Starting Strong + Getting Help

Starting Strong

The first week is designed to help us become a learning community before the bigger projects begin. You will not be dropped into a major essay on day one.

Your opening steps

1. Say hello. Introduce yourself to the class. This takes a few minutes, but it matters: a fully online class works better when we know there are actual people on the other side of the screen.

2. Tell me what I should know. Complete the Getting to Know You survey. I read these responses and use them to teach the people actually in the course—not an imaginary average student.

3. Try a small piece of close reading and writing. We begin with an accessible text or media item and practice noticing what it says, what it assumes, and what questions it raises.

4. Make a first judgment snapshot. You will respond to a question before we have studied it fully, then return to it later in the semester to see how your thinking has changed.

5. Learn the course space. Find the modules, the syllabus, the Ask a Question forum, and the Canvas Inbox. Knowing where help lives is part of starting well.

How to reach me

The best way to contact me is through the Canvas Inbox. I reply within 24 hours during the workweek, usually sooner. If you do not hear back within that time, send a follow-up—it may be a technical glitch, and I want to make sure your message did not disappear.

For a general course question, use the Ask a Question discussion in Canvas. Someone else may be wondering the same thing, and a shared answer can help the whole class. For personal questions, use the Canvas Inbox.

If you would rather talk live, we can arrange a phone or Zoom conversation. The class never requires live meetings, but I am happy to make time when a conversation would help.

If Canvas gives you trouble

VC Distance Education Student Support Help Desk, Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
(805) 289-6452
VCDEStudentHelp@vcccd.edu

Canvas 24/7 support
(844) 303-4505

Ventura College Distance Education support
https://www.venturacollege.edu/online-services/distance-education/current-students

Ventura College also has tutoring, the Learning Center, the Educational Assistance Center, counseling, Basic Needs support, EOPS, Dreamers support, and the Student Health Center. If you are not sure which door is the right one, ask me. Helping you find the right door is part of my job.