English 2311: Technical and Business Writing on the Internet
Dr. Guzmán-Treviño
Online Orientation Information
Fall 2005
I strongly encourage you to print this orientation information as well as the
Course Syllabus; keep both documents handy throughout the semester!
What textbooks and materials do I need for this course?
1. Required textbooks (See Course Syllabus.)
2. WebTutor Student Access Code (See Course Syllabus.) You may purchase
this code at the TC bookstore or online at http://www.webct.com/accesscodes.
3. (If you registered before August 16, you may have purchased the
Connectweb license. I apologize for mistakenly including that on my original
textbook order request. Since we are using WebCT, you will not need the
Connectweb license. If you purchased one, please take it back to the
Temple College bookstore, along with your receipt, for a refund.)
How do I log in to my course?
1. Go to http://thomson.webct.com.
2. Click the link to Log On to myWebCT.
3. You will be prompted to enter your User Name and Password. (Do NOT
enter your WebTutor Access code here.)
4. Your User Name (WebCT ID) is your first initial and last name, in all lower
case with no spaces. For example, "bsmith." Your password is the same.
Note: Your WebCT ID and Password are case sensitive.
5. Click on the Password Settings link on your myWebCT page.
6. Change your password and write it down. This will protect your privacy and
ensure security of your information.
7. Click on the course textbook title, Business Communication: Process and
Product, to enter the class web site.
8. Enter your 15 or 16 digit Access Code when prompted. You will be required
to enter your Access Code only once when you access the course for the first
time.
If you want more detailed information on accessing your course and access
codes, go to
1. http://help.webct.com/Scenario_1_v3.htm
2. http://www.webct.com/quickstart/viewpage?name=pubpartner_access_code-faq
I strongly encourage you to print and read the WebCt Student Guide. (The
QuickStart Guide was extremely helpful to me when I first began using WebCT.)
Familiarize yourself with the course syllabus and online orientation material as
well.
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What will I see once I access the class Home Page?
You will see several links; these links include:

Course Content

Syllabus

Calendar

Communication

Assignments
Now, let me explain what each link is about:
Course Content: clicking on this link will let you access activities that go along
with each chapter. Please note, however, that I will specify which of these
activities you must complete in the Assignments link.
Syllabus: clicking on this link will let you access the same course syllabus you
accessed from my TC webpage.
Calendar: clicking on this link will let you access a calendar on which I try to
keep you abreast of assignment due dates as well as college deadlines.
Communication: clicking on this link will allow you to send me a WebCT e-mail
message; you will also see any messages I have sent you. You may also be
asked to engage in Discussion or Chat.
Assignments: clicking on this link will open your weekly assignments.
Beginning on Monday, August 22, you will see Week 2 Assignments. I label
these assignments as Week 2 because they are not due until the end of the
second week of the semester.
I suggest that you print your weekly assignments and then check off PARTS as
you complete them. When you first access Week 2 Assignments, you will notice
that some PARTS require you to read chapters in your book; other PARTS
assign certain activities accessible from the Course Content link; other PARTS
require that you prepare and send e-mail attachments to sguzman@templejc.edu; other
PARTS recommend optional activities.
Instructions:
First, plan to have:
___ this printed orientation information
___ Course Syllabus (accessible from my TC webpage)
Second, carefully read EVERYTHING!
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************************************************************************
Course Introduction:
My name is Dr. Guzmán-Treviño. Welcome to Technical and Business Writing
on the Internet! In this Online Orientation Information I will explain how the class
is designed to make you a successful technical and business writer!
First, let me assure you that this course has the same types of reading
assignments, homework, projects, and tests as an on-campus Technical and
Business Writing. You will be given assignments on a weekly basis. The
homework assignments, instructions, and lectures will be posted on your WebCT
Class Homepage, under the Assignments link.
As I explained above, each week I will post a lecture that gives you instructions
on what you should read in your text, what WebCT files you should access, what
homework you should e-mail me, and what WebCT quizzes you should take.
 Some assignments will instruct you to read certain textbook chapters as well
as to access corresponding online E-lectures and PowerPoint Presentations.

Some assignments will instruct you to send me e-mail attachments of
homework. (You must use your TC e-mail address; you must be able to send
Word or HTML attachments!)

