From CUNY Academic Commons
<br>Learning online is a new experience for all of us; however, it is a way of learning that will increase in the future as more institutions and organizations use the Internet for distance education. This course will enable you to learn where you want and–to a certain extent–when you want. However, an online course is not easier than a traditionally held classroom course. You have almost full responsibility for learning, so self-discipline, an ability to get things done on time, and a willingness to collaborate with classmates essential to successfully complete this course.
To do well in this course, you must be able and willing to do all of the following:
- You must have access to the course and your CUNY e-mail from a computer every day and check the Announcements and your Hunter e-mail every day.
- You need to know how to create and how to cut and paste documents in Word.
- You need to know how to do Internet searches
- You must be willing to work in an online group and assume the responsibilities of being an active member of your group.
- You must make the time to read all the material, write the required responses to the Discussion Board, and do all the other assignments.
To succeed in a Blackboard course, you should:
- Familiarize yourself as much as possible with our online course. What components are on each button? How do you use them to get to where you want to go? Find out the course schedule, course requirements, grading criteria, and so forth.
- Log in to our course on a regular basis. Most students log in once or twice a day; you’ll find what pattern suits you the best. Regular attention to the course website allows you to be aware of course updates, progress in conference discussions, assignment information, and messages requiring immediate attention.
- Be aware of and keep up with the course schedule. Although this is a distance course, it is designed to provide you with a semester schedule of course units, assignments, conferences, and so forth. You must adhere to the course schedule in order to benefit from the course material and discussions.
- Participate in Discussion Board forums and the Course Wiki. Use them to get to know the other class members and their ideas and you get to share knowledge and learn from classmates. You will be required to initiate and respond to topic questions, and you should try to add something of value each time you respond to a classmate’s posting.
- Fulfill your responsibilities to the groups in which you are placed to the best of your ability. Remember that how well your group does depends on how cooperatively and effectively the group members work together.
- Contact your classmates and me when you have questions about any aspect of the course. You can also try to post general questions to your class conferences, as fellow class members may have similar questions or else the answers.In those courses that have on-line group work, be sure to fulfill your responsibilities to the best of your ability. Remember, how well your group does depends on all the group members working together cooperatively.
- Finally remember that the Internet is a public place. Speak and behave as you would in a classroom.
