Each instructor organizes their classes slightly different, so I am providing guidance to walk you through the course and how to stay connected.
Throughout Blackboard and this site, you'll see links to external sites. These are called hyperlinks. You can tell when text is linked because it is underlined and clickable.
Blackboard is our learning management system at Wichita State. This will be your main resource for the class. Blackboard will contain weekly announcements, your assignments, and feedback from me. I'll provide announcements weekly about what is due that week and reminders about connecting via Discord.
Beyond Blackboard, you'll need to be able to access your Shockers email, this syllabus site, and blogger.
You can also connect each week through Discord.
Each module reflects a specific topic. Each module will contain the following:
Overview
Resources (Reading Guides, Powerpoint Slides)
Interactivities
Quizzes
Blog Assignments
Extra Credit
Anything numbered (1.1, 1.2, 1.3....) is an assignment you need to submit.
Here is a note taking guide to help you through each Module. You can copy and paste it into another platform (e.g., Word, Pages) if you prefer. You do not need to submit the documents to me, but they will help you prepare for the quizzes and follow along with the interactivities.
Reading Guide (Optional)
Textbooks/books contain a lot of information. It can be easy to get lost or overwhelmed without some guidance on what to look for. The reading guide is intended to help make your time spent on the readings more efficient.
The reading guide contains specific questions you will be able to answer based upon the readings. You do not need to submit your answers to the questions. They are intended to help you take notes to help you with the interactivities and quizzes. Thus, instead of reading the entire chapter in detail, focus on reading the material to answer the questions. Each question also has the corresponding page number to make it is to find. I recommend skimming the chapters and answering the questions in the reading guide as you go along.
It is important to complete the reading guide first if you are reading the textbook (optional). The interactivities will build upon the readings.
Interactivities
Interactivities are meant to expand upon the readings and engage you with more immersive content. It is important to watch/complete the activities in the corresponding order.
Videos- There is a link to the YouTube Playlist at the top and the playlist is embedded into Blackboard.
The list of individual videos is also included with links to each. Please watch them in order. I'll include notes if you need to only watch a video clip in bold red font.
Some documentaries are not in YouTube, so there will also be links to external videos that you may need to log into through the WSU library. The total length of the video(s) is listed at the top.
Most interactivities contain Mini-Lectures with me. These are short videos (3-20 minutes) about specific concepts. Then, you may have supplemental videos to help enhance your learning to real world contexts.
Kahoots- In a few interactivities, you will have Kahoot actitivies. These are intended to be fun short exercises. I will not record a grade for them. As long as you complete them, you will earn full credit. Choose a username that you will use throughout the semester. It does not need to be your actual name.
Websites/brief articles - For some interactivities, you will need to visit external websites to track down information about the topic. This is intended to help you practice finding information from reputable sources.
Upon completing the videos/activities, you'll have a series of content-based and reflective questions. For more information on submitting your answers, visit the Interactitivies page.
Everything needs to be submitted through Blackboard. I do not accept assignments via email unless under extenuating circumstances. This is to ensure I have all your assignments graded and organized in one spot.
For responses to questions, you can submit a Microsoft Word document or in the submission box. Be sure to submit through "Write submission" and not as comments.
For interactivities, blogs, and the infographic you'll submit through the Blackboard submission. Please visit the blogs and infographic pages for specific details on submitting.
Please include the question numbers when applicable! You do not need to include the questions, but please do include the numbers with your answers.
You can upload files to submit by clicking "Attach files" > "Browse computer."
Sadly, Pages files (Mac) are not compatible in Blackboard. You'll need to convert to Microsoft Word or copy and paste into the submission box.
If you ever have an error or mistake, YOU CAN ALWAYS SUBMIT ANOTHER ATTEMPT in Blackboard! No need to email me if this happens, you can simply submit another attempt with the correct version and I will grade your most recent attempt.
I want to do whatever I can to best facilitate your learning. I will ask you for feedback periodically through an anonymous survey. I also include a link to the survey in the Navigation Pane in Blackboard. If anything comes up that you'd like me to know anonymously, feel free to fill out the survey at any time.
The survey will ask three open-ended questions: What should Dr. Boppre continue, stop, or start in the course?
