Login and Access Information for online@HCC

Access the new System

As of Summer 2008 term HCC is using a new WebCT system, to be known as online@HCC.  The old WebCT system is version CE 4.1, and the new one is CE 6.

Some links and information on the HCC website may refer to the old system (for now; these are being updated).  The new system is not hosted at HCC at all but rather at BlackBoard.com.  The correct link for you to use to access this new system is:

https://hcconline.blackboard.com/

Usernames (Login ID)

HCC Student IDs and passwords are not used with the new WebCT system.  Instead use:

f l stuID

where f is your first name initial, l is your last name initial, and stuID is a student's seven digit student ID.  The initials must be in lowercase letters.  An example for a student named Hymie Piffl with a student ID number of 0123456, the WebCT login username would be:

hp0123456

Passwords

Your initial password is the same as your username.  You will be required to change your password at first login.  (Be sure to make a note of your username and password.  It is alright to write these down, but not on the cover of a book or elsewhere that someone might see it.)

Passwords for WebCT must meet some minimal strength requirements, or the system won't accept them.  At this time these minimum requirements are not known exactly, but in general use a password composed of at least 6 upper and lower case letters and digits.  Your password should not be based on any name or word, or any personal information some attacker can guess (such as a license plate number, an old address of you or a friend, etc.).  Passwords are case sensitive.

Expiration of Passwords

Your password will eventually expire and you will be forced to change it.  Currently a password will be valid for 150 days (about 5 months), so you shouldn't need to change your password during the semester.  However, if you think someone may have obtained your password, you can change it anytime.  It is unknown if you can reuse old passwords or not.

Password Reset Procedure

The new WebCT system is not maintained by HCC.  It is unlikely that the HCC help desk or other HCC faculty and staff will be able to reset your password if you lose it.  You can try to reach Ms. Tracy Coady at (813) 253-7329 and ask to have your WebCT password reset.  Otherwise you should use the WebCT 6 Forgot your password? link on the login error page that shows up if you enter an incorrect password.  You can use this to have your password reset and the new one sent as email to your official HCC HawkMail email address.  As a last resort you can phone the Blackboard help desk at the number shown on the login page.  (Be prepared: it can take 30 minutes or more to reach a human at this number!)

Additional Information

The website for the HCC distance learning campus (or ecampus or Online@HCC or whatever the current name) is:

http://www.hccfl.edu/distance-learning/dl-splash.aspx

There is a link to login instructions from the Online@HCC login page.  You will find other information there, including the current status (as far as anyone at HCC knows) of the Blackbord website.

Students will also be assigned to a section of a student orientation course that will have information and tutorials on how to use WebCT CE 6.