Student Resources

SIS & Student Email
Canvas
Online Readiness Quiz

Canvas

Students access Canvas through the SIS PeopleSoft Portal. Login to SIS and choose the Canvas tile.

If you need to reset your SIS Password, call (844) 695-2223. Monday through Friday, 8 am to 7 pm.

For other issues, email: CanvasSupport@lacitycollege.edu from your LACCD email. Please be sure to include your name, Student ID Number, the section number of the class, and a description of the problem.

Canvas Overview for Students (video)

Canvas Tutorials

If you have questions about how to use Canvas, try the Canvas Student Guides, also available in Spanish, for frequently asked questions.

Zoom

How do I access Zoom for my classes?

LACCD uses the Zoom video conferencing system to support online classes. Your professor may also use the system for other purposes, such as hosting a guest speaker or holding online office hours.

Getting to Zoom for the First Time

Click on the link provided to you by your professor to join the Zoom meeting. Once you click on the link, Zoom will ask you if you would like to download the Zoom application or to use your web browser. You should click “download and Run Zoom” to download the application:
- After Zoom downloads, follow the directions on your computer or mobile device to install the application.
- NOTE: You will only need to install the Zoom application once.
Once the app is installed, you will be asked to if you want to join the meeting with video. Choose “Join with Video" or "Join without Video". You will need a device with a webcam to join with video.
Next, you’ll the be asked if you want to join with audio. Click on the big blue button that says “Join with Computer Audio.” You may also connect to audio via Phone Call. The phone numbers will be provided with the Zoom invitation; you will need to input the Meeting ID number.
Tip: If you don’t want to be prompted for this the next time you join, check “Automatically join audio by computer when joining a meeting.”

Getting to Zoom the Second Time

The next time you follow a link to Zoom, you may be prompted to “Open zoom.us app.” Click on “Open zoom.us app.”

You’ll have to follow the steps again to join your video and audio, and then you’ll be taken to the meeting.

General Questions

In many ways, an online class is similar to an in-person class. You’ll be expected to participate in various ways and interact with the instructor and with your classmates. You’ll have to learn new information and demonstrate this learning through in ways that your instructor feels are appropriate to the subject. These modes of assessment might include assignments, discussions, peer reviews, quizzes, projects, papers, and presentations.

While online classes may seem like less work, they’re not! Regardless of the topic, they require self-direction, academic and technical skills, and more.

You should expect to engage with your online class at least a few times a week. The time commitment of an online class is similar to that of a traditional class. You will probably find that you’ll devote somewhere between 9 and 15 hours a week to each of your online courses.

Basic computer skills are a plus to help you troubleshoot minor issues.

Being self-motivated and organized will help a lot!

Be honest with yourself about your particular learning style. Do you feel comfortable working through material independently (as you would in an asynchronous class), or would you rather be able to hear a lesson in real time (as you can in a synchronous class with regular online meetings)?

Online learning readiness self-check

Step 1: Take an online learning readiness survey
- Do a self-check and identify areas you can strengthen before your class starts.
Step 2: Go through online student readiness tutorial
- Get helpful strategies in areas you identified through the survey above.
Step 3: Review helpful LACC Student Resources
- Learn more about using Canvas, student email, or student services at LACC.

Registering for an online course is the same process as registering for a traditional course.

General information on applying and registering for all classes at LACC.

You can search for different kinds of online classes using the Schedule of Classes.

Under Class Search Type select the type of class that works best for your schedule.

This instructional video on searching for and enrolling in classes has information about adding and dropping courses.

When you register for a class you will be added automatically to the Canvas shell. However, many instructors will not publish their shells until the first day of class, so it may not appear on your Canvas dashboard until the semester/session starts.

Note: It can take up to 24 hours after you add a class for your account to become active in Canvas.

If you need to contact your instructor prior to start of class, use the LACC Employee Directory to find their email address or check the Department webpage.

Please contact the Office of Special Services to talk to specialists who will help you. If you are already registered with OSS, your accommodation letter will automatically be shared with your instructor.

If you want to speak with your instructor about your accommodations, please use the LACC Employee Directory to find their email address or check the Department webpage. Send confidential messages through school email or through the Canvas messaging system.

Remember that online learning is not easy. Your online teacher will demand the same quality of work as they would receive from you in a face-to-face classroom.

A similar number of hours per week will need to be committed for an online course as there would be in a face-to-face course. (Most courses include 3 hours of in class work and at least 2 hours of homework for each hour in class for a total of 9 hours each week. An online course requires 9-15 hours of time each week to be successful).

Good organization and time management skills are very important for online learning, as you will have to work independently much of the time.

Some general tips:

Download the Canvas Student app to your phone, tablet, or iPad
Enable push notifications so that you’ll be alerted when the instructor adds an announcement, grades an assignment, etc.
Use the Canvas messaging system for questions
View the Calendar and To Do list in Canvas to stay on top of what’s due
Set aside time every week to engage with your class, even if the class never meets in real time

Online Learning Tutorials:

Below you will find a series of interactive multimedia tutorials that address the real challenges experienced by online students, new and experienced while pursuing success in online classes. Visit the following links to access these tutorials:

Additional Online Readiness Resources:

From: Online Readiness Modules for Students via the CCC Online Education page

What it takes to be a successful online student [Video] – advice from online students at Mt. San Jacinto College
10 Traits of a successful online learner [Webpage]
10 Attributes of a successful online student [Infographic]
5 Tips to Succeed in an Online Course [Webpage]
Are You Ready for an Online Class? [PDF Infographic]

If you have questions about how to use Canvas, try the Canvas Student Guides, also available in Spanish, for frequently asked questions.

Video Tutorials About Specific Canvas Features: