Parents and Families

Technology Resources at FCC

The EDUCAUSE organization put together a set of questions regarding the use of technology on a college campus. EDUCAUSE is a nonprofit association whose mission is to advance higher education by promoting the intelligent use of information technology. We hope students and parents will find FCC’s responses to the questions in the Educause guide (The Student Guide to Evaluating Information Technology on Campus) helpful as they embark on their journey into higher education.

Academic Experience
Active learning with technology: bringing students, faculty, and information together. You will be joining a community of people devoted to creating and sharing information—activities that can be enhanced by information technology. Finding answers to the following questions can help you understand how technology is used to support learning and collaboration in your areas of interest or possible major(s).

In and Out of the Classroom
1.	How does the campus use technology to enhance teaching, learning, and access to information in your areas of interest? Examples include online syllabi, Web-based discussion groups and project teams, and electronic portfolios.
	Many Frederick credit courses have an online site on Blackboard, our web-based course management site. Not all faculty use this facility. Many other courses use other forms of instructional technology as well, including CDROMs, or simulation equipment.
2.	Are classrooms technology-enhanced?
	FCC has made a major commitment to classroom technology. As a result, all classrooms are multi-media equipped. This means there are projectors, instructor PC’s, and DVD/VHS players in all classrooms.
3.	In both introductory and specialized courses, what opportunities are there for you to collaborate with other students using technology on project teams?
	Courses that use the Blackboard course management system include tools for collaboration.
4.	Does the school give credit for courses taken electronically (online/at a distance) from other institutions and sources of instruction?
	Electronic courses must be taken from an accredited institution and are evaluated in the same manner as traditional courses. Details on how to transfer credit are found in the college catalog.
Support services
1.	How does the campus provide access for students to work with multimedia (audio and video)?
	FCC offers courses in visual communications as part of an A.A. Degree program. The program is designed for students whose career goals are oriented toward the mass media in the fields of graphics and publication design, video production, photography, public relations and corporate communications. Courses are offered in both graphic design on Macintosh computers and in video production using specialized video lab equipment.
2.	Are library collections and resources—such as catalogs, research databases, special collections, course reserves, full-text electronic journals, books, and streaming media—available online and accessible off-campus?
	The library catalog and research databases are available online and accessible from on and off-campus.
3.	Can the library deliver documents to you electronically, either via e-mail or through Web posting?\|
	The library does not currently deliver documents electronically.
4.	Does the library charge a fee when information resources that you need are not available in its collections?
	No fee is charged.
5.	Does the library provide research assistance in a variety of ways, such as in person, by phone, by e-mail, and through Web services? When are these forms of assistance available?
	Students can request help in person, by phone, email or through web forms. Online access to services such as the catalog and research databases is 24/7. Other requests are handled during library operating hours.
Looking toward graduation and a career
1.	Does the campus offer general or profession-specific training programs that will ensure you are fluent in current information technologies when you graduate?
	In addition to both for-credit and non-credit computer courses, most of our courses have a technology component, so students learn computer skills as part of the course.
Administrative Experience Taking care of business online Your campus experience will include some time spent taking care of practical matters, such as registering for classes, requesting transcripts, and paying tuition. Find out which transactions and the services that support them can be handled online and at a distance. Managing your personal information
1.	What personal information can you view online—your contact information, grades, degreeprogress, financial status, or other information?
	Currently enrolled students can access their contact information, grades, degree progress, student account balance, financial aid information, class schedule, and unofficial transcripts online through a secure system. http://www.frederick.edu/selfservices/webstudent/index.htm
2.	Can you update any of this information online yourself?
	Students may change some personal details such as address, telephone numbers and email account. Passwords can also be changed online.
3.	Which of the following can you do online?
	Frederick Community College students can do the following online: pay bills apply for financial aid awards view financial aid awards register for, add, and drop courses learn course grades (ONLINE) view and print unofficial transcripts check progress toward completion of degree requirements make campus bookstore purchases
4.	What campus and community services are covered by debit-card, smart-card, or one-card systems?
	Credit card payments for tuition and fees may be made online. Undergraduate students should obtain a PhotoId card which can be used in the library and the Cougar Café
5.	Are the school catalog—including course descriptions, degree requirements, and academic policies—and the semester/term schedule of classes available on the Web?
	The college catalog, which includes course descriptions, degree requirements and academic policies, is available in PDF format. Credit and Non-Credit course schedules are also available in PDF format, and HTML format, or can be accessed interactively through the course search. College Catalog College Schedules Student Policies and Procedures Campus Events
Privacy, security, and usage rules
1.	What security and privacy policies are in place to protect student information?
	Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Acceptable Use of Information Technology Procedure Web Privacy Statement
2.	How does the campus protect students from identity theft?
	Social security numbers (SSNs) are not used as a student identifier. Student Social Security numbers are not printed on any report except as required by governmental agencies. Administrative offices shred documents with sensitive student information, including SSNs. How does the campus notify students of their rights under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)? FERPA information is available online, and is also distributed at student orientation.
