BOT 100 Online
Orientation
Introduction
Instructor
Contact:
Mark.Pressnall@gcccd.edu
This orientation will introduce you to the
course content and expectations for BOT 100 online. You'll also have
a chance to make sure everything is set up and ready to go. While
you work through this orientation, jot down any questions you might
have and post them to our course Help discussion board. I recommend
that you print this page, and check each item off as you complete
it.
What to do for this
assignment
- Print this page and mark each
item as you complete it.
- Enroll in the course. You enroll
for this online course the same way you enroll in any other
Grossmont College course. You will need to be enrolled in the
course before you can access the course Blackboard site.
- Buy the textbook and install the
software. You can buy the book kit at the campus bookstore,
or from another source. You will need them on the first day of
class. In the kit you will find 2 textbooks and the GDP
keyboarding software on a CD. (See below for more details about
the required course materials.)
- Login to Blackboard. One
week before class begins, those who have enrolled will be
entered into the Blackboard system. If you enrolled
successfully in the class, you should now be able to access the
class. If you register for the class less than one week prior to
class starting, you must contact me to be entered into the
Blackboard system. If you want to add the class after the start
date, you need to contact me for an add code.
- How to login to Blackboard
A. Go to http://bb.gcccd.net
(click on this link or the Blackboard Login link in the
web page navigation at the left side of this page)
B. Click the Login button
C. For Username enter your name as firstname.lastname (all
lower case, with a dot between the names)
D. For Password enter your birthday (mmddyy)
E. If you cannot login successfully the first time, try it
again. Your login information is the same as when you login to
any computer on campus. If you still have trouble logging in,
STOP and contact me (mark.pressnall@gcccd.edu). Do not panic,
we'll get it fixed. Do not click the create an account
button as this will only complicate matters and delay your
first login.
- Successful login! Now that you
have logged in, welcome to the course. Read the Welcome
announcement. This announcement contains helpful information
on how the course works and where to start.
- Update your personal information.
The first time you login to the course (or anytime you change
e-mail address), click on the Tools button, select
Personal Information, and update the e-mail address that you
prefer to use for this class. When I send class e-mail
announcements, it will go to the e-mail address in your profile.
Save any changes.
- Print the syllabus. In the
Blackboard course site, click on the Course Information
button. Click on the syllabus link. Print the syllabus and keep
it with your textbook. You may need to save the syllabus and
then open it to print it. READ the whole syllabus.
- Familiarize yourself with the course
web site by clicking on all of the links (buttons) in the
course navigation on the left side of the course website. There
are also several links on the web pages that display. Browse
through them thoroughly to familiarize yourself with the entire
course website.
- Install the GDP keyboarding
software. The syllabus contains instructions to install and
set up the GDP software. You will also need the GDP software
manual.
- Begin on the course assignments.
Follow the syllabus to begin the assignments in the order they
are listed. You can turn in assignments early. See instructions
for submitting assignments by clicking "How to Upload your
keyboarding assignments" link on the Course Information
page in the class website. The due dates for each assignment are
listed in the syllabus. Most assignments are due by midnight on
Saturday, but be sure to check the syllabus. The weeks of the
midterm and final exams, I need your work earlier (by Wed) so
that I can grade everything and return feedback before you take
the exam.
return to top
Course textbook and
software
The textbook kit is available at the
Grossmont
College Bookstore.
The textbook kit including the GDP10 software is available in the
Grossmont College Bookstore or online at
www.whywaitforbooks.com. Be sure to purchase the kit for
Word 2007.
·
Required:
College Keyboarding &
Document Processing, Lessons 1-60, 10th edition
by Scott Ober, Jack E. Johnson, & Arlene Zimmerly, with GDP10
software. ISBN-13: 978-0-077-212-568 (Kit includes keyboarding
textbook, word processing manual, and CD with software manual).
NOTE: Must be the 10th edition text and software; and for Word 2007.
Word 2007 is not required for BOT 100, however, if you plan to take
101, or 101A and 101B.
·
Access to a PC/Windows computer with the following requirements:
·
Computer/Processor:
500-MHz or higher
·
Memory:
256 MB of RAM or higher
·
Hard disk:
2 GB of available hard-disk space
·
Monitor:
800 x 600 minimum monitor resolution; 1024 x 768 recommended
·
CD drive
·
Operating system:
Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or later
·
Internet access:
Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
·
Sorry, no Macintosh as the Office program is very different on a
Mac.
return to top
Advice from BOT
online students
- Keep up with the class. The
biggest problem online students have is gradually falling
behind. You lose points when assignments are late, and you may
be dropped from the class if you get behind. This class is only
8 weeks in length and all work must be completed
by the class end date.
- Schedule at least 5-7 hours per week
to focus on the class. Some students may need more or less
time, so you can make adjustments based on your skill level.
- Don't wait until the last minute to
start an assignment. If you run into a problem, it may take time
to get help.
- Contact your instructor as soon
as you begin to have problems or if you decide to drop.
- Check e-mail and online discussion
several times a week.
- Have a back-up plan in case your
computer crashes.
Congratulations you are ready to earn
your first points in the class. Be sure to mention that you have
read this orientation page in your e-mail to me.
mark.pressnall@gcccd.edu
Aloha!!!
return to top
|
