Welcome to English 101: College Reading and Composition online! This online class will be available to you 24/7 anytime you want to *go to class* which I hope will be daily.
There are certain topics I have to cover in English 101 and a certain amount of writing (8700 words--no idea who came up with that number or why); therefore, I will organize the course around the final term paper you'll turn in at the end of the class. I've selected the general topic "Exploring Iraq." I've also selected two recent books for you to read and discuss that will jump start your research. I will also assign other articles from such respected sources as the New York Times, the Washington Post, the New Yorker , the Wall Street Journal online and Salon that you will be able to cite as sources. Of course you will be able to cite sources that you have discovered on your own as well.
English 101 involves a lot of work because it is a core class for transfer and is closely monitored (called *articulation*) by the universities that accept it for credit. However, I hope you will find it worthwhile. If you have any questions or concerns you may contact me by using the private message tool. I will try to answer your messages promptly. I will also make regular visits to the chat room to answer any quick questions you post there. Sometimes I will use the chat room to let you know what I am working on when I am online.
If you need to contact me once the class has started, use the PM function; however, DO NOT submit your assignments to my college email, my private email or via PM. None of these is linked to my online Gradebook. Your best bet is to submit your assignments in a timely manner using the inline assignment tool according to instructions. All essays must be submitted using Word .doc not Works, WorkPad or .docx. You will have a generous grace period of 24 hours when your assignment will be marked *late.* After that the assignment will automatically close, so it is important to plan ahead for deadlines.
There are a few misconceptions that students have about online learning.
* An online class is easier than a facetime class. Wrong! This class may actually take more effort. Instead of sitting around talking in class, you will have discussions in writing! This is good news for racking up those 8700 words! Although the online class may take more effort, the class is more convenient. You can take the class anywhere you have an internet connection, anytime, day or night, that fits your convenience. Just know that the assignments have a closing time and date, usually 11:45 pm the day they are due.
* I can use computer problems as an excuse for not doing the class work. Nope! It is your responsibility to have computer access. Always have a backup plan in the event that something happens to your computer or internet access. Your backup can be our computer labs at LAVC, a friend's computer, a computer at work, or even the public library computer bank. But if you are having problems with technology, let me know right away so I can help you solve it.
* I can work at my own pace. Not quite. You do have a lot of freedom about when and where you do your assignments, but there will be deadlines for discussions and assignments, so you will have to follow a schedule. When an assignment is closed, that's all, folks! But you will have all day and all night as long as you submit your work before 11:45 pm. You need self-discipline, but you will also have quite a bit of flexibility within the deadlines.
Don't worry! You can do it! You will always be able to private message (PM) me, so please let me know if you are having a problem. I generally work from home. The only time I am on campus is Monday or Tuesday afternoons. If you need facetime help, peer tutors are available in the Writing Center H 100. I have linked the WritingCenter in Web Content. You may also use the WritingCenter's online tutoring service to submit your first draft for evaluation, but you need to plan ahead because there is a turn around time of several days. If you need face2face technical assistance or have a computer melt down, there is a computer lab next door to the WritingCenter in H 102.