BUS 250 Business Communications
Course Web Site Introduction
Required Activities
Check off each step as you complete it:
1.
Go to http://webct.dvc.edu.
2.
At the Welcome to WebCT logon screen, click on the Log on to myWebCT link.
3.
Enter your User Name and Password.
User Name: Your seven-digit student ID # (located in the upper left-hand corner of your
registration statement).
Password: Your six-digit birth date (e.g., August 9, 1980 would be 080980)
4.
You will be taken to your myWebCT screen, and a list of WebCT courses for which you are
registered will appear in the upper left.
5.
Click on the link for BUS 250 and you’ll be taken to our online classroom.
6.
Read over the information on the Homepage.
7.
Click on the Course Syllabus link. The syllabus will load in a separate browser window.
Close the syllabus window and return to the Homepage.
8.
Click on the Course Modules link (Note: This is the most important link; you’ll find the
majority of your assignments here.) Explore the four modules thoroughly to get an idea of what
assignments you’ll be completing this semester. (Note: We’ll discuss all assignments in detail in
class at the appropriate time.) Check out the Writing Assignments Rubric so you’ll know how
you’ll be graded in the course.
9.
Click on the Course Documents link. Here you’ll find links to a wealth of valuable
information. Take time to look at each section briefly.
a. PowerPoint slides for each chapter
b. Class handouts (including directions for taking your module tests)
c. Helpful links to related Web sites
d. Sample student PowerPoint presentations from previous semesters
10. Click on the Communication Tools link. Here you’ll find the communication tools we’ll be using
this semester: discussion board, e-mail, and chat rooms. Go to the Class Discussion Board by
clicking on the icon. (Note: I will be demonstrating Private E-Mail and the Chat Rooms in class
later, so don’t worry about those for now.) Once there, do the following:
a.
Read the messages I’ve left for you in the following topics: Main, Technical Support,
and BUS 250 Questions.
b.
Read the message I left for you in the Class Member Introductions topic.
11.
Discussion Board Assignment 1 (Part 1)
After you’ve read my introduction, it’s time to post your own. Here are some ideas for what to
include in your introduction (but you can get as creative as you want):
Your name
Where you live
Where you work (if applicable)
Anything about your family and/or friends you’d like to share
Your major/program of study/academic goals
Your career goals
Why you’re taking the course/what you hope to get out of the course
Hobbies/interests
Be sure to write your introduction using complete sentences and paragraphs, good grammar, and
proper punctuation. Proofread very carefully before posting!
To compose and post your introductory discussion board message, do the following:
a. Go to the Class Member Introductions (M3) discussion area.
b. Press the Compose message button.
c. Type your full name as your subject line.
d. Type your message in the body of the message compose box (or copy and paste it from Word).
Be sure to type your name at the bottom of your message to personalize it!
e. Attach a photo if desired.
f. Proofread your message carefully, and type your name at the bottom to personalize it.
g. Press the Post button.
12.
Discussion Board Assignment 1 (Part 2)
When you’re done with your posting, read the other postings and reply to three individual postings
by doing the following:
a. Open the message you want to reply to and read it.
b. Press the Quote button. This will place a copy of the original message in the body of your
message so that everyone else in the class knows what you're responding to. (NOTE: Do not press
the Reply button when replying.)
c. Type your message above the copy of the original message. You can also delete anything in the
original message that's not relevant to your reply.
e. Be sure to address the person by name, and type your name at the bottom to personalize it.
f. Proofread your reply carefully.
g. Press the Post button.
13.
Discussion Board Assignment 2
Now you’re going to share an online resource with the class. Open another browser window and
use http://www.google.com (or another search tool) to find one good online resource for business
communication students. (Hint: It might help to look over the table of contents in your textbook to
get ideas of topics to search for.) Once you’ve found something interesting and useful, do the
following:
a. Go to the Business Communications Web Sites topic area on the discussion board.
b. Press the Compose message button.
c. Type the name of your Web resource as your subject line.
d. In the body of you r message, include the following:
Specific name of reference
Exact Web site address (URL) (HINT: When typing the URL, type the entire address including the
http:// to automatically insert the URL into your message as a "live" hyperlink)
Brief description of the reference
An explanation of how a business communication student would use the reference
14.
Discussion Board Assignment 2 (Part 2)
When you’re done with your posting, read the other postings and reply to three individual postings
by following the instructions in Step 12 above.
NOTE: Along the way, you may find that you need assistance with the WebCT online
classroom. Simply click the Help link at the top of the screen to access online help at any
time.
HAVE FUN!