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Welcome to COMM 1110 Online Public Speaking Orientation Welcome to the world of Online Public Speaking! Before you start this class, you need to know what will be required of you this semester. Most importantly, you need to be aware of the technology that you must have access to in order to succeed in this class: § A computer with reliable internet access § A computer microphone § A camcorder § VHS tapes § Ability to e-mail a digital picture of yourself
GETTING STARTED 1.
From the Darton College site for distance learning students, you
need to view the following pages to make sure that your computer is
ready for this course. Minimum System Requirements for Online Learners 2.
Go online to Darton College's website
www.darton.edu and select WebCT. Log on using the instructions
posted. The system may require you to change to a different
password. Follow the screen prompts to do so. If you have
previously used WebCT, your prior password remains in effect. If
you encounter a problem, call the Web Help desk at 430-6923. 3. If you have never taken a WebCT course, or are not familiar with the features of WebCT view the WebCT quick reference guides [Logging On] [Browser Settings] [Discussion Forum] [E-mail]
I have put together a Frequently Asked Questions section below. Please read through the questions and answers and then contact me if you have additional questions or concerns.
“How Do You Offer a Public Speaking Class Online, Anyway?” Many of us in the communication discipline faced this question when online instruction surfaced in higher education. With the worldwide onslaught of distance education possibilities, communication educators, like myself, realized that we’d have to find a way to deliver traditional face-to-face communication courses in other venues. The answer was to find creative ways to deliver and evaluate speech assignments, to provide meaningful learning opportunities, and to give online students as authentic an experience as possible without sacrificing the traditional face-to-face communication learning opportunities.
This semester, you will directly experience the marriage of communication and online instruction. You already know that all students who graduate from Darton must experience some form of a public speaking class. This is a very good thing, especially since your public speaking class will benefit you far beyond your undergraduate education. Communication skills rank in the top three most desirable employability skills. For those already established in careers, you may find, surprisingly, that public speaking skills are called upon more frequently than you would expect. However, even if you never again deliver a speech in your personal or professional life, be assured that public speaking enhances your interpersonal communication skills and your overall fluency of speech. My personal motto is that this course is not simply three credits; it could be considered a major asset for your future. In other words, by taking public speaking, you are on your way to learning some valuable and lifelong communication skills! I congratulate you for embarking on this journey.
The “Mechanics” of the Online Course Since you have chosen to take this class online, I have to assume that there are several reasons why: 1) Your work or school schedule does not permit you take the course in class; 2) You cannot commit to a daily commute because of distance; 3) You figure that an online public speaking course will not require actual speeches; or 4) If you do have to give speeches, you will avoid having to stand before an actual audience.
Let’s face it, if the online public speaking course did not require speeches at all, or did not require them in front of an actual audience, you wouldn’t very well experience quality communication education. Rest assured that you will have the authentic experience, and some unique and unexpected benefits: First, the majority of your speeches (four of the five) will be delivered on videotape and your audience will consist of a minimum of five people. These can be friends, family members, or any other human beings you choose. Many students forget about this requirement, so please make sure to show your five audience members on your videotape before and after your speech to avoid a point deduction on your speeches.
The key to this course is videotaped speeches. Only the first speech is an audio speech and you can deliver this by audiotaping your speech using the Audacity software located on the course homepage. For the remaining four speeches, you will need a videocamera that tapes VHS or VHS-C cassettes (I have the adapter for the VHS-C). I will not accept 8 mm or Mini DVM60 tapes. Turning in one of these types of tapes will result in a “0” for your speech because I will be unable to watch your tape. If you do not have a videocamera, you have a few options: 1) Post a note to the Discussion Forum asking if you can collaborate with another student who lives nearby; 2) Attempt to arrange a speaking group; again, you must find out about student interest within the first week of the course; or 3) Request a transfer into a traditional course (see more about this option below).
Next, the speeches may be delivered from your home, your place of business, a church, or whatever location is appropriate, accessible, and comfortable for you. The only rule is that the environment must be free of extraneous noise and well-lit. One of the best parts of this course is that you will speak in a real setting rather than the contrived and safe environment of the classroom. If you have a presentation already scheduled at work, in an extracurricular activity, or at church, we may even be able to adapt this project to your speech assignments. So, you do have flexibility with your speech location and audience—one significant benefit of the online speech course.
