faq onlinestudents fa10-modified
DESCRIPTION
A modified version of the FAQ for Online students, for ED-214TRANSCRIPT
*Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ* for Online Students
1adapted by P. Blanco, Grossmont College
ASTR110-ED214: Introduction to Astronomy
Instructor: Dr. Philip Blanco, Grossmont College,
California, USA.
Email:Philip.Blanco @ gcccd.edu (by far the best method)
Office: 34-158. Phone: +1 (619) 644-7312.
Web page:http://www.grossmont.edu/philipblanco
Online office hours (using Blackboard Chat):
Mon/Wed 1-2:30pm,
Tue/Thu 7-8pm (all times Pacific USA)
Textbook: The Essential Cosmic
Perspective, 5th ed. by Bennett et al.
ISBN-10: 0321566947:
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• Self-motivated and self-starters
• Have good organizational skills
• Have good time-management
skills
• Are familiar with computers and
the Internet
• Are resourceful and actively seek
answers and solutions to
questions and problems.
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• Identify yourself by name in each
email or postings.
• Be supportive and constructive in
your comments to each other.
• Everyone will benefit from a
positive online learning
environment.
• Read information on Online
Etiquette (use the back button
to come back and finish the
presentation).
4
• Course objectives
• Course expectations
• Assignments
How to submit assignments
How to label files
• How to address your e-mails to
the instructor
• Grading Policies
• Other course issues
5
You must not:
• Take others’ thoughts or words without appropriate
acknowledgment.
• Submit work that has been written or revised in part or in whole by
another person.
• Submit work that you have submitted for another class.
It is a violation of college policy to plagiarize or
to recycle work.
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• Most online classes are NOT self-paced.
• Usually homework, other activities, and
online class participation must be
completed by deadline.
• Many Instructors set the deadline for
midnight on Saturday to assist those who
work Monday-Friday.
• Use a calendar for deadlines.
• Set aside time each week to login.
Answer: NO
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Answer: That it is up to you.
• You should plan to spend at least the
same amount of time you would spend
on a face-to-face class.
• For a one unit class - you'll spend a
minimum of one hour a week looking at
some of the class resources, checking
on assignments, contributing to
discussions, and posting homework.
• You’ll probably spend another 3 hours
on reading, practice activities and
homework.
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Answer: Usually not
• You will have deadlines by which to submit
your homework, but WHEN you complete
that work is usually up to you.
• Your instructor MAY require chat sessions or
other real time activities.
• It’s important NOT to leave it to the last
minute to do your work or to submit it.
• If you have trouble connecting to your ISP
or the course website, then your
assignments will be late.
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• Other than the orientation meeting, most online courses don't really "meet" in a physical face to face sense.
• We'll interact regularly through the Internet.
• We'll be using some software calledMasteringAstronomy, available with the textbook.
• Course materials are available on the course web pages, the bulletin boards, announcements and email.
Answer: Online, not in a classroom.
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Answer: In many ways.
• We'll communicate with each other
using web-based bulletin boards, chat
rooms and email.
• The instructor is available to you
through email, voicemail and virtual
office hours.
• On-campus office hours are also
available by appointment.
• These same tools will be used for
student-to-student communication
also.
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Answer: No
• Some students think an online class is
even more demanding than a face-to-
face class.
• You have to stay motivated and stay
on top of your work for the class.
• The workload in an online class is
usually identical to an on-site class on
the same topic.
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Answer: No
• Access to a computer at home makes it
easier, but you do NOT have to own a
computer for an online class.
• Students can access computers on the
campus in several locations (the
Learning Resource Center, and the
Business Computer lab, for example) or
at other district colleges.
• Some students complete online classes
from work (with permission from their
employer, of course).
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Answer:
• Know how to use a web browser.
• Know how to use an email program.
• Know how to make and organize bookmarks in your
browser software.
• Some familiarity with web-based interactions
bulletin boards, chat and mailing lists will also be
useful.
• Some familiarity with word processing.
• Experience in successful Internet searches using a
variety of search engines.
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Answer: • As in a regular face-to-face class, your
instructor expects that you will adhere to
standards of:
Courtesy
Professionalism
Academic honesty
• Participate with appropriate consideration
for each other and for the instructor.
• Your emails and web postings should:
On the topic at hand
Be appropriate
Should reflect a professional demeanor
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• Online links
GCCCD Online Tutorials
http://www.gcccd.net/online/tutorials/tutorials.ht
m
GCCCD Online Orientation
http://www.gcccd.net/online/orientation.htm
Login to Blackboard at GCCCD
http://bb.gcccd.edu
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