R. Craig Collins > Orientation Follow Up

Orientation Follow Up © R. Craig Collins, 2008

Am I getting the best grade possible? Click here

Commonly used computer terms
Click here

Controlling File Names
Many Windows computers are set up to hide known file extensions; this can be very confusing for computer students. To set your computer to display the entire file name:
 • Open My Computer or Windows Explorer
 • Choose Tools\Folder Options... (for Vista users, press the [Alt] key to reveal the Tools menu), then select Folder Options)

 • Choose the View tab
 • Click off the check mark next to 'Hide extensions for know file types'
       • Click OK

Planning your semester

This semester takes into account the normal highs and lows of a semester, and is basically front loaded... allowing for soak time and practice at the end of the semester, prior to the capstone events.

To check your progress: in the D2L classlist, choose the circular blue icon next to your name;
to check your Discussion progress, use the dropdown Tool and select Discussions...choose Apply.
You will need to scroll down to see which discussions you have and have not posted to.
Your participation grade will be penalized at the end of the semester for discussions you have not posted to.

Am I getting the best grade possible?

First things first. Are you spending enough time on this class?
When your registered for class, it probably said you are expected to attend a lab period, outside of the regular meeting times. Normally this lab is not scheduled; you may work on any computer anywhere if it has the right software... that includes the computer lab in the WTC building. But, usually on your registration slip, it is suggested that you come to the Wednesday, 12:30-2:30 lab in room 522, as I am there to help you with labs and answer questions. I am the only person on campus that schedules an open lab like this. So, are you using the lab time afforded to you to work on labs, and ask questions?

Most colleges advise their students to spend at least one hour outside of the classroom for every hour in the classroom. This is the time you will need to read the class material before you come to class, and take notes on questions you wish to ask. Class material includes your book(s), my notes on my web site, and the videos provided with the book or on the class web site. Most of my classes meet a bit over two hours a week; are you spending two hours a week outside of the class, preparing?

Are you getting the most out of my lecture?
Not all students learn best by reading. That is why many of you sign up for lecture classes, instead of e-learning classes. You want to hear the lecture, and see the demonstrations. You want to follow along with the guided activities. But, if you have not read the required material BEFORE class (the class schedule is on your syllabus, on the class web site, and there are reminders in D2L), you won't be prepared for my lecture.

So what do you do if you didn't 'get it' during the lecture, or if you miss a class?
Raise your hand. Ask questions. Call me over at the end of class after the lecture, when you have a little time to work on the lab before the class ends.

Come by my office hours. They are listed on the class web site. Come to my lab times, or attend other similar classes.
Or, if it is an e-learning class, e-mail me your questions.

Next, are you using the feedback forum in D2L to get prompt feedback, or to suggest areas in my notes that might benefit from more or new information? Click here to see if you are posting to all the forums you should be, to get the best participation grade possible.

What I won't do.
I want to help you learn, but don't expect me to constantly repeat what I have already said, or what is already written down for you. After a bit, I will simply point out on my web site the relevant information. It is up to you to review the steps until you master them. I can provide insight, I can provide some learning tips, or refer you to campus institutions that can help with your reading or learning skills, I can provide info on where the material resides on my web site or in your book, but I can't sit by you the entire time... other people may have questions too.

Don't expect me to do your lab. I will show you the steps, but it is up to you to string those steps together... use your notes until the steps are second nature.

A final note on using the material to assist you during the learning phase.
Between the book and my notes, EVERYTHING is covered. Nothing is said in lecture classes that isn't available for you in the book or on my web site. Many software related items have videos to demonstrate the techniques, but you simply can't learn by skipping to the videos. You must read the material first. You may need to print the material from the web site, then, as you watch the videos provided...stop the video, and compare the notes to what you see.

Okay, I am paying attention, doing my reading, but my grade is low. What is going on?
Most people in my class that are not getting As or Bs can attribute that to not turning in work.
Are you turning in all parts of the lab? Almost every lab has two parts, a software related activity, and a quiz over a related topic.

