I enrolled in the course while traveling, and was late in purchasing my textbook, via online. I live in Roanoke and although I expected to receive it by now, it has not arrived. So, I will not be submitting Assignments 1 and 2 open queries by today's due date.
** **
Orientation Part II
Task: `q001. You have completed the Introductory QA. Please explain the question-answer-self critique process as you understand it at this point.
**** Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):
I am expected to provide a thorough explanation of my solutions including my logica, my observations about data in tables, ad in graphs, and without skipping any meaningful steps. Then, I will provide a numerical estimate of my confidence in the quality of my solution. After reviewing the actual solution, if available, I will critique the actual quality of my solution, and provide a self-rating on whether I fully understand the provided solution, and where I might have erred.
#$&* (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after. This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious. Hence this note.)
Task: `q002. Any question you pose in your responses should be preceded and followed by a series of at least three question marks. This is so the instructor can quickly identify your questions, and also so the instructor doesn't inadvertently overlook your question.
If you have a question about anything you see in the Orientation, please mark in in the indicated manner and include it in your response.
Please describe how you should annotate questions in your responses, and why it is important to do so:
**** Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blankd and doesn't include the #$... prompt):
Any questions that I have for the instructor must be marked by ??? at the beginning and end of the question, so that the instructor can find them and provide responses.
#$&* (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after. This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious. Hence this note.)
Task: `q003. If at any point of the Orientation you have trouble following instructions, let your instructor know the specifics:
• Submit a copy of every instruction related to your question.
• Describe what you do at each step, and what happens as a result. Include a copy of the Address box of your Internet browser, as it appears at every step.
If you are going astray in the process, this will give your instructor the information necessary to quickly get you back on track.
You should send this information using the Submit Question Form (this is the best form to use because it helps you structure your question and prompts you to provide important information), or the Submit Work Form. Having submitted the form it's also acceptable to send an additional note using email.
The URL's for these forms are respectively http://vhcc2.vhcc.edu/dsmith/forms/question_form.htm and http://vhcc2.vhcc.edu/dsmith/submit_work.htm.
Please describe what to do if you have trouble following any of the instructions:
**** Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):
If I am having difficulty following instructions, I should provide a copy of all relevant instructions, with a description of what I have done at each step, and include a copy of the web address of the page(s). I can use either the Submit Question Form or the Submit Work Form
#$&* (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after. This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious. Hence this note.)
Task: `q004. Go to the home page for your course, at College Algebra Homepage (the URL is http://vhcc2.vhcc.edu/dsmith/college%20algebra/homepage_158_menu_driven.htm)
Bookmark this page (i.e., add it to Favorites on your Internet browser).
Describe what you see at this page.
**** Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line):
The homepage is entitled Mth 158, College Algebra Homepage: Explanatory Note
The information is a general overview of the course content.
To the left of the homepage is a scrollable Homepage Menu. I have been using various links on this menu during orientation to the course.
#$&* (Note that your response was to go into 'the next line'; your response will therefore be inserted before this line, not after. This is obvious when you're looking at the form, but if you've copied the form into a text editor it might be less obvious. Hence this note.)
Task: `q005. On the homepage for your course, click the link 'Assignments' for an overview of your assignments. You can scroll down the page and see your assignments, numbered 1 - 42.
You will also see on your homepage the link to the 'Due Dates Document'.
Depending on when you are completing this document the Due Dates might be for the preceding semester. Due dates for a term are updated prior to the first day of classes for that term.
Please respond with a statement detailing your understanding of the Due Dates page:
**** Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):
On the Due Dates page, I see that the Assignments are divided into groups. The first group is entitled Weeks 1-3, Through Chapter R Test. Week 01: Assignments 0, 1, 2
In the left column on the page, the corresponding dates for Week 01 are: Week of 08/31/12 - 09/05/12. This means that Week 01 Assignments (0, 1, and 2) should be submitted by 9/5/12; I assume by 11:59 p.m.
#$&* (your response should have gone on the line above this one)
I
Task: `q006. Return to the page at the 'Assignments' link, take a quick look down the page, and describe what you see. It is recommended that you bookmark this page in your browser (e.g., add it to Favorites) so you can access it easily and quickly.
