Hello Comm 101 Online Students!
It is important that you know from the onset that this is a difficult class to complete online. In
fact, many of the people who start COMM 101-online do not finish the course
successfully. In comparison, very few people fail to successfully complete on-campus sections
of this class. There are several reasons for this disparity:
1. People who suffer from stage fright mistakenly think that COMM 101-online will help
alleviate their concerns. When, in fact, our experience shows that people who suffer from any
sort of debilitative speech anxiety will have a much better experience in an on-campus class
where an instructor can provide constant support in working through the process. Further, the
YouTube video involved in COMM 101-online can make such anxiety much worse.
2. People underestimate the importance of excellent reading skills. All information (regarding
both course content and processes) is provided in written form. This means students must be
both willing and able to read EVERYTHING that is provided to them. There is no classroom
lecture situation where information will be explained orally. Lack of reading causes missed
deadlines, missed assignments, misunderstood assignments, etc. and ends up significantly
decreasing grades in the class.
3. People underestimate the time commitment of the class. Students must be engaged in the
class the entire time. They cannot start late or end early. They are responsible for checking into
Blackboard almost daily and should expect the exact same time commitment as is found in an
on-campus section of COMM 101. Failure to understand this personal responsibility and time
commitment causes many to be unsuccessful in this class.
4. Perhaps unlike other courses you have taken online, the discussion boards are critical to the
understanding and application of course concepts. In order for you to be successful in the course
you must take an active role in the discussion boards and failure to do so will significantly
impact your final grade in the course.
Frequently Asked Questions for COMM 101 Online
1. Do I ever have to come to class?
No, all of COMM 101 is handled electronically. There are no on-campus obligations.
2. How about speeches?
Speeches are a challenging part of COMM 101 online. The speech requirements are the same as
they are for any COMM 101 class. However, students in the online section are required to find
their own audiences of 10 adults (a Rotary Club, Toastmasters, a meeting at work, etc…, not
simply relatives and/or friends) to which they can give their speeches. These speeches are then
taped and uploaded to YouTube for viewing by your instructor.
3. What are the assignments like?
Students are required to essentially do everything that an on-campus section would do. Text
reading, discussion board posting, chapter questions, speeches/outlines, and final exam make up
a student’s final grade.
4. I work full-time and have a family. Will this class fit into my schedule?
The good part about this online class is that it is totally time independent. Meaning, a student
can log into this class anytime that fits into his/her schedule. However, this doesn’t mean that
this class takes any LESS time than a regular class. A student should figure the same amount of
time to complete this class as he/she would need to complete an on-campus section of COMM
101.
5. Can I work at my own pace?
There is a lot of flexibility built into COMM 101. However, there are weekly deadlines and
students are expected to interact with the instructor and each other. So, a student isn’t entirely at
his/her own pace. One can always work ahead, but late work isn’t acceptable.
6. Is this class easier than COMM 101 on-campus?
NO!! The reality is that this class works very well for people who absolutely can’t make it to
campus (for whatever reason). However, if coming to campus is an option, most people find that
their experience is better in an on-campus environment.
7. I HATE giving speeches in front of people!!! Will taking this class on the internet make
that easier for me????
ABSOLUTELY NOT!! In fact, if a student suffers from any sort of debilitative speech anxiety,
this course is probably NOT for you. Coming to campus will make the experience far easier. It
will be easier to work with an instructor who can help you through the process. And, it will
allow you to avoid the prospect of having to put a speech on videotape. Please consider an oncampus option if you need some assistance in this area.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact me – and I look forward to working with you next
semester.
Mark Wasden
Professor of Communication
Office: Hepworth 169
Phone: 208.732.6764
Email: mwasden@csi.edu