Accessing Your Online Course(s)	Taking an Online Course
Attendance	Feedback and Responses
Technical Requirements	Technical Assistance
Study and Survival Tips	How Courses are Organized
Course Evaluations	College Policies

Accessing Your Online Course(s)

Please read as the process has changed for accessing online courses at FCCJ.

FCCJ now assigns students with a global student ID. Students will use this ID for all FCCJ web applications, such as student email, ARTEMIS (student registration portal), and online class access. Students do not need to email Instructors for access to their online courses. Once a student registers and pays for their online course, they are automatically enrolled and have access to the course on the first day of class.

If you do not have your FCCJ Student ID, or if you need more information, please read the new guidelines at:

http://www1.fccj.edu/ngardner/Courseware%20Upgradefactsheetstudent.htm

Please note that access to online courses does not officially begin until the official start date of class. You will not be able to access the course until that date. You may email me or call me at any time before the term officially begins if you have any questions about the course.

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Taking an Online Course

Taking an online course is ideal for students with busy schedules and can be more convenient than an on-campus class. But please remember, online classes are not easier and do have deadlines, assignments, and participation requirements just like on-campus classes. Please budget your time carefully and keep an open line of communication with me. If you are having technical problems, problems with your assignments, or problems that are impeding your progress let me know as soon as possible by calling or emailing me so that we can work together to ensure your success in the class.

You should review the Online Course page at the Distance Learning web site carefully for important information about technical requirements, online learning FAQs, technical support resources, and tips and resources. Also see the Distance Learning Student Handbook for very useful information.

All of my online courses are offered in Blackboard.

Blackboard is a learning management system used to deliver courses over the Internet. It is a web-based software platform that you will log into and use to access course materials and exercises that I make available to you such as the syllabus, calendar, bulletin board discussions, links, and much more. The only experience you need is basic world wide web browsing skills. Once you are assigned a username and password by me (you must email me for this before the first day of class), you will always log into the course at http://bb6.fccj.edu/

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Attendance

All online courses that I teach are offered fully online. There are no class meetings required, however, there will be participation requirements and field experience requirements for some classes. Participation is interpreted as attendance and is always weighted into your final grade.

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Feedback and Communicating with Me

Generally, you can expect an email or telephone response from me within 2 business days, including weekends. Usually, it is within less time. Email is the BEST way to contact me. In order to receive a prompt email response, please include in the subject line your course number (e.g., EDG2701) and in the body of the message be sure to tell me your name.

You can also post questions to the Discussion Board. I provide a "Questions for Instructor" forum within which you can read other questions and answers, as well as post. I may also offer optional weekly chat sessions, during which you may ask questions and/or discuss course material.

You can expect course assignments to be graded and grades posted with feedback within one week. All grades are posted in the Gradebook. Depending on the assignment, you will also receive individualized feedback via email. If I am delayed, I will let you know in advance in the Announcements area.

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Technical Requirements

All online courses require the following:

	Computer with personal access to the Internet (e.g., computer with a modem, or cable modem connection). This is critical, as you cannot take an online course without access to the Internet. If you do not have Internet access, do not despair! FCCJ offers all paid and enrolled students a FREE email account and Dial-In Access. If you have a computer with a modem, you can use FCCJ's Dial-In service to connect to the Internet free of charge. You must have an FCCJ student e-mail account BEFORE you can use the student dialup services. For information about how to activate your Student Account and Dial-In Service, see http://www.fccj.edu/current/stucomputing/internetdialup.html
	An e-mail account, see above for information about FCCJ account access.
	Web-browser software (at least Internet Explorer 4.5 download now, or Netscape 4.7 download now)
	Windows 95 operating system or higher
	Virus-checking software Any and all file(s) submitted to me for grading that are infected will result in a 20% grade reduction.  Please make sure you are keeping your virus scan updated!
	Some courses offer PowerPoint presentations as an option to view course notes. In order to view PowerPoint presentations, you must have PowerPoint on your computer, OR download the free PowerPoint Viewer from Microsoft web site. All course content is available in HTML, and PowerPoint format is optional.
	All written assignments must be in a Microsoft Word format. If you do not have Word, within your word processing program save the file as text or html, then submit.
	You must meet the general technical requirements, AND also have an understanding of the World Wide Web, word processing, and email. Be honest with me if you feel that you may not meet the technical requirements. If you are forthcoming, then we can work together to help you meet the requirements.

Some web sites and courses require additional software programs for your web browser called "plug-ins," that enable your browser to display various audio, video, or graphics.  Some of these utilities are:

* PowerPoint Viewer Download (You will need this!)
* Adobe Acrobat Reader (for PDF files) Download
* Quicktime digital media player Download
* RealPlayer digital media player Download
* Macromedia Shockwave Player Download
* WSFTP Free Version Download

The rest will not be required for my courses, however, you may be asked to visit web sites that prompt you to have or download these utilities.

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Technical Assistance

Technical assistance is provided by the Learner Support Center. Please call 904-632-3151 for assistance, or email helpdesk@fccj.edu. The hours of operation are:

Monday - Thursday 7am - 10pm
Friday 7am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm
Sunday 1pm - 5pm

Please consult me with any problems related to the course and reserve technical problems for the Help Desk staff. The Help Desk will not be able to assist you with problems related to the course, such as deadlines, content questions, exams/quizzes, etc.

