Distance Education
Southern Online gives you flexible, high-quality learning built for real life. Access your courses in D2L Brightspace, connect with instructors and support services, and stay on track with clear tools, tutorials, and resources designed for online success.
Start Here: Your Online Checklist
Use this checklist to get ready before classes begin. Completing these steps early helps you avoid common issues in week one.
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Log in to D2L Brightspace
Sign in and verify you can access your dashboard and class tiles. -
Confirm your username and password
Brightspace Username: First part of your email address before the @southernwv.edu (Do not add the @southernwv.edu) Brightspace Password: The same as your email password If login fails, reset credentials before your first assignment deadline. -
Know when courses appear
Access to your Brightspace D2L online class(es) will begin on the first day of classes. -
Set up the Brightspace Apple mobile app
Install the app and sign in to receive announcements and due-date reminders. -
Set up the Brightspace Android mobile app
Install the app and sign in to receive announcements and due-date reminders. -
Check student email and spam/junk
Important class updates are sent to your student email account. -
Support and Help Links
Save key support contacts now so you can get help quickly.
Online Class Expectations and Netiquette
Online learning works best when communication is respectful, timely, and professional.
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Log in multiple times each week, review announcements, and engage in class discussions and activities.
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Communicate Professionally
Use respectful language, clear subject lines, and complete messages when contacting classmates, instructors, or support staff. -
Meet Deadlines
Track due dates in Brightspace and submit assignments early when possible to avoid last-minute technical issues. -
Protect Academic Integrity
Complete your own work, cite sources appropriately, and follow course and college policies for honest academic work. -
Be Active in the Learning Community
Contribute thoughtfully in discussion boards and group activities to support a collaborative online classroom environment. -
Ask for Help Early
If you are confused about content, technology, or deadlines, contact your instructor or support services as soon as possible.
Technology and Access Requirements
A reliable setup helps you stay on track and reduces technical interruptions.
Minimum Technology Requirements
For Brightspace minimum requirements and browser support
Tips on being successful in online classes:
Learning Environment
- Make sure you have a private space where you can study. This will help lend importance to what you are doing as well. Your own space where you can shut the door, leave papers everywhere, and work in peace is necessary. If you try to share study space with the dining room or bedroom, food or sleep will take priority over studying.
Getting Started
- Familiarize yourself with the course’s online delivery system (Brightspace D2L). Learn what modules and links you have access to and how you can use them to get to where you want to go. Find the course syllabus, schedule, calendar, requirements, methods of communication, where you go for help, etc.
Keeping it Going: Daily
- Utilize the tutors we have available. We have Southern’s Academic Support Specialists as well as Online live tutors (called BrainFuse). You can contact an Academic Support Specialist by calling 7658. For BrainFuse, click of a button located on the Navigation within Brightspace D2L.
- Speak up if you are having problems. Your instructor will advise you regarding your avenues for help but, generally, you have several options. First, look around the program to try to find the answers to your questions. When you enrolled in an online course, you indicated your understanding that you could work in a self-directed environment. You can also post or send inquiries to your classmates. If you have a question, it’s not unlikely that someone else has already had that same question. One of the strengths of an online class is that it can promote working cooperatively. If another student can help you, he/she probably will, and if you can explain something to your classmates in need, you will not only help them out, you will reinforce your own knowledge about the subject. Finally, you may contact your instructor with any unanswered.
- Log on to your course every single day. A minimum of 5-6 days a week is required. Once you get into the online course system, you will be eager to see who has commented on your postings and read the feedback of your instructor and peers. If you let too many days go by without logging on to your course discussion group, you will get behind and find it very difficult to catch up. You are expected to give to and take at least as much from an online class as you would from a traditional face-to-face course.
Get Involved! Make it Something!
- Remember that your instructor cannot see you, so you must be explicit with your comments and requests. If you are having technical difficulties, or problems understanding Something about the course, you MUST speak up. Otherwise, there is no way that anyone will know that Something is wrong.
- Take full advantage of online chats or discussions. Whatever you can do to avoid feeling isolated is extremely important, and participating in online chats or discussions will give you access to other students who are taking the same course as you at the same time.
- Participate! Whether you are working alone, or in a group, participate.e Contribute your ideas, perspective, and comments; and read your classmates. Your instructor is not the only source of information in your course—you can gain great insight from your peers, and they can learn from you as well.
- Take the program and yourself seriously. Elicit the support of your colleagues, family, and friends before you start on your online adventure. This built-in support system will help you tremendously since there will be times when you will have to sit at your computer for hours at a stretch in the evenings and on weekends.
- Be polite and respectful. Even when you are anonymous, you should not let yourself go. Remember, you are dealing with real people on the other end of your connection. Being polite and respectful is not only common sense, but it is also absolutely obligatory for a productive and supportive online environment. In a positive online environment, you will feel valued by your instructor and valued by your classmates. Your work will have greater value as well.
