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This welcome message contains information on our procedure/content during the first weeks and in general. If you are experienced with WebTycho or have taken DE courses with UMUC, you may not need some of it; however, please read the entire document carefully, since it contains information about important aspects of course policy.
Our class is located on the following
server: http://tychousa.umuc.edu. what if i'm new to webtycho? If you're new to WT, don't worry.
However, make
sure you've taken the tour ("Options" menu), checked out the Tycho Tips
conference in the classroom, and read the User Guide in the Help
and Support Section. Make use of the online knowledge base. If you've
done
all this and still encounter a specific problem, email Tycho
Support
and then let me know of your problem per email. While I am
NOT
your official source of technical advice or support, I am
certainly
interested in your problems or frustrations. Our support team is highly
qualified and usually very quick to respond to your calls for help. If
you are unhappy with the help you're receiving, feel free to copy me on
your correspondence. If you find out something of use for other
students,
share it with the class in one of our many "free spaces." what if i haven't yet received my textbook? If you haven't received your textbook by
the beginning of the
course, please let me know, but also notice that the first week's
assignments may be completed
without the textbook, just in case the delivery of your textbook has
been
delayed. For this reason, a lack of textbook is not a valid reason for
beginning class.
Our class is virtual and asynchronous,
but it is a class and
not a tutorial or independent study. The activities and discussions are
a great learning resource, but they also represent a responsibility. To
be a success, the class needs to be filled with real voices and
positive energy. Your participation will help make learning effective
and more enjoyable for everyone, just as participation from your peers
will help make the class a richer experience for you. Communication
courses demand...communication. how will my participation be graded? Your
participation will be graded on the consistency, timeliness and quality of
your responses. See the Assignments & Procedures document and the
syllabus for details. where does communication take place? All discussions take place in our WebTycho classroom. Course related questions should be asked in relevant conference areas or in one of the many "free spaces" that I will set up for general questions, stray thoughts and friendly small talk. Email is here for personal communication only. Thus, I will not accept weekly assignments per email, except in the case of a temporary technical emergency. On the other hand, if you have a problem
or question
which you'd like to keep personal, don't hesitate to get in touch with
me per email. Whereas we are requested to maintain a 24-48 hour
turnaround
time for email, it is usually less. During the week, I usually check my
mail several times a day and try to answer as promptly as possible.
Especially
in the first weeks, I try to keep close track on your progress. when is the instructor in the classroom? I'm in the classroom most weekdays to keep a check on activities; however, I will not always say something every time I'm in the classroom. Sometimes your peer conversations may be going too well to interrupt; other times I may want to see where the class is going with a topic before responding. Or, in the case of a question, if time is not pressing, I may allow a peer to answer, rather than answer it immediately myself. If you want ME to answer a question personally, all you need to do is address me in your post. But please remember that if I've been in the classroom Friday morning and you ask a question Friday afternoon, you most likely won't get an answer till Saturday or, in some cases, Sunday. As I said, I am in the classroom most weekdays, but I am not in the classroom all day:-) I will generally engage in 3 intensive sessions per week. My rhythm will usually follow the class dynamic in terms of which days I create the most input. If you have any questions about our method of work along the way, feel free to ask!
what
should i do first? The class announcements will usually keep you up to date on what's happening in the class and remind you of upcoming assignments, activities that are beginning or will soon be ending. It is your responsibility to check in, read the announcements and keep up with the class. When you enter the classroom for the first time, there will be an announcement directing you to important information documents. Make sure you study these carefully! See you in the classroom! deborah |