Information Technology
HCC provides a variety of computer services and state-of-the-art classrooms and labs to meet the changing technology needs of students and faculty.
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Canvas and Course Materials
Welcome to HCC! We use Canvas as our main online system for classes. Think of it as your online classroom space (it's called a Learning Management System or LMS).
Getting Started with Canvas at HCC
What You Need to Know:
- Access Starts: You can get into your Canvas course sites 3 days before the first day of the term (semester).
- Syllabus & Grades: For ALL your classes, your teachers must post the class syllabus (the plan for the class) and your grades in Canvas. This is the official place to find them.
- Other Materials: Many classes also use Canvas for more, like sharing course materials (readings, videos), giving quizzes, posting assignments (homework), and other class activities.
How Classes Use Canvas
HCC offers different There are many Ways to Learn at HCC:
- Face-to-Face: Classes held entirely on campus.
- Flexible Online: Classes held entirely online, learn on your own schedule.
- Scheduled Remote: Classes held entirely online at specific, scheduled times.
- Online Hybrid: Classes with a mix of scheduled online meetings and flexible online work.
- In-Person Hybrid: Classes with a mix of on-campus meetings and flexible online work.
Flexible Online 
Scheduled Remote 
Online Hybrid 
Face-to-Face 
In-Person Hybrid Remember: No matter the class type, you will always find your syllabus and grades in Canvas. Classes with online parts (like Flexible Online, Scheduled Remote, and the Hybrid types) use Canvas for learning materials, communication, graded items.
How to Log In to Canvas
- Go to the main HCC homepage.
- Find and click the "Tools & Resources" button.
- Select Canvas from the options.
- Use your HCC email address and your password to log in.
Technology You Need
- Best Web Browsers: Canvas works best with the newest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Using an older version might cause problems. What are the browser and computer requirements for Instructure products?
- Check Requirements: To see if your computer and browser are ready for Canvas, you can read this guide: What are the browser and computer requirements for Instructure products? (You can usually find this link in the Canvas Help section).
- Check Canvas Often: Log in to Canvas regularly! It's important to check for:
- Announcements (news from your teacher)
- Feedback (comments on your work)
- Due Dates (when homework is due)
- Content (class materials)
Help with Canvas
HCC offers help resources directly inside Canvas:
- Canvas Training: Click the Help Center button (often looks like a question mark '?' symbol). Inside, find the "Canvas Student Training Guide" to learn how to use Canvas features.
- New Student Orientation: Look for the "New2HCC" button in Canvas. It has an "Orientation to Online Learning" that is very helpful if you are new to online classes.
- 24/7 Support: Need help right away? Click the "Help Center" button. You can contact Canvas Support anytime (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) using chat, phone, or email.
Course Materials
Once you access your course, you can find information about the course materials in your Syllabus (typically on the course navigation, but it is possible your instructor has it in another location). You should also see a Couse Materials button in the course navigation which lists your courses, materials needed, and how to access if electronic.
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Computer Labs
HCC provides multiple open computer study labs, which offer a quiet academic environment where students can study, do research and complete class assignments. These labs are located in HSB266, CL203, and DH110, and are equipped with PCs offering Internet access, scanners, printers, and software based upon the needs of the academic community. Credit students may log in using their HCC Login ID and password. The DH110 open lab is staffed to assist students. For audio, students should bring their personal headsets. On occasion, you may be asked to relocate to another computer to allow someone to access specialized software, scanners, or raised computer desks. Food and beverages are not permitted. To maintain our quiet study area, please minimize conversations and noise, turn off cell phones or set to vibrate mode, and leave the room to make or receive phone calls. Lab users are expected to adhere to HCC’s Standards of Acceptable Use of Campus Technology below. Students are encouraged to save and back up their work frequently. Computers in the open labs automatically log off and erase files after 15 minutes of inactivity. Both labs are normally closed for college holidays and during breaks. Check the posted hours in the Computer Labs or visit the Computer Lab web pages for the latest computer lab hours and closings.
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File Storage
Students are encouraged to use cloud storage, such as Google Apps and Microsoft OneDrive, for storage of personal files. To access, visit:
• https://drive.google.com/a/howardcc.edu for Google Drive (use your HCC Username and HCC password).
• https://onedrive.live.com/ for Microsoft OneDrive (use your HCC email address and HCC email password).
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HCC Login ID and Password
Use your HCC Login email address and password to access myHCC, HCC email, campus computers, Canvas, Google Drive Microsoft 365, and the HCC wireless network.
The Technology Service Center Password Services page, howardcc.edu/PasswordServices allows students to set up and manage their HCC login credentials, and re-set forgotten and expired passwords. Once you have setup your account, please verify your email and cell phone number in case you need to reset your password using the PIN reset feature. The college’s Technology Service Center cannot change your password or challenge questions without proper identification. You will have access to your college accounts as long as you are currently enrolled in HCC courses.
For your safety, do not disclose your student ID number and Login ID except when conducting college business with authorized staff. Always log off or shut down and restart the computer when you are finished working on any public computer, including campus computers, to sever the connection to your personal accounts.
