Online Delivery Officers

Online courses have slightly different requirements for learners. To take online courses, you are expected to be:

• Self-motivated, responsible, and disciplined;
• Able to learn information on your own by reading;
• Willing to seek out help from instructors and other learners when needed; and
• Comfortable using computers, especially email, keyboarding, word processing, and Internet navigation.

A number of the programs in the Chiu School of Business can be completed entirely online. Contact the department for more information at 403.410.1570 or Chiulearners@bowvalleycollege.ca.

Online credit courses at Bow Valley College have specific start and end dates, which correspond to the face-to-face semester schedule. Within those dates, there will be pre-determined due dates for assessments that can be found in the course syllabus; learners must follow this timeline when enrolled in an online course.

Many online credit courses have a supervised scheduled final exam with a set date and time. All learners are required to write the final examination at the scheduled date and time at an approved testing centre.

Online learning provides the advantage of asynchronous learning, giving you control of your schedule and your study time. However, all courses have due dates for assessments.

You can contact your Instructor by "Email", using the D2L built-in mail function. Your instructor will use both this email and D2L News to relay course-related information to you, so be sure to check them daily. Under your Account Settings, you also have the option to forward your course emails to your school (or personal) email.

When you are accepted to the program, you will be given a Bow Valley College learner email address at mybvc.ca. Communication from the college, your instructors, and from the Online Delivery Officer will be sent to this address only. Be sure to check it daily.

Typically, assignments are handed in through the Brightspace online dropbox. Your instructor will inform you of the preferred method of submission.

While some quizzes or exams can be written at home, final exams that require supervision must be written at a pre-approved local educational facility (i.e. a college or public library) on the date and time in the schedule. 

If you live in Calgary, you will write the final exams at the Chiu School of Business.

If you live outside of Calgary, you will be required to complete an "Invigilation Request Form" to obtain pre-approval for your local educational facility (i.e. a college or public library). You must write your supervised, final exam on the date and time in the schedule.

For more information on arranging your exams, see your Program Page under Content > Final Exams > Final Exam Booking Procedures.

Tuition for online programs is course-based. You will pay for individual courses as you register for them. For more information, please refer to Important Dates.

The textbook and material costs for online and classroom programs are identical. Online learners are charged student services fees and student association fees. Overall, the total cost of fees for an online program is approximately the same as the fees for the main campus program. 

The refund amount is based on the date you drop or withdraw from the course, and the start and end date of that course.

For more information, please refer to Important Dates.

You are eligible for funding as a part-time (PT-1-2 courses) or full-time (FT-3-5 courses) learner. If you are eligible, you need to apply for new funding each semester.

You can find funding information here.  

If you have questions, you can contact the Financial Aid Office at 403.410.1410 or at email at: learnersuccess@bowvalleycollege.ca

Need help with Brightspace, Adobe Connect, MyBVC.ca, or MyBVC wifi? Contact 403-410-1611 or 1-866-615-8923.

Assistance is available 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Friday and 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays.

To resolve some common issues, please: 

• Visit Reset my BVC password to reset your MyBVC and D2L password.
• Visit Gmail Help to set up mybvc.ca email on your mobile devices.

If taking an online course, you should ensure your computer has the following:

• Reliable Internet access - DSL or cable connections are highly recommended;
• Recommended software: Microsoft Office 2016, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and a media player such as Flash Player, QuickTime, or Windows Media Player, Windows 7 or 10, Mac 07.
• Some courses might require additional software or applications packages; you will be given this information prior to starting the course.
• Recommended browsers: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, and Safari. Brightspace does not work well with Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge.

Additionally, online students should have some computer experience and familiarity with day-to-day web functions such as emailing, downloading and attaching files, online discussions (chat), and keyboarding.

Prior to registering for your course(s), you will receive an email from the Online Delivery Officer (ODO) detailing the textbook information. Textbook costs are the same for the online and face-to-face courses. 
You have the option of buying new or used textbooks for most of your courses. Always ensure you purchase the correct edition of the required textbook.

Please note that used textbooks do not include access to additional resources you may need for your course. If you purchase a used textbook, additional publisher resources must be purchased separately at an additional cost. 
Check the Bow Valley College bookstore website to see if your text comes with additional materials such as CDs or publisher resources. 

You may purchase your textbooks using one of the following options: 
• In person at the Bow Valley College Bookstore.
• By phone: 403.410.1740 or Toll Free 1.866.428.2669 within Alberta.
• Online from the Bow Valley College Bookstore (instructions below).
• Online directly from the textbook's publisher, Indigo Chapters, or Amazon. 

To order online from the Bow Valley College Bookstore: 

1. Visit https://bowvalleycollege.ca/bookstore
2. Select Your Program (note that All is preselected). 
3. Select Your Term.
4. Select Your Division (select Chiu School of Business).
5. Select Your Department (select your program).
6. Select Your Course (select course code). 
7. Select Your Section.
8. Click on Submit.
9. Select Your Materials. (Check to see if any publisher and textbook resources are required. Be sure to buy a new textbook if additional publisher resources are needed for your course).
10. Proceed with your orders and payment.

Please note: textbooks will not be available through the BVC Bookstore until approximately 1 month prior to the beginning of the semester.

For any course requiring Microsoft Office software, be sure to have the correct version. The college is currently using Microsoft Office 2016 and Windows 10. It is your responsibility to use the same software or find compatible solutions.
If you are unsure of the textbook, the Course Syllabus for each course will also list any resources needed. You can also contact your Online Delivery Officer (ODO) if you have any questions.