Orientation to Online Instruction:  Overview

WELCOME to orientation for online instruction.

This orientation is designed to provide you with information related to taking an online class and to help you understand how to do some basic tasks common to most online courses.

Listed at the bottom of this page are links to the various topics that may be useful to you.  Point to the topic of interest with the mouse pointer and click the left mouse button one time to see the web page containing information about that topic.

Anytime you see the word "click" in any of these web pages, it means that you are to point with the mouse pointer to the object referred to and press the left mouse button one time.  If the instruction reads "double-click" you are to press the left mouse button two times quickly.  Occasionally the right mouse button is used, so the instruction will read "right-click" while pointing to an object.  The right-click action will always cause a shortcut menu to appear related to whatever it is you are pointing to with the mouse.

You are welcome to print any or all of the orientation materials.  Before printing, display the web page containing the information you wish to print.  If the page you are viewing contains frames (like WebCT), click in the frame you wish to print in order to make it active before printing.  When giving the print command, only the web page that is active on your screen will print.  Here are some methods for printing:

·        Click on your printer icon located in the toolbar at the top of the screen or

·        Click "File" on the menu bar at the top of the screen; click "Print" in the drop-down menu, click "Print" in the Printer selection window, and then click the "OK" button appearing at the bottom of the Print window or

·        Hold down on a Ctrl key and then tap the letter P key.  Release the Ctrl key, then click "Print" in the Print selection window, and click the "OK" button appearing at the bottom of the Print window or

·        Right-click the mouse while pointing to the text and see if the print command is available in the short-cut menu.  If it is, click "Print," then click "Print" in the Print selection window, and then click the "OK" button appearing at the bottom of the Print window.

In the Topics you will learn how to copy and paste text into a word document; how to contact your instructor; how to use WebCT; how to use the discussion board and many other things that will contribute to your success as an online student.  Making the first contact e-mail or phone call will earn you 10 points and posting your introductions will earn a total of 20 points.

            Making the first contact e-mail or phone call. (See Topic 1)  [10 points]

            Uploading a copy of your Personal Profile to the 'Posting Introduction' assignment [10 points].

            Introducing yourself to your classmates at the discussion thread 'Introduction' [10 points].

            See below for the questions to answer as your introductions.

You will only be able to e-mail me until your student ID has been loaded to the WebCT database for this semester. You can post your introduction as soon as you can login to SWTJC's WebCT Web page with your SWTJC WebAdvisor user name for your User Name [such as for John Doe: jdoe or jdoe3048], use your birth date as your password [written as mmddyy, such as: 070488 for July 4 1988, the password must be six digits].  To find your Web advisor login name go to the SWTJC Home Page and select Web Advisor on the left menu list. On the Web Advisor welcome page click on Students. On the Current Students page select the What's my User ID link in the User Account section to receive your login name. If you need to help identifying your Web Advisor login name, you can email me or contact the computer help desk at 830-591-7323.You need to complete the orientation by the end of the first week of class.

Pages you may want to print

Questions for Personal Profile. E-mail the answers to me and submit them to the "Posting Introduction" assignment. (These answers include personal information. Do not post to the Discussion Forum.)

Questions for Discussion Forum. Reply to the "Introduction" thread by typing or copying your answers to the thread.

Does your computer meet the Technical Requirements?

Topic 1:  Contacting Your Instructor                               Topic 2:  Email Basics and Netiquette

Topic 3:  Succeeding On Line                                        Topic 4:  Time Management

Topic 5:  Computer File Management                          Topic 6:  Creating, Saving, and Opening Documents

Topic 7:  Copying and Pasting                                       Topic 8:  Learning About WebCT

Topic 9:  Using E-mail in WebCT                                  Topic 10:  Submitting Your Assignments to WebCT

Topic 11:  Taking Quizzes and Test in WebCT           Topic 12:  Using the Discussion Forum in WebCT

Web page links

Mr. Lynn Masterson's Home Page          WebCT Home Page            SWTJC Home Page

Revised August 2007