Center for Teaching and Learning
Student Online Course Readiness
Success in online education starts with the right mindset. GovState's online students thrive when they come prepared with two essential qualities: self-motivation and strong time management. Without the structure of a traditional classroom, online learners must take charge of their own progress. That means staying engaged with course material, asking questions when concepts aren't clear, and working through challenges independently. Time commitment matters, too. Most online courses require 8 to 10 hours per week, including lectures, readings, assignments, and discussion participation. The flexibility that makes online learning appealing can also make it easy to fall behind without a consistent schedule.
Before enrolling, ask yourself:
- Can I stay motivated without daily check-ins from an instructor?
- Am I able to set and stick to a weekly study schedule?
- Do I manage my time well when given flexibility?
If the answer is yes, online learning at GovState may be the right fit. Start your journey today.
How to Succeed In an Online Course
Online courses offer flexibility, but success takes preparation and consistency. Follow these tips to stay on track and make the most of your experience at GovState.
Get to Know Blackboard: Start by exploring GovState's learning management system, Blackboard, before your course begins. Locate your syllabus, assignments, grades, and communication tools so you know where everything lives from day one.
Manage Your Time: Flexibility is one of the biggest advantages of online learning, and one of its biggest challenges. Break assignments into smaller tasks, build a realistic weekly study schedule, and protect your study time the same way you would a class you attend in person.
Participate Actively: Online learning is not a solo experience. Join discussion forums, ask questions, and contribute to group projects. Your engagement shapes the learning environment for your classmates, not just yourself.
Practice Good Netiquette: Communicate with respect and clarity in all written interactions. Be mindful of tone in emails, discussion posts, and group chats. A positive, professional attitude builds a stronger learning community for everyone.
Uphold Academic Integrity: Cite all sources properly, including direct quotes, paraphrased ideas, and images. Academic honesty is expected in every course at GovState, and violations carry serious consequences.
Protect Your Personal Information: Review the privacy policies for any platforms your course uses. Use caution when sharing personal information online, even within academic tools.
Get Help When You Need It: Technical problems happen. If you run into issues with Blackboard or other course technology, contact GovState's Educational Technology Support team for assistance. [VERIFY: confirm correct department name and add contact link or phone number before publishing.]
Explore Additional Resources: GovState offers a range of support services to help you succeed, including online tutoring, the Writing Center, and library databases. Take advantage of these resources early and often.
- Review the course syllabus first. The syllabus provides an overview of the course, expectations, and key deadlines. While it lives on Blackboard, save a copy to your device for easy reference. Instructors may update the syllabus during the semester, so watch for announcements and emails about any changes.
- Order your books and course materials before the first day of class. Getting materials early ensures you are ready to engage with coursework from the start.
- Explore the course's left navigation menu to see what is available. Instructors may set availability dates on certain content, so check back regularly throughout the semester.
- Use the Blackboard Calendar to log due dates for discussions, assignments, and tests. This free built-in tool helps you stay organized and avoid missed deadlines.
- Online courses offer more flexibility than face-to-face classes, but they require the same level of commitment. Set aside dedicated time each week for readings, discussions, and assignments to stay on top of the material.
- When content is available early, work ahead. Online courses move quickly, and getting behind can be difficult to recover from.
- New to online learning? It takes time to adjust, and that is normal. GovState offers resources to help you find your footing early in the semester.
- Log in regularly to complete discussions, assignments, and tests on time. Waiting until the last minute in an online course can put you quickly behind. Aim to complete tasks ahead of their due dates whenever possible.
- For questions about course content or assignments, contact your instructor directly. For help with Blackboard tools or functionality, reach out to Blackboard Support at blackboard@govst.edu. Staying in communication with both your instructor and support staff is key to a smooth experience.
- Be polite and mindful of your tone in all written interactions. Offensive or confrontational language is not acceptable in GovState's online learning community.
- Make a strong impression by using spell check and verifying your facts before posting. Review your work more than once to catch errors before submitting.
- Be patient and understanding when peers make mistakes. Focus on moving forward and completing your work to the best of your ability.
- Keep your contributions clear and concise. Get to the point and stay on topic.
- Cite all sources properly and respect copyright laws in every course submission.
Plagiarism is a serious academic offense at GovState. When in doubt about how to properly credit another person's words or ideas, contact the Writing Center for guidance.
