apply for financial aid
    ii. Locate financial aid documents and resources
    iii. Attain payment agreements
    iv. Learn about military education benefits
c. Resources (within gray bar): The Resources area provides easy access to the following:
    i. Various documents
    ii. Web sites
    iii. Information

Communications

Learning

Learning Support

Finance and Resources

Instructions

Every student is issued a CTU student e-mail address, and you can access your e-mail account from here. E-mail is an important means of communication for you between your faculty members, classmates, student success coach, and others. Be sure to check your e-mail regularly so you don’t miss important information.

This slide-out menu is available from any page of the virtual campus. It is responsive and provides relevant information based on your current location within the virtual campus. The following options are available:

The instant message (IM) icon is for technical support or other campus departments.
The “?” icon provides you with contact information for the department of the virtual campus page you are on.

This is one of a few locations where you will be able to see your Student ID number. Ensure that you know where you can access your Student ID, as you may need to provide it when sending e-mails, leaving voice messages, or calling in to CTU different departments.

This is where you will find your student success coach’s direct contact information. Your student success coach is one of your main points of contact for any questions you may have as you complete your degree. You can contact your student success coach by phone by calling the number listed or easily e-mail them by clicking on the e-mail address provided.

This area is one of many in which CTU will communicate important information to students. Be sure to check this space regularly.

You can get quick information about your active courses and access your classroom from this area. You can also access information regarding your completed and future courses.

Instructions

The Degree Plan will list all of the courses included in your program. The title of your degree program and credits earned to date can also be found on this page.

The Bookshelf is where you can access the electronic books used for your courses throughout your program. You will continue having access to these materials even after the conclusion of the course.

The Academic Resources area provides you with several helpful resources as you complete your degree. This is where you can access important documents, such as the CTU Catalog, Student Handbook, and Academic Calendar.

The storage box provides you with over 10,000 kb of free storage space. Files uploaded to your storage box are accessible wherever you log into the virtual campus.

This indicates your current cumulative grade point average and is updated after each session.

Instructions

In this area of the campus, you will find the resources you need to conduct research to complete your classroom assignments. The Library contains research guides and research databases that support your learning in your classes and your program.

Instructions

The Learning Center area of the campus provides the academic support you need to help you succeed in your class. This support includes numerous program- and topic-based learning centers.

Use Smarthinking for free individualized tutoring, written assignment feedback, and useful resources.

Instructions

This area of the Virtual Campus helps students connect with Career Services resources related to the job search, resume, and cover letter development; professional networking; and interviewing.

Instructions

This area provides you with current information regarding your account summary and activity. You can explore payment plans, make a payment online, sign up for automatic payments, request account documents, and provide a release of information.

Instructions

This area helps you explore the different financial aid options available. You can choose to apply for financial aid, locate financial aid documents and resources, attain payment agreements, and learn about the available military education benefits.

Instructions

The Resources area provides you with quick access to a variety of documents, Web sites, and information you may need during your time as a CTU student.

Click the Forward arrow to continue.

Instructions

Introduction

Instructions

Communications

Learning Support

Learning

Finance and Resources

Instructions

Instructions

Instructions

Instructions

Instructions

Instructions

Instructions

Instructions

You’ve completed this activity. Click on the arrow to replay.