English 1A
Gavilan College |
| Part
III - The Online Format |
| This
course assumes a certain amount of computer familiarity, and if you are
a novice to cyberspace, you may find yourself feeling frustrated or even
a little overwhelmed. Lots of people get discouraged in the first
couple of weeks because the format is so alien, and they don't know what
to expect. However, the procedure each week is the same, and if you
hang in there, you will soon find yourself whizzing about with ease.
I have tried to make everything as simple as possible, to allow you to give
all your energy to developing and communicating your ideas. I rely on you to let me know
when you have questions or when something isn't working as you think it
should. We have a host of resources available to us, not the least
of which is our wonderful distance education coordinator, Sabrina Lawrence,
who can be reached at (408) 848-4885 or at slawrence@gavilan.edu.
With some effort, patience and ingenuity, we will make it a great class. |
| Time
management is another aspect of the online class that challenges many people.
The flexibility of an online class is the main attraction for many students,
but of course that flexibility can end up meaning that the class gets shoved
to the end of the list. Please don't make the mistake of neglecting
your online class. You will need to set aside as much time (if not
more) for this class than you would for a face-to-face class. I suggest
making a regular schedule to complete your reading, writing and discussion
assignments, just as you would for any other class. It's very easy
for time to get away from you, and to wake up midway through the course
to discover you've been dropped from the class because I haven't heard from
you for awhile. You have to keep on top of things. This may
seem self-evident, but I have found it pays to issue a reminder up front,
and to urge you to make a personal commitment to the class right from the
start. |
Special
Circumstances
Spending many years as a student taught me that
real-life expectations often conflict with academic goals. The very
best of intentions can be derailed by sudden changes in your private lives.
I am as flexible as I can be with students. You’d be surprised
at how much I can accommodate a special circumstance. Keep me informed
about changes in your life that will affect your progress in class.
I am willing to consider special circumstances only under the following conditions:
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Your circumstances change unexpectedly and drastically. |
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You have proven yourself to be a conscientious and committed student. |
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You inform me of changes in advance of any deadlines and due dates. |
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You propose viable alternatives that will allow you to meet the requirements of the class. |
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