Some assignments will instruct you to take a WebCT chapter quiz.
Each week your homework will be due on Thursday by 11:30 a.m. Your first
assignment will be posted by Monday, August 22 and will be due Thursday,
September 1, by 11:30 a.m. Each Thursday at 11:30 a.m. I collect your work. I
print out each student’s homework; as soon as I’ve collected everyone’s
homework, I post the next week’s assignments. Therefore, you always have
about a week to complete assignments.
(I am giving you more time for this first week to give you a chance to familiarize
yourself with the course and WebCT; that's why your first assignment isn't due
until the second week of class, September 1st! After this initial period, however,
be prepared for the class to move at a very fast pace.)
Reviewing the Course Syllabus:
Instructor Information:
From the syllabus, you have my name, office number, telephone number, and email address. I do have voice mail, so feel free to leave a message if you like.
We will primarily be using WebCT and TC e-mail for communication.
At this point I need to tell you something that’s unique to this semester. I have
recently been selected as the new Liberal Arts Division Director at Temple
College. That title means I’ll be taking on more administrative work and less
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teaching. Before I was selected for this new position, I had applied and been
accepted to attend one semester in The University of Texas Community College
Leadership Program. In fact, the Temple College Faculty Council awarded me a
Leave Grant so that I could take the entire semester off!
What does this mean for you? Well, I’m technically not supposed to be teaching
at all this semester, but as some of you know, I have been one of the only
English instructors teaching Internet classes. Although the English department
has just hired two new instructors, the department is still short-handed when it
comes to Internet instructors. Because of this shortage, I am teaching three
Internet courses and attending a semester at UT! My definite UT class days are
Monday through Wednesday. For most weeks, as my UT schedule allows, I plan
to be on campus for a few hours on Thursdays and Friday mornings. I will also
be checking my WebCT and e-mail messages in the evenings from home and
will try to let you know ahead of time if that plan changes. (I will say more about
my availability later in this orientation.)
Required Texts/Materials:
You can see that I require two books. The first text listed is a handbook for
writers, called MLA Handbook. This book is very important for Technical and
Business Writing as well as any English courses you take in the future. During
the semester I often refer to the book in my lectures, so please make sure you
get this book.
Next on the syllabus is our regular textbook. This text contains most of the
reading material you will be assigned.
You also need your WebCT Student Access Code.
Again, I apologize to those of you who purchased the Connectweb license due to
my oversight.
Other Materials:
As you can see from the syllabus, other materials are required as well. For
example, you'll need an erasable pen or liquid paper for all 3 major tests;
otherwise, you'll lose points.
Evaluation:
The next section shows you how your final grade is determined. You can see
that the first section counts for 15%. Most weeks you will earn at least two
grades that will fall into this 15% category. You will receive one grade based on
whether or not you completed all of your homework. That means that if you had
four parts to post, and you posted only two, your grade would be about a 50. If
you completed all four parts you would receive a grade of A. The second grade
will be based on your WebCT chapter quiz grade. Most weeks you will earn
grades in this manner. Occasionally though, I may alter assignments so that you
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earn a grade on an alternate assignment. For example your first oral report
counts in this 15% category.
The next category is for Major Tests. As you can see on the syllabus, the three
tests count 40% of your overall course grade. By the way, in this course when it
is time for a test, I will announce a 3 or 4-day window. Remember that you take
all tests at the Testing Center. More information will follow about the Testing
Center.
The next category is the Portfolio. This assignment will be a compilation of
various types of letters, memos, and other materials. As we get into this portion
of the course, I will let you know when it's time to begin work on this Portfolio that
counts 20%.
The final category is the Final Exam grade which is a combination of your
research project grade and your oral presentation over the research paper.
These grades make the final 25% of your overall course grade.
Attendance/Assignments:
You can see that the next section covered in the syllabus is attendance. Please
take time to carefully read this section and remember that each week you do not
post your weekly assignments you are counted as absent. Keep in mind that for
every additional absence after four absences (week of not posting/submitting by
the due date and time), you may lose 2 points from your final grade.
By the way, on-campus students must spend at least 3 hours preparing for each
class. You should plan to spend more than that amount of time taking this
course via the Internet. You must take into account that you are making up the
time of sitting in a class for 3 hours a week.
Late Work/Make-Up Policy:
As you can see from the syllabus, if you post homework after the 11:30 a.m.
deadline, you will not receive credit. Yes, that means that if you post/submit
assignments at 11:31, you have not received credit for that week's homework.
That’s why, if you’ve read the syllabus, you can see that I stress not waiting until
Wednesday evening to start posting homework. If you’re familiar with computers,
you know they tend to break down at the worst possible moment. You are
responsible for making sure that your homework is posted by the due date and
time. No exceptions are made.
As you can see in the syllabus, you can make up a Major Test, but these makeups are not administered until November 28 through 30. Therefore, if you miss
any of the 3 major tests, you must contact me, so we can make arrangements for
you to take a make-up during that week. The make-up tests cover the same
material as the regular tests; however, the format will be different.
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The research paper requirements will be explained as we progress through the
semester, but your syllabus shows the due date/time. Note that you lose points
each day the paper is turned in late.
Tests:
You can read the syllabus to learn about taking tests. As I mentioned above, you
will take tests at the Testing Center and will usually have a 3-day window. Each