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Illegal Downloading and Peer-to-Peer File Sharing Notice
Students are responsible for complying with section 668.14 of the HEOA (Higher Education Opportunity Act), which prohibits illegal peer-to-peer file sharing. Downloading or sharing copyrighted music, videos, games or software (The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) of 1998) without permission from the copyright owner can result in:
- A criminal penalty of 5 years in prison and $250,000 in fines, even for a first offense.
- A civil penalty of $750 or higher per illegal song
The college may use several methods to detect and deter illegal P2P file sharing, including:
- A URL filtering device to identify, block and redirect any discovered illegal P2P traffic.
- Network traffic monitoring to identify, trace and investigate continuous high bandwidth users.
Reporting students who engage in suspected illegal behaviors for investigation and possible disciplinary action under the Student Code of Conduct.
Alternatives to Illegal File Sharing
Students may seek out legitimate, legal sources of digital content, including numerous sites listed by Educause.com. -
Laptop Loans
Laptops and hotspots are available for loan to students who have registered for the current semester. Visit the DH110 open computer lab on the first floor of the Duncan Hall building to request a laptop and or hotspot. You will be asked to read and sign a contract acknowledging your responsibilities in caring for the equipment. This program is open to approved full time credit and noncredit students who abide by the terms of the contract.
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Mobile Alert
HCC’s Mobile Alert system enables you to receive instant notification of important campus information and emergency announcements to your cell phone and email. It will alert you to parking problems, weather delays and closures, as well as on-campus emergencies and drills. Subscribing to the service is free, but standard text messaging charges from your carrier may apply. Visit howardcc.edu/mobilealert to learn more and sign up.
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myHCC
myHCC is the center of your digital life at Howard Community College! Use it as the starting point for many online services. After logging into myHCC with your HCC Login ID and password, you can view college calendars and announcements, check email, get to your Canvas courses, and use self-service:
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Plan and register for classes.
- Add, drop, or withdrawal from classes.
- Pay your bill.
- See your drop, refund and financial aid and scholarship status, and academic course history.
Choose Self Service in myHCC to take advantage of these and other planning, registration, and financial services. Full registration instructions are provided online and in the printed Schedule of Credit Classes.
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Microsoft 365 For Students
HCC students are eligible to obtain Microsoft 365/Office 365 software for their personal computer and laptop at no cost! Simply visit https://portal.office.com and login using your HCC email address and password.
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Open Access Computers
In addition to the open computer lab, students can log in and use open computers located in the lounge areas of Duncan Hall, Kathleen Hetherington Hall (formerly Health Sciences Building), and the Science Engineering and Technology building. Printing from open areas is only available in Science Engineering and Technology and Kathleen Hetherington Hall second floor. Be sure to log off when you finish working.
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Printing
Credit students are allocated a limited amount of free printing at the beginning of each semester. Your personal printing fund balance will be displayed on the desktop of a lab computer after login. The free printing allocation is shared across campus computers available in the Library, Learning Assistance Center, Science Engineering and Technology first floor open area and Kathleen Hetherington Hall open lab. To continue printing after depleting your initial allocation, log in to a lab computer. Click the link in the print balance box and follow instructions to purchase more printing funds online using a credit or debit card.
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Standards of Acceptable Use of Campus Technology
Consistent with College Mission
Information Technology equipment and services are provided to students to support academic studies. The use of campus information technology resources must be consistent with the mission of the college and be compliant with local, state and federal laws on copyrights, security, and other statutes regarding electronic media.Violations
Students are required to adhere to the college standards of acceptable use of campus technology. Violation of these standards may lead to disciplinary action as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.Prohibited Actions
The following actions are prohibited when using the college network and computer equipment:
- Downloading or installing external applications.
- Copying, transferring, or modifying software installed on the college computers.
- Theft, misuse of, or damage to college computer equipment and supplies.
- Viewing or distribution of pornographic material.
- Connecting personal equipment to the college network other than the open wireless network.
- Interfering with or disrupting other users, services or resources of the college network and computer labs.
- Propagation of computer viruses, spamming, or transmitting chain letters or slanderous materials.
- Use of file and music sharing applications
- Using Peer to Peer connections.
- Commercial activities or other use of college computer resources for financial gain.
- Accessing or tampering with the files and electronic information of others without authorization.
- Disrupting or threatening the viability of the college equipment and network, and networks to which the college’s systems are connected.
- Illegal distribution of copyrighted information or work
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Student Email
The College recognizes email as the official method for communication with students. Students are expected to act upon all official communications received at their college email address. Get your email through myHCC, or visit https://outlook.office.com/mail/. If prompted, login using your HCC email address and password. Check your email regularly, delete messages that you no longer need. Your HCC student email address is yourfirstname.yourlastname@howardcc.edu.
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Technology Service Center
TSC staff are available to assist students having problems with technology. Call 443-518-4444 or visit howardcc.edu/tsc for information, online forms and FAQs.
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Wireless Internet Access
HCC’s free wireless Internet is available to students and guests in most locations on campus. Using your personal laptop or other device, open a browser ( Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge) and log in to the HCCSTUDENT wireless network, using your HCC Login ID and password. Non-students are welcome to access the HCCGUEST wireless network without a login ID and password. HCCGUEST wireless network will provide 2 hours of service before requiring a reconnection by the user.