Make Text Bigger Distance Education @ Chaffey College 
Frequently Asked Questions
Adding Online Classes
- How can an online class be full? It's a virtual classroom right?
- How do I add an online class if it is full?
- How do I contact my online instructor?
- Why isn't there a link to contact my instructor?
- How will I know if I can add an online class?
- I submitted an Online Instructor Contact form but I haven’t gotten an e-mail from the instructor: now what?
- I've added an online class, when will I be able to access it?
Accessing Online Classes
- When will I be able to access my online course?
- I'm enrolled in an online class, how do I access it?
- What is my username and password?
- I've logged on to Moodle, now what?
- I'm getting an error message that says my username and/or password are invalid.
- What is an access key/code? Where do I get one, and when do I use it?
Technical Stuff
- I have Windows Vista and I can't access the course with Internet Explorer.
- What is a PowerPoint Viewer and where can I get one?
- What is an access key/code?
- What is my username and password?
- I'm an AOL user.
- Which browser should I use?
- Is there any special software or hardware required?
Adding Online Classes
How can an online class be full? It's a virtual classroom right?
Although the classes are set up in a virtual environment, the instructor still has to maintain contact with the students and grade their work, just as they would if they were in the classroom.
How do I add an online class if it is full?
Adding students to an already full class is up to the individual instructor. If you would like to petition, or if you are on the waitlist to add an online course you should contact the instructor using the Instructor Contact link on the Distance Education homepage. If the instructor determines that you can add an online course, you will receive an e-mail from him/her indicating that you can add the course. This e-mail serves as a signed add card that you should print and take to Admissions and Records on any Chaffey campus.
How do I contact my online instructor?
You should contact the instructor for an online class you want to add the week PRIOR to the start of the course. To contact the instructor, follow the instructions on the Wailisted and Adding page.
Why isn't there a link to contact my instructor?
The contact links are not available until the week prior to the start of the class. It may also mean that the course isn't offered online, it may be a hybrid. To add a hybrid course, you must attend a class meeting on campus and speak with the instructor directly.
How will I know if I can add an online class?
You will receive an e-mail from the instructor giving you permission to add. If you do not receive an e-mail by the end of the first week of the class, it would be safe to presume that you will not be able to add the class and you should make alternate arrangements to augment your schedule.
I submitted an Online Instructor Contact form but I haven’t gotten an e-mail from the instructor: now what?
If you have not received an e-mail from the instructor by the end of the first week of the class, it would be safe to presume that you will not be able to add the class and you should make alternate arrangements to augment your schedule.
I've added an online class, when will I be able to access it?
Once you've visited Admissions and Records, it will take at least one business day before you will be able to access Moodle. Student uploads into Moodle around noon each business day.
Accessing Online Classes
When will I be able to access my online course?
You will be able to access your online class after noon on the first scheduled day of the class.
I'm enrolled in an online class, how do I access it?
Click on the Moodle link on the Distance Education homepage: www.chaffey.edu/onlineed. For additional help, please watch the video tutorial.
What is my username and password?
Username: Your username is your 7-digit student ID number (this is different than your SSN).
EXAMPLE: John Smith, ID# 1234567 would have the username of 1234567.
Password: Your initial password is your six digit date-of-birth in the mmddyy format.
EXAMPLE: John Smith's date-of-birth is May 30, 1989. His password would be 053089.
I'm getting an error message that says my username and/or password are invalid.
The answer to this problem might be due to any one or combination of reasons:
- Are you using the correct username and password? Read the instructions on the Course Access link on the Distance Education homepage for information on how to formulate your username and password. Double-check that your caps lock key is off (usernames and passwords are all lowercase). Have you changed your password? If you have then you will need to contact the Distance Education office to have it reset. The Distance Education office can be contacted at (909)652-6975, option 1 during regular business hours.
- Are you officially enrolled in the course? Officially enrolled in an online course means that you have registered via the Panther Line, Chaffey View, or in person at one of the Admissions and Records offices. You must pay all of your fees prior to being able to access an online course.
