Distance Learning

Hello All!!!

Welcome to English 1102. The hard part’s done—you managed to get through registration and get into the class. Now, all that’s left is for you to get through an orientation before we can truly begin. Since all of us suffer from the “only 24-hours in a day” disease, I’ll keep the orientation short and simple. If a question you have isn’t answered here, email me (my address is at the bottom of this page).

1) How does this “online course thingy” work?

On the first day of scheduled classes, follow the WebCT log on instructions (I attached a link for the instructions to the bottom of this orientation). Please wait to log on until you have finished reading the orientation, though.

2) What happens once I’ve done the log on and am in the course page?

Once you’re logged in and on the class pages, you will find everything neatly organized, but hopefully not “boring”. Your course syllabus will be located under the “Syllabus” link, the assignments will be under the “Homework” link, and your major essay assignments will be under the “Course Materials” page. Simply click on the link and look for the assignment you need. To keep up with all of this, you’ll be “living” on the Calendar pages and I’ll be sending out emails to check in with you.

3) What should I read inside the course to get an orientation that tells me only what I need to know—grades, due dates, how to go about assignments, where to email my work, where to phone if my computer crashes, and so on?

Click on Syllabus and read carefully. Click on Calendar and read carefully. Click on Homework and check if anything’s coming due. Check your WebCT email and see if I’ve emailed you. If you have any questions, email me, or if you have no questions, email me a hello and let me know, for example, how your day is going, what you think about the weather, or what you fear about English, and so on.

4) Why use my WebCT account and not simply use own email account to email?

While your email account is fast (I’d hope), most accounts have a nasty habit of accepting SPAM…and I’ve found that Darton emails are sometimes seen as SPAM by these internet accounts. WebCT provides a convenient and class-only format on which to put email stuff pertaining to class itself. If you have a question unrelated to assignments or the like, you’re more than welcome to email me to the address that’s at the bottom of this page…just don’t send assignments and such to that address.

5) This isn’t really a question , but a way to let you know a few more important logistics factors:

Be sure to use MSWord and to send all assignments as MSWord attachments. I’m unable to open any other format (that includes .wps and .wpd). The only “other” type is if you send assignments in “Rich Text Format” (.rtf)—but then only in emergencies.

Make certain you save a spare copy of your work (on disk and as a print out). This past term, my computer crashed at THE worst possible time…and I don’t want that to happen to any of you! Also, always keep a copy of the email you sent me; that way if I have not received your email, you can later forward me a copy.

If you are experiencing any technical problems, contact the WebHelp Desk. You’ll find their link at the beginning of this orientation.

Remember to get up every so often for a stretch break while working at your computer for this course. That way, you won’t blame the class for giving you cricks in the neck, back spasms, or unnecessary weight gain (which, if you’re anything like me, is bound to happen if you snack while computing).

I am looking forward to assisting you on this writing journey—it’s going to be much more fun that, I think, any of you expect!

And here is the link with those logon instructions.

Logging on to MyWebCT

http://online.darton.edu/Handouts/log_on.htm

Course:	ENGL 1102—English Composition II
Instructor:	Ms. Katherine Litchfield
Office:	F-Building, Office 120-A
Phone:	229-317-6927
Email:	Katherine.litchfield@darton.edu

Current Students