Week 1 - Introduction
Introduction
Welcome to English 100 online! The main objectives for this week are to familiarize yourself with Laulima, learn about Netiquette, meet your instructor, and introduce yourself to the class.
Learning Objectives
After successfully completing this week's lessons, you should be able to:
navigate the online course
demonstrate an understanding of the rules of Netiquette
contact the instructor
create an introduction and communicate with classmates in the Introduction forum
Getting Started with Online Learning
To succeed in this course, you'll need to familiarize yourself with online learning and make sure your Internet browser is up-to-date.
Familiarize yourself with online learning
Online courses have many benefits: you have flexibility with your scheduling, you don't have to come to class at a certain time, you can get many of your assignments done ahead of time, and you don't need to sit in traffic on your way to Leeward CC. While these benefits do make online classes attractive, there are also some responsibilities unique to online students.
Make sure Internet browser is up-to-date
To get the most out of your online experience, you'll need to make sure your Internet browser is updated. Firefox is the browser currently recommended by the Laulima support group.
Course Success
This presentation explains the parts of the online course to help you achieve success.
"Course Success" presentation by Susan Wood
Some tips for you on how to be successful in this course:
Check in to the course site every day.
Complete all tasks.
Don’t fall behind. Allocate your schedule for the course and stay on top of your assignments. It is just so easy to fall behind in an online course.
Be aware that important announcements will be sent every Friday to your email and will reside on the Overview page. Please read them.
Frequently save and back up your work.
Stay connected. Reach out to me if you have any questions. I'm there for you!
Netiquette
Now that we have reviewed how to prepare for the technical requirements of the course, the next step is to discuss how to make this class a more positive experience for everyone. While there are many similarities between an online class and a face-to-face class, there are some differences, too, especially when it comes to communication.
In an online class, students are often less inhibited and tend to "tell it like it is." In a face-to-face class, where we have to see classmates on a regular basis, students are often more inhibited for fear of offending someone or embarrassing themselves.
In an online class, the primary form of communication is written; in a face-to-face class, it is verbal.
In an online class, we don't have the benefit of viewing voice tone or facial and body mannerisms. Instead, our tone must be conveyed through the written word. In a face-to-face class, we do have the benefit of these other non-verbal forms of communication, making it easier to see when someone is joking, etc....
Therefore, in an online class we need to be more careful with what we write and how we write it, especially since most times that a person is offended or angered, it is done inadvertently. In this class, you will need to respond to writing done by your classmates. When you do this, it is very important that you take into consideration all of the Netiquette rules in order to avoid offending, angering, or hurting the feelings of one of your classmates.
Please review the 10 Core Rules of Netiquette written by Virginia Shea. Be sure to click on each rule for further explanation. After completing the reading, please complete the Netiquette activity. Details are in the "Activities" list below and in Forums > Introduction > Netiquette.
Introductions
Meet your Instructor
In the final two parts of the introductory unit, you will get to meet your instructor as well as introduce yourselves and learn about your classmates.
Meet Your Instructor: Add name here
Hello and welcome to English 100: Composition 1.
My name is xxx, and I will be your instructor for this course this semester. Here’s a little bit about me: (add whatever you are comfortable with-- education, teaching experience, hobbies, etc…. Consider adding a picture too]I’m looking forward to this semester as we work our way through the essay writing process. If you have any questions or need assistance during the course, please let me know by using the message tool. I wish you the best and have a great semester!
Please complete the Message to the Instructor activity. Details are in the "Activities" list below.
Introduce yourself and meet your classmates
In a face-to-face classroom, introductions are usually accomplished by going around the room and introducing yourself to everyone. In an online class, you can't do that. Some of you may find that you miss the interaction between yourself and other students and others may be extremely relieved that you do not have to speak about yourselves in a room full of strangers!
However, it is important in an online environment to learn something about your classmates and feel like you are part of a community of learners--even if it's a virtual community. To this end, we will be introducing ourselves and meeting our classmates in an attempt to build community.
Please complete the final Introductions activity. Details are in the "Activities" list below and in Forums > Introduction > Class Introductions.
Activities
These are the activities that you need to complete this week. All activities are due by 11:55 p.m. on their due dates.
Netiquette forum post. Explain which two rules of Netiquette you think are most important in an online class. Please state the specific rules and then explain why they are important in an online class.
Initial post due by xx/xx.
Two replies due by xx/xx.
Points: 10
Message to Instructor. Use the Laulima Messages tool to practice contacting your instructor and communicate that you have accessed the class and started the course. A simple message such as "I have started the course" is fine.
Due by xx/xx.
Points: 10
Class introductions forum post. Write a 250-word introduction of yourself, sharing things like your name or nickname, what you are studying, your job, your hobbies, your favorite foods or shows, etc... You may also include a photo of yourself if you are comfortable with that.
Initial post due by xx/xx.
Two replies due by xx/xx.
Points: 10
- Original content contributed by Susan Wood
- The presentation "Course Success" created by Susan Wood