Class Orientation for EME 2040 Technology

1. You will login to the WebCT class by typing the following address in your browser:

http://webct6.valenciacollege.edu . This brings you to a new page in which you will click on Valencia College. Next click on Log in (see picture below).

2. In the next window use your ATLAS login for the user name, and your ATLAS PIN for the password (see top right).

3. Select the EME 2040 Technology for Educators (see picture below).

4. This is your opening screen. It has two main windows. The Course Tools is located along the left and the Course Content Home is the large window at the right. The Course Content Home will be your homepage,

and you will use this as your main window to navigate this course. When you first open the page you will only see the Class Orientation and the word Start. Click on this link and complete the first module. If you are having problems with your browser, I have created a short movie that gives an overview of making your browser compatible with WebCT.

5. The orientation includes a quiz which you must pass with a grade of 70% or greater to begin using the site. You can take the quiz up as many times as you need,  but you must pass before moving ahead. This unlocks the 12 Learning Modules that correspond with the chapters in your text. The quiz is based on the information in this orientation.

This is what the Course Content Homepage looks like after you have passed the quiz.

Each number represents one of the 12 Learning Modules.

6. Course Tools window  is located at he left of the screen.  You access each item in the site individually, but I have also included these tools in each Learning Module to make this site easier to follow.

   1. If you click on the double arrows indicated below, you can expand or collapse this window.

By collapsing this window, you have a larger work area on the screen. However you have icons only in your Course Tools when collapsed.

double arrows

7. You can find the latest information and instructions for this site at the top of the Course Content Homepage. It contains a scrolling message as well as the latest announcements. I will be updating this frequently, so check this area each time you log in for the latest “Breaking News”.

8. The basic building blocks for this course are the Learning Modules. They contain links to the Assignments, Syllabus, Assessments (tests), Discussions, Learning Objectives and Web Links. You can go to the Course Tools to go back and work on any item.

9. Below is a list of the grading items as shown in the syllabus. This is an overview. Each item will have detailed instructions.

    

   1. Participation Items [total of 25]  that count for 15% of your grade.

      1. Orientation assignment

      2. 12 Chapter Questions

      3. 12 Chapter Discussions

   2. Project 1 Informational School Flyer that counts 15% of your grade.

   3. Project 2 PowerPoint Presentation that counts for 15% of your grade.

   4. Project 3 School Web Page that counts for
      15% of your grade.

   5. Midterm Exam that counts for
      15% of your grade.

   6. Final Exam that counts for
      15% of your grade.

   7. Electronic Portfolio that counts for
      10% of your grade.

10. These are your Communication Tools :

    1. Discussions: These are part of your participation grade and must be used for full credit in this class. They are also useful for asking questions taht you wish shared with the whole class..

    2. Mail:  Used for personal or private communication with the instructor or other class member

    3. Who's Online: Lets you chat with other members who are currently logged into WebCT. This is a live chat room when other class members are logged into WebCT
        

11. E-mail.   When you want to communicate with the instructor, you should use the tools in WebCT. Use WebCT exclusively to communicate with me unless you are having technical difficulties with the WebCT site. Also, do not use E-Mail to submit assignments. There is function in each assignment that lets you attach files and submit them for grading. Things submitted outside of that tool can easily get lost.

12. Assignments. When you select an assignment you will find the following items in the assignment window:

    1. Instructions  Gives information and requirements of that item.

    2. Attachments  Can be downloaded and used in creating the assignment.

    3. Add Attachments  Items you will upload with the assignment.

    4. Add Comments  Explanations you want included with your assignment

    5. Submit  The button you will select when you have completed the assignment and want it released for grading

    6. Due Date  Shows the date the assignment must be submitted by.

    7. Type  Shows if this is an individual or group project

Screen shots of the Assignment Tools mentioned above.

Instructions at top left.

Attachments, Due Date and Type at bottom left.

Add Attachments, Add Comments and Submit at bottom right.

• Please note that once you submit an assignment you cannot take it back. If you are not ready to submit an assignment, you can Save as Draft and return to it later.

13. Checking Grades.   Select the My Grades Tool from Course Tools to see your  grades.

My Grades located near the bottom of Course Tools.

14. Secret to this course.  The greatest secret to successfully completing this course is to follow instructions. If you are not already familiar with working with computers,

the hardest thing to learn is that they are very literal. Computers do not understand what you mean --  they only understand what you say. I will try to give specific instructions. Take these at their simplest, most direct meaning, and you will have very little difficulty. Don’t follow them, and you will begin to learn what it means to have technical difficulties.

This is a course about technology, and you will be learning information about technology while you learn to use in practical applications.

15. Practice Quizzes.    I do not record your actual score, you can take the tests multiple times.

I make your Midterm and your Final Exams from the questions on the practice tests. Take these practice tests as a review for your Midterm and Final. Even though they are not required, I can assure you that you will make much lower scores on your Midterm and Final if you don't make use of them.

From past classes, I can tell you that those students who do not take the practice tests average about 55% on the Midterm and Final, while those who take the tests averaged over 85%. The choice is yours.

16. Midterm and Final Exams.  These tests must be taken at a testing center. I automatically send out information out to the four Valencia Testing Centers with a class roll and the password needed to take them exam. The four campuses are East, West, Osceola or Winter Park. You can take the test at the campus of your choice.

Below is a link you can click to check the operating hours at each Testing Center.

Click here for Testing Center information

17. Tests for Students not in Central Florida.   If you are not located near any Valencia campus, you must find a local college that will allow you to take the test at their facility. This must be done at the beginning of this class, and you must pay any fees they may charge. Please e-mail me (in WebCT) the contact person and phone number so I can communicate with them. This must be done before the Midterm. No EXCEPTIONS.

18. How to contact me.   If you cannot access the website, or need to talk with me
    Phone: (407) 582-2431
    E-Mail: dhaskins@valenciacollege.edu.
    Office: Valencia East Campus Building 4, Room 101 (Student Computer Center)
    This is a technology course, and you must learn to work with this technology to successfully complete the course.