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Technology at Green River College

Basic Technology Requirements

Make sure you have what you need to be successful in your online and virtual classes

Desktop or Laptop Computer

*Mobile Devices: Not all features in Canvas will work on mobile devices such as smart phones or tablets. If you are using a mobile device, you can open Canvas in a browser or download the Canvas Student App (iOS | Android). We highly suggest doing major assignment and class work on a desktop or laptop computer.

Web Browsers

Canvas supports the most recent update for each of the following browsers:

Microsoft Word and Office Suite

You will need Microsoft Word to complete assignments. Some assignments may require Excel, PowerPoint, or other Office tools. 

Download Microsoft Office for Free through Green River

or

Use Microsoft Office 365 OneDrive Online

Technology Back-up Plan

You will have technology problems. This is just an aspect of using technology. Expect it and have a back-up plan when it inevitably happens.

What you need:

  • alternative computer/device
  • alternative internet access
  • backup cloud storage (such as OneDrive)

If you have significant, long term problems with access to technology, contact your instructor for an extensions (not guaranteed) and studentsuccess@greenriver.edu for alternative technology as soon as you can.

Other Technology

Certain courses may require additional software or hardware, so check with the instructor the first day of class.

Resources to Help Get the Technology in your Hands

Time Management

  • Use a schedule that you know works for you (online or on paper)
    • Add important dates of the quarter on your calendar
    • Put class times and assignment due dates on your calendar
    • Put important personal dates on your calendar (vacation, birthdays, family or friend events, and work hours)
    • Decide on your sleeping/eating hours and add them to your calendar
    • Decide on homework time (expect to spend about 15 hours outside of the class's 5 "seat hours" each week on homework)
  • Sleep
    • Try to go to sleep at the same time and wake up at the same time everyday
    • Try to get 8-9 hours of sleep each night
    • Turn off electronics an hour before you plan on going to sleep
    • Keep electronics and T.V.'s out of where you sleep (if possible)
  • During classwork or homework:
    • Make a priority list for your work session and keep it near you
    • Keep your phone off or away from where you're doing the work
    • Keep other electronics off (tablet, T.V.'s)
    • Only have websites up on your computer that you're actually using to do your work (close social media, email, and other distractions)
  • Try the Pomodoro Method for doing classwork or homework
  • Break assignments up into smaller chunks to make them more manageable
  • Work on a little bit of homework each day instead of trying to do it all on one day
  • Set up your workspace:
    • Try to have a specific workspace that's just for class
    • Eliminate distractions as best you can from the space
    • Have everything you need to study when you sit down
    • Clean your workspace at the end of each work session
  • Say no to things that you don't want to do or do not have time to do (don't overbook yourself)
  • Ask for help from your family or friends to support you and your success

Time Management Workshops

Join GRC's Counseling Services as they discuss how to best manage your time as a student and set yourself up for academic success. This interactive workshop will cover common roadblocks students encounter when managing their time and review easy to use techniques they can incorporate to get the most out of their day.

Recordings

 

How to Communicate in College

How to reach out to...

Your Instructor

Your first point of contact and support is your instructor. You'll want to go directly to them for questions or help with the class when you're enrolled in their class. Contact them at least three times in a quarter, near the beginning, middle, and end. Even if these are simple emailed questions, dropping in on office hours, or scheduling an appointment. This allows you to build a relationship and lets the instructor know you're present and willing to do the work. It also helps you feel more comfortable reaching out if something should go wrong and you need an extension or assistance, not to mention the likelyhood of getting an extension.

Find them by one of the following methods:

Then use the section below on Netiquette to send them an email.

Your Classmates

Just like in a face-to-face class, you may want to contact other students in your class to ask about what you missed, ask a clarifying question, or start a study group. In Canvas you can use the inbox tool, create your own group, and once you've met asynchronously you could use Conferences to meet up virtually.

Your Advisor

For anything to do with your career path, registration, or goals for college you'll want to contact your advisor. They want to help you. Don't wait to reach out for help.

Who to Reach Out to for Other Types of Help

What is Netiquette?

Simply stated, it's online etiquette (online social code of conduct).

Netiquette is a set of rules for behaving properly online. Classes with an online component require the use of good netiquette.

Email

Here's how to use good email netiquette:

  • Check your Green River email daily.
  • Use your Green River email to communicate with instructors, classmates, and others on campus.
  • Include a concise subject line, even if it's just the item number and name of the course (example: ENGL&101 3311 - Question).
    • Never include your student ID in the subject line of an email.
  • Greet the person you're emailing (example: Dear Professor, Hello Sam, Hi Ms Lee).
  • Be brief and get to the point. Be specific if you need them to take an action.
    • Never share personal information (social security number, PIN, passwords, or embarrassing content).
  • Sign the email with a salutation and your name (example: Sincerely, Lisa).
  • If you feel emotional when reading an email sent to you, wait several hours to cool off and be calm when you write back. Be as professional as you can.

Discussion Forums

Here are some tips for good netiquette in an online discussion:

  1. Address the person you're responding to by name, just as if you were speaking to them face-to-face.
  2. Sign your posting. This will make your online discussion more personal, and remind you to be polite!
  3. Use care when interactingonline, since you don't have the ability to gage a person's reaction or feelings as you do in a face-to-face conversation.
    • Humor and sarcasm should always be used very carefully and where needed, labeled.
  4. When you disagree with others, disagree with their content respectfully and never attack someone personally. Remember that people are perfectly entitled to debate both sides of a course idea or topic, and that reasoned argument is an important part of a college education.
  5. Do your own work. Do not copy from other sources or have other people do the work for you.
  6. Identify your sources if you use quotes, references, or resources.

Contact your instructor if you feel bullied or unsafe on a discussion board.

General Online Netiquette

  • Remember you're interacting with other human beings.
  • Never use all capital letters, it's considered SHOUTING.
  • Nothing online is truly private. Be careful about what you share and do not share personal information (social security number, passwords, etc.). Reread what you write and make sure you didn't include anything that would be embarrassing or illegal if forwarded to someone else.
  • Use the same size of font throughout your writing.
  • Do not use light colors of font. Stick to the same font color for most of your writing.
  • Check for spelling and grammar errors.
  • Respect other people's privacy.
  • Be forgiving of other people's mistakes.