Checklist for Getting Started with English 1301 (via the Internet)

Taking English 1301 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. 

Review this list to see if you are ready for 1301 via the Internet:

How Long Will It Take To Get COMPLETELY Ready for English 1301?
This checklist has a number of tasks for you to do as well as orientation materials for your to review. Once you review all this material, you should be "ready" to start English 1301. Expect that it may take you two to three hours to get completely "ready." You need to be able to say "Yes" and/or do each of the items below:

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). Can you attach a file to a online message?

   Have you logged in to ACES and accessed your "Student E-mail." Alamo Colleges has shifted all students over to a new email address, only accessible from this "Student E-mail" link.

NOTE: ALL email communication for our class will be done through ACES, so you need to check your ACES email regularly. (Do not use the BB internal mail system to contact me, please. Use my ACES email.) Please follow the above email etiquette for subject lines

   Have you successfully communicated with your instructor by filling out this form.
(Filling in this form is foregoing the requirement to contact me via email. Send the form and I know you are enrolled and have begun the class.

  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. 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. Also, many handouts or other information is in pdf format, so you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. Get it here for free.

Technical Problems-- In the event of any technical problems, call the Alamo College Tech Support: 485-0555
Write it down. Call it with any technical problems you are having participating in this class.

Materials

   Have you gotten our textbooks?
--Hacker, Diana. A Writer's Reference. 7th Edition.
--Trimble, John. Writing With Style. 2nd Edition

--You have bookmarked our Course Home page so that you can get to it easily. http://www.lirvin.net/1301sitebb/home.htm

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? Our class, like any college class, will require anywhere from six to twelve hours of time a week. Since our class is a Start II class and will move 15% faster than a regular semester class, anticipate seven to thirteen hours per week of work for this class..

You understand that this class has an on-campus final exam that you are expected to attend. In limited cases for students living far from San Antonio, I will accept doing a proctored exam; however, it is the student's responsibility to set up this exam. Note: I may for the first time allow an online portfolio and not require the face-to-face final, but this is only contingent on me getting this to work.

Course Orientation Materials

IF THIS IS YOUR FIRST TIME TAKING AN ONLINE CLASS, be sure to take the SAC Online orientation modules found here. (Forward me copies of your test results.)

Go to our course home page (http://www.lirvin.net/1301sitebb/home.htm). Read our syllabus carefully. I know it is dull reading, but read it and read it again. Poke your nose around the entire site. Open each of the links to see what is available from our course home page.

Take a look at the orientation videos I will be producing for the class. These orientation videos as well as all other support "how to" videos will be found from our course home page and the Course Videos link.

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.

English 1301 Home © Lennie Irvin 2012