Welcome to Your Online Course
A short introductory video
Getting Started
Your first five steps to launching your online course
On your first day
Schedule your Welcome Call with your instructor using Microsoft Teams. You may begin working in your course immediately — you do not need to wait for your Welcome Call to get started.
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Log in to My Course Portal
Use the credentials from your welcome email. Set your password on first login.
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Explore your course in Buzz
Your course will be available in Buzz on your course start date. Once it’s available, you can begin working right away.
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Complete the orientation section
Your course begins with an orientation — finish it before moving on.
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Schedule your Welcome Call
Book your Welcome Call with your instructor as early as possible.
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Make a study plan
Use your target due dates to create a weekly schedule that keeps you on track.
Access your course through My Course Portal (MCP), your student dashboard. When you open a course, it will launch in Buzz, the online learning platform.
How your course is structured
Your course is self-paced and online. All materials — lessons, assignments, quizzes, and exams — live in Buzz, accessed through My Course Portal. Work through each module in order, and keep track of your target due dates to stay on pace.
Quick links
| Course Portal | mycourseportal.net |
| Instructor | Message through MCP |
| Help Desk | Get Help button in MCP |
Your Systems
The two platforms you’ll use for your online course
My Course Portal (MCP)
Student Information System
- Log in to launch your course
- Message your instructor directly
- View your progress and grades
- Access announcements and updates
Buzz
Course Learning Platform
- Your course lives here
- Complete lessons and assignments
- Take quizzes and exams
- Accessed through My Course Portal
What you need
A laptop or Chromebook with internet access is required. Tablets and phones are not recommended for completing coursework.
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My Course Portal Student Login Instructions
Step-by-step guide for your first login
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Navigating Buzz
A guide to finding your way around the Buzz platform
Buzz Quick Links
Reorder Your Courses
Change the order in which your courses appear on the student home page in Buzz.
Sync Calendars
Easily sync your Buzz Calendar to certain external calendars, like Google Calendar.
What If Tool
Enter different scores for individual assignments and see how those scores impact your overall grade.
Assessment Tools
Buzz provides tools that you can use during assessments to help you sharpen your focus.
Your Instructor
How to reach your instructor and what to expect
What your instructor does for you
Your instructor will send a welcome email, check in with you regularly, respond to messages within 24 hours, grade submissions within 48 hours, and issue your final grade. There are no live classes — this gives your instructor more time for personalized support. Response and grading times exclude weekends and holidays.
Schedule your Welcome Call as soon as possible — you’ll find the link in your instructor’s welcome message in MCP. This is your chance to meet your instructor, ask questions, and know exactly what to expect. While you’re on that call, you’ll also schedule your first Discussion-Based Assessment (DBA).
About DBAs
Discussion-Based Assessments are simple conversations with your instructor, and they’re an important part of your learning. They give you the chance to demonstrate what you’ve learned, ask questions, and build a real relationship with your instructor.
- DBAs are held via Microsoft Teams. Have your camera on and be dressed appropriately.
- To schedule a DBA, click the Bookings link in your instructor’s signature and choose the day and time that works best for you.
- Be respectful of the time your instructor has reserved just for you.
- If an emergency comes up, contact your instructor as soon as possible to reschedule.
Joining a Teams call: You do not need a Microsoft account or the Teams app. Simply click the Teams meeting link, select “Continue on this browser,” enter your name, and click “Join now.” You may be placed in a lobby until your instructor lets you in.
Each time you complete a DBA, schedule the next one before you leave that meeting. This keeps you connected to your instructor and moving through your course at a steady pace.
Stay connected
Check MCP regularly for messages from your instructor, graded assignments, and course updates. Your instructor communicates through MCP, not email. If you’re not checking MCP, you’re missing important information.
Academic & Enrollment Policy Reminders
What you need to know about grades, deadlines, and expectations
| Policy Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Grading | Students must earn a passing grade of 60 or higher in both semesters to receive credit for the course. |
| Retakes | Retakes are allowed on some course assignments. Email your instructor through My Course Portal for specific retake opportunities. |
| Late assignments | Submit up to 14 days after target due date for full credit. A temporary zero is assigned after 24 hours until you submit. 10% late penalty for submissions more than 14 days past due. |
| Course credit | Full 1.0 credit requires passing both semesters of a two-semester course. 0.5 credit is awarded for passing a single semester. |
| Half-credit duration | Minimum: 6 weeks | Maximum: 6 months |
| Full-credit duration | Minimum: 12 weeks | Maximum: 12 months |
| Withdrawn status | If you do not complete the course, you receive a Withdrawn status. This does not appear on your transcript and has no effect on your GPA. |
| Academic integrity | Cheating, plagiarism, or submitting work that is not your own will be investigated and may result in disciplinary action. |
Blackout Dates
Days when no work is due and instructors are unavailable
On Saturdays, Sundays, or the following major holidays, no work is due and instructors are not required to respond to email, grade assignments, or conduct office hours:
Best Practices for Success
Follow these habits to stay on track and earn credit
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Complete in order
Work through activities in sequence for the best understanding of the material.
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Communicate regularly
Stay in touch with your instructor. Don’t wait until you’re behind to reach out.
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Schedule DBAs early
Book your Discussion-Based Assessments well ahead of time to avoid delays.
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Use target due dates
Create a weekly study plan using your target dates to stay consistently on pace.
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Work sequentially in Buzz
Open each module and complete activities in the given order — don’t skip ahead.
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Get help when needed
Visit the Get Help section in My Course Portal or submit a support ticket anytime.
Assessment tips
Online assessments look a little different than classroom tests:
- Read unit objectives before each lesson or assignment.
- For multiple-choice: focus on facts, terms, and key concepts from each lesson.
- For essays: identify the big themes per unit and prepare 2–3 talking points.
- Review a little at the end of each lesson rather than cramming the night before.
- Unsure what to expect on an assessment? Ask your instructor in advance — that’s what they’re there for.
Tips for success
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Build a schedule and use it.
Set specific days and times each week.
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Complete all lessons — not just the graded ones.
As you work through your course, make sure you’re completing every lesson. Each one is designed to help you learn and prepare for future assessments. Look for the green checkmarks that show lessons and assignments are done.
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Create a distraction-free study space.
Quiet, well-lit, consistent. Phone on Do Not Disturb. Close unrelated tabs. Let your family know your schedule to minimize interruptions.
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Take breaks intentionally.
Try the Pomodoro method: 25 minutes focused, 5-minute break, repeat. Step away from screens. The flexibility in your schedule is what makes online school sustainable, so be sure to take advantage of it.
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Ask for help early.
Message your instructor through MCP if you’re confused or behind. Don’t wait. For tech issues, click the “Get Help” button on your MCP dashboard right away so a tech problem doesn’t become an academic one.
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Stick to the pacing guide.
Stay on track by following the suggested target due dates. This pacing guide is designed to help you complete your course by your chosen end date.
Need more help?
Submit a support ticket, and our team will get back to you as quickly as possible.