BOT 102A Online Orientation

This orientation will introduce you to the course content and expectations for BOT 102A Online. You'll also have a chance to make sure everything is set up and ready to go. Your first quiz (at the end of this orientation) will include questions about the syllabus and Blackboard, so make sure you read everything carefully. 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. Don’t forget to take the 20-point quiz to complete this Orientation.

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. This course teaches keyboarding and document processing in Microsoft Word 2007. If you already have Word 2007 on your computer, you’re ready. You absolutely must use Word 2007 for this class because older versions of Word will not work with the GDP keyboarding software. (See below for more details about the required course materials).

• Login to Blackboard. The first day of class is August 25, 2008. One day 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. Please do not enroll yourself into Blackboard until you first check to see if your name is already there. If you wind up in Blackboard twice, it will be confusing for us both. Simply use the username and email that is provided for you by the Grossmont computer department. You can edit these later.

• If you want to add the class after the start date, you need to contact me for an Add Code.   

• 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 begin.

• 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 (available August 24 – one day before class begins). 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 (you will need to answer questions about the syllabus on the quiz).

•  Familiarize yourself with the course website by clicking on all of the links (buttons) in the course navigation on the left side of the course’s website page. 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. Turn to page 4 in your syllabus and follow the instructions to install and set up the GDP software. You will also need the GDP software manual.

•  Install Word 2007 software. You will need Word 2007 installed to type your documents. GDP will automatically launch Word when it is needed.

• Take the online orientation quiz (available August 24 – one day before class begins). After completing the steps above, you can take the quiz (worth 20 points and due the first week of class). Login to Blackboard, click on the Exams link, and click on the Online Orientation Quiz. The quiz will cover information from the syllabus and Blackboard. This is Assignment #1 in your syllabus.

• Begin on the course assignments. Turn to page 5 in your syllabus and begin on 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.

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Course textbook and software

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 (October 17, 2008).
• 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.