About the Online Learning System
The Myerscough College Online learning network (MOLLNET) can be found at http://www.mollnet.ac.uk or from the College web site (http://www.myerscough.ac.uk Click the Online Learning link). The system uses software called Blackboard, which is an online learning platform used by many institutions around the world and is designed for distance learning courses.
Each student is provided with a username and password required to gain access to Mollnet. Once logged in the student can access the learning materials for their course.
Technical Requirements
The following is needed in order to be able to study through Mollnet.
- A modern Personal Computer (PC) running Microsoft Windows or Apple Macintosh running OS X.
- An internet connection at least 56kbps (Broadband is recommended)
- A valid e-mail account
- A Printer
- Recommended software – Microsoft Office
Getting Started
When http://www.mollnet.ac.uk is accessed you will arrive at a welcome page.
Click on ‘Login’ and on the next page enter your username and password that has been provided to you by Myerscough College. The username and password should be entered in lowercase.
Your username will take the form of your first initial followed by your surname, followed by the last four numbers of your student number and finally an underscore and the letter “d” to denote that you are a distance learner.
To enter an underscore you need to press and hold the shift key. There are two shift keys on a standard keyboard and they can be found by looking for an up arrow symbol underneath the Caps Lock key on the left of the keyboard or below the return key on the right side of the main part of the keyboard. Hold the shift key and then press the key that is to the right of the number 0 on the second to top row of keys on your keyboard. You should see _ .
A full username should look something like this - jbloggs1234_d
Your password will be your student number (8 digits). Enter this in and then click login.
If your login fails view the FAQ document on the CD for common reasons for login failure. If you’re still having problems contact a member of the LDU team. Our contact details can be found at the end of this document.
Once you have logged in you will be presented with a page called My Mollnet.
A banner on the top of this page contains three icons which are:
- Link to Myerscough College’s website
- Help button
- Log out button
There are also three tabs below the banner
- My Mollnet
- Courses
- Web Resources
My Mollnet
My Mollnet is the home page for all users.
From here you can access the courses on which you are enrolled and personalise your area. The ‘Tools’ area allows you to set tasks, create and manage your address book and calendar, send emails, store personal information, access your grades and change your password.
It is also possible to access the modules/courses on which you are enrolled under ‘My Courses’. Each semester you will be enrolled on the appropriate modules for your Foundation Degree. Please note that you will also be enrolled on a Foundation Degree site for the duration of your course.
Announcements
When you enter into your course/module the default screen is Announcements.
Here any new announcements that relate to your course/module including instructions from your tutor, deadlines for assignments and other important information will be shown.
Accessing your course / module
When you click on your course/module title you will be able to access all the information needed to complete your study online. The navigation through the course is provided by the buttons on the left-hand side of the screen. The following section outlines the function of each of these buttons and will help guide you through the system.
Course Buttons / Module Buttons
Course / Module Information
This provides the student with information about the course or module including some of the following: Course/Module Handbooks, Module Descriptions, Reading Lists.
Course / Module Tutor
This section provides information on the staff involved with the course/module including contact and availability details.
Tutor’s Corner, Support Materials and Help with Mollnet
These areas will only be found on your Course site.
Tutor’s Corner
This is an area where your tutor can keep you informed of general news and notices for your programme. Please check it regularly throughout the year.
Support Materials
This area contains a selection of learning support materials in an interactive format and library information.
Help with Mollnet
This area provides more help with Mollnet including Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
The relevant course documents and assessments will be found on your module sites
Course Documents
It is here that you are able to retrieve course documents for your module.
The documents are grouped into folders to allow efficient organisation of the materials.
When a folder is clicked you will be presented with the relevant titles, which then provide a link to the learning materials.
The Microsite/Session Booklets provide all the information that you need to complete the relevant sessions. The microsite can only be viewed on line whilst the session booklet can be downloaded.
To save session booklets: right click on the link and choose ‘Save Target As’, find where you want to save the document, for example, your computer’s desktop or ‘My Documents’ then click on ‘Save’.
The microsite is a mini website that includes all the information from the session booklet. In addition it may contain animated diagrams to further aid your understanding of the subject, interactive activities and links to websites for further information. You can navigate through the microsite sequentially by clicking the right arrow links at the top and bottom of each page. If you would like to go to a specific section you can click the relevant link from the menu on the left.
NB: You cannot download and save the Microsites
Assessment
The Assessment section shows the assessment strategy and all the information that you need to complete any assignments, tests and examinations for your module.
Assignments can usually be submitted to the relevant tutor via email or the digital dropbox. Tests and some examinations are completed on line.
Tools Area
Communication
Various options can be selected from here:
Send Email
You are able to send emails to your colleagues and instructors
Collaboration
This area includes:
-
Virtual classroom
This may be used on your course for a tutor to teach in real-time. You can type to ask or answer questions, use a whiteboard to illustrate ideas and visit websites as a group.
-
Chat
This allows participants to interact with each other by typing into the chat window. Two or more people must be logged in simultaneously to chat.
-
Discussion board
In this area you are able to create and participate in forums and to discuss ideas with fellow students and tutors. This differs from the chat room in that you leave messages for the group which they can then answer later.
-
Roster
This area allows you to view the homepages created by your fellow students.
-
Group pages
Students within the same course may be grouped to allow smaller and more specific use of the communication facilities such as the discussion board, chat room, e-mails and file exchange.
External links
Relevant links to websites which may aid your understanding of the subject will be placed in here.
Course Tools
 Address book |
 Calendar |
 Tasks |
 Facility to edit your homepage |
 Digital Dropbox for file exchange |
 Online manual |
 Checking grades |
Digital Dropbox
The Digital Dropbox is one method which you can submit assignments and exchange files.
To use the Digital Dropbox follow these instructions
- Click on the Digital Dropbox link.
- Click the ‘Send File’ button.
- Fill in the name and comments details on the form.
- Click the ‘Browse’ button. This should bring up a dialog box which will allow you to locate the file on your computer.
- Click the submit button on the right of the screen.
- A message should appear showing that your file has been successfully sent to the course instructor.
Contact Information
Your tutor will provide you with support and guidance for your online course. For technical support please contact:
Learning Development Unit
Myerscough Hall
Bilsborrow
Preston
Lancashire
PR3 0RY
Tel: 01995 642255 Ask for a member of the e-learning team
Email: mollnet@myerscough.ac.uk
Further help with Mollnet can be found in the Blackboard Online Manual which is accessible through Student Tools on the Mollnet system.