Student guide booklet

Page 1

A Student Guide to GC Websites and Systems A handy guide to the main digital sites and tools used at GC.

y d n a h A uide g


Your pas sword automatic will ally require y ou to reset it e very 3 months.

GC Passwords

When you start at the college you are given a single use password. The first time you log into a PC on the GC network you will be required to reset it. This is an automatic process and instructions appear on the screen, but if you have any trouble you can ask in IT Support (ITS) or the Libraries for help. You can’t use the same password twice and it must be 8 characters long including at least 1 capital letter and 1 number.

Your college username and password will give you access to most sites and systems at the college.

You must never share your password with anyone.

College username: Student number. College password: you choose it.


How to set your password

1. Press the Control, Alt and Delete keys at the same time to open the login screen.

2. Enter your Student Number in the User name box. This is on your confirmation of enrollment letter and your ID card. 3. In the Password box enter either a. the Initial Password from your enrollment receipt or b. If your password has been re-set over summer enter College1 4.You will now be asked to set your own password. It must have: 6 or more characters 1 or more capital letters 1 or more lower-case letters 1 or more numbers It must not include your name. If you are a returning student, it must also be different to your last 10 passwords Please note, your password will need to be changed every 90 days.


Using Printers At the college our printers don’t immediately produce your documents. Instead, you send your work to the printer, then choose which one you want to collect your work at by logging into it. Print jobs remain available for up to a month.

Please note: The first time you scan your card you will need to type in your username and password to confirm.

Printers with Mono in their name only print in black and white.

Printers with Colour in their name print in black and white OR colour.


These printers are also accessible from personal devices such as mobiles, laptops, tablets etc.

You are given printing credits when you enrol. Please be aware: Colour printing uses more credits than black and white printing.

You can scan your student card here to log in automatically.

YOU MUST ALWAYS WEAR YOUR STUDENT BADGE SO IT IS VISIBLE WHILE YOU ARE ON CAMPUS.


Student Intranet When you log onto a PC on the college network and open Internet Explorer, the first page that loads is the Student Intranet, or Student Landing Page. This page gives you a snapshot of your performance and events at the college.

Open IE on any PC on the college network or through GC Portal; the home page is the intranet.

Open Chrome on any Mac on the college network and type “Glosweb/� in the address bar.


ProPortal is used to keep track of your progress through your course. It contains all of the information you need about your: • SMART Targets • Punctuality and Attendance records • Grades and progress through your course. • ProPortal will be used by all college support and academic teams working with you.

Open IE on any PC on the college network or through GC Portal and click the link to Pro Portal.

Open Chrome on any Mac on the college network and type “ProPortal/” in the address bar.


The VLE is the main site for digital learning at GC. This is where most students submit assessments, find work and do their Self Directed Study or GOAL courses.

How do I find it? Go to http://vle.gloscol.ac.uk or Google “Gloscol VLE�

How do I log into it?

Username: This is your student number. Password: This is your normal college password.


Office 365 is our cloud data storage and working facility, similar to Google Docs and DropBox, with a few unique features. Here you can work on shared documents as part of a group project, or share work with your teacher quickly and easily. If you log on from your home PC it will also allow you to download a free copy of Microsoft Office.

How do I find it? Google “Office 365 login� Or go to https://login.microsoftonline.com/

How do I log into it? In the Username box type your college email address studentnumber@student.gloscol. ac.uk click Sign In.

A new box will pop up asking for; Username: Student number Password: Your normal college password.


Online Study Skills There are four online study skills packages at the college.

The first three packs are a mandatory introduction for study skills which makes up the first three weeks of your Directed study. Each package is customised for a particular level - make sure you choose the correct level for you! The fourth package provides more in depth support for specific academic requirements and unless you are told otherwise it is optional. It is an excellent preparatory tool for HE learners.

How do I find the mandatory 3 week pack? Login to the VLE (http://vle.gloscol.ac.uk) Choose Directed Study Online Study Skills Then choose the correct package based on your year/ level.

How do I log into it? The first time you try to access the course, you will be prompted to enrol on it. Click the ‘Enrol Me’ button and you’re in!


How do I find the Palgrave pack? Login to the VLE (http://vle.gloscol.ac.uk) Choose Skills 4 Study Online Study Skills OR Follow the link (shown below) on the Virtual Library

How do I log into it? Usually you will be automatically logged in. If not, choose your location as “Gloucestershire College� and fill in; Username: student number Password: normal college password


e-Portfolios GC has two ePortfolios. These systems allow you to collect your work in one place digitally, so you can demonstrate your understnading or progress over the year easily. Our e-Portfolios are Mahara and Ecordia.

How do I find it? Login to the VLE

Google “Ecordia Login�

Then click the button to access Mahara.

Or go to

You will automatically be logged in as the system recognises your account from the VLE.

https://app-2.ecordia.co.uk/app You will be given a unique username and password for use only with Ecordia.

How do I choose the right one to use? Every student has a Mahara PLEASE NOTE: USUALLY ONLY account and many teachers direct APPRENTICES USE ECORDIA. students to use them to complete Ecordia is an e-Portfolio that projects. is tied to the course you are You can build a digital portfolio of completing. If you need to use it art work, photography, design or you will be given a username and even written work, and export it to password for it. show to universities or prospective employers.


Video Streaming GC has two secure systems that allow you to share videos. One is Stream, on O365, and the other is GCLoud.

How do I find it? Log into O365 and from the available tiles, choose Stream

Go to http://loud.gloscol.ac.uk Or when submitting video assignments, go to the VLE and follow the on-screen instructions in your assignment upload area. You will need to log in again: Username: student number Password: normal GC password

How do I choose the right one to use? Stream has unlimited storage space GC Loud is linked to our VLE so and is backed up. that you can easily submit videos as assignments. Anything that is important to you, or larger than 2GB should be stored However, storage space is limited here. and you may prefer to use Stream.


Virtual Library This site will give you all the information you need on how to access the many digital and physical resources available through the college libraries. It is hosted on O365, so is only accessible to those with a college login for O365.

How do I find it? Links to the Virtual Library are on most student sites (including intranet and VLE). There is a link to the Virtual Library on the “Login� page on the main college website: www.gloscol.ac.uk You can find the Virtual Library when you search all Sites in O365 - click on the Sharepoint button to access the list of all available sites. You can also follow the Virtual Library, which adds it to your followed sites in Office 365.

How do I log into it? As it is an O365 site you may be prompted to log in. Follow the normal login procedure for O365.


GC Future Me This is a college site all about progression opportunities both during your time in college and once you leave us.

It’s a part of the Virtual Library site, so it can be accessed through the links on the Virtual Library, or the link on the front page of the VLE.

Authorised Absence Form If you will be absent from college, there are some occasions for which you can book your absence in advance. This will prevent loss of your bursary payment. Full instructions on how to complete the authorized absence form are available in the student Induction course, and on the VLE in Online resources.

Login to the VLE (http://vle.gloscol.ac.uk) and click the “Authorised Absence Form” button.


Useful Contacts If you have difficulty with any of the systems in this book, please email: Moodleadmin@gloscol.ac.uk If you have difficulty with any other IT system, please email: helpdesk@gloscol.ac.uk twitter accounts @InnovatorsGC @GCDigitech @LibrariesGC


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