BOT 104 Online Orientation

Important Links

Online Orientations

BOT Online Instructors

Introduction

This orientation will introduce you to the course content and expectations for BOT 104 online. You'll also have a chance to make sure everything is set up and ready to go. Your first quiz (at the end of this orientation) will include questions about the syllabus and Blackboard, so make sure you go over them carefully. While you work through this orientation, jot down any questions you might have and post them to our course Help discussion board. I recommend that you print this page, and check each item off as you complete it. Don't forget to take the 20-point quiz to complete this orientation.

What to do for this assignment

Print this page and mark each item as you complete it.

Enroll in the course. You enroll for this online course the same way you enroll in any other Cuyamaca College course. You will need to be enrolled in the course before you can access the course Blackboard site.

Buy the textbook. You can buy the book kit at the campus bookstore, or from another source. You will need them on the first day of class. In the kit you will find 2 textbooks. This course teaches Filing & Records Management.

Login to Blackboard. The first day of class is February 9, 2009. One day before class begins, those who have enrolled will be entered into the Blackboard system. If you enrolled successfully in the class, you should now be able to access the class. If you register for the class less than one week prior to class starting, you must contact me to be entered into the Blackboard system. If you want to add the class after the start date, you need to contact me for an add code.

How to login to Blackboard (available February 8th -- one day before class begins)
A. Go to http://bb.gcccd.net (click on this link or the Blackboard Login link in the web page navigation at the left side of this page)
B. Click the Login button
C. For Username enter your name as firstname.lastname (all lower case)
D. For Password enter your birthday (mmddyy)
E. If you cannot login successfully the first time, try it again. Your login information is the same as when you login to any computer on campus. If you still have trouble logging in, STOP and contact me (pat.newman@gcccd.edu). Do not panic, we'll get it fixed. Do not click the create an account button as this will only complicate matters and delay your first login.

Successful login! Now that you have logged in, welcome to the course. Read the Welcome announcement. This announcement contains helpful information on how the course works and where to start.

Update your personal information. The first time you login to the course (or anytime you change e-mail address), click on the Tools button, select Personal Information, and update the e-mail address that you prefer to use for this class. When I send class e-mail announcements, it will go to the e-mail address in your profile. Save any changes.

Print the syllabus (available February 8th -- one day before class begins). In the Blackboard course site, click on the Course Information button. Click on the syllabus link. Print the syllabus and keep it with your textbook. You may need to save the syllabus and then open it to print it. READ the whole syllabus (you will need to answer questions on the quiz).

Familiarize yourself with the course web site by clicking on all of the links (buttons) in the course navigation on the left side of the course website. There are also several links on the web pages that display. Browse through them thoroughly to familiarize yourself with the entire course website.

Take the online orientation quiz (available February 8th -- one day before class begins). After completing the steps above, you can take the quiz (worth 20 points and due by Wed the first week of class). Login to Blackboard, click on the Exams link, and click on the Online Orientation Quiz. The quiz will cover information from the syllabus and Blackboard.

Begin on the course assignments. Turn to page 5 in your syllabus and begin on the assignments in the order they are listed. You can turn in assignments early, but please submit an entire chapter at one time. See instructions for submitting assignments on page 3 of the syllabus. The due dates for each assignment are listed in the syllabus. Most assignments are due by midnight on Sunday, but be sure to check the syllabus. The weeks of the midterm and final exams, I need your work earlier (by Wed) so that I can grade everything and return feedback before you take the exam.

Course textbook

Required:
1) Filing A Course in Modern Methods for the Business Office 4th edition
by Cogswell, ISBN-13: 978-0-88294-834-8
2) Gregg Quick Filing Practice, 4th edition
by Jeffrey, ISBN-13: 978-0-07322-288-2

Advice from BOT online students

Keep up with the class. The biggest problem online students have is gradually falling behind. You lose points when assignments are late, and you may be dropped from the class if you get behind. These classes are only 5-6 weeks in length and all work must be completed by the class end date. The Comprehensive Word 1-3 classes are scheduled in short blocks so that you can complete all three classes in a single semester, as requested by students.

Schedule at least 10 hours per week to focus on the class. Some students may need more or less time, so you can make adjustments based on your skill level in Word.

Don't wait until the last minute to start an assignment. If you run into a problem, it may take time to get help.

Contact your instructor as soon as you begin to have problems or if you decide to drop.

Attend the BOT Flex Lab for in-person help whenever the lab is open, if necessary. See lab staff to enroll in the free supervised tutoring section.

Check e-mail and online discussion several times a week.

Have a back-up plan in case your computer crashes. You can always use the BOT Flex Lab during open hours.

Good luck and let's have fun!!!