The activities are turned in by using the D2L dropbox.
Lab quizzes are open book, open note, and taken using the quizzes feature in D2L.
To find out at anytime what your scores are, go to the grades area in D2L, and scroll down for feedback on what can be redone to improve your grade. A separate section on feedback is below.

If you are not doing the labs, you will not be prepared for the Tests. To get the best test grade: do the labs, and really spend some time on the provided test reviews. Almost everything on the test comes from the review. You may complete and email me a test review for
feedback on your material.

And remember, your lowest test score can be improved by doing well on that section of the Final exam.

Make Up Work
All material is due on a specified date, electronically submit the material if you cannot attend class. Late work may not be accepted, or may be heavily penalized.

A missed test grade is generated as a percentage of the relevant section of the Final Exam;
the lowest test grade may be replace by a percentage of a markedly improved relevant section of the Final.

Key to success in my classes
Attend class, participate, and turning in your homework almost guarantees passing; test grades build on that success. The majority of my tests are short answer/fill in the blank, to ascertain what you have actually learned, to duplicate the real test before getting a job, the job interview.

Cheating prevents me from seeing what you are weak in, which prevents you from learning it. So, don't cheat, or break the rules.

How to: Study
Click here

Class Participation for Web Enhanced Classes
     • To Submit by Temple College Desire2Learn (D2L):
              •Log into D2L, scroll to the bottom, and choose the correct course
              •When the Course Home Page appears, click on the Discussions link.
                                   •You may click on Discussions, Dropbox, or Quizzes below, for more info
              
              •Click on the discussion topic for this time frame
              •Click New Message, or
              •Open the Message that you want to reply to
                  •On the bottom frame click on Reply
              •. A message form will appear
              •In the form type your message
              •When your message is complete, click Submit

Submitting Files
For Labs that require files to be electronically submitted
 • Zip the required file(s) and/or folder(s)
   Please note: you may not be able to properly view all files in the zip...
   don't be alarmed, when extracted, the files and folders will be fine.
 • Rename the zipped file to reflect your name and the lab being turned in
       •Example: yourname-lab1 or yourname-lab1.zip (if your extensions are visible)

Problems? Zip the entire folder and attach to an email:
       •Send the mail to your instructor, cc yourself
       •The subject line should include your name, your class, your section, and what you are submitting
       •Make sure you attach the zipped file

 • If submitting by Temple College Desire2Learn:
       •Choose the class for which you want to drop off an assignment.
        •Find the Dropbox tool, click on it.
                     •You may click on Discussions, Dropbox, or Quizzes below, for more info

        •Choose the appropriate Dropbox folder, click on it.
        •Browse to find the file that you would like to upload and click [Open].
          You may need to choose My Computer or Computer on the side of the dialog box to find your file
        •Optional: Type in a short description or comment about the file.
        •After your files have been selected, click Upload.
        •Select and upload any additional files that may be pertinent.
        •Some files may take a long time to upload but shortly the File Upload dialog box should appear.

        See the steps below to verify that your file went through.
        •Go to the Dropbox tool
        •Click on the History button
        •All of the assignments that have been submitted will be listed.

 • Getting Feedback, electronically
      •Dropbox Feedback
         •Open the Dropbox
              •Grades are recorded on the left, Choose New or View for feedback, on the right
              •see picture below

      •Quiz Feedback
         •Open the Quiz
              •Choose Submissions
              •Click on Attempt 1 to see comments, and review your quiz
              •Note your grade and class average
              •see picture below

      •Grades Feedback
         •Open Grades to see your gradebook
              •Grades are recorded on the left, comments on the right
              •see picture below

Dropbox Feedback


Quiz Feedback


Grades Feedback
Comments, if any, are on the right
Some grade are calculated, such as a dropbox grade plus a quiz; to see what parts make up the grade,
click the calculator icon