The online class will do things online - upload assignments to Moodle, earn attendance/participation points by posting to Moodle.
The in-class class will do things in class - print assignments and hand in during class, earn attendance/participation points by attending class.
Take notes!
Tomorrow - usually the next class day
Yesterday - usually the previous class day (sometimes I get confused with multiple classes)
The target audience for this class may have zero previous computer experience. (For the online class there is a computer prerequisite - ability to use internet, email, message boards, etc....)
You may turn in handwritten work the first week of class.
Put your name on your work. If you want points on the gradesheet, use the SAME name as I see on the roster/moodle.
If you have different names on the Roster and in Moodle, you will want to put BOTH on your assignments. For example Frederick (Bob) Smith.
Yes, you do need the book. Yes, we will use it a lot.
Yes, you do need a USB flash drive. Yes, we will use it a lot.
Do not expect me to read the book to you. I will expect, regardless of evidence to the contrary, that you have read the assigned material before class and attempted the homework. You may ask me to interpret or clarify the text.
Do ask questions on the lab/homework. If you have no questions, I will lecture on/demo future or supplemental material.
Do not ask me to slow down. You may ask me to repeat a step. And if I told you to watch this demonstration - take your hands off the mouse and keyboard!
Do not ask me to speed up. You may work on other assignments, if you do so quietly and continue to help the student(s) next to you when needed. If you "don't need this class", you can do my informal test out and be done weeks early.
Do not interrupt me in the middle of a lecture/demonstration with something off topic.
Do raise your hand during a lecture/demonstration, immediately, if you get confused or stuck.
Do tell me if I'm running long, because the clocks on the computers are flakey, sometimes fast, sometimes slow.
Do ask me to relate information, which seems to you like a tangent or unrelated information, back to the topic at hand. In theory, I'm always on topic and relevant, and will be happy to explain it.
Do ask me if you don't know some word I'm using.
You are guaranteed at least a passing grade IF you make a "reasonable effort" in class. (see reasonable effort)
Reasonable Effort is defined as:
If you miss class or need more help you may attend any or all of my other class sessions - if there are seats free. Online class may sit in on class sessions. In-class class is vigorously encouraged to use Moodle. You will be required to use it to view your grades.
If you have a bonafide and documentable life crisis, let me know immediately, and I will work with you.
Do not come to me at the end of the term, in tears and hysteria, and ask me to falsify your grade (give you a passing grade after many unexcused absences and many missing assignments), so you won't lose your financial aid. As a teacher I'm required to assign the grade you earned. The grade and completion requirements for financial aid exist to prevent the wasting of tax dollars.
If you let me know before the midterm that your kid has a ballgame at the same time, you can take the midterm early.
If you let me know after the midterm that you missed it because your kid had a ballgame at the same time, you will receive a 0 on the midterm.
If you let me know at the beginning of the term that your kid has ballgames during half the scheduled classes and you won't be in class 50% of the time, I will be very confused and wonder why you signed up for this time slot. And your absences will be unexcused. And your grade will suffer.
"Kid" and "ballgame" represent any real life issue you may encounter such as doctor appointments, work, court, family vacation, etc....
Forgetting to set your alarm once AND emailing me is an excused absence. Forgetting to set your alarm frequently and/or not emailing me is an unexcused absence.
Forgetting to sign in on the attendance sheet is an unexcused absence.
If you miss class, it is your job to get you back up to speed, not mine. Some ways to do that are to work with other students, or go to the free tutors.
If you already know much of the material, the most efficient way to do the homework is to read the Concepts Review first and see what you already know. Then read the lessons that you don't know. Then do the assignment - Skill Builders and Assessment. If you get stuck, go back and review the lesson that relates to that part. Usually the assignments are very similar to the lessons.
Cover pages are required for all Labs, but not Vocab. Cover will include your name, Lab #, class name, class time, my name, and date.
If you don't follow directions, I will mark your lab redo. If you staple Lab and Vocab together, I will mark one or the other, but not both, and you will need to notice this and resubmit. You really need to follow directions and to pay attention to the points you earn.
Many of you have test anxiety, computer anxiety, and other issues. You will need to conquer these issues to succeed in college. There will be a number of methods/techniques given in class to assist you. There will also be prohibited behaviors - also to assist you.
You will not fail if you make a "reasonable effort".
The first several weeks may be a terrifying and harrowing experience. You may feel lost, confused, frightened. You will survive it! You will pass the class - if you make a "reasonable effort"! You will simply have to trust me on this point.
You are learning a foreign language. Remember that!
If you were taking Spanish or French, and in the first few weeks you could not understand everything, you would not think it unusual. You would expect to be confused and expect that, in time, the fog would clear.
Computers are a foreign language. The text book is written in a foreign language. You will learn to understand it in time. Understanding will often follow doing. This is the opposite of most of your other classes and life experiences.
You may not exclaim repeatedly in class, "I'm so lost!", "I'm never going to get this!", "You're going too fast!" or similar sentiments. Interrupting the instructor is rude and disruptive and not acceptable. It also transmits stress and anxiety to other students.
You may raise your hand and say, "I'm stuck at that last step," or "Please go over that again."
It will not be possible for me to go slower than I am in class. Your perception of speed will change as you learn more. If you let me know IMMEDIATELY when you get stuck or confused, you will not be left behind. If you cross your arms and just stare at the computer in a blind panic, you may be creating a "self-fulfilling prophecy" and be left behind.
Negative self talk, out loud or silently, is not a productive coping mechanism. Verbal negative self talk disrupts class, creates an unsafe environment for others, and is not allowed.
You can do this.