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 Tuesdays we meet on campus. On Thursdays, class takes place
online. 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 (Wednesday evening); I will send
an announcement via Blackboard that the instructions have been
posted. I will also let you know at least a week in advance
whether these online meetings will take place synchronously, during our
scheduled class time, or asynchronously through
syllabus updates and class announcements.
WHEN
+ WHAT: When class takes place synchronously (everyone
interacting online at the same time), students may not
schedule work or other activities during our scheduled class
time, because at least part of that time is reserved for live
lectures with chat, video, audio, and writing functions through
a Java program called Blackboard
Collaborate or Elluminate. In order to participate in
these sessions, you will need a computer with internet and a
sound card, and hopefully some microphone capability (not
required, but great if possible). I generally start these live
online sessions later so that students have time to secure a
computer if they are on campus. I will provide instructions on
how these sessions take place (no downloads required) at a later
date.
Sometimes Thursday classes will take place
asynchronously (everyone
not interacting
online at the same time). That means that you will
complete tasks on your own by a scheduled date and time (listed
on the day's instructions on Blackboard/Online Classes). Tasks
will never be due before our class is scheduled to take place,
but you may choose to complete them beforehand depending on your
schedule. Generally these asynchronous sessions take place on
Blackboard and/or are based on pre-recorded online lectures
available via Blackboard > Academic Tools > 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 those who work hard and can keep to a
schedule. However,
students who procrastinate and have a difficult time keeping to
a schedule 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
synchronous online meetings. Asynchronous online classes
will be evaluated in order to provide incentive to complete all
assigned tasks (see syllabus 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--direct questions, comments, raising your hand (Blackboard
Collaborate/Elluminate), as well as 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.
Plagiarizing
material for online classes will result in an automatic F for
the course.