Checklist for starting English 0301 (Internet)

Taking English 0301 via the internet in many ways is no different than taking it in a traditional face-to-face classroom; however, we have to admit that differences exist.  Accommodating ourselves to these differences will help insure your success in this class. 

Please note: This class has a required on-campus Final Exam where you must come into the SAC Campus. Review this list to get important information for starting 0301 via the Internet. You will need to do and agree to everything on this page:

Technology

   Do you have daily access to a computer and the internet?  You can expect to need sometimes one to three hours of access to a computer per day.

   Do you have basic computer literacy skills?  Can you create a document, save it, and find it again?  Can you cut and copy text?  Can you browse the web? Are you comfortable problem-solving with the computer (because it always seems like something doesn't work and you have to do trial and error to figure something out).

   Have you established your ACCD PALS email account? If not, please go to http://sacportal.accd.edu/cp/home/loginf and follow the instructions listed under " Need Help Logging in?"

Write down your PALS username and password.

   Have you filled out the class information form?  Fill in this form to provide me with basic contact information.  Also, I will generate your access User ID and password for our online learning environment with this information.

   Have you successfully made email contact with the instructor? --llirvin -AT- gmail.com
(note--due to internet bots snagging email addresses written out for spamming, I have used a different way of writing my email address. When you contact me, convert it to the regular email protocol--name@gmail.com)

  System Requirements--A computer no older than five years old with current word processing, internet browsing, and media player applications. High speed internet access is recommended, but not required (some media resources may not be practically available via dial-up access).
VERY IMPORTANT--You will want up-to-date virus, firewall, and spyware software. Also, you will want to be sure that you have updated your Windows and email applications to the latest versions to prevent security problems. Since I will be putting a lot of our orientation materials on video, you will need an updated version of Windows Media Player or Quicktime.

You will be provided with access to our online learning environment (The Writing Club) through our orientation process.

Materials

   Have you gotten our textbooks?
--Anker, Susan. Real Essays: With Readings. 2nd Ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2004.
-- Elbow, Peter. Writing Without Teachers.

--You have bookmarked our Course Home page so that you can get to it easily. (http://www.accd.edu/sac/english/lirvin/0301site/default.html)

Personal Independence and Time

   Are you able to follow directions on your own?  Can you read a document with a list of step-by-step instructions and complete these instructions independently?

   Are you able to commit the time that will be needed to complete this class successfully?  For our class, this may require six to twelve hours of work per week! Also, due dates may come in the middle of the week, so you need to be able to turn in work whenever it may be due.

   You accept the requirement to two conferences during the semester (beyond the required orienation conference).  Conferences are held online but can be done in person.

You have taken the Internet Readiness test to see if an online class is a good fit for you?

   You accept the requirement of completing the COURSE ORIENTATION REQUIREMENTS by no later than Wed. 9/7 (See requirements below). Not completing this orientation by this date will result in your being dropped from the class.

Course Orienation Requirements
You must complete ALL of these requirements to secure your registration in this class. Not completing them will result in you being dropped from the class.

1. Reading the syllabus carefully. And rereading it again.
2. Viewing this Class Orientation set of videos
   **Note: These videos were developed this summer and should work for us this fall too. I will be updating them as necessary. See the calendar for our Fall 08 dates for work due**
   --Welcome and Class Overview
   --The Work of the Class
   --How Attendance works
   --Details on The Book Project: Book Project-- part A; Book Project:--part B
   --Accessing the Writing Club
   **Note: Do not try to access The Writing Club before Aug. 24**
3. Attend one of the two required online course orientations--location and accessing
   Dates: Tues. Aug. 26 6-7:30 PM or Sat. Aug. 30 10-11:30 AM.
4. Successfully accessing our online class environment--The Writing Club and replying to any "Class Announcements" that are posted.
5. Successfully posting our first set of writings (BP-1) by no later than 9/7 (actually due 9/3)

Note for Special Needs students:
As an internet class, this class is better suited for students who are able to learn independently. I certainly will provide as much assistance as I am able for your learning, but experience has shown me that for students with greater needs especially due to learning disabilities or a foreign language background, a face-to-face class where students can receive the extensive one-on-one in-person help they need is better for them. Contact me if you have any questions in this regard.

Last updated August 17, 2008