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Study Skills and Survival Tips

	Taking an online course should be an enjoyable, rewarding experience. However, you must:
	Possess or have access to the required technologies. You must have access to a computer with a modem or direct Internet connection. In addition, you must have a basic suite of software that includes web browser, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation programs, such as MS Office.
	Possess or be willing to learn basic computer competencies. At minimum, you should be able to navigate the Internet, type in a word processing program, save and retrieve files, and use email. Blackboard is the web-based software that you will use to access your online course. It is intuitive and easy to learn, provided that you have basic Internet navigation skills.
	Understand and accept the fact that online courses are not easier than face-to-face courses. In fact, you will find that an online course requires much more time and a greater commitment on your part. Unlike a face-to-face course, where you have a predetermined meeting time, an online course requires you to determine your own "meeting times," that is, times that you will work on your course. Expect to devote 5-15 hours per week to each course, and log in 5-7 days per week.
	Set aside uninterrupted time and space to work on your online course. Have someone else watch the kids, close your office door... you get the idea.
	Read everything carefully, especially the documents under Course Information. When you first login to class, you should familiarize yourself with the course design. Success depends on your ability and willingness to read carefully and follow instructions.
	Be willing to participate, and understand the rules of participation. For example, in the "online" world of communication there are codes of etiquette (netiquette) that you should familiarize yourself with. See http://www.distancelearning.org/HowToSucceed.html for more information.
	Keep on track and don't fall behind. If you fall behind in short session courses, it will be extremely difficult for you to catch up. Find a calendar tool that you can live with and use it to chart all of your due dates and assignments on a timeline. Word has a Calendar Wizard that does the job thoroughly and inexpensively. Set deadlines for yourself and stick to them. I know it's easier said than done, but the reward is that you will save yourself a lot of frustration and anxiety!
	Learn how to evaluate and cite Internet resources. See How to Evaluate a Web Site and the Information It Delivers for a great discussion of this topic. I will provide more information about this as part of each course.
	Don't forget the library. If you are writing a research paper, you MUST use the library. Many full text databases are available via FCCJ that enable you to conduct solid research remotely.

Speak up if you are having problems. Since I do not see you every week, it's harder for me to assess your progress or recognize any problems you are having until I see your grades or notice that you have not logged in recently. If you are having technical difficulties or problems understanding the course assignments or material, you must let me know by email or phone.

Remember, you must be self-motivated and disciplined, and devote the necessary time to the class! If you can't meet these guidelines, then you may want to consider a face-to-face course.

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How Courses Are Organized

If this is your first Blackboard course, you should review the Blackboard Student Manual for an overview. The Manual is available under the Student Tools button. The following is an overview of each button link, and where you can find documents and resources for this course:

	At the beginning of each week, I will post and announcement that provides an overview of the coming week's assignments and topics.
	Here you will find all course information documents, including the Syllabus, Discussion Guidelines, and Orientation.
	Information about your instructor(s).
	All of the course material is under this button. There is a separate folder for each weekly unit. Within each folder you will find all reading assignments, content modules and exercises.
	Communication tools are all found under this button: Use to send email to instructor and classmates. Please note that email will go to whichever personal email account is specified within Blackboard. The general discussion board is used for all class discussions. This is the Blackboard "chat" tool. There may be some optional chats, to be announced. Includes information and links to all students enrolled in the class. Link to group area. Depending on your course, the Groups area will be used in some capacity. If you are assigned to your a group, you will access it via this link.
	Link to your group area.
	As I find websites of interest, I will post them here for you review and use.
	Use to Edit your Homepage. Your Blackboard Homepage is available only within Blackboard. Use to edit your personal information (like a directory listing viewable to your classmates) within Blackboard. Use to access the Online Gradebook. I will post your grades as they are submitted, graded and available. Blackboard Student Manual. Consult this searchable manual first with questions or issues about using Blackboard. This tool is for your own personal optional use. It allows you to make and save notes within Blackboard. Address book for the class.

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Course Evaluations

All FCCJ distance learning courses are surveyed. All surveys and results are completely anonymous. If you have questions about any of the surveys, please contact the Distance Learning Office.

Three types of surveys are administered to students:

Orientation Survey
If your distance learning course requires an on-campus orientation, you will be asked to fill out a one-page orientation survey. All of my orientation material is online, so you will not be asked to fill out Orientation Surveys.

Withdrawal Survey
After the term withdrawal deadline (usually 5-6 weeks after the official start date of the term), a withdrawal survey is mailed to students who have withdrawn, or received an AW (Administrative Withdrawal) from a distance learning course.

End of Term Survey
Distance learning courses are evaluated at the end of each term. For each distance learning course you are enrolled in, you will be asked to fill out a one-page web-based survey. End-of-term surveys are administered within the final week of the term. For my courses, online evaluations are administered. As always, the results are completely anonymous.

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College Policies

All of my courses follow the Academic Dishonesty and Discipline Procedures set forth by FCCJ. These college-wide policies can be found here.

Remember that this includes:

1. cheating, which is defined as the giving or taking of any information or material with the intent of wrongfully aiding oneself or another in academic work considered in the determination of a course grade or the outcome of a standardized assessment,

2. plagiarism, which is defined as the act of stealing or passing off as one’s own work the words, ideas or conclusions of another as if the work submitted were the product of one’s own thinking rather than an idea or product derived from another source, or

3. any other form of inappropriate behavior which may include but is not limited to falsifying records or data, lying, unauthorized copying, tampering, abusing or otherwise unethically using computer or other stored information, and any other act or misconduct which may reasonably be deemed to be a part of this heading

Please also note add/drop, refund and withdrawal deadlines. These dates are provided for each session on the College Calendar.

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