Navigating the Red Rocks Community College Student Portal: A Comprehensive Guide
Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) provides students with a wealth of resources and tools through its student portal, designed to support their academic journey from enrollment to graduation. Understanding the features available can significantly enhance a student's experience and contribute to their success. This article will explore the various aspects of the RRCC student portal, including academic support, accessibility services, assessment and testing, and financial aid options.
Academic Support: Tools for Success
The RRCC student portal offers a range of academic support services to help students excel in their studies. These resources include library services, instructional technology assistance, and academic advising.
Library Resources
The RRCC Library is a vital resource for students, offering access to a wide array of materials and services.
Physical Materials: Students can search the Library Catalog for physical materials, most of which are located at the Lakewood campus but can be delivered to Arvada. The library also offers textbooks for a four-hour check-out, available at both the Lakewood and Arvada campuses. In Lakewood, students can inquire at the main desk, while in Arvada, they should see the Lab Coordinator.
Digital Resources: For those looking for eBooks, EBSCO eBooks provides a wealth of resources for research, how-to guides, and literature, which can be read offline. Kanopy offers a comprehensive collection of streaming videos, including documentaries, feature films, and training videos on various topics. These videos are licensed for viewing on campus and can be used for public screenings.
Read also: Red Rocks Community College Programs
Inter-Library Loan: If a student can't find a book or item at the RRCC Library, the Inter-Library Loan service allows them to borrow materials from other libraries across Colorado and Wyoming.
Study Rooms: Need help with a research project? Study rooms are available for a two-hour checkout and are first come, first serve.
Instructional Technology
Instructional Technology is available to assist students and faculty with innovations in teaching and learning. The staff is knowledgeable in instructional design, which involves organizing instructional media and content to help learners and faculty transfer knowledge more effectively.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL): UDL is a framework for teaching and learning that addresses a wide variety of learning needs, styles, and preferences. It recognizes the importance of learner agency and acknowledges that each learner has preferred modes of receiving and processing information, as well as demonstrating knowledge and abilities.
Accessibility: RRCC strives to employ principles of Universal Design and meet or exceed the requirements for technology accessibility. A group of RRCC staff and faculty have compiled a list of Best Practices for Accessible Course Design. Accessibility Guides are also available to help implement these best practices.
Academic Advising
Students can use Navigate to plan their time at RRCC, explore academic programs with Major Explorer, find important to-do's, and drag and drop courses into different semesters to visualize their path to graduation.
Accessibility Services: Ensuring Equal Access
RRCC is committed to providing equal access to education for students with disabilities through its Accessibility Services.
Accommodations and Support
Semester Request Form: Students requesting accommodations must complete a Semester Request Form each semester to receive an Accommodations Letter.
Assistive Technology (A.T.) Lab: The A.T. Lab offers assistive software to help students complete assignments. Students registered with Accessibility Services may be eligible to check out a digital recorder or a Livescribe Smartpen. Training in assistive technology is available to students, staff, and instructors.
Assistive Technology Tools
Dragon Naturally Speaking: Dragon allows students to dictate, edit, and command the computer by voice. It is currently available in the A.T. Lab.
Read also: About Grossmont Community College
Google Voice Typing: Google Voice Typing is a free alternative to Dragon Naturally Speaking. It can be accessed through the Tools menu in Google Docs.
Livescribe Smartpens: Livescribe Smartpens combine written notes and recorded audio, allowing students to listen to recorded lectures by tapping the pen on their notes.
Digital Recorders: Digital recorders are available for check out for students registered with Accessibility Services for recording classroom lectures.
Kurzweil 3000: Kurzweil is a Text-to-Speech program that provides reading, writing, and comprehension support. It is available as both a desktop and cloud-based program.
Read Aloud Chrome Extension: Read Aloud is a free Chrome extension that reads highlighted text on the web.
Text to Speech: Text to Speech is a free web tool where users can copy and paste text to have it read aloud.
Built-In Accessibility: Windows computers have built-in accessibility features to support ease with seeing, hearing, and mobility interactions.
External Resources
Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR): DVR provides individualized services for people with disabilities to achieve their employment goals.
Rocky Mountain ADA Center: The Rocky Mountain ADA Center provides training, research, and resources regarding the ADA and serving people with disabilities.
Requesting Accommodations
An Event/Appointment Accommodation Request Form is available for anyone who wants to request disability-related accommodations for an event, activity, or appointment at RRCC.
Faculty/Instructor Handbook
Instructors should refer to the Faculty/Instructor Handbook for information on Accessibility Services' processes and resources.
Complaint Process
Students who have concerns about the denial of an accommodation request, ineffective accommodations, or inadequate consideration by Accessibility Services can follow the RRCC Accessibility Services Complaint Process.
Assessment and Testing: Determining Placement and Certification
The RRCC Assessment and Testing Center provides professional testing facilities for RRCC students, external students, and industry certification/licensure testing.
Academic Placement Testing
Requirements: New students may be required to take an academic placement test before enrolling in classes. This assessment helps determine skill levels in English and Math and assists in selecting appropriate courses.
Process: Students must show a valid photo ID and will be given instructions on the exam. Test scores are immediate, and students will be advised on their placement.
Preparation: Study guides are available to help students prepare for the assessment.
Retesting: For all subsequent semesters, students are allowed one opportunity to retest.
Industry Certification and Licensure Testing
The Assessment Center hosts major testing companies that provide industry certification and licensure tests. All testing is done by appointment only, and fees apply.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)
The Assessment Center assists students and faculty in assessing requests for college credits for prior learning, PLA, or Portfolio credit.
Financial Aid and Payment Options: Making College Affordable
RRCC offers various financial aid and payment options to help students afford tuition and fees.
Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid, students must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year at www.fafsa.gov.
Tuition Payment Plans
Tuition payment plans break down the tuition balance into affordable monthly payments. Another person may make payments on behalf of the student, but they must first be invited to be an âAuthorized Payerâ on the account.
Essential Portal Features
The Rock
The Rock is the official means of communication between students and RRCC. Students can log on to The Rock with their S# and a temporary password.
New Student Orientation (NSO)
NSO is the official introduction to the RRCC community for new students.
Bookstore
Once registered for classes, students can visit the bookstore and click "Textbooks" to see what books are needed for their specific classes.
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