The DoIT Service Desk is the single point of contact for computer, technology and IT-related questions and support. Online students can get support by:
- Submitting a request online through Self-Service Portal
- Searching the online Knowledge Base
- Chatting online with a Service Desk technician. Available Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Students and instructors can also receive 24/7 Blackboard support by calling the IT Service Desk at 803-777-1800 or by submitting a service ticket at sc.edu/ithelp.
The Blackboard Learning Management System allows online access to course material, tests, and grades and both the LMS and Microsoft have collaboration tools (Bb Collaborate and MS Teams) which permit online screen sharing and collaboration between groups that can be used both to teach class, provide student support as needed, and allow student-to-student interaction.
Blackboard Original Course View Help for Students
Resources are available to online students.
University Health Services provides essential therapy and emotional wellness services for online students.
A fully online student has access to the Peer Tutoring program, Peer Writing and Communications lab, and Success Consultations. The Center may also offer Supplemental Instruction and Progress Reports depending on the course.
Peer Tutoring: One‐on‐One appointments with a peer tutor. Peer Tutors are undergraduate student who have excelled in the courses they tutor and have been trained to facilitate discussions on course content and guide students in positive academic behaviors.
Peer Writing and Communications Lab: One‐on‐one appointments with a Writing Lab tutor who can assist during any phase of the writing process. Writing Lab tutors can help with any visual, written or audio assignments including:
- Lab Reports
- Research Papers
- Rhetorical Analysis
- Presentations (PowerPoint, Prezi and other tools)
- Close Reading Assignments
- Creative Writing Projects
- Speeches and Public Speaking
- Cover Letters
- Applications (Study Abroad, Job, Scholarships, etc.)
Success Consultations: One‐on‐One appointments to discuss academic strategies with a Peer Success Consultant and co‐ create a plan to maximize a student’s potential for success on topics such as:
- Academic Success & Study Skills
- Exam Prep & Test Taking Strategies
- Mindset & Concentration
- Online Course Success
- Procrastination & Prioritization
Supplemental Instruction (SI): Peer‐led study sessions that trained undergraduate leaders facilitate. The SI Leader will attend classes with USC students and encourage them to explore course concepts. Sessions are open to all undergraduate students who are looking to enhance their understanding of the material and improve their grades. Sessions are held 3x a week.
Progress Reports: Progress Reports are sent to instructors affiliated with key courses to identify students at‐risk of failing during intentional times of the semester, usually between weeks 4‐6 and before the 'WF' deadline. Student Success Center staff aim to intervene with the student to get them back on the right track.
Here are the overarching Career Services:
Online students have access to career exploration, career coaching, mentoring, resume & personal statement review, mock interviews, career fairs, Handshake (PT, FT jobs; internships; coops). Students also have access to Big Interview to learn how to interview and to practice their interviewing skills. The Student Toolbox on Trello provides a lot of information to help students with career‐related concerns. MentorshipHub provides students access to alumni and practitioners in their field for networking and learning more about their specific career goals. Micro‐internships provide students with short‐term paid experiences that can be done remotely.
Writing Center tutors help students who enroll or are enrolled in fully online programs. Services are offered two modalities: live video sessions (synchronous) and asynchronous text-based sessions, but the tutors note that brainstorming sessions are best held either in-person or in live video sessions.
The library provides services and resources for online students and for instructors teaching online courses.
- Students and faculty can access databases, online journals, and ebooks from anywhere with their network username and password.
- Share a link to the library’s Off-Campus Access page in your syllabus and Blackboard so students are aware of all the ways they can use the library.
- Contact the library for Course Materials Support, including links in Blackboard to articles, textbooks, ebooks, streaming video, book chapters, and open educational resources.
- Librarians can provide online library instruction sessions for courses with research assignments.
- You can provide links to existing library tutorials and online guides or request new online support for your course.
- Contact your Subject Librarian with any questions about library resources, instruction or services.
The Office of Distributed Learning supports test proctoring for blended and online courses. Online students can take tests and exams using one of several options — at the Testing Center, via remote proctor (using ProctorU or Respondus Monitor), or at an approved on- or off-campus testing site. See Test Proctoring - Distributed Learning | University of South Carolina (sc.edu)
Exams are currently being done remotely, but once there is a return to face-to-face exams, the plan is to keep a remote version of each language exam available during each testing date for online students.