Your Transportation to Class

"What?!  Why do I need transportation for an online class?!"  Well, you wouldn't enroll in an on-campus class if you didn't have a reliable way to get there, right?  So, you shouldn't enroll in an online class unless you have regular and reliable access to the internet.  This class requires high speed internet access (DSL, cable or satellite) due to the large, multimedia files you'll regularly be accessing.  First, enrolling in my online classes requires that you have regular, reliable access to a high speed internet connection.  Reliable "transportation" is paramount to your success in this online class.

Characteristics of Successful Online Students

Succeeding in an online class requires a set of characteristics that are unique from those required in a traditional face-to-face class.   Successful online students are self-motivated, self-disciplined, organized, proactive in seeking help and learn well through reading.  If you are unsure about whether or not you have the characteristics of a successful online student, please take a few moments to complete the Online Student Readiness Quiz on the Sierra College Distance Learning website or watch the recording of my live Student Success Workshop from Sierra College titled "Are You Ready for an Online Class?" (one hour in length).

If you haven't noticed, online classes fill very quickly and it's my goal to ensure the students who have secured a spot in my online classes intend to stay enrolled.  If you decide the class isn't right for you, please drop in a timely manner to clear a spot for another student.  I add a limited number of students each semester.  If you are hoping to add and the semester has not yet begun, email me today to find out if I still have room on my wait list.  I regularly turn away dozens of students each semester so please understand the importance of enrolling early. 

Further, be aware that adding an online class starts you off on an unsteady foot.  Online classes move very quickly and there is generally a 24-hour delay between the time you add and the time you can access the class in Blackboard.  This is why I strive to ensure all of my students who enroll for my online class are ready to go on day one!  I want you all to have an equal opportunity to have a successful learning experience.  Please work with me towards this goal.

This is an Online Class So Why Can't You Just Add Everybody?

As you may have heard from other students, my online classes employ many forms of emerging technologies as learning tools.  This is a topic I'm passionate about, folks, and I assure you I have carefully evaluated each technological tool before integrating it into my class and requiring you to use it.  When I am teaching online, the medium I use to craft your learning experience is the internet.  The internet is a goldmine for interactive, easy-to-use technologies that, if used to promote learning, can enhance your retention and engagement in a class.  So, yes, I do use more technology in my online classes than most instructors do. 

Podcasts (Art 10 and Art 1E)
Both of my online classes offer options to my students.  Lectures are offered in printed PDF form and in podcast form so you can select between reading or listening, based upon your own reading preferences.  Interestingly, nearly 40% of my students have shared that they read and listen to my lectures because it enforces their learning.  The other wonderful option that podcasts provide is mobile learning!  If you have an iPod, you are welcome to export the podcasts onto your mobile device and learn on the go!  Podcast lectures are accessed through Sierra College's iTunes U site and require students to have iTunes installed on their computer.    You will be required to download this software in the first week of class. 

VoiceThread (Art 10 and Art 1E)
If you enroll in either of my online classes, you will also be engaging in weekly discussions and activities using an online tool called VoiceThread. I use VoiceThread largely in place of the traditional discussion board in Blackboard (which is text-based and does not promote visual learning).  VoiceThread allows you to leave your comments in text or voice, it enhances our class community and enforces visual learning through image-based, interactive discussions.  Check out what some of my past students have said about VoiceThread by viewing this sample.  If you're interested in using the voice commenting feature of VoiceThread, you are encouraged to consider purchasing a USB microphone for your computer or you have the option to purchase one hour of phone commenting through VoiceThread for $10.  The phone commenting option allows you to leave comments through your telephone, just like leaving a voicemail (pretty cool!).  Voice comments are encouraged but not required.

Ning - Social Network with Your Own Built-In Blog (Art 10 Only)
If you enroll in my Art 10: Art Appreciation class, you will also be required to join a social network I create for our class in Ning.  Ning is a closed social network (which means it's only accessed by individuals I invite, so people not enrolled in our class will not see your online work).  Ning allows for members of our network to upload images, videos, and create discussion forums, and "make friends" with each other.  All of these elements are optional activities for you to engage in Ning.  The required element for you in Ning is keeping a regular blog.  Each week,  you will be assigned a topic that you will respond to in a blog post.  The blogs are visible by all students in our network, so they become much like online journals that you will share with the class.  You will also be expected to comment on each others' blogs.  The blogs allow you to integrate visual media like images and video as well as text so they're very expressive and lend themselves well to an Art Appreciation class.

Sound like a lot of technology?  Well, you're right...it is.  The most important things for you to do are to keep an open mind, have patience and trust me!  We live in a technological society and, in addition to meeting the course outcomes, you will also be more technologically literate after succeeding in this class.  I guarantee that I have thoughtfully considered the role of each technological application in my class and I'm also proud to share that 100% of all my departing students over the past two semesters have indicated that the technology used in my classes was manageable.  If you're overwhelmed (and you probably will be at some point),  let me know.  I am happy to help you or provide a little motivation when you need it.  I realize the amount of technology used in this class may be too much for some students, which is one of my reasons for attempting to communicate with you before you enroll.  You have a right to choose a class that meets your needs.

You are not required to come to campus for this class.  The entire class will be completed online.  You may have specific field-based assignments (gallery/museum visits) that require you to make arrangements to view art in person.  Please review the syllabus for your specific class (see links to the left) more information.

Online classes begin on the first day of the semester (the same day as on-ground classes). Your first learning unit will be made available on day one and you will have one week to complete it.  Get started early.  Expect to be overwhelmed for the first two weeks.  I promise it will feel more manageable after that!  

You will access our online class through Blackboard.  There is a link to Blackboard at the bottom of the Sierra College homepage and I also encourage you to bookmark the url for the log-in page in case Sierra's homepage goes down.  Here it is:  http://lrc.sierracollege.edu/dl/bb-login.html 

If you need log-in assistance, please go to the Sierra College Distance Learning website for guidance.

This may sound a bit odd to hear from your instructor but communication is the foundation for any successful relationship...yep, that's right.  I expect you to fully communicate with me throughout your semester learning experience.  You'll have plenty of opportunities to interact with me in our discussions and activities but if you, at any point, need further help to successfully meet a specific learning objective in our class, it is your responsibility to reach out to me and let me know.  I assure you that I will actively engaged in our online class throughout the semester.  I will regularly post announcements and inform you of related events around campus and the local community.  I often equate online teaching with "teaching in the dark" because it's very difficult to gauge how well each student is grasping the material every step of the way.  Don't wait until an exam to tell me you need help.  Send me an email after a learning unit has wrapped up if you are unable to successfully achieve each learning objective listed in the unit.

I also hold regular "office hours" each week (see syllabus).  During these hours I am available via email, phone, Skype and in my office on campus (unless the hour is specific as an "online" office hour), D-11.

What a great question!  When you send me an email, please be sure to include your class (ex: Art 10, Art 1E, etc.), class color (if applicable...this will be specified in Blackboard) and your first initial and last name.  A proper subject line looks like this:  "Art 10 Blue J Smith" or, if there is no class color specified, "Art 10 J Smith."   During the week (Mon-Fri), I will always reply to each email I receive within 24 hours.  If I do not reply to your email within 24 hours during the work week, assume I did not receive it and resend it.  Ensuring your communication has been received is your responsibility.  I usually reply to emails over the weekend but this is not guaranteed. 

If you are a student with a learning disability or if you require special accommodations for a physical disability, please contact me immediately so we can discuss your situation and ensure you will have a great semester.