WHY:
It is my hope that online classes will help develop some of the
writing skills that are required in today's post-technological
world: the ability to communicate readily, intelligently, and
professionally through online media. Online learning can offer
students new ways to learn; the opportunity to practice the
discipline needed for independent work habits; and provide an
alternative forum for participation in class discussion.
Participation can, in fact, improve in an online environment,
where the pressures of commuting, parking, and other work/family
obligations have less of an impact on attendance than they might
have in face-to-face classes.
WHERE:
On Thursdays we meet on campus. Your work for this class will be
due every Tuesday on Blackboard. For those without access to their
own personal computers, there are facilities on campus: in Sprague
Library, University Hall, and the Student Center. Links on
Blackboard will give detailed instructions, which are generally
posted no later than the day before class (Monday afternoon); I
will send an announcement via Blackboard that the instructions
have been posted.
WHEN +
WHAT: Online classes take place asynchronously (everyone not online at the same
time). That means that you will complete tasks on your own
by the scheduled date and time on Tuesday (probably by 2:30, depending on when I post
instructions). Tasks will never be due before our class
is scheduled to take place, but it is a good idea to complete them
beforehand, in case any technological difficulties occur.
Generally these asynchronous sessions take place on Blackboard
and/or are based on pre-recorded online lectures (using, mostly
likely, iTunesU). I design each task to fit in the 75 minutes
allotted to class, and I indicate how long each task should take.
HOW:
I have found that
online classes favor students who are accustomed to coming to
class prepared, often as a result of their organization, hard
work, and dedication (and probably the reading skills that allow
them to focus and complete tasks in a prescribed amount of time). However, students who
procrastinate and do not keep to the reading schedule for classes
often struggle in online classes. In order to keep you on track, you may not make up
missed online classes; asynchronous classes have a time limit.
Nor is it appropriate for you to enroll in this course if you
are not prepared to attend all face-to-face meetings. Online
classes will be evaluated in order to provide incentive to
complete all assigned tasks (see syllabus, Participation for
details). Failure to complete all assigned tasks will likely
result in an absence.
Participation online works the same way it does
in class. Showing up is just half the job, and showing up for just
half of a class does not necessarily mean you participated well.
There are lots of ways to participate online--going above and
beyond the required response, comments on peers' questions and
essays, etc. (Blackboard).
I am very understanding about technical issues.
If you are having any technical issues, please do contact me
(email is best, and directly through Blackboard) so that we can
try and find a solution for your problems.
One way to avoid technological issues is to start tasks early. Waiting until the last minute to complete asynchronous tasks does not leave students enough time to deal with last minute problems. Technology is a wonderful tool, but at times unreliable. Therefore, the key to succeeding in an online class is to plan ahead and be mindful of upcoming due dates. Part of what you're learning in an online class is self-motivated discipline (a key to succeeding in many professions). Therefore, it's not appropriate to ask for extra time on tasks for which I have already given ample time to complete.