Online Student Resource Center
The Online Student Resource Center (OSRC) is a virtual community and resource collection in D2L Brightspace. The OSRC is designed to equip students to be successful online and remote learners! The Online Learning student support and Student Help Desk teams moderate the community and resources available in the D2L Brightspace learning environment. All resources are self-paced and optional, so students can jump around and use what they need.
Students currently enrolled in classes can find the OSRC on the D2L Brightspace homepage. The OSRC appears in “My Courses” alongside the rest of their classes.
Visit the Fall 2024 OSRC*
*Must be enrolled for the current term and logged into D2L Brightspace to view
Who has access to the Online Student Resource Center?
All PCC students enrolled in credit classes for the current term have access to the OSRC! While the content in the OSRC has a focus on online and remote learning, the OSRC is available to all credit PCC students. We want to ensure every student can access our virtual resources because instructors for all class types use D2L Brightspace.
The OSRC is just for students, so faculty and staff do not have access to the space. We designed the OSRC to be a safe environment where students don’t have to worry about making mistakes or impacting their grades. This allows students to try things out and seek help, both before their classes begin and throughout the term!
If a student is not taking classes right now, the OSRC will not be available until one week before their next term of active enrollment.
| Term | OSRC Open Date |
|---|---|
| Fall 2024 | Monday, September 16 |
| Winter 2025 | Monday, December 30 |
| Spring 2025 | Monday, March 24 |
What is available in the Online Student Resource Center?
D2L Brightspace training and practice activities
Before their classes start, students can explore and familiarize themselves with Brightspace! Within the OSRC students will find various tutorial videos and practice activities. Watching videos and trying out tools can help students build their confidence in using Brightspace. Students can test out discussions, assignments, quizzes, and other common course tools they are likely to use in an online class.
Online student support resources
Discussion forums are available within the OSRC for all students to connect with their peers and seek support from our staff. These discussions are a great place for online students to ask questions or offer helpful advice to their classmates. Students can also build a community and discuss topics they find important. In the OSRC discussions, there are no silly questions! Students who might otherwise hesitate to ask questions of their instructors can seek support and advice in the OSRC.
Virtual student support resources
The OSRC is also a great place for students to learn about available PCC support resources without coming to campus. Because we know our students have busy lives, demanding schedules, and unique needs, it’s our goal to be available where and when they need us. PCC does its best to ensure that online students have equitable access to support services regardless of their location or availability during college business hours.
Student success tips
Being an online student requires dedication and self-motivation. Online students need to be proactive in their studies and take responsibility for their own learning. The OSRC provides a space for new online and remote students to learn from their peers. We encourage students to share what works for them as virtual learners in the discussion forums. Students regularly post topics like their tested success strategies and favorite tools for staying on top of school work. Curated links to web resources on college success tips are also available in the course modules.
Student Help Desk support
The Student Help Desk (SHD) provides computer software and online service support for PCC students. Any time a student has a question about D2L Brightspace, Zoom, or the Google Suite, they can reach out to the SHD for help. SHD staff offer extensive phone, live chat, and email support hours to fit a variety of student needs. SHD staff also monitors the OSRC discussion forums to provide accurate and timely responses to student tech questions.