Each assignment is accompanied by instructions for completing it. The instructions are pretty much the same for every assignment, so you should quickly get used to the routine.
There are probably additional things you don't understand right now about the Assignments page. You will get more specific and detailed information in subsequent Orientation assignments, and once you start actually using the page you will easily become accustomed to the routine.
Briefly describe what you have seen:
**** Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):
I see a detailed list of objectives for each assignment, in order, with reference to the specific section of the textbook. Included in the assignment, below the objectives, is the list of problems to solve. When the assignment is completed, then there are instructions to complete Open Inquiry, to demonstrate relevant knowledge from the homework.
#$&* (your response should have gone on the line above this one)
Task: `q007. From the College Algebra homepage click on the link 'Course of Study'. Read it and acknowledge below that you have been able to find the syllabus and know how to locate it: Note that you should re-read the syllabus or course of study on or shortly after the first day of class, to be sure you have read the document that will apply to the term in which you are taking the course.
**** Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):
I have located and read the syllabus, found at the link entitled Course of Study.
#$&* (your response should have gone on the line above this one)
Task: `q008. Return to the your College Algebra homepage and once more click on link to the Assignments link. Add this page to your bookmarks (e.g., in Internet Explorer, add to Favorites), and acknowledge in your response that you have done so.
**** Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):
I have added the College Algebra Assignments page to my bookmarks.
#$&* (your response should have gone on the line above this one)
Task: `q009. On the College Algebra homepage, click on Link to Blackboard, and sign in using the same username and password you use to access the registration system. When the Blackboard screen comes up you should find at least one 'course' entitled 'Supervised Study ... ', where ... stands for the term (Fall, Spring or Summer) and year (e.g., 2012), as well as your College Algebra course.
Click on the Supervised Study ... site and give a brief description of what you see. You need not read all the information that appears, just take a quick look and give a line or two of description. (It is possible that you will be doing the Orientation prior to the beginning of the term, or shortly after registration; if so this Blackboard 'course' might not yet be available. You might also be doing this before your Blackboard enrollment is run. If either is the case, be sure to make a note to yourself to do check this page out on the first actual day of classes. You won't need it before then.).
Note that enrollment in Blackboard and enrollment in your course at VHCC are two separate things. Blackboard is 'unofficial' and always needs to be regarded as such.
Please respond with a statement detailing your understanding of the Blackboard Supervised Study 'course', and the unofficial nature of Blackboard.
**** Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):
The Supervised Study page is the location of information generally applicable to all students, the location of all course grades for any of Mr. Smith's courses this semester, and information about the instructor. When the linked is clicked, it opens on the Announcements page. I acknowledge that my enrollment in the course at VHCC is separate from my enrollment in Blackboard, which a course management system.
#$&* (your response should have gone on the line above this one)
Task: `q010. We might use various features of this Blackboard page, but the course is not delivered using Blackboard. Blackboard has a number of very good features, but it is of necessity a 'closed' system and not sufficiently flexible or efficient to be the primary vehicle. The one feature we are sure to be using is the Grade Center, where you can check your grades on tests and my comments.
At the Supervised Study ... site note the 'Check Grades' link. Your grades will be posted at the Supervised Study... site, not at the College Algebra site.
As explained in the opening message on both the Supervised Study ... and College Algebra sites, Blackboard is not likely to be used extensively in this course, except for posting grades.
Describe what you see at the Grade Center.
**** Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):
When I click on the Check Grades, I jump to my specific page, where no grades are currently listed because I have not earned any yet.
#$&* (your response should have gone on the line above this one)
Task: `q011. You need not look at any more of the Blackboard page, but you are welcome to do so if you choose, and you may ask any questions you wish in your response. If you have no questions, or do not feel the need to further explore this page, just respond with 'ok' or something of that nature.
**** Your response (insert your response beginning in the next line; the next line is blank and doesn't include the #$... prompt):
Ok, thanks.
#$&* (your response should have gone on the line above this one)
@&
Good.
Assignments 0, 1 and 2 aren't due until next week. The Due Dates page had everything a week earlier than intended. It has now been modified.
*@