Kennesaw State University
General Introduction to Online Learning
Econ 2100 Online
Attributes of Successful On-Line Learners:
Students should realize that learning online is different than learning in a traditional
classroom – not better and not worse, just different. As a result, student skills/attributes
required for success are not necessarily the same. Though written from a faculty member’s
point of view, the University of Illinois’ (illionois.edu) link, below, provides insights on the
qualities required for success. You should read this material critically and assess if you are
likely to be comfortable in an online environment. (If you are unsuccessful in clicking the
any of links in this document, you can copy and paste the link into your browser’s address
bar to reach the desired material.)
The second link (uww.edu) provides an online assessment of learner readiness that is
helpful in sharpening your thoughts on the suitability of the online environment for any
single individual.
http://www.ion.illinois.edu/Resources/tutorials/pedagogy/StudentProfile.asp
http://www.uww.edu/icit/olr/stu/gettingstarted/olr_asset_layout_5_19516_20317.html
Basic Technologies and Technological Skill Standards:
Instructors of online courses in the Coles College of business believe that excellent
technologies are an important part of your experience taking theses courses. They will
make every effort to use the most suitable technologies for the material being taught and
their teaching styles.
Technology:
In order to participate in this online course, students will need:
1. Access to (and facility with) the Georgia View course management system, the successor to
Web CT Vista with similar (but not identical) navigation and nomenclature. In particular,
this course will make heavy use of the Live Classroom, Discussions, Assessments,
Assignments, Announcements and Mail tools of this application. To use Live Classroom (the
tool that supports our Virtual Classroom) you will need to run the “Setup Wizard” the first
time you enter the Virtual Classroom. (The separate “General Introduction to On-Line
Learning” has additional information on Live Classroom technical topics and help
resources.) You will find the Wizard under the Virtual Classroom button
2. Access to (and facility with) Microsoft Powrpoint, Word, and Excel, all at 2003 or higher
levels.
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3. A computer running Windows 2003 (or higher, the Apple counterparts or similar operating
systems) that has Broadband Internet access (cable, DSL, ISDN etc.).
4. Access (to and facility with) Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox browsers.
5. The version of Java required by GAView (run the GAView browser check if you are unsure –
See separate document “General Introduction to On-Line learning for more information).
6. A headset with a microphone ($20-$30 at Radio Shack).
Note: Consult material elsewhere in this document and material under the Support button on our
home page for additional information, including technical support/assistance resources.
Technological Skills:
Online courses normally require participants to have average computer literacy. Students
should be proficient with the basic functions of standard software packages, e.g., MS Word,
MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, and Adobe Reader. These programs will need to be accessible to
students through home use or campus lab access. A list of primers on many of these
technologies is available at https://its.kennesaw.edu/booklets/. Please note, Kennesaw
State University does not currently support the MS Vista operating system or Office 2007.
A strong knowledge of the WebCT-VISTA course management system is required for
participation in online courses offered by the Coles College of Business
Live Classroom:
Live Classroom is supported by Wimba. The link below will get you to their help resources:
http://www.wimba.com/support/support_center.php
Support is also provided by the KSU Service Desk: service @kennesaw.edu or 770-4993555
The computer requirements to use Live Classroom successfully are:
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Windows 2000+, Mac OSX 10.2+ or Linux*
128 MB RAM (256 MB recommended)
IE 5.0+, Netscape 7.0+, Mozilla 1.0+, Safari 1.1+ (Browser must be Java and
JavaScript enabled)
Internet access at 56k or above
On-Line Concierge – Help Desk:
Generally, if you are having technological difficulties, including logging into GAView, call or
email the service desk. service@kennesaw.edu or 770-423-6999.
Net ID
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Access to VISTA requires a valid and functional NetID. Problems logging in? Go to:
https://netid.kennesaw.edu/
Other Available Downloads
 For Adobe Acrobat Reader:
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
 For RealPlayer: http://www.real.com/
 And it may be wise to include Quicktime:
http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
 For win/mac java upgrades:
http://www.usg.edu/usgweb/browserchecker/getjava.phtml
WebCT VISTA On-Line Concierge
Go to: http://vista.kennesaw.edu/ to Log into your course
Help for WebCT Vista is available from the USG On-line Support Center:
http://help.view.usg.edu
Answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding Vista can be found in the Online
Support Center Knowledge Base. Enter key words in the search box on the top left and click
Search.
