Access
Note: accessibility
Cirrus is not an accessible platform for anyone with visual impairment or blindness, nor does it offer accommodations and adjustments for physical disability such as one-hand-only courses. If any of this is of relevance to you, please use Typing Club instead as I can customize your course features.
First time sign-in
Before or during your first day of KBD, you will receive an activation code for Cirrus from your campus's Student Services. This code comes on a single pdf page and is structured as four sets of characters separated by hyphens. Each student requires their own individual code, so you cannot share.
Please double-check that your code page says "Vancouver Career College" before using it
Go to the Cirrus sign-in page (also linked on the KBD Course page).
Enter your activation code in the First Time User field (the bottom of the page).
Create your account by filling in your information and choosing a username/password.
Choose "Vancouver Career College" to see active courses.
Choose the course which has BAIRD at the end. Currently, my course is called: VaCC Keyboarding 1-60 Spring 2024 Caitlin Baird
If you are struggling to create your account or to enroll in my course, please reach out right away or join office hour.
Navigation & Interface
The Cirrus platform is a commercial browser-based embedded emulator of a Windows 10 OS running the Paradigm desktop application. This means, in practical terms, that everything is contained in a small pane within your browser window; for the most ease of use, click the Fullscreen expander in the upper left of the window.
Common troubles solved by using the Fullscreen mode:
The pane is too small.
I can't scroll to see different areas of the screen.
I can't display the textbook and see the typing area simultaneously.
FAQ: Why did they design it as an embedded emulator?
The program is the same as it has been for many years, recently updated to reflect Word 2019 instead of Word 2016. The desktop software was notorious for not working on many home computers and not having a version available for Mac users. The new embedded version is thus Paradigm's response to customer requests for a browser-based version - instead of designing a new interface, they provided a space in which users can run the original platform within the browser.
FAQ: The program seems to lag and doesn't accurately record my speeds.
This means there is too much traffic on your network - being a program within an emulator, Cirrus requires strong internet connections. Close other internet-connected apps on your device, particularly any streaming services, and try again. You can test your connection quality with tools such as fast.com. A good connection will be over 40mbps; a really good connection is closer to 100. If your connection is dipping under 40, you may experience lag. Wired connections are also typically faster than wireless ones. For WiFi, make sure you're close to your modem/router. If the problem persists, please join office hour and share your screen so I can confirm the problem.
FAQ: Can I download the textbook?
Unfortunately, at this time, Kendall-Hunt has not made a version of their ereader which allows downloads.
FAQ: I just can't get it to work! Can I give up on it and use Typing Club instead?
Join me for an office hour and/or send me screenshots. I will give permission to exclusively use Typing Club for your practical tests based on your individual situation. Remember, Cirrus is the official software chosen by the Academics Department. You can always provide feedback in the ECampus end-of-course survey - it goes to people with power, so it's worth it to share your thoughts.
NB: the ECampus knowledge tests are based on the embedded textbook.
Textbook
The e-text is built into the course. NOTE: Hard-copy textbooks are available at some campuses, but not all.
To Access
Sign into Cirrus. From the Course Home page, select ebook. Click the link next to the puzzle piece to open. The text will open in its own pane within the emulator. You can resize and move the pane to be visible at the same time as your activity.
Navigate
Use the buttons in the top left of the pane to access the different units, add bookmarks, make notes, etc. Unfortunately there is no read-aloud feature.
Completion
There are eight practical tests spread over sixty lessons. For a listing, please see the tracker form linked below. When you are satisfied with your results, please record them in the Cirrus Test Tracker Form.
The ten knowledge tests on ECampus are based on the textbook content but taken in the LockDown Browser.
NB: You maintain access to Cirrus and the e-text for 365 days after activation.
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