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This is a course in writing, not web technology, so I'm only expecting
you to do things I believe you're capable capable of doing with
a bit of instruction and practice. I will give you ample instructions
in everything you need to do, and I'm happy to answer questions
whenever they arise.
I'm using a website for this course because it:
• helps us make better use of the face-to-face time we
have
• provides new ways of sharing our work and giving each
other feedback
• allows us to keep ourselves organized individually and
as a class
• saves a bit on the paper we distribute
• give you a chance to become comfortable with the technology
BC has to offer
Skills you will use in this course:
- Regular use of e-mail
- Using the Internet to access the WebCT course websites and
other websites relevant to the course
- Converting Word Documents to Web Pages
- Posting messages and attaching files
in the discussion board
- Uploading files into your portfolio
space in WebCT
Instruction Pages
Posting messages and attaching files
in the discussion board
Uploading files into your portfolio
space in WebCT
Working with Images
Creating an Online Portfolio
Creating a Portfolio Homepage
What to do when you have
technical problems
Because we're using the internet in this course, it's inevitable
that something will go wrong. However, the "technology alibi"
is not a blanket excuse for not getting work done. You should
always leave yourself enough time before something is due to troubleshoot
problems if something isn't working.
If the problem doesn't affect your ability to get something
handed in on time: Go to the SLSC (computer lab) in O'Neill
and ask one of the labbies for help. You could also call the help
desk at 2-HELP.
If the problem does affect something due immediately:
Send me an e-mail right away so that I know you're having problems.
It will do no good to show up in class and tell me you don't have
your work done because you had technical problems if you haven't
sent me an e-mail earlier. If an assignment is due, you can alway
e-mail it to me in the message field or as an attachment.
WebCT
WebCT is a university courseware management system that will
make some of the course website password protect and only available
to students in the course. You should always enter the course
website via Webct (via Agora) so you will be able to access all
the pages you need.
WebCT FAQ's
for Students
Browser
Tune-up Page -- helps you ensure that your browser settings
are optimized for running the WebCT portions of the course.
E-mail expectations
E-mail will be one of our most basic forms of communication.
I do check my messages regularly, but I try to maintain a life
outside of cyberspace so please have reasonable expectations about
how fast I'll get back to you. Do not expect me to respond to
e-mail that you send between 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.. On the
weekend, I will be checking my mail, but perhaps only once per
day so you should expect a slower response.
Saving work
You should keep regular backups of your work and should be saving
as often as you can remember (at least every 15 minutes). Become
compulsive, like someone who can't stop washing his hands or someone
who has to straighten every crooked picture frame he passes. Learning
this right now will spare you much weeping and gnashing of teeth
if you ever spill Coke on your keyboard or your dorm burns down.
I would recommend creating backup folders in your portfolio spaces
so that you can backup things in place beside your computer. See
instructions...
Because you will be backing up your work regularly and saving
it in different locations (in WebCT for instance), you should
never loose your whole paper regularly. No excuses.
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Using the Course Website