The Top Ten Tips For DocHoc's Online Courses
(1) Read and reread the class material carefully and thoroughly. All the information you need to be successful in this class is in the material I have prepared for you. Set aside some time to truly understand the syllabus and what is required of you. Follow the instructions and directions exactly as they are given to you. If you do not understand something right away, do not panic. Spend more time reading the material, and, after that, ask me questions.
(2) Understand that this online course calls on you to use your own initiative and savvy to develop and complete your assignments. It is designed that way. Consequently, you will have to seek out knowledge yourself, and you will have to produce assignments you have created from the conception phase. In this class, and all my classes, I reward initiative and creativity. Go ahead and take a risk.
(3) Online courses require us to use what we can call "netiquette." Be sure you pay extra attention to how your online writing voice is perceived by me and your fellow students. Take extra time to put a decent greeting on your communcations, and, by all means, be funny and relaxed. (Watch out for sarcasm, however. It is easily misinterpreted without f2f contact.) Just be yourself. If you accidently put across a wrong message, or you find you have been misunderstood, then correct it by explaining what you meant. I will not referee exchanges between students. But I will intervene if someone becomes abusive.
(4) Turn your assignments in on time. If you do not, I cannot guarantee when I will grade them. I will also deduct points.
(5) By all means, work ahead but remember this: You must access the course on four separate days during the online week of Monday through Sunday or you will lose points. It could mean the difference between an "A" or "B" grade for the class.
(6) Be sure to check the beyondambiguity.com site for class updates at least once a day.
(7) Check your WebCT email and the class discussion boards every time you sit down on the computer.
(8) Always check the discussion boards before you email me.
(9) Feel free to call me at my office or home.
(10) Take advantage of my virtual office hours to ask questions about the class.
(11) Okay, I know I wrote "the top ten" but I need to add this: Please have fun with this course. I've created some opportunities for you to do just that, and if you can think of some more ways, then let me know. I strongly believe this online class can be a lot of fun. Really! Also, remember, you're breaking new online ground here at UCO, so there is bound to be some rough edges here and there. I'm here to help you.