PittOnline
Essential Resources
Blackboard Access
All PittOnline courses have a Blackboard component. Follow these instructions to access your online course materials:
1. Go to www.my.pitt.edu .
2. Login using your Pitt user account name.
3. Click on Student Services.
4. Click on the CourseWeb link.
Books/Course Materials
» Blackboard: Log on to Blackboard to review your course materials.
Books and other materials can be purchased from the:
University's Book Center.
Computer Assistance
» Technology Helpdesk
Contact the Technology Helpdesk if you have problems with Blackboard access, e-mail, or passwords. The Helpdesk can also be reached 412-624-HELP (4357).
Disability Services
» Office of Disability Services and Resources
PittOnline is commited to helping students with disabilities to attain their educational goals. Learn more about the services and resources offered to PittOnline students through the University's Office of Disability Services and Resources.
» Online Account Management Tools
Every student receives a free e-mail account on the Pitt campus e-mail system. You will need this account to participate in online courses.
If your habitual-use email address is not your Pitt email address, you must forward your Pitt email to your habitual-use email address. Email from your instructor and PittOnline administrators will only be sent to your Pitt email account.
PittOnline Library Resources
Pitt's collection of electronic resources is growing rapidly and now includes thousands of databases, more than 5,500 electronic journals, and more than 147,000 electronic books. In addition, ULS now offers Zoom!, which allows users to search many different databases at the same time, including the library's online catalog, PittCat.
» Surfing the Cyber Library
» Library How Do I
» E-Reserve Information
The University of Pittsburgh offers a wide array of library tutorials and other services to PittOnline students. These tutorials provide you with the skills and knowledge to become a expert user of library resources. E-reserves and other services are also available to PittOnline Students.
My.pitt.edu
The University of Pittsburgh's Web portal, my.pitt.edu, provides a single point of Web access to communication tools and University information that students, faculty, and staff use frequently. Continuing students can access their academic and financial records, along with course scheduling information through the my.pitt.edu portal.
Panther Card
Every student, faculty, and staff member at the University of Pittsburgh receives a photo ID card at Panther Central in the Litchfield Towers lobby. To get your Panther Card, bring positive photo identification (for example, a driver's license or passport) to Panther Central, Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
PittOnline Syllabi (link coming)
Syllabi listing course expectations, objectives, requirements, schedules, textbooks, testing dates and other important information are available for each PittOnline course on the College of General Studies website or through your class site in Blackboard at my.pitt.edu .
Students are reminded to read their course syllabus so they can plan to complete all of the course requirements and tests by the end of the term. This will minimize stress and assist them in the development of their testing schedule.
Technical Requirements
You should have regular computer access to be a successful PittOnline student. Online courses require frequent and extended periods of computer usage.
To take full advantage of the interactivity of the courses, one of the following minimum system profiles are recommended:
- Windows 2000 or XP
- Mac OS 10 or higher
- Minimum 64 MB RAM, 1 G of free disk space
- 150 MHz or higher processing speed
- Connection speed at 56K or higher (DSL or cable connection recommended)
- Monitor capable of at least 800 x 600 resolution
Testing
Testing is available at:
CIDDE Testing Center
- located in Alumni Hall at 4227 Fifth Avenue, Rm. 824
- one of ten off-campus sites
- by special proctor arrangements
Students may complete a test site selection form online at www.pitt.edu/~ciddeweb and test information can be found under Academic Testing. If more information is needed, please call CIDDE at 412-624-7215.
Tutoring
PittOnline offers students access to programs to help students develop the skills, strategies, and behaviors of confident, independent, and active learners.
Academic Resource Center
311 William Pitt Union
412-648-7920
This center offers programs to help students develop the skills, strategies and behaviors of confident, independent and active learners. The ASC also supports the Academic Support Hotline . The Hotline is also available by telephone at 412-624-2052.
Math Assistance Center
322 Thackeray Hall
412-624-6588
Students who are experiencing difficulty in their math and/or statistics courses may go to the University's Math Assistance Center. The Math Assistance Center offers tutorials for: Math 0010, 0020, 0025, 0031, and 0032.
The Writing Center
412-624-6556
M-2 Thaw Hall
The Writing Center is a place for students of the University of Pittsburgh to go to work on their writing. The staff works with student writers on a one-on-one basis.