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Environmental Biology
Online Course Orientation
Welcome! So...you have
enrolled in the online section of
Environmental Biology, BIOL 1110
...now what do you do?
Course Materials
Computer Requirements
Accessing the Course
What do I do first?
How do I contact the instructor?
How do I navigate a lesson?
Getting Help
Technology
Course Content
View the Syllabus
Course Materials
Even though you will not be attending class on campus, you will still need to purchase a textbook for the course. Information on the required texts are included in the Course Syllabus. Textbooks are available from the Darton College Bookstore. If you can't come to campus to visit the bookstore you can order your book by phone and have it shipped to your address for a small shipping & handling fee.
This course also includes lab exercises that will require you to research and write papers. For each paper you will also be required to turn in copies of the articles that the paper is based on. You can use articles from magazines, journals, books, newspapers, or the Internet. A good place for researching articles for your papers is the Darton College Library web page http://www.darton.edu/~dclib/index.php . If you are not familiar with the Library resources this page provides links to Library Orientation, and Library Resources for Distance Learning. You are encouraged to use the online GALILEO database of over 200 indexes of articles, thousands of full text books, and selected Internet sites to research your papers.
Computer Requirements
Since you'll be relying on the Internet to take this course, you will also need to get your computer ready for online learning. To make sure your computer meets the requirements for online learning visit the minimum system requirements page. The Browser Tune-up webpage explains how to adjust your Internet browser settings for online courses. You must configure your browser setting properly to access course content.
If you need assistance with downloading or have other technology related questions, you can submit a tech support request online at: http://online.darton.edu/forms/webhelp.htm or contact the WebHelp Desk by phone at 430-6923 (local), or 1-800-861-8318 for students outside the Albany, GA calling area.
You must be a registered Darton student in order to access the online course materials. You may logon to the course on the first day of scheduled classes. (see academic term calendar) For complete logon instructions go to WebCT the entry page http://webct.darton.edu Then, under the quick reference guides, click Logging On.
What do I do first?
The first thing you should do is print out and read all the course requirements in the course syllabus (View the Course Syllabus now! ). You can also view the syllabus once you logon by clicking the Syllabus Icon on the course homepage On this page you will find:
- Detailed information regarding course work and assignments that will determine your grade in the course.
- Course requirements and policies.
- A list of reading assignments from the required text.
- Instructions for completing assigned lab exercises.
- Due dates for all course assignments and exams
Once you logon to the course, use the WebCT e-mail tool to e-mail me information on how you can be
contacted. Include your phone number and an e-mail address. A quick reference guide to using the WebCT Email is available at
http://online.darton.edu/handouts/webCT_E-mail/email.htm
Using the E-mail icon you can E-mail other students in
the class if you want to contact them.
To get started with the course materials click on the Course Content Icon. In this area you will find:
- The Reading Schedule and Lab Exercise
Outlines. This schedule sets the pace for the course and gives specific
requirements for the lab exercises.
It is vital to your success in the course that you keep up with the scheduled assignments! - Lectures and exam reviews
Be sure to check the Discussion Forum icon
periodically to for current information on the course. A quick reference guide to using the WebCT Discussion Forum is available
at
http://online.darton.edu/handouts/Discussion_Forum/discussion.htm
How do I contact the instructor?
The primary means of communication between the students in
the course and the instructor will be the WebCT e-mail . A quick reference
guide to using the WebCT Email is available at
http://online.darton.edu/handouts/webCT_E-mail/email.htm
You may also post questions & comments on the course Discussion Forum. A quick reference guide to using the WebCT Discussion Forum is available
at
http://online.darton.edu/handouts/Discussion_Forum/discussion.htm
If you need to speak with someone by phone you may call the Division Secretary at (229) 430-6830
My mailing address is:
Dr. Jeffrey Hill
Dept. of Natural and Quantitative Sciences
Zayed University
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
How do I navigate a lesson? The course content is divided into 8 lecture units, each of which provides key concepts, terminology, and explanations to expand on the required reading. All lectures and related material can be accessed through the Course Content page. The following steps should be taken to complete each lesson:
- Complete the reading assignment given for the lesson. Look for the key terms and take notes.
- On the Course Content page, choose the link corresponding to the lecture, say the Lecture on Introduction to Environmental Science. (It wouldn't be a bad idea to print out a copy of this page.) View and study each of the online lectures for the lesson. These are your classroom lectures, so take notes!
- The readings and lectures provide you with a background for researching your Lab papers. To keep up in the course, each lesson should be studied well before the due date for the corresponding lab exercises!
- Complete the Lab assignments corresponding to the lecture topics and follow instructions on turning in assignments. For full credit lab exercises must be received by the instructor no later than the date indicated on the course schedule. These assignments will prepare you for the course exams. After you have completed the lab assignments, review the lesson concepts and terms.
- Well before the Exam date you should print out and complete the Exam Review. Note: The answers to all questions on exam reviews can be found in the lecture notes in the course content. Exams will only cover material since the last exam.
- Students living within the Darton College area are required to come to campus for exams. Exam dates, times and locations will be announced well in advance. If you cannot travel to the campus you may contact the instructor to negotiate suitable exam proctoring arrangements.
Getting help
Technology: If you need assistance with downloading or have other technology related questions, you can you can submit a tech support request online at: http://online.darton.edu/forms/webhelp.htm or contact the WebHelp Desk by phone at 430-6923 (local), or 1-800-861-8318 for students outside the Albany, GA calling area. Please contact WebHelp with all technology related questions and concerns.
Course Content: If you have questions concerning the content of the course or assignments, please post to the Course Discussion Forum so that all students in the class can benefit. If you wish to speak to the instructor privately, you can use the course email system or leave a voice mail message at the number given on the course syllabus. Office hours and locations are also listed on the syllabus
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