There is plenty you can do to make your first online course a good experience.
Before your course starts, you should:
1. Read the course syllabus and become familiar with the format
of the course.
Check the course website to view the course syllabus. Be sure you
know what will be expected of you. If you have any concerns or questions
about the course, contact the instructor. Syllabi for online courses
can be accessed at http://www.allegany.edu/dl/syllabi/index.shtml
2. Obtain the course textbook and supplemental materials
Your primary resource for most courses will be your textbook. If
you don't want to come to campus to pick up the book, you can either
order it from the Allegany College of Maryland bookstore and ask them
to mail it to you (301-784-5348, there is an additional fee for shipping)
or order it online from www.amazon.com,
www.barnesandnoble.com,
or www.efollet.com
. If ordering online, use the ISBN number indicated on the syllabus
to be sure you order the correct textbook. If you choose this route,
be sure that the textbook can be shipped and received in time for
the beginning of class.
The textbook information should be included in the syllabus for your
course.
3. Identify all of the equipment and tools you need for the course.
In addition to the computer requirements stated in "Prerequisites
for Taking an Online Course" some courses require additional
hardware or software. Be sure to check all of the requirements for
a course before signing up for the course. Syllabi for online courses
(which also contain technical requirements) can be accessed at http://www.allegany.edu/dl/syllabi/index.shtml.
If you still aren't sure what you will need, email the instructor
in advance.
4. Make sure all your systems are up and running before the course
starts. Check your system for:
A. Browser version and settings
For an introduction to browsers click
here.
Internet Explorer (recommended)
If you are running Internet Explorer (recommended) view
the Internet Explorer version recommendations for your computer.
To see what version of IE you are running on your computer click
on the "Help" menu item in your browser and then "About
Internet Explorer".
To download the latest version of Internet Explorer click
here.
Netscape
If you are running Netscape view
the Netscape version recommendations for your computer. To
see what version of Netscape you are running on your computer
click on the "Help" menu item in your browser and then
"About Netscape".
To download the latest version of Netscape click
here.
All browsers
Should have Java enabled (not required for all courses)
Should have Cookies enabled
Should have security settings set to medium or low
You should have pop-up blockers disabled
(See the "Technical Support"
page for instructions)
B. Speakers
C. Microphone (not required for all courses)
D. Microsoft PowerPoint -If you don't have MS PowerPoint you
may download
the PowerPoint Viewer.
E. Adobe Acrobat Reader (Not required for all courses) - If
you don't have the Adobe Reader you may download
Adobe Acrobat Reader
F. Windows Media Player (Not required for all courses) - Your
Windows system should already have Windows Media Player installed.
If not, you
may download the most recent version.
G. Additional Software
Your course may require additional free software (plug-in software).
If your instructor tells you (or the syllabus indicates) to download
and install any of the below software you may go to http://www.allegany.edu/dl/updates.shtml
to download it.
1. Quicktime
2. Shockwave
3. Flash
4. Real Player
5. Update your basic computer and Internet knowledge.
Review this "Internet
101" web site to update your knowledge about the Internet
such as safe surfing, viruses, browsers, email, file sharing and other
relevant topics.
6. Familiarize yourself with Blackboard
Allegany College of Maryland uses Blackboard to conduct online courses.
You do not need to purchase software to use Blackboard, however, you
will need a login and password to access it. You should receive a
letter from the Office of Distance Learning no later than 3 days prior
to the beginning of classes with your username and password. You will
have access to your classes one week prior to the beginning of the
semester.
You should read the "Blackboard
Information for Students" prior to beginning your online
course.
After receiving your Blackboard username and password you should
login to your Blackboard account and orient yourself with Blackboard.
You should also immediately change your password and update your email
address and personal information.
You should be able to perform the following functions in Blackboard
before your course starts:
- Log into your blackboard account (remember to log out when
finished!)
- Change your password
- Update your email address
- Find the course syllabus and course calendar
- Find the "Course Assignments" area
- Find the "Course documents" area
Once the course is started, you may be asked by your instructor to
perform other functions (such as submitting files to them, or using
the discussion board). For information about these, and other, Blackboard
functions please refer to the "Blackboard
Information for Students" page:
7. Be sure you understand the rules about Plagiarism and Copyright
Just as in face-to-face courses, you are expected to abide by the
code of student conduct policy as defined in the student manual
under "Policy Regarding Student Cheating" (page 62).
Plagiarism
As a college student, you are expected to know what plagiarism
is and how to avoid it. You are strongly encouraged to get more
information at webster.commnet.edu/mla/plagiarism.shtml,
http://www.allegany.edu/plagiarism/index.shtml
and http://www.allegany.edu/plagiarism/articles.shtml
The Allegany College of Maryland Student Handbook defines plagiarism
as:
the submission, as your own work, of papers or parts of papers
actually written by another; including in your own work a passage
written by another person without giving due credit; i.e.quoting
or paraphrasing without proper citation of source.
Academic Dishonesty also includes failure on your part to keep
your current and past assignments out of the hands of other students
who may misinterpret their origins. It is suggested that you keep
a record and/or rough draft of written or other work until you
have received your final grade.
Disciplinary action for failure to abide by the "Policy
Regarding Student Cheating" is defined in the ACM Student
Handbook on page 63.
Copyright
You are expected to respect copyright ownership of all course
content, other students work, or any information presented to
you throughout the course. Students shall not copy, publish or
distribute copies of course content, other students work, or other
course information, or retain copies past the end of the completion
of the course.
8. Internet Use Policy
Students are expected to abide by the college's Internet Use Policy
as defined on page 72 of the ACM Student Manual.
