Search form

You are here

Home » Help » Remote Instruction

Remote Instruction

Are you Ready for Remote Instruction?

Start your Journey here!

Remote Instruction

What is remote instruction?

When classes cannot be held face-to-face, the college president may direct faculty to use remote instructional methodologies in order to continue instruction. Remote instruction represents a temporary shift of instruction from meeting face to face to using technology tools such as email, discussion boards, video classes/conferences.

Remote asynchronous (RA)—classes will not require specific meeting times. Assignments and assessments are completed according to the course syllabus. Content delivery may include prepared videos, pre-recorded lectures, or other types of online presentation.

Remote synchronous (RS)—classes will require specific "live" meeting times through technology tools, such as video conferencing, to facilitate student-faculty interaction. Assignments and assessments are completed according to the course syllabus. These scheduled classes may be recorded and uploaded to the learning management system for later review by students.

How do I get started with remote instruction?

Don't know where to start?

We can help! Schedule a Remote Learning Orientation with a Tutor in the General Academic Areas Tutoring Center!

Do you have reliable access to a computer?

Does your system meet the minimum computer requirements? (Click here for minimum requirements).

I need to purchase a new system, what should I buy? (Click here for minimum requirements).

Is there financial assistance available? (Click here for emergency Assistance Grants)

Do you have reliable internet access?

How do I get Access to the Internet? (Click here for more information)

Can I get Financial Assistance for Internet access? (Click here for more information)

How can I test my system setup for remote learning?
I'm connected, what next?

The college provides access to The Q (personal portal), Qmail (College email), Blackboard Learn (our learning management system), and Starfish (Communicate and monitor your progress) to all credit students. We recommend that you log into all college systems 7 days before classes start to ensure everything is working. 

Tour of the QCC Suite of Online Tools!

How do I access QMail?

At QCC, our student email system is powered by Google and our Faculty and Staff email is powered by Microsoft Outlook. Both systems are accessible from off campus and also allow you to receive email on your phone. 

Your full student email address is your Qmail username. You can find your username by logging into The Q. Where it displays "Welcome back your name..." in the top right, click “My Profile & Settings”

Click on Contact Information > Email Addresses  click the down arrow to view email address.

You may also contact the Registrar's Office, email is preferred at qccreg [at] qcc.mass.edu or call the IT Service Desk at 508.854.4427 (You must know your Student ID number).

e.g. John Smith - Qmail user name is jsmith [at] qmail.qcc.edu

For technical support, contact the IT Service Desk, Technical Support.

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4427
  • Email: Help [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Help website 

We recommend that you test your QMail access one week prior to classes starting.

What is The Q and how do I access it?

The Q is Quinsigamond Community College's secure website or portal. Think of it as the gateway to the college; it's the one stop which allows current students and faculty the ability to access their personal college information twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Your student id number is your username for The Q. Your username for The Q and password information was sent to you prior to the start of your first semester here at QCC via email or mail.

You can reset your password to The Q, but you need to have access to your Qmail to do so.

If you don’t have your login information, contact the Registrar’s Office, or via email qccreg [at] qcc.mass.edu. Their office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. 

Please note that the Registrar’s Office will not release this information over the telephone.

The login page for The Q is accessible through any internet browser.  At this time we recommend Firefox (or Chrome) as your internet browser. Visit The Q

For more information on The Q, visit The Q help section.

For technical support, contact the IT Service Desk, Technical Support.

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4427
  • Email: Help [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Help Website 

We recommend that you test your access to "the Q" one week prior to classes starting.

How do I access my course in Blackboard?

Blackboard is the College’s Learning Management System which provides tools for teaching online as well as for on ground courses. All QCC courses have a Blackboard shell that may be used for handouts, online discussion, testing, group work, assignment submission, and grading. 

To log into Blackboard Learn simply click on the Blackboard icon after you log into The Q.

For more information on how to use Blackboard Learn, contact the General Academic Areas Tutoring Center.

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4279
  • Email: gaa [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • GAA website

For technical support, contact the IT Service Desk, Technical Support.

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4427
  • Email: Help [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Help website

Courses will not be available until September 8, 2020 but we recommend that you test your access to Blackboard one week prior to classes starting.

