FAQ for History 109 Spring 2006
(see answers below)
1. What books are required for this class?
2. Where can I find the reading and assignment schedule?
3. When can I begin to access the Blackboard server?
4. Will I be able to meet with you outside of class?
5. I don't have Microsoft PowerPoint on my computer. How can I view your PowerPoint programs?
6. I notice that you have two e-mail addresses, one with AOL, and the other with Grossmont College. Which is the best address to contact you?
7. If I lose the connection to Blackboard while I'm taking an exam, will I be able to re-take it?
8. Are there any extra credit options?
9. How many forums and prompts will there be in the discussion board?
10. How many responses do you expect from each of us with respect to your prompts?
11. What types of responses do you expect in the discussion boards?
12. Will you be responding to our replies in the discussion board?
13. How do the WebQuests work?
1. John Murrin’s text as listed in the syllabus is the only required textbook. This book is available for purchase at the Grossmont bookstore, or you may check for it at an online bookseller such as Amazon.
2. I have it posted with the syllabus. The schedule will also be posted in the “assignments” section on Blackboard.
3. If you are already registered in the class, you can access Blackboard the weekend before January 23. If you are not registered in the class, please wait until you officially add the class through the admissions office before you create a Blackboard account.
4. Absolutely. Even though I will not be teaching on-campus this semester, I would enjoy meeting some of you this session. Just let me know what you'd wish to discuss, then we'll arrange a meeting time on campus.
5. You can view the programs in two ways. The easiest solution is to purchase the latest edition of Microsoft Office, but if you don't wish to add to Bill Gates' bank account, you can do this. Go to the Microsoft website and download the PowerPoint Reader. It is a free download. Or if this does not work, request the program from me as a PDF file. Make sure you have Adobe Acrobat Reader to read PDF files. Go to the Adobe website to download the reader if you do not have it.
6. I check both of those accounts very frequently, so you may contact me at any of those addresses.
7. Yes, Just send me a message and I will reset the exam for you immediately. Keep in mind that if you are using a dial-up modem to take this class, lost connections during exams could be a recurring problem.
8. No. I believe that in an online class, extra credit is superfluous. Since you will have access to your notes and readings during the exams, I feel that any type of extra credit is unnecessary.
9. Each week, there will be one forum corresponding to reading from the assigned chapter from the textbook, and in each forum, I'll post 4-5 prompts or questions.
10. Please post at least two responses per week. Respond to at least one prompt, and also respond to one of your classmate's or my responses. However, you are welcome to respond to as many prompts and responses as you wish.
11. I expect thoughtful and complete responses to the prompts. Try to frame your response in at least 5-7 sentences. In other words, compose a short paragraph as you respond to a prompt.
12. Yes, I will respond to at least one of your replies on a weekly basis. Since the class may have a large population, it may be difficult for me to respond to every reply. So if you post four messages on a given week, don't get discouraged if I respond to only one or two of them. If the class has a smaller number of students, then I should be able to respond to everyone's messages, but I'll do the very best I can in responding to everyone in the class.
13. Actually, I am still working out the details of the WebQuests, so please wait for me to post the complete instructions on Blackboard early in the spring semester.