- Are you an AOL user? AOL doesn't seem to like Moodle. It sometimes seems to work for a while, but then all of a sudden it won't. Our recommendation is to use a browser such as Internet Explorer to access your online course. To do this: Open AOL. Minimize the AOL browser. Then open Internet Explorer and use Internet Explorer to access the course.
- Do you have an active firewall or pop-up blocker? If you have a firewall it will have to be opened. Pop-up blockers will need to be turned off when accessing your online course.
- Clear your cache and check your settings. If you still can't access your online course, you might need to clear your cache and check your settings. To do this in Internet Explorer go to Tools on the menu bar, then Internet options. From there click on the Delete Files button in the Temporary Internet Settings section of the dialog box. After doing this click on Settings and make sure that the “Check for newer versions of stored pages” is set to “Every” visit to the page.
I've logged on to Moodle, now what?
If you are using Moodle, you should go into the class by clicking on the link on the right side of the screen.
What is an access key/code?
Where do I get one, and when do I use it? Access codes are publisher generated codes that allow the student to access their Moodle course.
- Access codes are included with new book purchases and can generally be purchased separately when buying a used book through the Chaffey College bookstore.
- In some cases the access codes can be purchased online through Moodle after logging on and trying to access the course. Students will need a credit card to purchase the code in this manner.
- Instructors for courses that require access codes usually recommend that students purchase their books through the bookstore, as books purchased through other online resources do not always include access codes and can cause a detrimental delay in the student's performance in the course.
Technical Stuff
I have Windows Vista and I can't access the course with Internet Explorer....
There are some conflicts between the course management systems and using Internet Explorer and Windows Vista. At this time there is no known resolution other than using a browser such as Netscape or Mozilla Firefox to access the course.
What is a PowerPoint Viewer and where can I get one?
A PowerPoint viewer is a program that will allow you to look at PowerPoint presentations without having the PowerPoint program. You can download a free PowerPoint viewer at the Microsoft website.
What is an access key/code?
Access codes are publisher generated code that allows the student to access their Moodle course.
- Access codes are included with new book purchases and can generally be purchased separately when buying a used book through the Chaffey College bookstore.
- In some cases the access codes can be purchased online through Moodle after logging on and trying to access the course. Students will need a credit card to purchase the code in this manner.
- Instructors for courses that require access codes usually recommend that students purchase their books through the bookstore, as books purchased through other online resources do not always include access codes and can cause a detrimental delay in the student's performance in the course.
What is my username and password?
Username: Your username is your 7-digit student ID number (this is different than your SSN).
EXAMPLE: John Smith, ID# 1234567 would have the username of 1234567.
Password: Your initial password is your six digit date-of-birth in the mmddyy format.
EXAMPLE: John Smith's date-of-birth is May 30, 1989. His password would be 053089.
What is Moodle?
Moodle is a course management system. It does not require the student to purchase any special software or equipment to gain access. You only need to have access to the Internet.
I'm an AOL user...
AOL doesn't seem to like Moodle. It sometimes seems to work for a while, but then all of a sudden it won't. Our recommendation is to use a browser such as Internet Explorer to access your online course. To do this: Open AOL. Minimize the AOL browser. Then open Internet Explorer and use Internet Explorer to access the course.
Which browser should I use?
Any of the popular browsers such as Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, and Mozilla Firefox will work with Moodle. Refer to the hardware requirements for additional information about browsers. The AOL browser does not always work well with Moodle. See the AOL information to learn a work-around for the AOL browser. There is a conflict between Moodle, Windows Vista, and Internet Explorer 7 where you won't have a text box to type in when posting to the discussion board. If this occurs, it is recommended that you switch browsers or revert back to Internet Explorer 6.
Is there any special software or hardware required?
No. The only thing you will need is access to the Internet; however there are other minimum requirements. Students considering an online course should have easy and regular access to a personal computer with the following capabilities:
- Access to the Internet (minimum 56.6K modem: DSL, cable, or high speed connection is highly recommended), using a major browser such as Netscape 7.0+, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0+, or Firefox.
- Operating systems: Mac OSX Panther or higher or Windows XP or higher.
- An active e-mail account that permits attachments to be delivered and received.
- Ability to view PowerPoint presentations