Suggestions, Tips and Contact Info 

How to log in

Don't wait to hear from your instructor. Log in as soon as your course is "published," which will happen the day the quarter starts or a few days ahead of time.

Canvas login

  1. Click any Canvas link on Whatcom's website or type https://wcc.instructure.com into the address bar.
  2. The login page should show the Whatcom logo at the top.  Click the button for the type of user you are: student, faculty/staff, or participant in a non-credit program.
  3. Type your username and password carefully. Typos are the most common reason for login trouble.
  4. Your username is your ctcLink ID (EMPLID), a 9-digit number.
  5. Your password is the ctcLink password you created.
  6. Click the Courses tab to see all your active courses.

 WAMAP login for math courses

  1. First, log into Canvas (see above). In Canvas, your instructor will provide the course ID and enrollment key you need to get into your WAMAP course.
  2. Click any WAMAP link on Whatcom's website or type https://www.wamap.org/ into the address bar.
  3. The first time you use WAMAP, click "Register as a new student" to set up your user account. You can use any username and password you choose. Where it asks for your name, please use your real name so your instructor can give the right person credit.
  4. After the first time, log in by entering the WAMAP username and password you chose.
  5. Enter the course ID and enrollment key you found in your Canvas course.

Using a mobile device

Whatcom's courses use the Canvas online learning platform, and some math courses also use WAMAP. Canvas and WAMAP courses really aren't designed to be completed on a phone.

You can use a phone or tablet for some course activities, but please follow these best practices to reduce the number of possible problems:

  • Don't use the Canvas app. We're serious! Log into Canvas on the internet instead. Take our word for it - the app can give you big problems. Don't even install it, because if it's there, it will open itself and you won't know it. Some items in your course won't work. Plus, it does things like turn in quizzes before you're ready.
  • Save any files you create in one of these formats: .doc, .docx, .pdf, .rtf, or .txt.  Those are file types Canvas can recognize. Other file types may not be openable or may simply not arrive when you submit them.
  • Wi-Fi signals can drop without warning and disconnect you in the middle of something important, like an exam. We strongly encourage you to use a wired computer to submit anything that counts for a lot of points.

Click here for information about checking out a laptop from the college instead.

Technology first aid

If your online course starts acting quirky when the Student Help Desk is closed, we suggest trying these three things that often help:

  • If you've been using the Canvas mobile app, use your data plan instead. Log into Canvas from the Internet. You'll have to uninstall the Canvas app first, because it will open itself when you access Canvas without telling you.
  • If you've been using a web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.), try a different one. No web browser works perfectly with every piece of software. The glitch that's driving you crazy may be no problem at all with a different browser.
  • Clear your web browser's cache. The cache stores information from pages you've visited so that pages load more quickly, but that may keep you from seeing new information when you return to the page.

More troubleshooting

  • I can't log into Canvas.
    Your username is your ctcLink ID number. The default password is your ctcLink password.
  • My course doesn't appear in the Dashboard or Courses tab.
    Go into the Courses tab (using a browser, not the Canvas mobile app) and click the link labeled All Courses. See if your course is listed as "not published." If that's still the case when the quarter has started, send us a heads-up.
  • Some items don't work or don't show up in my course.
    If you're using a mobile device and have the Canvas app installed, uninstall the app, open an internet browser and log into the Canvas website that way instead. If you're already getting into Canvas from the internet on any kind of device, try using a different browser. (If you're using a mobile device with the app installed, it will open itself without telling you, even if you start out using your data plan. You'll need to uninstall the app.)
  • I can't figure out how to use Canvas to see my unofficial transcript or register for classes.
    Those don't happen in Canvas. You'll need to log directly into ctcLink instead.

For complicated or persistent problems, contact the Student Help Desk by email or call 360.383.3410.

How-to's for things you'll want to do in Canvas

Avoiding "Nobody told me!"

Don't miss class updates and feedback on your assignments. Set things up so you'll get a heads-up:

  • For Canvas, log in, open the Account tab and click Notifications. Set "Announcement" and "Conversation Message" to "Notify me right away."
  • For WAMAP, log in and open settings by clicking the gear icon by your name in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Check the box labeled "Notify me by email when I receive a new message."
  • In your Whatcom student email account, click the gear icon to open settings, and turn off the "Focused" inbox. That way all your incoming messages will be visible as soon as you log in. Alternatively, forward the messages to your personal email account.

Your instructor would like to hear from you

Why keep in touch with your instructor?

