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What you can expect

 is the main platform instructors use to deliver courses. You will have access to the D2L course site on the first day of your course.  Enter your Camosun ID number (your seven-digit C#) followed by @camosun.ca (C######@camosun.ca). Then, click Next, and on the next page, enter your password and select Sign in.

Take some time to explore the various online tutorials. The tutorials will help you navigate D2L and Zoom, the key educational technologies you will be using.

Your instructor may use additional tools in conjunction with D2L. Some instructors use Zoom, a web-conferencing tool that allows you to connect in real-time with your instructor and other students in your class.

Email is an important way for your instructors and the college to communicate with you. It’s recommended you check your email once a day for important messages regarding your learning experience.

If you are a student with a disability, connect with the Centre of Accessible Learning (CAL) before your classes start. Registration with CAL takes time, so we encourage you to start the process early.

Your course may require a textbook. Most textbooks will be available in a digital form and you can find your textbooks, order, and pay for them through the . You will need to know your course codes and section numbers (e.g., BUS 150-001) to find your textbooks.

Types of online learning

• Online synchronous: Courses will be completely online with scheduled meetings and expectations for remote participation.
• Online asynchronous: Courses will be completely online with no set meeting schedules. You may participate from any time zone or anywhere in the world.
• On-campus: Courses will be delivered on-campus to students. This will be reserved for applied courses with specific requirements for face-to-face or hands-on activities and courses requiring access to specific on-campus resources or equipment.
• Blended: Courses will be delivered in a blend of on-campus and online.

Are you ready for online learning?

If you haven’t taken a fully online course before, it will be a different experience from face-to-face learning. Keep in mind that online learning is not self-paced — you may be required to be online with your class at specific times during the week. You might also need to complete group work, participate in online discussions, and take scheduled tests.

Remember, successful students ask for help. Don’t hesitate to talk to your instructor, use tech support, or reach out to librarians if you need support.

Plug in, log on

You will need appropriate technology to engage and succeed in your online learning. While some learning tasks may be possible on a smartphone or tablet, we strongly recommend using a laptop or desktop computer. This will help ensure you can meet course requirements and fully participate in your classes.

Most standard PCs or laptops purchased within the last three years should be sufficient for your coursework. Some courses require specialized software that may only run in a Microsoft Windows environment. If you own or are considering purchasing a Mac or other non-Windows device, please check with your program for compatibility before starting your course.

Also, make sure you have at least two browsers installed on your computer. You will needa browser to visit course websites. Most computers come with Edge or Safari, but we recommend using Google Chrome for your coursework.

Keep in mind that you cansign up for a free Microsoft 365 subscription (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Mac Laptop Minimum Requirements

• Intel Mac Laptop, Core i3/m3 processor or better
• OS X 10.10 or higher
• Minimum 4GB of memory, 8GB recommended
• Minimum 120GB storage, 256GB and SSD recommended
• Most laptops have a built in camera and microphone 
• Optional:  headset for audio and video

Windows Laptop Minimum Requirements

• Intel Core i5 processor or better
• Windows 10
• Minimum 4GB Memory, 8GB recommended
• 120 GB storage or above, SSD recommended
• Most laptops have a built in camera and  microphone
• Optional:  headset for audio and video

Desktop or PC Minimum Requirements

• PC Windows 10 or Apple Mac laptop capable of running Mac OS X 10.11 or newer  (no Chromebook)
• Multicore processor with 64-bit support
• 8 GB of RAM minimum, 16 GB of RAM recommended or better
• 256 GB of storage or better (SSD or hard drive – 7200 rpm recommended)
• 1440 x 900 resolution display or better
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• Optional:  headset for audio and video