{"id":100,"date":"2012-01-11T16:13:56","date_gmt":"2012-01-11T21:13:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato-new\/?page_id=100"},"modified":"2026-02-06T13:42:35","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T18:42:35","slug":"students-getting-started","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato\/student-resources\/students-getting-started\/","title":{"rendered":"Students Getting Started"},"content":{"rendered":"

Please read\u00a0Students: What you need to know 2025 – 2026<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Computer Requirements and Student Computer Knowledge:<\/strong>
\nStudents must have access to a computer with an internet connection and email account. The minimum operating systems are Windows 10 or higher and macOS 10.9 or later. All Distance Learning (online) students should have knowledge in the use of basic computer functions including the use of email, sending attachments, the Internet, and basic word processing skills.<\/p>\n

Some courses may require the use and\/or download of various programs, which may include the use of proctored test exam monitoring software such as Respondus Lockdown Browser\/Monitor, podcasting software such as Audacity, screen capture software such as ScreenPal, or video conferencing software such as Zoom, Class for Zoom. Some courses may require the use of a microphone, and\/or camera. Please read all instructor information including syllabus and announcements upon entering the course.<\/p>\n

Course Information:<\/strong>
\nAll courses begin on the date listed in the catalog. Students must be prepared to log in to class on that date or within the first week of class. It can take 24 – 48 hours after registration for students to access entry into their distance learning class. 海角社区 uses PLATO\/Brightspace as their course management system. This is the software application used for online classes. Online courses have a PLATO Student Overview course in the My Courses widget for new PLATO users and as a refresher for previous PLATO users.<\/p>\n

About Online Courses:<\/strong>
\nYou can log in to your class or do homework and assignments at any time 24\/7. There may be times however, when specific assignments, tests, or other time sensitive homework must be completed within given time constraints. Most courses require a textbook. The publishers of some course content may require students to purchase an access code. Access codes may be purchased with your new book or purchased separately. Books can be purchased online by contacting the 海角社区 Bookstore: https:\/\/westfield.ecampus.com\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Getting Connected: Log into PLATO<\/strong><\/h3>\n

When can I log in?
\n<\/strong>Each semester, new 海角社区 students will be loaded into the Plato system upon enrollment. Students will have access to the Student Overview course on their My Courses widget to get familiar with the system. It is highly recommended that students review this course.<\/p>\n

We have officially switched to Plato\/Brightspace. If you have the old Plato\/Blackboard site bookmarked, that will no longer take you to where you need to go.<\/p>\n

Step 1:<\/strong>
\nGo to the Plato home page: www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Step 2:<\/strong>
\nClick the “Log into PLATO” button and follow the PLATO log in Instructions<\/a><\/p>\n

When will I see my course?
\n<\/strong>Students will have access to courses in Plato by 8 AM on the first day of classes.<\/p>\n

Support Resources:<\/strong>
\n<\/a>A link to the PLATO Help Desk can be found on the Plato home page, directly below the PLATO log in button, and also in Plato Help & Resources on the blue nav bar when you are logged into Plato\/Brightspace.<\/p>\n

If you are having issues logging in, please contact the Technology Support Desk<\/a><\/p>\n

On Site Help:
\n<\/strong>If you need on site assistance with PLATO please call 413-572-8130 or stop by the CIT at Wilson 114.<\/p>\n

The Technology Support Desk can be reached on campus in Wilson Hall, Room 104, or by calling 413-572-4357.<\/p>\n

Distance Learning at 海角社区<\/strong>
\nSupported by the Center for Instructional Technology
\nWilson Hall, Room 114
\n413-572-8130<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Please read\u00a0Students: What you need to know 2025 – 2026 Computer Requirements and Student Computer Knowledge: Students must have access to a computer with an internet connection and email account. The minimum operating systems are Windows 10 or higher and macOS 10.9 or later. All Distance Learning (online) students should have knowledge in the use […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":8,"menu_order":2,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-100","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/100","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100"}],"version-history":[{"count":46,"href":"https:\/\/www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/100\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8603,"href":"https:\/\/www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/100\/revisions\/8603"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.westfield.ma.edu\/plato\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}