Note: This page is only for use with courses prior to Spring 2015 all others use the Canvas "Getting Started" topic please!
Let's Get the Fiesta Started!
With all courses, there are a few "house keeping" items to take care of before you can really hit the ground running with the course content of the class. If you make a concerted effort to carefully read and complete this "getting started" page before moving on to the chapters, you will be much better off. So please, spend some quality time here initially and prepare yourself to get started with a bang on the actual Spanish aspects of this course. If you do, you will be able to avoid the necessity of coming back here over and over again throughout the remainder of the course.
Step One-Get a Spanish Name
Select a Spanish first name that you will use throughout the course. (Some of you already have one from last semester. If you do, keep it, don't change it or I will get really cofused). All of my students must select a Spanish first name. I will only learn your Spanish first name and you will use it for everything you do in this course, EVERYTHING! You will sign all of your assessments, emails, assignments and other documents with your Spanish first name and your real last name. There are a couple of rules however! Your Spanish first name must begin with the same letter as your real first name. So, if my first name were Larry, I might choose "Leandro" for my Spanish name. Some letters in English very rarely begin a first name in Spanish, like "H" for example, so, if your first name is "Heather" you might want to choose a name that begins with a "J" in Spanish. Also, there are very few names that begin with a "K" even though "K" names are very common in English. So, if your real name begins with "K" you may choose a Spanish name that begins with a "C" but you can change the spelling so that it starts with a "K". For example, if your real name is Kendra, you may like the Spanish name "Casandra" which is a very common Spanish name. But, in this class, you will write your name with a "K"--Kasandra. Where can you find a Spanish name? Check out these sites that allow you to search by letter, 1, 2, 3.
Step Two-Become an Official Part of the Class
Now that you have selected your Spanish name, consider yourself a Spanish speaker. Utilize this name to become a new person, a Spanish speaking person, while your are in this class. Now, go share your Spanish name with the world. Go to our "SPA 102 Caras" page and put in your biographical info. As we interact with one another in this class, we want to feel like we know you and this short biographical assignment will help us do that. Don't forget to include your Spanish name and a photo. I've included an example for your reference.
Note: To see everything clearly on the Internet, you may need to zoom in or zoom out; do this by pressing and holding "ctrl" then hit + or - to zoom in or out. These buttons are located to the left of the "Backspace" button on most keyboards. You can also hit and hold "ctrl" then use the scroll wheel on your mouse to zoom in or out. Keep this in mind throughout the semester!
Step Three-Buy Our Textbook
Purchase your Puntos en Breve 2nd edition textbook. You should have this book in your hands ASAP. It is a great reference for the course and at times we will use it in our meetings. Find it on Amazon!
Step Four-Register for Quia Web
Quia Web is a free service. It is the sister company to Quia Books (see step five) which administers your Online Spanish Workbook. Quia web is the service that I use to administer many of your learning activities other than your workbook. Since they are sister companies, your Quia Web username and password will work for the Online Spanish Workbook as well, but you must complete step four first. Simply use these Quia Web account set-up instructions. If you have trouble, navigate to this video tutorial page on the Quia Web tutorial site which will guide you through the process in greater detail. Where the Online Spanish Workbook uses a course code, Quia Web uses a class code. The class code for you is:
METNGC493
This info is also found at the beginning of your syllabus. You may also want to use this document that will also guide you through the processes in steps four and five. If you have any trouble, after accessing these helps, please let me know.
Step Five-Buy the Online Spanish Workbook
Purchase your Online Spanish Workbook. The online Spanish Workbook composes the bulk of your homework in this class. After every grammar and vocabulary topic lecture, there are usually one or two exercises to complete in the Online Spanish Workbook. Here is a website that will explain to you how to purchase and/or sign-up for this Online Workbook. If you have trouble with these instructions, access an instructional video tutorial on the Online Spanish Workbook Help Page. If you continue to have trouble registering for, setting up, and/or using the Online Workbook, contact me via email. Keep in mind that the Online Workbook is mandatory, costs $63.75 if you have never before purchased it (if you purchased this workbook in SPA 101 with me, you should not have to re-purchase it), and will require the following course code for use in SPA 102:
AJXHBX367
At this point, or another point in the process, you may see a listing for a book called Suenos. DO NOT BUY IT! I use this book for my SPA 202 course only. If you have any trouble signing up for, purchasing, or later, using, the Online Spanish Workbook, please, please see my Online Spanish Workbook Help page for help and tutorials. It's not difficult, but it can be done in about three different ways, so it can be disconcerting as to whether you have completed all of the steps necessary. You may also want to visit the rubric page to see how I go about grading your work on the Online Spanish Workbook.
Important: If you have already purchased this (i.e. you had me for SPA 101) you don't need to purchase this again. You will just need to sign up for my class again using this new course code. More info can found for returning students on the Online Spanish Workbook page. The same is true of step five.
Step Six-Course Syllabus-Read It!
Download and read the SPA 102 syllabus here. It will answer most of your questions.
Step Seven-Take a Tour of Our Course
Course Tour Video:
Step Eight-Additional Downloads You Might Need
This course will require that you download and view some different file types, such as MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel files. All of these software packages can be used through the www.cloud.yc.edu virtual desktop client. I strongly suggest that if you need these software packages and you do not have them on your computer, that you access them through the virtual desktop. However, you can download free viewers for these file types at Cnet Download, which is usually a reputable source.
Additionally, if you are using a Mac computer, you may want to download Flip for Mac, which allows you to view WMV files on your computer.
There are other updates your computer might ask you to make as you navigate your way through this course (Java, Adobe Shockwave, and perhaps others). Allow these updates! You and your computer will be better for them!
Step Nine-FAQ's and Important Links
Still have lingering questions? I have answered nearly all of the them on my Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) page. This page was originally created for my brick and mortar classes, but the majority of the info on the FAQ's page applies here. I also include here a link to my Helpful Links Directory page. This page links to tons of important resources for you, like Spanish music, other course info, Spanish TV options, etc. There is even a link to the Puntos en breve videos that I use throughout the class. These links are great resources.
Step Ten-Registrations
Throghout the course I will use a variety of web-services to ensure that we are able to interact with one another effectively. For example, every week you will make comments via Twitter and Voxopop. Nearly all of these websites and services will require that you sign-up or register for them. You can take a moment now to sign-up for these services or you can sign up for the services one-by-one as they come up in the course, it's you're choice.
There might be more, so stay tuned!