- Type discussion responses in Microsoft Word or another word processor before submitting them to Blackboard. This reduces the risk of losing your work if a technical issue occurs. GovState students can download a free copy of Microsoft Office through the Microsoft Office Support page.
- Back up submitted work to an external hard drive or a cloud service such as Microsoft OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox.
Completed Blackboard courses remain available for approximately two weeks after the semester ends. After that point, the course becomes unavailable. To regain access to course materials, contact the instructor and request that the course be reopened. Save or archive submitted coursework for personal records before the course closes.
- Technical issues are a normal part of online learning. When they occur, stay calm and report the problem promptly so it can be resolved as quickly as possible.
- Notify your instructor right away if you experience a technical difficulty. Keeping your instructor informed protects you if a submission is delayed or coursework is affected.
- If your instructor cannot resolve the issue, contact Blackboard Support at blackboard@govst.edu for additional assistance.
The Center for Teaching and Learning maintains the following technology:
Technology Resources
Center for Teaching and Learning
The Center for Teaching and Learning maintains the following tools and platforms:
- Blackboard Learn: GovState's learning management system, Blackboard Learn, gives students access to course materials, online discussions, assessments, and more.
- Blackboard Learn App: The Blackboard Learn App offers a streamlined mobile experience for managing coursework. Students can view course content, connect with their instructor, and communicate with classmates from any device.
- Collaborate: Collaborate is GovState's web conferencing platform, allowing students to meet virtually with classmates and instructors. Instructors may use it to host virtual office hours, deliver live lectures, or share pre-recorded sessions.
- Panopto: Panopto is a video platform that allows instructors and students to record, manage, and share video content. Users can capture screen activity, webcam footage, and audio, and incorporate presentations directly into recordings. Content is stored in a central library that is searchable and embeddable within Blackboard and on the GovState website. Panopto also provides engagement analytics to help instructors understand how students interact with video content.
- Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor: Respondus LockDown Browser is a custom browser that restricts students to the testing environment within Blackboard during online exams. Respondus Monitor pairs with LockDown Browser to use webcam footage and analytics to uphold academic integrity.
Student Learning and Licensure (formerly Via): Student Learning and Licensure is an assessment and portfolio tool used by faculty and administrators to evaluate key assignments against accreditation standards. Students use it to submit key assessments and build online portfolios.
ITS Helpdesk
- The ITS Helpdesk supports the following:
- Username and Password Issues: A single username and password provides access to Blackboard, the MyGSU portal, and Office 365 email. Contact the ITS Helpdesk to reset a password or resolve login issues.
- MyGSU Portal: The MyGSU portal is the central hub for course registration, financial aid information, GovState email, GovState Star, Blackboard, and more.
Microsoft Office 365: GovState students have free access to the full suite of Microsoft Office 365 products.
Office of the Registrar
- The Office of the Registrar handles the following:
- Add/Drop: Use your Student Study Plan, Degree Audit, and Academic Advisor to select courses each semester. Once registration is complete in the Colleague system, updates will appear in Blackboard shortly after.
- Transcripts: Official transcripts are issued by the Office of the Registrar. Requests are submitted online and processed within five business days.
- Student Information Changes: To update personal information in GovState's system, complete the student information change form.
GovState has several student resources to help guide students to academic success.
- Academic Support: Academic support resources available, such as the Academic Advising, Writing Center, Tutoring, Bookstore and Library.
- Support Services: Student services resources, such as Public Safety, Dean of Students, Career Services, Counseling and Wellness, Financial Aid, New Student Programs, International Students and Center for the Junior Year.
Getting Started
Ready to Get Started?
Whether you are ready to enroll or still exploring your options, the Blackboard Student Orientation course is a great first step. It is available to all GovState students and covers Blackboard tools, functionality, and practical tips for succeeding in an online course.
- Ready to enroll? Register for online courses through the MyGSU portal, then use the Blackboard Student Orientation course to get familiar with the platform before your semester begins.
- Not quite ready? Work through the Blackboard Student Orientation course first. It will help you understand how online courses are structured and give you confidence before enrolling.
Course Availability
Your Blackboard course list reflects the courses you registered for in the MyGSU portal. Courses are available in Blackboard from the first day of the semester through two weeks after the semester ends. Students cannot access courses outside of that window.
