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I'm glad you have decided to join us this
semester as a distance learning student. Distance learning will
require you to be self-motivated, and you may find that it takes
more time and effort than a traditional face-to-face classroom
(plan on 12-15 hours per
week). I am
here to help and guide you as much as possible. Since I rarely see
you, I only assume the best unless you ask for help. I am happy to
answer any questions you may have, but you have to ask.
The best way to
contact me once class begins is through the WebCT Course e-mail. My turn-around time for e-mail is
about 48 hours (except weekends/holidays), although I may often
reply much faster than that. The time it takes me to return your
message may depend on several things: I might want to research the
answer, I might have several other messages to respond to, or the
server might be down. Be patient, and I will respond as quickly as I
can.
If you have not already done so,
one of the first things you should do is set up your MCC Portal
email account. This email account will be our primary means of
communication before the course (I will not be sending emails to
your personal email address.) It's free and easy to do. To set
up the account, go the following link:
Create an MCC Account Once the class begins, you'll use the course email within Webct.
You will have
access to the course through WebCT beginning Monday, February 2 .
(Use the same password you set up for your MCC email account).
This course is
structured to take thirteen weeks (plus the final). If there is a
two-week period where I do not hear from you at all you will be
dropped from the course. Deadlines are firm (Mondays at 11 pm,
Arizona time), and you are responsible for meeting them. There is a textbook for the course which you will need to order. Look for and email from your instructor before class begins with the textbook information. Assignments
will include reading, projects, lecture questions, presentations,
labs, online discussions, and a group exercise, quizzes, and online
tests. We are scheduled to meet as a class a few times through the semester.
Although the emphasis
of the class is technical skills and concepts, many of the
assignments you will complete promote skills which will help you to
be effective in your present and future learning as well as in the
community and business world. They include critical thinking, team
work through collaborative learning, ethics, interpersonal skills,
civic engagement, and organization.
Before class begins, check out
the CIS 284 Course Info page, and don't
forget to take the Distance Learning Quiz
to ensure this is the learning method for you. If you have
any questions before class begins, please contact me at
debweberg@mesacc.edu. Once class begins, please use your course email with WebCT.
If you are on campus, please feel
free to stop in and say hello. My office hours will be posted
on my home page.
The course begins
Monday,
February 2, and I will email you (sent to your MCC email account) before that time. I'm looking
forward to a fun and informative semester. I hope you are too!
Deb Fells
MCC CIS Faculty, Business Department
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