3.	Is network bandwidth limited for peer-to-peer software, gaming, Web cams, or other programs requiring high levels of network resources? Are Web pages filtered?
	Students are expected to use all computing resources, including bandwidth, responsibly and legally, (see student policy handbook) but we do not limit bandwidth or filter the web.
4.	Is there a campus code of behavior about using computer resources?
	There are acceptable use procedures for both students and staff. Other related policies and procedures on academic honesty and plagiarism can be found here.
5.	Does the campus have policies addressing peer-to-peer file sharing, virus software, and copyright?
	Students are expected to use all computing resources responsibly and legally. See the student policy handbook for more details.
6.	How does the campus manage e-mail spam?
	For students and staff, potential spam is identified but not blocked. The individual user makes the final determination and is trained to delete without opening any suspect messages.
Student Life Enriching your extracurricular experiences with technology Whether you will be a full- or part-time student, the school’s social, extracurricular, and career services activities will be an important part of your educational experience. Find out about the technology tools that facilitatedifferent communities on campus, allowing for communication, personal development, andgetting together (in person and virtually). Accessing computer services
1.	What public access for computing is available to students? Examples include computing labs, cyber cafés, and wireless access.
	Public access computers are available in the library, the open computer lab (C207) and in the Writing Center (L106). Wireless is available across campus. Click here for more detailed information.
2.	Does the campus provide institutional e-mail accounts for all students and use e-mail as an official medium of communication?
	Each student enrolled at Frederick Community College has an official student email account. This email account also includes 150 megabytes of online data storage to store class assignments and other course related material. Student can access the myFCC site both on and off campus through the address https://myfcc.frederick.edu.
3.	Does the campus provide and support electronic space for personal student Web pages?
	Not at this time.
4.	Connecting with others. Is contact information for students, faculty, and staff readily accessible electronically?
	Contact information for students is not available on the FCC website. Faculty and staff e-mail addresses, office locations, and telephone numbers are available on the website.
5.	What social activities and services are available online?
	A schedule of all college events and special food service events are posted on the web. Student services available online include: tutoring, counseling, advising, services for distance learners, adult services, and career services.
6.	Are there Web sites for student organizations and clubs?
	We have a web page for student club and activities..
7.	Does the campus make available online discussion forums or bulletin boards for un-moderated use?
	Not at this time.
8.	What technology-supported career-planning services are available for students?
	The Career Center offers a full range of on-line, 24/7 career planning services for students.
Services and Fees What you pay for and what you get There is a strong connection between the quality of technology services and the associated costs. There is also a wide variation in the ways campuses charge for these services. To evaluate the benefits you will receive and to compare costs, you’ll need answers to these questions. Fees and expenses
1.	What, if any, technology fee is charged by the campus? What does it cover?
	Currently, no technology fee is assessed.
2.	Will you be required to purchase your own computer?
	No. Students can use the public access machines to complete class assignments if necessary. Online classes require a modem, and an ISP (Internet Service Provider) account, email and a compatible web browser. More information can be found on the distance learning services website.
3.	Does the campus make computing and network access financially accessible? Is special student pricing offered for computers and peripheral equipment?
	Students are able to use public access computers without any additional technology fees. The campus bookstore offers computer software at educational discounts to all FCC students.
Technical support
1.	What hardware and software standards, if any, does the campus require, recommend, and/or support?
	The college uses Microsoft products on its instructional, office and public access computers, including Windows XP and Office 2007.
2.	What kinds of services (help desk, training, trouble-shooting) are provided by the campus, and when are they available?
	The student help desk assists students with technological needs on navigating FCC technology. We provide mini orientations and one on one session designed to guide students through basic logins, including: myFCC Email, Data Storage, Blackboard, Online Access, Wireless Printing and Wireless Access. We also reset passwords and familiarize student s with Microsoft 2007 and other school supported applications. The student help desk works in coordination with the financial aid office to donate computer equipment to qualified students. Location: The Student Help Desk is located in the C207 Computer lab Hours: M-Th, 7:30 am -10:00 pm F-Sat, 11:00 am - 3:00 pm Contact us at: By email at helpdesk@frederick.edu By phone at (301) 846-2400, Ext # 3333 Students may receive help in the open computer lab (C207).
3.	Does the campus have a plan for keeping its hardware and software current, and if so, what is the replacement cycle?
	The college has a three year replacement cycle for all computers on campus. Instructional labs and classrooms receive the most advanced computers during their replacement cycle.
4.	If you bring your own computer to school, what kind of technical support can you expect from the campus?
	Students are responsible for maintaining their own computers.
Other services
1.	Does the campus provide wireless network coverage? If so, how much of the campus has wireless connectivity?
	Yes wireless is available across campus. Click here for more detailed information.
2.	How does the campus support printing for students, and is there a charge for this service?
	Printers are located in all labs and public access facilities. Currently there is no charge for printing. Printing is limited to 20 pages in the library so everyone can have quick access to printed documents.

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