Late-start courses become available later in the semester. Check your MyGSU course schedule for those alternate start dates.
Accessing Blackboard
Accessing and Navigating Blackboard
Blackboard is GovState's central platform for coursework, communication, and academic engagement. Here is how to get started.
Logging In
Access Blackboard through the MyGSU portal or by visiting govst.edu and selecting the Blackboard link. Enter your GovState student username and password, which are provided during the enrollment process. If you have trouble logging in, contact the GovState ITS Helpdesk for assistance.
New to Blackboard? Start with the Orientation Course.
All new students are encouraged to complete the Blackboard Student Orientation course before their semester begins. The orientation covers the core tools and features of Blackboard, including how to submit assignments, participate in discussion forums, and navigate course content. It is available to all GovState students at no cost.
Finding Your Courses
After logging in, your courses appear in the Courses section of the Blackboard dashboard. Select a course to open its landing page. Each course is organized around a left navigation menu, which typically includes links to:
- Announcements
- Course Content
- Discussion Board
- Assignments
- Quizzes and Exams
- My Grades
- Virtual classroom or conferencing tools
Navigation may vary by course and instructor. Take time at the start of each semester to explore the full menu so you know where to find materials and how to connect with your instructor and classmates.
You may access Blackboard from three different areas:
- From the Governors State University's homepage: Proceed to www.govst.edu webpage and scroll to the bottom. Under the Academics column, select Blackboard.
- From the myGSU portal: Proceed to the and login to the myGSU portal using your GSU username and password. Select the eLearning Blackboard button under Quick Links.
- From the GSU Blackboard web address: Proceed to the Blackboard login page.
On the Blackboard login page, please login using your GovState username and password. This is the same username and password for the myGSU portal and the Office 365 email (@student.govst.edu). For more information about logging into Blackboard, please view the Blackboard Login to Web Version tutorial or the Blackboard Login to Mobile tutorial.
Need a password reset? Please use the Reset Password Tool or contact the ITS Helpdesk at 708.534.4357.
Blackboard Student Orientation Course
All students enrolled at GovState are automatically added to the Blackboard Student Orientation course, which appears in your Blackboard course list. This self-paced course is designed to help students get comfortable with the Blackboard environment before their semester begins.
Complete all six lessons, then take the final test to earn a certificate of completion. Some instructors may require this certificate, so check your syllabus for details.
The six lessons cover the following:
- Log In and Prepare: How to log in to Blackboard, recommended software, email setup, course types, publisher content, keys to online learning success, and protecting your online reputation.
- Course Content: The left navigation menu, course navigation, and available navigation tools.
- Communicate: Communication tools available in Blackboard, appropriate online behavior, and how to collaborate on group work.
- Assignments and Tests: How to submit assignments and tests online, and tips for resolving submission issues.
- Stay on Track: Time management strategies, accessing grades and the syllabus, setting reminders and notifications, and using Blackboard on a mobile device.
- Get Help: GovState support resources, including Blackboard Support, the ITS Helpdesk, and the Office of the Registrar. Some instructors use publisher platforms such as McGraw-Hill, Pearson, and Cengage, each of which offers its own student support.
If the Blackboard Student Orientation course does not appear in your course list? Contact Blackboard Support.
- After logging in to a course, download the syllabus right away. It is typically found in the Syllabus link in the left navigation menu. Check back regularly for updates, as instructors may revise the syllabus during the semester.
- Use the left navigation menu to explore what is available in your course. Some text in Blackboard functions as a link to a new page. Hover over text to check for hyperlinks before assuming a section is empty.
- Complete graded work through the left navigation menu, which may include links such as Assignments, Quizzes and Exams, and Discussion Board, or through course modules. Navigation varies by course, so take time to explore the full menu at the start of the semester.
- Check the My Grades link in the left navigation menu regularly to monitor your grades and confirm that submitted work has been recorded.
- Stay informed by checking Course Messages and Announcements in the left navigation menu of each course. Also monitor your GovState email account outside of Blackboard for instructor communications.
- Courses remain accessible through the end of the semester. Once the availability end date passes, students can no longer access course content. Download any materials you want to keep before the semester ends. After access closes, you will need to contact the instructor to request that the course be reopened.
Contact Us
- Center for Teaching & Learning
- Governors State University - C Building
- 708-534-4115
- blackboard@govst.edu