  • To ask questions about navigating the course or about what you're learning. 
  • To clarify what your instructor expects of you. 
  • To let them know if you're sick, or if something else is keeping you from participating. 
  • To find out more about the subject you're studying or what it's like to work in that field. 
  • To get to know your instructor better, and vice versa.

How to send a message to your instructor in Canvas.

How to send a message to your instructor in WAMAP:

  1. Click the Messages tab at the top of the page.
  2. Click the Send New Message button.
  3. Select your instructor's name from the "Select a Recipient" menu.
  4. Type your subject and message, the click the Send Message button.

Be a successful online learner

Map out your quarter 

Schedule your time with success in mind! Online courses have the same rhythm as in-person courses. Every week there are readings, discussions and assignments. You'll be logging in and working on something just about every day.

Each 5-credit course is a time commitment of about 15 hours per week.

It can help to get out your calendar and schedule some blocks of study time. Good sleep supports learning, so block that in, too. Plug in the dates of tests and major assignments so they don't sneak up on you.

If you have any "web meet" or "hybrid" courses, they'll have scheduled meeting times in addition to your own individual time online. Web meet courses are online courses with times when all the students log in together. Hybrid courses have meetings in person.  Check your schedule. If it shows any specific times, plan to be there!

Figure out your course's organization

Many courses are put together in modules. Each module will have things you work on to learn about the subject, such as readings or practice problems, followed by things you do to show what you've learned -- discussions, quizzes, etc.

If your course doesn't have modules, read the syllabus carefully to find the activities to learn from and the assignments.

Best practices for online discussions 

A few tweaks in how you do your online discussions will amp up their interest and usefulness.

  • Publish your first post early in the week. You'll get more responses to your ideas, and get them early enough that you can actually discuss them. Your classmates will appreciate that you've broken the ice.
  • Help extend the discussion by asking open-ended questions or taking a bold stand. If the responses you get change your mind, well, you're in the class to learn, right?
  • Be kind. Research shows that people often read electronic communications as more negative than the sender intended. So be extra friendly and respectful when replying to other students, whether you're agreeing or disagreeing. You want them to stay willing to share their ideas.
  • For safety's sake, write your posts in a word processing program and save them before you copy/paste them into the Reply box in the discussion. Things you type straight into the Reply box can disappear by accident and be gone for good.

Think ahead to the end of the quarter

Remember that you won't have access to your Canvas class after the end of the quarter. You'll be able to see things you submitted (just click the Files tab in the navigation bar when you sign into Canvas). But if there's anything else you'll want to view later, save it in your own files.

More tips:

Learning math online

Yes, you really can succeed at learning math online.  Here's what you can do to make it happen:

  • Hang in there!  Math takes time and practice. Having to put in effort is normal.
  • Give yourself the gift of enough study time. For a 5-credit math class, 15 hours each week is just about right.
  • Work all the problems. That's how you'll get comfortable enough to do well on tests.
  • Here are some tips for really soaking up what your math book is teaching you.
  • Everybody gets confused at times, but don't stay there. Ask questions right away.  Contact your instructor, connect with tutors, or form a study group. For remote math tutoring, see Resources for Online Learners below.

You got this!

Anti-procrastination strategies

Are you logging in regularly and keeping up with the deadlines? 

Simply staying on top of things is one of the keys to success in online learning.  If you’re noticing a tendency to procrastinate, give yourself a boost and try one of these strategies to beat procrastination.

If social media or games keep grabbing your attention, there are some great (and free) site-blocking apps you can use to take a break from your worst temptations.  

For your eyes only

Avoid giving anyone else access to your Canvas, WAMAP, or other online coursework accidentally or on purpose.

  • Protect your username and password.  That unique combination lets you -- and only you -- access your courses.
  • If you use a campus computer, log out of your course before you leave.
  • Some courses, particularly math courses, may require proctored testing where we'll ask you to verify your identity.
  • Remember that the student code of conduct, including the section on academic integrity, applies to you no matter what the format of your courses.

Resources for online learners

Canvas student guide

Check out the student guide provided by Instructure, the people who wrote the Canvas software.  It's your go-to place for detailed instructions and tips on making the most of your Canvas classroom.

Whatcom resources

Where to ask questions

  • Student help desk

    For technical issues including but not limited to logging in, computer account problems, remote access to campus, email, Canvas, other software programs, or how to turn in assignments, email the Student Help Desk. You can also contact us by phone at 360-383-3410.  Click here for service hours. 

  • Advising and career services 
    An online advisor is available to assist you by email if you have non-technical issues with your online class.  Or call 360.383.3080 to make an appointment to meet with your own advisor in person or by phone or Zoom.  Click here for service hours.