Before you begin, be sure to complete Syllabus Statement of Acceptance.
1) Accept these facts:
If there is something hyperlinked on the site, it's probably for a reason. Click on it!
When I create the syllabus and transfer pages on the site over for the new semester, I don't always catch all of the links to update. Also, links break regularly. If you find one that hasn't been updated or doesn't work, let me know. We shall laugh, I'll fix it, and then we'll move on with our lives.
This is New England; it will snow. I am human; I will be ill at times. It is highly likely we will miss some class meetings. We will adjust, do some work on the course site, and move on with our lives.
Sometimes, Activities or discussion will take longer in class than we expected, which means that we will not get to everything that day. I will adjust the Course Schedule, and we will move on with our lives.
Technology is wonderful...until it doesn't work. Something - probably several somethings - will go wrong with our technology in this class over the course of the semester. Do not work on it for hours in frustration (actually, don't do that with anything - just talk to me). Let me know (usually via email and/or Google Classroom), and I'll give you (and perhaps the whole class) an alternative. Then - guess what? We will move on with our lives.
Essentially: don't sweat the small stuff, go with the flow, and ask questions.
If you don't have your book out (or the text up on an electronic devise) at the beginning of class, the assumption is that you have not read. Don't let that happen! ALSO, take special note of Financial Issues: Books under "Student Well-Being Resources" on the Syllabus.
The Course Schedule is your friend. Befriend it!
2) Go to Getting to Know You.
Fill out form.
3) Go to Professionalism assignment.
Read assignment, especially rubric.
Think about: With what will you struggle? How do you intend to meet the criteria on the rubric?
4) Complete Information Literacy Check-In
Go to and complete this form.
5) Introduce yourself by posting to Google Classroom.
Chat with other students who also post - get to know each other!
In addition to introducing yourself in your post, include your thoughts on the articles below.
Take note that participation in Google Classroom throughout the semester does count towards your course Professionalism grade. It can only help, not hurt, you.
Also note that this is an excellent place to ask questions - about assignments, readings, the technology if you are having trouble, etc. Dr. T monitors the page.
6) Read: