FAQs

 

 

  
Frequently Asked Questions

 

Getting Started Online:                               

You might be wondering how to log in to your course. 

How do online classes work?

Different classes follow different workflows or procedures – some online classes will require you to meet in chat rooms at designated times, or even come on campus for specific activities.  Other online classes are completely asynchronous; that is, the participants do not interact in real-time. 

My classes are asynchronous.  You are free to access the course whenever you want, but each unit has specific start and end dates and no late work will be accepted. Each unit has its own  content items that explain the requirements for that unit.  Read the entire unit carefully at the start of each week -- so you know "the country." 

This class has two primary goals: to facilitate discussion about the literary, social, cultural, ethical, and philosophic issues raised by the materials we read and to increase your ability to communicate your ideas effectively in standard written English.  Hence, the grading system is heavily weighted toward your discussion and composition grades.  

What if I have computer or Internet Access problems?  

Whenever you have what appears to be a technical problem with the Canvas platform, you must immediately notify . This is essential. Emailing them not only documents your problem and your attempt to solve the problem, but the Help Desk cannot help you unless they know you have a problem. 

You are responsible, of course, for the good repair of your own computer equipment and internet connection. Any assignment that is missed or late because of your own technical problems cannot be made up. 

Scope out a backup computer and internet connection, now, in case of emergencies. You'll be glad you did. 

How do I communicate with you?

I am available by simply clicking on the Inbox icon on the Global Navigation Bar -- on the leftmost part of your screen. Look for it now. When you email me, be sure that your full name and class section number are in the subject line. This is important if you wish for a speedy reply. 

I usually answer my email during the week within 24 hours. If you don't receive a response from me in that period, email me again please and forward me your original attempt.

Much of my communication with the class will be done via course announcements and the Q&A discussion page (under the Student Orientation Module). Be sure that you manage your Canvas notifications for our class so that you know instantly when class announcements are sent. Notifications alert you to what is happening in our class, when assignments open, close, and when work has been graded. To set your notifications, go to the Course Navigation Bar, on the left, and click on the last hyperlink -- Settings. On the screen that appears, click on Notifications, at the top of the screen. 

Finally, remember that – like you – I treasure my weekends. If you send me an urgent email on Saturday or Sunday or late Friday night, chances are I will not answer your email until early Monday morning. Then again, I might. What’s important to understand is that the chances of getting a quick reply to your urgent email is much more likely during the work week, but less likely on the weekend. 

Help!  How do I get started?

Once you have logged into the course homepage, check the announcements first. This is important. Next, go to the unit for that week, under the Module page: each unit is labeled by week. Check out the assignment first (is usually the first content item in the module). Explore each module's content item carefully. If you have any questions, check the syllabus first and then the Q&A page on the Module page. If you don't find your question answered there, post it on the Q&A page for all to see. 

I have tried to be very explicit, especially in the first few units, about where to go and what to do.  Just stick with it.  You will get oriented very quickly.  The Assignment page under each unit will always summarize the week’s assignments.  After reading the Course Announcements, go here next and learn what is assigned for that week and when it is due. 

There are many resources available to help you with the technological aspects of online learning.  My area of expertise is with the content of the course, not the technology of it, so I will direct you to those various technical support systems for help with any technical questions or confusions.  You might begin by reviewing all the information at the Learning Canvas for the Student, a content item in the Student Orientation module.

What do I need to know to succeed in your course?

Almost all of my former online students agree that online courses are a little more challenging than conventional ground courses.  I'm not entirely sure why that is, since the material is the same.  I think it has to do with the responsibility it places on you to make sure you understand what is required of you and to make sure that you get all the information and directions that you need.  To perform at your best in this class, be sure that you:

• Read and follow all instructions carefully.  For example, sometimes I will ask for material to be submitted in a particular way or with a specific subject line.  This means that I will be scanning all my incoming mail for that subject line, and may miss yours if it has a different subject line. 

• Spend at least an hour a day working in the course.  While it is tempting to take advantage of the scheduling freedom that the online format offers, the nature of a History class is reflective and analytic. For instance, if you don’t start reading the assigned weekly chapter and documents early in the week, it will keep you from posting your comments in the forums/discussions. In the end, it might hinder you from doing well on the quizzes. It’s all interconnected. Check in to the class on the opening day of each unit, see what will be required of you, and jump in to the discussions with your initial thoughts.  Then go away for a while, think about what you've said, reflect on what others have said, and come back to revisit the issue on another day.  

• Participate generously in class discussions.  Much of your grade will depend on your willing, generous, and thoughtful contributions to class discussions. Make them your friends and the semester will go much easier for you. To learn how to flourish in our Discussions, examine the About Our Discussions on the Module page. 

• Make sure you do all the assigned work.  Missing assignments will have an adverse impact on your grade. (But you knew that.)

• Observe posted deadlines.  Late work is not accepted without extraordinarily compelling circumstances, so late work is likely to be missing work (see the Syllabus on this).

 

Can I get an extension on my assignment?

No. None of us can afford to be lingering with assignments whose due dates have already passed.  That said, if you have truly exceptional circumstances -- such as a death in your immediate family -- contact me and we can discuss your options.  Do not simply submit late work with an explanation and expect me to accept it. If there is a real crisis, please let me in on what is happening so we can discuss your options.

When will my grades be posted?

Although this is a computer-based course, I am a human being, and it takes me time to grade your work and then post the grades in the Canvas grade book.  For all your critical essays I will read your papers at least twice (they're important), and this re-reading takes time. This is time well spent for everyone involved. Please be patient.  I will post an announcement or send an email when all the grades for an assignment have been posted.  If, at that time, you do not see a grade in the grade book, contact me. 

Your final grade will be weighted according to the grade breakdown in the Course Syllabus. However, there is no rigid formula: I try to reward improvement, and I try not to penalize anyone for one freakish low grade or a bad week. I also try to hold everyone accountable for the quality and consistency of their participation throughout the semester. 

At the end of the semester, I assign final grades using a conventional academic curve. 

How do I know what the due dates are for our assignments? 

Please be aware that unless otherwise noted, almost all of the assignments in our class start on the Monday of each week and close on the following Sunday, at 11 p.m. (PST - Pacific Standard Time). Sunday at 11 p.m. (PST) will be the deadline for most of your assignments in this course. Please note this carefully: it will spare you much grief. 

After the Sunday deadline has passed, the assignments will automatically "close" and not be accessible for love or money. No late work is accepted in our course.

How often can I take our weekly quizzes? 

Most quizzes in our course can be taken multiple times (more than once), and you will have the time indicated in the weekly assignment for that week to complete them. 

Your first or initial posts in our Discussions must be posted by Friday of each week, by 11 p.m. (PST). Follow-up posts must appear before the Sunday deadline.

As for the rule about responding to Discussion posts, please follow the About Our Discussions article. Also, it's almost always a good rule -- for any assignment -- to do more, not less, if only to be "safe."

What if I think I know a better answer or option among those given for a multiple-choice question? 

The aim in the quizzes is to choose the best answer among those presented. A better answer might exist in your mind or in another book. Choose the best answer among the choices presented however and in the light of logic and our textbook.

In finding the best answer to a quiz question, a student may have to do something that every good critical thinker does -- intelligently infer from known facts. Do not fear this. When it is done poorly or grudgingly, the result will be labelled "presumption" or "supposition." When it is done well, it is called an educated guess or inference. When done superbly, we call it insight and hand out awards.

Is it true that Ciros in East Los Angeles makes the best carnitas?

I'm surprised you should have to ask: YES!