Orientation Letter

Summer 2008

Dear Student,

Welcome to COL 104-N1, Online Information and Internet Research. This class will teach you how to successfully find quality and authoritative online resources using websites and library databases; this is a skill that will help you in your classes and your career. Since this is a one-hour class in an eight week time period, I anticipate that students will spend about 3-6 hours per week on readings and assignments.

Orientation
This letter will orient you to the class; however, I am also offering one optional on-campus orientation for those of you who feel you would like in-person instruction on the class software, WebCT/Blackboard. The optional orientation is offered on Monday, June 2 from 6-7 p.m. in TECH 101.

All quizzes, exams, and papers will be given and submitted online using the "Private Mail" or "Assignments" modules of WebCT/Blackboard.

Since this course is completely online, you have a great deal of time and place flexibility in taking this course. It does require a great deal of self-discipline on your part to do the required work without having scheduled classes. We will use the computer and Internet for all of our interaction and exchanges. In addition, all homework will be completed and submitted via computer so it is essential that you have access to the Internet.

WebCT/Blackboard
COL 104-N1 requires that you log on regularly each week to:

• receive announcements and assignments
• take quizzes
• participate in class discussions
• submit assignments when they are due

You will be required to post homework and papers on WebCT/Blackboard on a designated work schedule. If you are not familiar with using WebCT/Blackboard, the delivery software for this course, go to the college Web site at http://www.stchas.edu and access the WebCT/Blackboard page. Open the "WebCT Getting Starting Guide" and review the information there.

SCC has its own WebCT/Blackboard platform, so if you have never been issued a password, or if you have a password that you received prior to January 2007, you need to go to the SCC home page and click on the SCC Connection link. You will see instructions for setting up your ID and password.

Submitting Assignments
All work must be submitted as a "Word" document or a rich-text file (file extensions .doc or .rtf, respectively). If you do not have Word, you can use Notepad to create your document, and save the file with an .rtf extension. You can also use a computer that has Word, like those on the SCC campus.

Textbooks / Readings
This class does not require a textbook. You will be assigned readings from the online library databases and the Internet.

In order to access most of the readings, and in order to successfully complete assignments, you will need to be able to access the library databases. To do this, all you need is your student ID number and an Internet connection. If you do not have an SCC student ID, go to campus services to obtain one. Call campus services at 636-922-8545 to verify what you will need to bring.

Getting Started
WebCT/Blackboard is our "home base" for this class. Another page you will be using a lot is the SCC library's home page. We have a link to WebCT from the library page.

Start at the library's page, http://www.stchas.edu/library and look around at the resources. When you're ready, click on the WebCT link.

As soon as you are logged in to the class home page, do the following:

• click on the available icons and look around
• get to know the various items on the page, such as the syllabus, class calendar, weekly lessons, discussion list, and e-mail

First Class Activity
Read the instructions for assignment one and complete.

A Few Words of Advice
If you take personal responsibility to keep up on your class reading and assignments each week, I think you will find this class very enjoyable.

Respect and Courtesy On-line
When communicating with me or your classmates, respect, courtesy, and a spirit of helpfulness is a requirement of this class.

WebCT/Blackboard courses will not be available to students until five working days prior to the start of the semester.

Have a great spring!

Theresa Flett
SCC Reference Librarian
tflett@stchas.edu
636-922-8587