Course Prep

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.

  • I am human; I will be ill at times. It is highly likely we might miss a class meeting here and there. 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 the Facebook group), 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 text ready (it's an electronic textbook, so be sure to have access in class) at the beginning of class, the assumption is that you have not read. Don't let that happen!

  • 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) Go to Goals for Course.

  • Think about the goals you devised on the first day. Now, think more carefully about them and add to them. You may want to read over the syllabus again to help you form your goals.

  • List three to five goals that you hope to achieve by taking this course.

  • These should be specific goals of what you hope to learn. "To complete a requirement" and "to do well" are general goals that everyone has, so think more about what you truly want to achieve.

  • Once you have written your goals, rank these goals in order on a 1-5 scale (1 being most important to you).

  • Responses are anonymous.

5) Sign up for TED-ED.

  • This will be the site on which we will have reading lessons, which will be part of your Activities grade. These lessons are marked on the Course Schedule and will be due before class on the day assigned. To complete a lesson, simply click on the link in the lesson in the Course Schedule on the appropriate day.

  • To sign up, click on the TED-ED site.

  • Click on "Register" in the upper right-hand corner and follow instructions.

6) Join Facebook group.

  • Take note that Daily Activities will be updated on the Facebook group after each class, noting in-class activities and any assignments given, including Activities assigned in class. If you miss a class, this is where you go to catch up.

  • To join, click on the Facebook group.

  • Click Join and wait for approval from me.

  • Also, click on Notifications so that you will notice when there is a post.

7) Introduce yourself by posting to the Facebook group.

  • 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 the Facebook group 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.

9) Read: