Criteria for Web-based English 301 Students
What do I need to do to be successful in this class?
Web-based English 301 is unlike any other class you may have
ever taken. Sure, you’re not bound to a scheduled meeting time
every week, but that creates some unique responsibilities that you
should be aware of. Are you self-motivated? How about
organized? Your ability to be self-disciplined is a key to success in
this class. The freedom of an online course is a tradeoff. Consider
the following:
What you gain
What you lose
What it means for you
No physical
classes/mandatory
meetings
A familiar
“structured” learning
environment with an
instructor and other
students.
No lectures
Your instructor won’t
be “telling” you
about the course
information. Other
students won’t be
there either.
You have to take the initiative
to “keep current” about class
yourself. Login daily so you’ll
be aware of all announcements,
quizzes, projects, and
assignments. It’s up to you to
make sure you manage and
meet deadlines. That means
keeping up with reading
assignments, quizzes, daily
work, group activities, and
major projects.
It’s your job to read and
assimilate the course material
yourself. If you need
clarification, then it’s up to you
to communicate with your
instructor about that. You’ll
also have to use some
technology to exchange your
ideas with other students.
How do I access the course?
You’ll receive an email from your instructor via your TAMU email
account on the first day of the semester with a url to “Moodle,” the
course website. Once there, you will create a login “account” much
like you would for other websites that require membership. If you
do not hear from your instructor by the second day of class, contact
the Writing Programs Office for support (979) 845-9936.
How do I contact my professor?
Office hours for web-based ENGL 301 are typically held online via
Email, chat clients, or exchanges in Moodle. Your professor will give
you specific information on how to contact him or her at the beginning
of the semester. If you need to meet with your professor in person, in
most cases, you can request to meet them in their office just like you
would with a normal class. If for some reason it is not possible, contact
the Writing Programs Office for support (979) 845-9936.
Do I need to own a computer?
Yes, you’ll need a computer with internet access, but if you do not own
one, you can use the SCC or other campus computer labs.
Do I need a high-speed internet connection to access the course?
Although a fast connection will speed things up, the coursework also supports dial-up.
Is there any special software I need for the course?
Yes, but it is all free, and you probably already have it on your computer. You will need Adobe
Acrobat Reader (www.adobe.com), and you may need the Flash plugin
(www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer); both are available as free downloads. Other than that, you
will need a standard word processor, like MS Word or MS Works, for writing your projects.
What other unique responsibilities do I have for this class?
There are several other responsibilities you should be aware of with regard to web-based ENGL
301:
Daily
Announcements
Assignment Due
Dates
Submitting
Assignments
Quizzes
Student
Participation
Passwords
Log into Moodle and do so often! Your instructor will make regular
announcements several times a week in Moodle. It’s up to you to keep
current with announcements and know how to access past ones in case you
miss one.
You cannot “work at your own pace” in this course. There are typically 2-3
assignments/quizzes/responses due each week via Moodle. If an activity will
be counted as a grade, it will appear on the course calendar. These due dates
are deadlines, and no late work is accepted without a documented excused
absence per the TAMU attendance policy.
Major assignments must be submitted online by the posted deadlines. But
just like any class, you can submit them early if you wish.
Reading quizzes have deadlines, but these are generally available to you on
Moodle for a 3-4 day period. You can take the quiz at any time during that
time period.
Student participation is an important component of web-based 301, and you
will receive a participation grade as a part of your course work.
You will be logging into several different technologies as the semester
progresses. You will be required to have a password for each of them. Make
sure you remember your passwords and keep them secure.