Time Commitment

Because students don't come to a specific place at specific times during the week, it can be easy for time to slip away in courses such as this.  Students should schedule about 8 hours each week in order to complete the activities for this course.  Online activities will take 2-3 hours each week (sometimes slightly more or less), and reading and writing will take another 5-6 hours.  Ideally, students will be able to schedule a little bit of time each day, or every other day, to think about--and work on-- this class.  Initially, some students imagine that an online class will take less of their time; however, it is very likely that this course will actually take more time, particularly in the initial weeks as you are getting familiar with the computer programs and the style of the course.  The benefit of an online course is that the use of time is more flexible, not that it takes less time.

Self-Discipline

In my experience with previous online courses, the students who succeed are not necessarily the most knowledgeable on a subject; the students who succeed are those who can motivate themselves to do the work without the added push of having to show up in class three times each week and meet with other students and a teacher.  It is easy to drift away from an online class.  It is easy to put off schoolwork when pressed by deadlines at a job or by family issues or even just by the temptation of leisure pursuits.  I encourage students to set a schedule (based on the "Time Commitment" mentioned above) and to stick to that schedule.  Explain to those around you that you have class at certain times and that you need to be left alone during these times.  Get in a routine and get others around you in that routine as well.  Self-discipline, in relation to education, is perhaps the hardest thing to learn in an online course if you don't already have it.

Respectful Environment

So much of this course depends on our active involvement with one another that respect has to be our cardinal rule. This does not mean, however, that we cannot disagree. We can and we will. In fact, one aspect of respect is that we honor one another enough that we willingly engage one another in spirited discussions and debates. However, those exchanges must always be thoughtful and courteous.

On the discussion board and in any other communications please remember to be clear and careful with your words.  It is much easier to misunderstand or misinterpret words typed on a computer screen than words spoken face-to-face.  "Flaming" (attacking) others in the the online environment will not be accepted. Additionally, it is important that we keep these discussions issue-oriented, rather than personal. I also advise you to familiarize yourself with MCTC's "Student Code of Conduct." The specifics of this code can be found at http://www.minneapolis.edu/About-Us/Policies/Student-Affairs-Policies/404-Student-Code-of-Conduct .