What is a virtual classroom and how do I access it??

Your class may require your attendance in a virtual classroom. At QCC there are two tools you may need to know, Blackboard Collaborate and Zoom.

Blackboard Collaborate is part of the Blackboard Learn system. You're instructor will make the course room available at the required time. To access the virtual classroom, log into Blackboard and click on the VIrtual Meeting link located on the left of the course page. For more information on Blackboard Collaborate visit the Blackboard Collaborate help section.

Zoom can be accessed from within Blackboard or by a link supplied by you professor. For more information on Zoom, visit the Zoom meeting help website.

For more information on how to use Blackboard Collaborate or Zoom, contact the General Academic Areas Tutoring Center.

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4279
  • Email: gaa [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • GAA website

For technical support, contact the IT Service Desk, Technical Support:

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4427
  • Email: Help [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Help website

We recommend that you test your camera and microphone one week prior to classes starting.

What is Starfish and what do I use it for?

Starfish provides a tool that you can use to stay informed of your progress in courses, take action on flagged issues and referrals by viewing your Starfish folder and keep in touch with your personal "success team".

To access Starfish click on the Starfish option  on the menu bar across the top of your screen.

How can I learn more about Starfish?  For more information on how to use Starfish, review the Student Guide. 

We recommend that you test your access one week prior to classes starting.

My class uses Cengage textbook materials, how do I access them?

What you need:

  • Your syllabus (to reference your course and section number)
  • A course ID number (provided by your professor, usually on your syllabus)
  • Your access code (on the course materials you purchased)
  • Navigate to the product page, as instructed by your professor. This is usually provided on your syllabus.
  • Click on any option where it says “Register.”
  • Enter the information as it asks you to. This might include your name, your course and section number, your course ID number, and your access code. You may also have to sign up with a username and a password.

If you have issues with your username and password, contact the product company’s customer support line. If you need a course ID, contact your professor,

Make an appointment at the General Academic Areas Tutoring center by emailing  gaa [at] qcc.mass.edu or calling 508.854.4279

Contact Cengage Directly: https://cengage.force.com/s/

Can I order Microsoft Office through the College?

Yes you can! For information on how to get Microsoft products click here: https://www.qcc.edu/help/microsoft-products

My class uses McGraw Hill textbook materials, how do I access them?

What you need:

  • Your syllabus (to reference your course and section number)
  • A course ID number (provided by your professor, usually on your syllabus)
  • Your access code (on the course materials you purchased)
  • Navigate to the product page, as instructed by your professor. This is usually provided on your syllabus.
  • Click on any option where it says “Register.”
  • Enter the information as it asks you to. This might include your name, your course and section number, your course ID number, and your access code. You may also have to sign up with a username and a password.

 If you have issues with your username and password, contact the product company’s customer support line. If you need a course ID, contact your professor,

Make an appointment at the General Academic Areas Tutoring center by emailing  gaa [at] qcc.mass.edu or calling 508.854.4279

Contact McGraw Hill Connect Support Directly

My class uses Pearson MyLab textbook materials, how do I access them?

What you need:

  • Your syllabus (to reference your course and section number)
  • A course ID number (provided by your professor, usually on your syllabus)
  • Your access code (on the course materials you purchased)
  • Navigate to the product page, as instructed by your professor. This is usually provided on your syllabus.
  • Click on any option where it says “Register.”
  • Enter the information as it asks you to. This might include your name, your course and section number, your course ID number, and your access code. You may also have to sign up with a username and a password.

 If you have issues with your username and password, contact the product company’s customer support line. If you need a course ID, contact your professor,

For General help with Pearson products: https://www.pearsonmylabandmastering.com/northamerica/students/support/index.html

For MyMathLab make an appointment with the Math Center by emailing MathCenter [at] qcc.mass.edu or calling 508.854.7523

For all other Pearson Products  Make an appointment at the General Academic Areas Tutoring center by emailing  gaa [at] qcc.mass.edu or calling 508.854.4279

What other resources are available from QCC?

Student Resources

For technical support, contact the IT Service Desk

  • Phone Number: 508.854.4427
  • Email: Help [at] qcc.mass.edu
  • Visit the Help website