September 17, 2011
WELCOME TO CSS 104
Welcome to CSS 104.The CSS104 class is designed to help you learn how to take an on-line or “E-learning” class. To help in your learning process, you have a class web site, as well as your Moodle site. Since you do NOT have a textbook, you can find your reading materials your class web site at In addition, I have posted handouts on the class web site in the section called “Other Useful Handouts”. These handouts are NOT part of the required reading, but may prove helpful to you in working through the course. These handouts may be especially handy if you are new to computing!
In both Moodle and on the class web site, each week’s information will appear at the top of the list. For example, in Moodle you have the general information area at the top and then see “Welcome to Week One of CSS 104”. Next week, “Welcome to Week Two” will appear under the general information section and Week One information will be shown BELOW Week One.
The class web site is organized in a table with general information always showing at the top and the current week's tasks, reading, and links shown below it. As the course progresses, the most current week will always be at the top.
You submit your tasks as well as complete your weekly review questions in Moodle.
College homework usually equals twice the credit hours of a class. Look at this link to get a general idea of how much time you will be spending. As we don’t meet face-to-face add another three hours (which would normally be spent in a classroom) to the total shown on the chart at this link.
Online classes can be time-consuming as you have various tasks to perform each week, including assigned readings, and, for most weeks, review questions. Read the handouts and the links, (which are provided for you in lieu of a textbook), then complete the tasks and submit them from Moodle as required by the assignment. Complete the review questions, and submit them in Moodle after you have read each link and handout. I suggest you try to space out your work during the week, rather than waiting until the due date to complete the tasks.
All of your tasks and assignments are due at midnight on Fridays. If you have spaced out your work, and find you have questions or some specific task is taking longer than you anticipated, you can email me well before the time runs out. As stated on the syllabus, I do not accept late work for credit.
Each week’s tasks will be available at around 5:00 AM on Saturday morning. This means you have an entire weekend PLUS Monday through Friday to complete your reading and your assignments. This procedure is designed to ensure you understand all the concepts presented in the previous week before going on to new concepts. ALL TASKS AND REVIEW QUESTIONS must be submitted by midnight each Friday. The tasks and review questions will disappear (be unavailable) after midnight each Friday, so it is important that you submit your tasks on time. Grades will normally be posted by noon on Monday for the previous week’s work. As stated in the syllabus, no late work will receive credit.
Skagit Valley College policy is to correspond only through Skagit Valley College email. Should you need to contact me via email, I will respond ONLY to your SVC email and no other address. This is college policy and for YOUR protection as a student!
All assignments are to be submitted through Moodle. Any assignment submitted outside of Moodle will be returned for re-submission. This is for your protection as emails other than Skagit Valley may not be secure. When you email, INCLUDE CSS104 in the subject line, or the email may be returned to you!
Feel free to email any questions or concerns you have at any time! However, first, please read the syllabus thoroughly as many of your questions will be answered there. Also, make sure you save the class web site as a Favorite or Bookmark for easy reference. One of your tasks for the first week of class is to complete a set of review questions on the syllabus in addition to the regular weekly tasks.
Daily review of the Moodle Forum postings is a requirement of the class. These are “class participation” points and it is important that you allot time to read all the comments and reply to other students’ comments. Use these as well to become acquainted with your classmates. Be sure that all of your postings are clear, concise, and considerate. Since online communication is all verbal, DO NOT use “texting language” or other shortcuts as I deduct points for “improper English”!. This "ban" on texting language is also meant for email communication. Any "texting language" email will be returned, unread.
If your questions are not answered on the syllabus, the web site, or the Moodle site, please email me at . As I’m often away from my office during the day, I may be corresponding with you in the early morning or late evening. I look forward to getting to know you through the Moodle Forums this quarter!