Black Board Learning System Orientation

Welcome:

I want to welcome you to my course on World History II. Your level of success in this course is often dictated by consistent class attendance, completion of assignments, demonstration of a desire to learn, and good time management. In addition, I encourage you to solicit my help and advice consistently during the semester when you feel you need clarification regarding any issue relevant to this course; early and often is always a good strategy.

Getting to Know the Blackboard Learning System:

The Blackboard Learning System is software that allows educational institutions to create and host courses on the Internet. Courses created with this software can serve as entire online courses or as a supplement to traditional classroom courses. To use Blackboard Learning System software, you need an Internet connection. You must know how to use an Internet browser, have basic word processing skills, and have basic computer file management skills. You are not required to know HTML or computer programming. Depending on your role, you will use this program in different ways.

What Should I Do First?

Review Course Syllabus!

In order to become familiar any course at the college level, every student should review the course syllabus. The course syllabus outlines the goals and objectives of the course and provides important information about student expectations. Central to a course syllabus is how the student is going to be evaluated; how grades are calculated. In my course syllabus you will find an important link under the discussion of 'Other Matters' having to with plagiarism. Please review the information in 'What is Plagiarism" and take the exam 'How Much Have you Learned About Plagiarism?'

Become Familiar with 'Course Tools'

In order for students to view content in the Blackboard Learning System, you use various course tools. A tool is a function in this software that allows the student to perform specific activities. For example the Assessments tool is used to create and post quizzes. Students use the Assessments tool to complete and submit the quizzes. The Section Instructor uses the Assessment Manager tool to grade quizzes submitted by Students. For a complete outline and description of the tools we will be using in the course of the semester please click on the above link for a more detailed definition of 'Course Tools and their Function'.

Learning How to Use the Black Board Learning System

How Do I Navigate Through the System?

Students should notice that each section is introduced with an 'icon' such as the one preceding this paragraph. By clicking on these icons or on the blue highlighted link that sits beside them, students will gain access to the material within that 'folder'. No matter where a student is within their WebCT account there is always a series of 'bread crumb' links at the top of the page. These 'bread crumb' links will allow you to move backward into previous pages. I strongly suggest that students get 'the feel' of navigating through their WebCT account by spending time practicing this process.

How Do I Take Notes?

First, I recommend that students make a folder on their desktop entitled 'world history'. Click on that folder and make a subfolder entitled 'notes'. Within this folder students can make a series of sub-folders labeled according to the chapter readings being reviewed. When reading any assigned material students can easily 'cut and paste' material into a 'notes page'. Student 'note pages' will be an invaluable source towards preparation for quizzes, discussion panels, and essay assignments.

When you open any icon in order to read the contents or listen to a video, students should always have a 'note page' document open into which you can arrange notes and comments on the central points presented withing the content material. Students need to get in the habit of making electronic notes in the same manner one uses a 'highlighter' when reading a text book. The level of success a student achieves in this course will be in direct correlation to their dedication in reading/listening to content material and making appropriate notes. If you need instructions on this process, please do not hesitate to ask!

How Much Time Should I Spend On Homework?

Well, every student is different but I would suggest, as a rule of thumb, that for every hour spent in class a student should dedicate two (2) hours to complete reading assingments, taking notes, listening to videos, and participating in online discussions etc. Within a hybrid course, it is expected that all assigned work be completed in preparation for the face to face class. All quizzes must be completed within the assigned time frame because there is no make-up exams provided.

How Will I Be Evaluated In this Course?

When it comes time to submit a final grade on each student's performance, several considerations come into that analysis. Although scores on quizzes and essays are all part of the formula, I take an holistic viewpoint when evaluating any student's performance during the entire span of a semester. The below matrix is offered as clarification on the assessment process.