of the three major tests contains objective items and some type of writing
assignment. I will provide some general guidelines the week before each test,
telling you what types of items will be included.
Library Hours:
Please review your syllabus and see the TC webpage for library hours.
Portfolio:
Please notice the due date on the Course Syllabus.
Report Project:
Again, notice the due date on the Course Syllabus.
Oral Reports:
As we get to each oral report I'll give you specific guidelines and requirements.
Within the next couple of weeks, I will ask you to send me a message letting me
know which of the 2 time-slots you have chosen to present your Final Exam oral
report. I ask you to confirm this time-slot early in the semester, hoping you will
make any work or family adjustments necessary to ensure your completion of
this important requirement.
Remember that during this semester you will do two oral presentations. If you've
reviewed the syllabus, you know that you will prepare a VHS recording of your
first oral report. For those of you who do not have the resources to tape yourself
presenting, Mr. Alan McClure in our Media Center can make arrangements to
tape you in one of our classrooms if you set up an appointment with him.
The second oral report counts as half your final exam grade and will cover your
research project. Of course you will come to Temple College to present this
report to your classmates.
Submitting Assignments:
I’ve already explained that your assignments are given on a weekly basis. This
first week is what I call easy because you have two weeks to complete the
assignments!
Your assignment will be divided into PARTS. One part may require that you read
specific text chapters. Another part may require that you send me an e-mail
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attachment with your homework. Another part may require that you view a
WebCT E-Lecture and PowerPoint Presentations. Another part may require that
you take a WebCT quiz.
In most cases, when submitting e-mail attachments I will ask that you create one
Word document with all of the week’s assignments, and then you can send one
attachment for the week.
If you post your homework early and then want to go back and make changes
before the due date/time, you need to go back to your original Word document
and then send the revised Word document in another attachment.
I strongly suggest that you print out my weekly assignments. Don’t be surprised
if you print out 4 or 5 pages at first. As I begin to lecture more you may find
yourself printing 10-15 pages. Remember that you are not sitting in my class
trying to figure out what to write in the way of notes. I’m giving you everything. Of
course that means it’ll be up to you to read and learn all of that!
As I mentioned many time, please make sure you use your Temple College email address for course correspondence.
Also, anytime you send me an e-mail message, please include this course
name/number in the Subject Line.
As I’ve said earlier, I want you to know what you can expect in this course. You
must commit a great deal of time and energy to this course in order to pass.
Quite honestly, the passing rate in this class is not high as I would like it to be.
Many students enroll in this Internet class because they think it’ll be easier since
they won’t have to sit in class once or twice a week. Let me tell you: it is not
easier; it is more difficult! You will spend many hours each week preparing your
assignments. On the one hand, you have everything you need as far as
information because I tell you everything you need to know. On the other hand
though, you must take the initiative to learn everything.
The dropout rate is above average in this Internet class because students finally
realize they can’t or don’t want to commit that much time and effort. Trust me;
this course is not for the weak. You don’t have the luxury of raising your hand
and asking questions like students in the on-campus classes do. Of course, you
can send me a WebCT message, but for students who need that immediate
response, that messaging system is not enough. Believe it or not I do have
students who earn high grades. These students come into the course knowing
they’ll have to work very hard.
Having said all of that, let me say that I am available on an appointment basis. If
you want to meet to make sure you’re getting everything, or if you want to meet
to go over test material, please call and set up an appointment with me. Or
maybe you’d like to have a phone conversation to check on things; I encourage
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you to stay in close contact with me. As I stated earlier, Thursdays and Friday
mornings will be best for me since I will be in Austin on Mondays, Tuesdays, and
Wednesdays.
Grades:
I will not post your weekly grades unless I receive a message from you asking for
your grades. Since your homework is due on Thursdays, I usually grade most of
the weekend and Monday, so I have homework grades ready by the following
Tuesday. Therefore, if you want to know what your grades are for the previous
week, send me a WebCT message each Tuesday, and I'll be glad to let you
know although I probably won’t get back to you until late Tuesday evening.
Especially at the beginning of the semester I encourage you to keep track of your
grades to make sure you know how you're doing on response papers and group
discussion.
I will, however, post messages with your three major test grades and major
assignment grades. You can expect a message from me on the Thursday that
follows a testing week. That means that if you were taking a test this week, you
would receive a message with your test grade by next Thursday. When I post
these grades, I usually include an updated semester average to let you know
how you're doing.
On-campus Office Hours:
As I mentioned before, because of my UT semester, I plan to be on campus for a
few hours on Thursday and Friday.
Virtual Office Hours:
As you might guess I can’t be online every second. My plan is to check my
WebCT and e-mail, evenings (Monday-Thursday). Fortunately, my classes at UT
don't begin until August 31st, so I should be available more often during the first
week of the Temple College semester (August 22-26). I try to check WebCT and
e-mail once on weekends (Friday through Sunday); most often it’s Sunday
evening when I check.
Getting Started:
Now that you’ve read this Orientation Information and Course Syllabus, you
should be ready to begin. Your name should be entered into WebCT and your
first assignment posted by Monday, August 22nd. In the meantime, I suggest
you learn as much about WebCT and its many resources as you possibly can.
Access all the student resource links you can, read the material, and contact
support people BEFORE the schedule becomes too fast-paced!
Good luck and I look forward to working with you.
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