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Brightspace Browser and Device Requirements
Use the latest supported browser version for best performance, accessibility, and security. Brightspace requires JavaScript and cookies to be enabled. -
Stable Internet Connection
Use a reliable internet connection for quizzes, uploads, and live course activity. Unstable connections can cause interruptions and session timeouts. -
Brightspace Pulse Mobile App
Brightspace Pulse helps students stay organized with alerts, due dates, and course updates on mobile devices. -
Pulse App Platform Requirements
Review supported devices and platform requirements before installing Brightspace Pulse. -
Sign In to Brightspace Pulse
Use your school credentials and institution URL to connect Pulse to your courses and notifications. -
Respondus LockDown Browser
Some courses require Respondus LockDown Browser for quizzes. Check your course instructions before test day. -
Taking Quizzes with Brightspace
Review quiz behavior, access rules, and timing expectations so you are prepared before starting assessments.
Student Tutorials and Resources
Quick links for common student tasks in online classes.
- Brightspace Login
- Mobile App Help
- Assignment Submission Tutorial Learn how to submit and view grade feedback.
- Discussion Board Tutorial Learn how to post and reply in the discussions.
- Student Email Student Email
- Help Desk Portal The Helpdesk is a one-stop-shop area to support the college community. From this central page, a student or employee can reset their password, put in a work order, browse FAQs on several topics, and find important contact information for other offices.
Faculty Tutorials and Resources
Find practical tools and policy references to support quality online instruction, student communication, and course compliance in Brightspace.
- Higher Ed Instructor Documentation (Brightspace) Official Brightspace instructor documentation for course setup, grading, quizzes, discussions, and communication tools.
- Instructor Semester Start Aid Practical semester-start checklist and common troubleshooting guidance for instructors.
- Brightspace Resource Guides for Admins & Instructors (HE) Role-based resource guide with training, webinars, tool maps, and quick-start support.
- Complete Directory of D2L Academy Offerings Directory of Brightspace training offerings, including guided training and teaching tools.
- IT Help Desk (Southern) Southern’s technical support portal for LMS/access issues, account assistance, and tickets.
- Technology Services (Southern) Campus technology services and support information relevant to instruction and delivery.
- Employee Directory (Southern) Find faculty and staff contact information across departments and campuses.
- SSConnect Live virtual support access for advising, student services, financial aid, and related offices.
Support and Help Links
You are not on your own. These offices can help you quickly.
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IT Help Desk
The Helpdesk is a one-stop-shop area to support the college community. From this central page, a student or employee can reset their password, put in a work order, browse FAQs on several topics, and find important contact information for other offices. -
Student Services
We help people improve their lives through education. Contact us via SSConnect to speak with a live representative Monday through Thursday between 9 AM and 5 PM. -
Financial Aid
Paying for college is one of the largest single investments you or your family will make, and we strongly believe your education is well worth the investment. Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College offers quality educational opportunities that are both accessible and affordable on various campus locations convenient to the Lincoln, Logan, and Williamson areas. Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College is an “open admissions” institution and supports the philosophy that residents should have access to higher education opportunities equivalent to their abilities and interests. We are here to assist and guide you throughout your experience on our campus and to offer career opportunities that will help shape your future. The mission of the financial aid office is to assist students in pursuing their educational goals by educating students, parents, and the community about federal, state, institutional, and private aid opportunities, which allows students to focus on academic success by removing financial barriers. Southern is dedicated to helping students afford an excellent education. Learn more about financial aid assistance, scholarships, and programs that put your education within reach. Connect with Financial Aid via SSConnect Monday – Thursday | 9 AM – 5 PM Meet with representatives from Student Services, Financial Aid, Advising, and more via Zoom with SSConnect! We are here to help you with all your needs in our virtual student center. Click here to connect to SSConnect -
Academic Calendar
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Employee Directory
Quickly Find Faculty or Staff
Online Learning Terms to Know
New to online classes? These quick definitions explain common terms you’ll see in Brightspace, course syllabi, and college communications.
- Asynchronous Learning
- Course activities completed on your own schedule within posted deadlines.
- Synchronous Learning
- Live online class sessions where students and instructors meet at the same time.
- LMS (Learning Management System)
- The online platform used to access course materials, assignments, grades, and communication tools (Brightspace D2L).
- Netiquette
- Expected standards for respectful, professional communication in online classes.
- Proctored Exam
- An exam monitored by approved procedures or software to verify student identity and testing integrity.
- Discussion Board
- An online forum where students post responses and engage with classmates on course topics.
- Academic Integrity
- Completing your own work honestly and following college and course rules on plagiarism and misconduct.
- Accessibility Accommodations
- Approved supports and services that ensure equal access to course content and assessments.
Policies and Academic Guidelines
Review the policies and procedural documents that support a fair, consistent, and successful online learning experience for all students.
- Southern College Policies (SCP Index) Central index of institutional policies, including academic, student services, and technology policy series.
- Test Proctoring Procedures of Online Courses (SIP-3700) Procedure outlining online course test proctoring expectations, student identity verification, and compliance references.
- Student Consumer Protection (SCP-4001) Policy describing student consumer protection responsibilities and compliance with federal/state requirements.
- Academic Calendar Official dates for registration, add/drop, withdrawal deadlines, breaks, and final exams.
- Registrar’s Office (FERPA, records, registration links) Official records and registration support page with FERPA and key academic records links.
- Technology Services Technology support information, helpdesk access, student email guidance, and technology-related policies/resources.
- Privacy Policy (FERPA references) Institutional privacy/records disclosure overview and FERPA-aligned handling of student information.
You’re Supported Every Step of the Way
From your first login to final exams, Southern provides tools, people, and services to help you learn confidently online. Reach out anytime you need assistance.