If you cannot find the information you need in the available Knowledge Base articles, or if
you wish to discuss your support needs with Online Support Center Helpdesk personnel,
you may contact them toll-free by calling 877-708-2910. For hearing impaired users, please
dial 866-334-9180 (also toll-free).
Pop-Ups
Vista relies on Pop-Ups. If you have your pop-up blocking software enabled, use the rightclick option to allow Pop-Ups from https://u.view.usg.edu, or disable pop-up blocking from
your Tools drop down menu.
JAVA
Vista relies on Java to display your screens. VISTA has very specific Browser Requirements
and JAVA software Requirements. The University System of Georgia has developed a
browser checker. Please visit: http://www.usg.edu/usgweb/browserchecker/ to
determine if your default browser is compatible.
Periodically, your computer will remind you about JAVA updates. You will be asked to
install newer versions of JAVA. Ignore these update reminders; certain versions of JAVA are
not compatible. You want to ensure that you are running JAVA 5.0 Update 5. (Updated
versions 9 and 10 have operated successfully, you may try these versions. If your
operations time out or fail – resume use of version 5). A safe version is JAVA 2 PLATFORM
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STANDARD EDITION (J2SE) 5.0 Update 5 – Go to
http://java.sun.com/products/archive/j2se/5.0_05/index.html to download this version.
Choose the Windows Online Installation, Multi-Language. [Note: You must remove older
versions of JAVA first – please follow the UNINSTALL instructions.]
Accessibility of Online Courses:
All online courses are in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Please
contact Student Services at http://www.kennesaw.edu/stu_dev/home/home.html or refer
to the Kennesaw State University policy statement on Students Rights & Responsibilities,
available at http://www.kennesaw.edu/student_life/forms/shb/student_rights.pdf of the
KSU Student Handbook.
Kennesaw State University provides program accessibility and reasonable
accommodations for persons defined as disabled under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Students with disabilities who
require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this
course must contact the Office for Disabled Student Support Services via Ms. Carol Pope,
ADA Compliance Officer for Students, at 770-423-6443 (V) or 770-423-6480 (TDD). Please
do not request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor without a letter
of accommodation from the Office for Disabled Student Support Services.
Student Support Resources
Resource
Student Support Services:
Financial Aid, Parking, Housing,
Registrar, Student Life, Student
Success Services, Career Services,
etc.
Disabled Student Support
Services
Link
http://www.kennesaw.edu/students/resources.shtml
http://www.kennesaw.edu/stu_dev/dsss/dsss.html
The University has a broad array of resources designed to assist the student in dealing with
various facets of non-academic life at KSU. The first link immediately above is a portal to
several of those resources. The second link is to the unit of the Student Development
Center that helps students with disabilities achieve educational success at KSU.
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Academic Support Services:
The table below provides a compilation of the resources available to the student to assist in
dealing with several academic issues:
Resource
Library
Supplemental
Instruction
Math Lab
Learning Support
English as a Second
Language
Writing Center
Link
http://www.kennesaw.edu/library/about/about.htm
http://www.kennesaw.edu/university_studies/si/index.shtml
http://www.kennesaw.edu/university_studies/mathlab/
http://www.kennesaw.edu/university_studies/lsp/index.shtml
http://www.kennesaw.edu/university_studies/lsp/index.shtml
http://www.kennesaw.edu/english/WritingCenter/index.shtml
Course Online Etiquette (Netiquette):
The Golden Rule applies to online interactions. It can be easy to take an impersonal
attitude to discussions or e-mails when not face-to-face with the recipient. Of course, we
are still in an academic environment, so it is always acceptable to disagree, challenge, or
ask for further explanation. We simply ask that you do so cordially.
Following are 10 principles of on line etiquette, each is a hyperlink to more information.
This information has been taken from: http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html.
Rule 1: Remember the Human
Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behavior online that you follow in real life
Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace
Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth
Rule 5: Make yourself look good online
Rule 6: Share expert knowledge
Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control
Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy
Rule 9: Don't abuse your power
Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes
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