• Taft College Home
• General Information
• Getting Started
• Distance Learning
  Class Schedule
• Offline Courses
• Online Courses
• Advising Center
• Help Desk
• Bookstore
• Resource Center
• FATV

Taft College Home >Distance Learning Home > Help Desk

Help Desk

For academic advising or other questions,
go to our online Advising Center.

Help Desk Center

Taft College is interested in your success. Our Help Desk team is available to provide academic guidance, clarify policies and procedures, assist you in developing an individualized education plan, make referrals to on and off campus resources, and answer your questions as they come up.

In addition, we have developed Distance Learning Tips and Frequently Asked Questions, both designed to address some specific issues related to on and off-line learning. Please take the time to read through these tipsthey just may help!

Help Tips

How to Add or Drop Classes

Technical Support Information & Policies

Since online courses rely primarily on the use of hardware and software, there may be times that you experience technical problems, which may interfere with your ability to complete course assignments. Hardware breaks down and software incompatibilities exist. Taft College does not have the resources to help with technical problems that occur on your end. We will work diligently in resolving any problems that may arise on our end, such as network down-time, course access problems, passwords, etc.

When to Contact Your Instructor

Please notify your instructor immediately if you are having problems accessing course materials over the Internet or via email, depending on the course delivery method. These problems include, but are not limited to, accessing the course (inactive or wrong URL), inactive or incorrect password, returned email messages, etc. Also, do not put off contacting your instructor if you are having problems understanding the material. Do not just quit logging on. If you don't "show up" for any length of time, you may be dropped from the course. Please refer to your instructor's syllabus for his/her "attendance & withdrawal" policy.

Please remember that your instructor is NOT responsible for:

(Unless, of course, you are taking a course specifically designed to teach you these skills)

• teaching you how to send attachments.
• teaching you how to conduct web searches.
• teaching you word processing commands.
• teaching you how to download.
• teaching you how to set up your hardware and software.
• teaching you how to configure your email.

Be sure you have the necessary technical knowledge, equipment, and software to succeed in an online course. Our Distance Learning Orientation offers an overview of what technology/equipment is needed. In addition, we recommend you take an introductory computer class such as COSC 40 to gain some of the skills listed above.

Contacting Our Staff

Taft College does not have the resources to help with technical problems that occur on YOUR end. We will ensure connectivity on our servers/software. If you cannot access your ETUDES course site, contact your instructor or post a message on our Help Desk. Be sure it is not a problem with your ISP or computer first.

Contacting Your ISP Technical Support Staff

Please contact your Internet Service Provider for assistance with the following problems. Their technical support can walk you through installation and configuration of software. Locate their technical support phone number on your billing statement or their homepage.

• modem problems
• hardware problems
• local software problems
• problems with your Internet Service Provider
• email accounts (other than your campus account)
• setting up your email account on your home computer
• problems downloading software