Required Orientation for 101Z

Hi and welcome the Earth 101, the Accelerated combination Online and face-to-face Astronomy Lecture Course called 101Z.

All 101Z must complete the exercises below called Checkpoints A, B, and C in this orientation by Monday, March 24, before 10 PM in order to continue in the course with full credit.

Orientation Goals…

This orientation has two goals. The first goal is to help you determine if you are suited to taking this online/classroom course. The second goal is to give you experience using some of the online course tools.

How long will it take you to complete the activities in this orientation?

About ONE hour (maximum) depending on your experience…

Are you suited for online instruction?

Probably the TWO most common things that students report as being necessary for success in taking an online course are:

(1) good time management skills

(2) motivation

Of course, time management and motivation are also necessary for success in taking an on-campus course, but in online courses managing your time well and being motivated to complete coursework are even more critical to your success. Online you don't have me to lead you through class activities, remind you about when coursework is due, or motivate you like in an on-campus course.

From my perspective, being a good online student means sitting down at least three times a week and focusing on your course activities. The activities I assign you are more than just a list of activities to be gotten out of the way. It is your thinking about course topics over time and participating with others that stimulates thought, not a last minute get this assignment done. And, when you do participate, I need a lot more than a response like "I agree with John." I need to know WHY you agree or don't agree with John.

So, please take a moment now and ask yourself do I have good time management skills, and am I a motivated student? If your answer is no to either of these questions, then I would strongly suggest that you consider dropping this online course section and signing up for a section of this course that meets on-campus. There’s nothing wrong with opting out because online courses aren’t for everyone.

My Expectations…

OK, if you've read this far then you've made the commitment to stay enrolled in this online course. Online courses as I've suggested before require more independence on your part. You can't sit back and be passive as you might in an on-campus course. Both the other online students and I depend on you to participate in class activities and do the coursework I’ve assigned in a timely manner if this course is to going to be successful. We are all members of a classroom community committed to the same goals and obliged to follow the same SBCC classroom conduct rules as an on-campus class. So, please do your best to stay on top of your coursework and treat everyone with respect and civility in your communication and participation.

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Directions

Getting Stated - Click here

1. Click on the Syllabus Page found at the top of your Moodle page.
Explore everything. Did I mention to explore EACH ONE on the left edge - they are ALL individual links on top of the rainbow (color spectrum)? 
Please click on EACH of the words on the left edge beginning with 'Schedule' through 'Extra Credit' at the bottom.
You will NOT need to memorize any of this material, just know where to find the answers to your questions throughout the course. 

HINT: To get to your Syllabus without going into Moodel, bookmark: http://astroprof.com/
and select your class name by clicking your yellow star.

2. Go back to your Moodle homepage. Your weekly assignments are available to you by dates. Your week ends at 10 PM on each Wednesday night. This gives you a weekend to get all your work completed. I'll have new work available for you on Wednesday nights after 10 PM. You will NOT have an opportunity to do anything from the previous week after Wednesday night at 10 PM.

Those pages usually change on Wednesdays at 10 PM. I will NOT accept anything late.
If you are a students at the beginning of the class, you do NOT get any extensions!!
Remember to come back here and actually do the work soon!

3. The following five assignments are worth 25 to 50 points each and cannot be skipped or dropped.
Some of the Checkpoints are due by Monday & others later. They are all due by Wednesday of Week 1 before 10 PM. Some from here and some in class.

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Your Orientation...

Checkpoint #A
Get into SBCC Online - Click here for the link to Checkpoint #A
This assignment gets you into SBCC Online.
You will be SENDING me several questions from your SBCC Online e-mail account for the 50 points. Due Mon., Oct. 24, by 10 PM.
(Minus 5 points per day until zero, then you will be dropped for NOT completing this by the end of Week 2)

Checkpoint #B
Get into E-mail - Click here for the link to Checkpoint #B
Be sure to make all the changes needed for this course. Some are only suggested. Due Mon., Oct. 24, by 10 PM.
You will be sending a form on the last page for the 25 points. (Minus 5 points per day until zero)

Checkpoint #C
Go back to Moodle and select the assignment called E1D1 which is Checkpoint C. Due Mon., Oct 24, by 10 PM.
You will be posting a message for the 25 points. (Minus 5 points per day until zero)

Checkpoint #D
Buy the Lecture Kit Card from the Bookstore Cashier upstairs (NOT FROM DOWNSTAIRS)
and take it to Fred for your 50 points. If you purchased this earlier in this semester or an earlier semester, e-mail Fred.
This is due the second class. (Minus 5 points per day until zero) Due Thursday., Oct 27, in class

Checkpoint #E
See an astronomy tutor for a couple of minutes. The astronomy tutor room is ECC 33- 'Gateway to Success' (for a map, click here) and the times may be found by clicking here.
Make sure you have the tutor sign you in for the 25 points. See under 'Tutors' on your syllabus for other opportunity for Extra Credit.
This is due BEFORE the second class for full points. (Minus 5 points per day until zero) Due Thursday., Oct. 27, before class .

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Your web pages usually change on Wednesdays at 10 PM. I will NOT accept anything late.

For technical SBCC Online Help
Online College Student Support
(805) 965-0581, extension 2949 - (Do NOT leave a message ... keep calling until a person answers)
Both are 8 AM to 5 PM week days.
These people can actually be found in the new Cyber Center in the Campus Center (Cafeteria on East Campus).
Library (with computers) is open Sundays.
E-mail: online@sbcc.net

You will ALWAYS get a reply to ANYTHING you send me!
For e-mailed materials, the reply will usually be a copy of your work/letter/note with a note AT THE BOTTOM that I 'got it' or 'thank you'.

For forms you fill out online and hit 'SUBMIT',there will be a 'Thank you' page come up. That means it was sent.
What to do if there is no response within a 24 hr period - resend the material. Send me an e-mail telling me what you did. Will that excuse late work? Rarely.

Fred