Also, in terms of my evaluation of your speech, I can respond more completely to a taped presentation because of the ability to pause and review the video while making suggestions for improvement without disrupting the original presentation.
Finally, although the students in this class will not be in a formal classroom, they will get to know one another through the initial audiotaped speech (the only speech we upload to a Course Yearbook on the web), through the threaded discussions in the online forum, and through the activities planned for outside work. Some of you may even opt to videotape speeches together and serve as each other’s audience. I think this option is a phenomenal way to meet your course requirements and get to know your colleagues in the course.
How You Can Succeed in Online Public Speaking Since I’ve talked about the unique aspects of this course, I will also mention the biggest challenge: Time management and staying on schedule. You will have quizzes and discussion questions that will be due on a weekly basis. Check the course Schedule to keep on track with due dates. Understandably, certain chapters and online content will help you prepare for various speech assignments. The time usually spent in a classroom will still be required of the students in the online process of completing their work within required parameters. Reading assignments will be expanded via open-ended discussion questions and multiple-choice quizzes, based on the chapters. Speeches, either taped or done on campus, will comply with the given instructions for each assignment. Also, I must receive speeches by their scheduled due dates; they may not all be turned in at the end of the semester. Why? Because I will thoroughly evaluate your speeches and provide you with important feedback. You are asked to adopt this feedback for improvement in subsequent speeches. If you turn all speeches in at once, neither of us have the full opportunity to work together.
If You Decide That Online Public Speaking Is Not For You…Since COMM 1110 is a core course, Public Speaking classes fill quickly on the Darton campus. However, if you let me know that you wish to switch from the online course to the traditional course within the first few days of the semester, there is a better chance that I can accommodate your request. A Very Important Note Regarding Our Communication… Our communication in this course is important to me, especially since I will not see you in person on a regular basis. If you know any students who have taken my traditional course, you will learn that I pride myself on connection with my students. I always chuckle when students call and timidly ask, “Are you busy, Mrs. Ehlert?” Yes, I’m always busy—busy talking with you and helping you with whatever you need. Obviously, I wouldn’t have chosen this profession if I wasn’t completely and thoroughly dedicated to serving students. Hence, I am extremely conscientious about checking my e-mail at least once a day; I check my voice mail on the same schedule—even on weekends. I realize that, at times, you may be “stuck” until I answer a particular question, so I try to help you become “unstuck” as quickly as possible. The way I can accomplish this is by reviewing phone messages and e-mail messages on a frequent, daily basis. My mission is complete “student service” and I am committed to returning your phone call or e-mail within 24 hours on a weekday. I am also committed to reviewing outlines, brainstorming speech topics, or helping with whatever you may need. If I receive an e-mail from you over the weekend, I will usually also respond sometime on Saturday or Sunday, unless I am out of town. If you do not hear from me, then this means that I have not received your e-mail or voice mail message. Please contact me again. Similarly, if you have only tried to e-mail me, and I have not e-mailed you back, then this means we are having a technological problem, and I anticipate that you will attempt to reach me via telephone. I welcome hearing from you as often as you need me—I’m here to serve you—but I can’t communicate with you if I don’t know that you’re trying to get in touch with me.
If You Have a Technology-Related Problem: I am glad to help with basic WebCT issues; however, recognize that I am a communication expert and, unfortunately, not a technology expert. Thus, your best and quickest course of action is to call the Darton WebHelp Desk by phone at 430-6923 (local), or 1-800-861-8318 for students outside the Albany, Georgia area. Do this when you are sitting at your computer; the lab personnel can walk you through any issues. If you need assistance with downloading or have other technology related questions, you can also submit a tech support request online at: http://online.darton.edu/forms/webhelp.htm or contact the calling area. If for some reason you are still experiencing technology problems, please let me know so I can assist you further. If You Have a Course-Related Problem: I want to hear any challenges you have with the course. Please send me e-mail via my Darton address or the WebCT e-mail. All of my contact information is listed on the course syllabus. For general questions, you can e-mail, but I also ask that you post these to the Discussion Forum. I would be willing to bet that at least one other student has the same question as you. How Do I Get Started? After you read this introduction, here are the steps you should take next:
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