/ Knowledge Base / Essentials / EdReady for Students / Getting Started

Getting Started

Introduction:

Students beginning the Essentials courses will follow the instructions below will help students get started in their Essentials courses.

Details:

  1. First, begin by accessing your course.
  2. Then click the Announcements option from the left navigation menu.
    Note: Announcements contain important information for students such as dates, instructor availability, and tips and tricks for working in the Essentials courses.  This information is updated by the instructor at least once a week, but students should check for new announcements every time a course is opened.
  3. Next click the Instructor Info option from the left navigation menu to learn more about the instructor’s background and alternative contact methods.
  4. Then select the Start Here option from the left navigation menu. The Start Here page contains a “Mixed-media Check” section that will display a thumbs-up image indicating that the test passed. If the image is not present, have your mentor contact your school’s IT department.
    Screen capture of the Mixed Media Check assignment item with an arrow pointing to an empty square box. Above the box reads, "Do you see a larger image of this in the box below?"
  5. Next select the Unit 0: Student Orientation link from the left navigation menu.
    Blackboard navigation menu shows and arrow pointing to the Unit 0 Student Orientation option per the above instructions.
  6. Then a list of course lessons and assignments will appear. In order, click the activity title to open and complete before moving on to the next.
    Screen capture of the Student Orientation page with arrows pointing to the lesson (unit 0) and orientation assignment (0.1 introduction).
  7. After completing Unit 0, students may proceed to the first module available in the course.

Last updated on August 17, 2020

Keep up with the latest Michigan Virtual has to offer

Limited Course Capacity

We’re sorry to inform you that we have reached capacity for several of our Semester 1 and Trimester 1 courses. You’ll notice when attempting to enroll students in our Student Learning Portal that some courses are unavailable. While we are no longer accepting new enrollments for these courses at this time, many courses continue to remain open for enrollment.

With many students across the state 100% remote, demand for our online courses is greater than ever before. Because every course we offer is taught by a Michigan-certified teacher, this high volume of enrollments has created capacity issues for our teachers who provide each and every student with individual feedback.

While the Michigan Virtual team anticipated and planned for significant increases in student enrollments this Fall, the increased demand we’ve experienced has been unprecedented. As a result, we are taking steps to hire even more part-and full-time teachers to support larger numbers of student enrollments for Semester 2 as well as for Trimester 2 and 3. 

For schools that still need online learning options this year, please fill out the form at the bottom of our virtual pathways page to meet with someone to discuss other solutions. While some of our teacher-led courses are full, we may still have the capacity to help you in upcoming terms or can discuss timing to implement a whole-school or collaborative program in which local teachers from your school/district use our online course content to teach students. We also have free course content and resources available for you to use.

We know this is an incredibly stressful time for all, and we’re sorry if the courses you’re looking for are unavailable. We never want to turn away a student who wants to learn from us. Our top concern, however, is student success, and we have a policy to not take on additional enrollments if we cannot guarantee that all students will have a quality online learning experience. 

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate the unusually high volume of enrollments we are receiving.