CVTC; Intro. Soc. K.

Mentink; IN SS08

ALWAYS TYPE YOUR FULL NAME (First and Last names) HERE -- at top of first page of all written assignments NAME: Charles Norton

Intro. Soc. Online -- Course Orientation Checklist of Activities

20 pts. for linking this completed form correctly; 10 pts. for email to instructor This assignment will help you get started and practice the online skills needed for success in this online course. You will become familiar with the location of policies and steps for completing the technology activities utilized throughout this course. First you will search in our course Blackboard (Bb) site to identify the locations of the following folders, and print and read the course policies located therein. Then you will go to the Bb folder sites to complete several online activities. Please complete all of the following, even if youve taken an online course before. - Follow all guidelines for written work in completing this assignment. Note that you type responses directly onto this assignment form, retaining the format, margins, font, etc. on this form, using MS Word software, and need to write minimum 3-sentence responses where indicated. - Type your FULL NAME in heading at top of each written assignment, and type your response for each numbered item below, following the word RESPONSE.

1. Go to the course information folder in Bb and find the course syllabus. a. Copy and paste after Response at end of this sentence the 4 CVTC Core Abilities we will focus on in this course. Response: b. Review the required reading, writing, organization, and computer skills that are needed for students to be successful in online courses; state your assessment of your proficiency for each of these skills. Response (3+ sentences): c. What # hours per week are needed for reading and completing course assignments and exams to successfully complete this course? (note: this is the average; your actual time is based on your abilities) Response: What computer software, hardware, and email access is needed every week of this course? Response (3+ sentences): 2. Go to the course information folder in Bb and find the course written work guidelines. Write 3+ sentence responses for a and b. below. There are many guidelines to list for each response. a. Summarize 3+ important policies for All written work; Response (3+ sentences): b. Summarize 3+ important policies for All late work: Response (3+ sentences): 3. Go to the assignments folder in Bb and follow these links: <Assignments/Unit I/Chapter 1/Lecture Notes>. List below the names of all files listed in the Ch. 1 lecture notes folder. Response:

4. Open the other folders in the menu bar on the home Bb screen, and list the name of the folder containing each item below: a. In what folder do you find the assignment scores and course grades you will be earning in this course? Response: What is the link for reading the instructor comments posted for your assignment? Response: b. In what folder do you find the Discussion board of questions, where you post DB responses? Response: Upon opening a specific DB forum, what link do you click to enter and post your comments? Response: c. In what folder do you find the policies for online tests and policies for discussion board? (you may wish to print and save copies of these for reference) Response: d. In what folder do you find information about your instructor? Response: e. In what folder do you find the link to email your instructor and classmates through Bb? Response: (please note: always email instructor through Bb, ensuring that your student email and this course number are visible in your email; always use professional grammar, etc., and spell-check emails before sending.) f. In what link do you find Help tutorials and resources for distance learning and Bb? Response: List 3 of the tutorials and resources in this link: Response: 5. Whenever you have computer or Blackboard problems, call our CVTC Helpdesk, available 24/7. List the local and toll-free/long distance phone numbers for the CVTC Help Desk; Response: 6. Indicate your experience with college coursework and online learning -a. How many college semesters have you completed, and list colleges and any degrees completed; Response: b. Describe your experience with Blackboard, and with Bb online learning coursework: Response: c. Indicate your program/major, and whether you are pre-program, or currently enrolled in program courses (and if so, what semester, and anticipated graduation term): Response:

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Now you are ready to SAVE and LINK this assignment. Note the directions in written work policies for naming saved assignment files and check to ensure you are saving the file in MS Word. List here the time you spent on typing this assignment so far, and any comments. Response: Send an Email to me from Blackboard (email earns 10 pts. for correct format, and is part of the score for this Orientation assignment). Please be sure to type:

Intro. Soc. EMAIL in the subject line and a brief message, including your first and last name. Then, send it. How? Click Email/Discussion Board, then the Send Email area. Click Select Users, select me (my name is INSERT name). Within a day or two, Ill send a very brief I got your email message back to you so youll know you were successful. Practice taking an online Bb test by completing the Practice Pre-Test How? First, read the test policies you printed, and be Prepared! (You will need a clock/timer, check that you have correct internet settings, and uninterrupted 45 minutes of time, etc.). WHEN YOU ARE PREPARED, Click the ASSIGNMENTS button and look for the Course Orientation folder, then find Practice Pre-Test. (Note that you can only click to open a Test file ONCE one click, then wait for test to load and open, and then it must be completed and submitted the first time it is opened, for score to post correctly.) You will notice that upon submitting your test before the 45 minute time, you can then go back during the remaining minutes to review your answers, and your score will be displayed automatically in your grade book. If you do not see a score in the grade book, see the test policies; there is a point deduction for any test re-set for any reason. These pre-test points do not count toward your grade, but a score is needed to determine your Pass/Fail status for Orientation week 1 activities.

This next assignment is linked in WEEK 2, Unit I/Chapter 1, and you are welcome to review the Discussion board and prepare to post your responses now. Discussion boards are graded separate from written assignments (this is not part of the grade for this assignment). Practice posting a message to the Discussion Board. How? First, read the discussion board guidelines you printed. Then Click Discussion Board. Look for the DB 1 forum. Read and follow the directions from there.

*********************************************** Now What? Click around and explore the course. Then, check out the Chapter 1 folder (click the ASSIGNMENTS button, then Chapter 1, etc.) Enjoy the course...I think its going to be a great learning experience in sociology and in online learning!