Welcome to General Biology II Online Orientation

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Welcome to General Biology II Online Orientation

• Shawn Stickler, Ph.D.
• Associate Professor

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Welcome to FLO BIOLOGY

• Welcome to the Distance Learning version of BIO
  102, a 4-credit course designed to introduce
  students to major concepts in Biological
  Sciences. Topics covered in BIO 101 included the
  scientific process, cell theory, cell biology,
  genetics, evolution, and biodiversity. In BIO
  102, plant and animal structure and function,
  and ecology will be covered.
• The basis of the course will be independent study
  the text, Biology, Concepts and Applications, by
  Cecie Starr, and the Cycles of Life video series,
  combined with various exercises using computer
  based learning, on-line labs, field trips, and
  on-line research. Email and on-line forums will
  allow student interaction.

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Instructors Role

• My role as instructor for this course is
  different from that in the traditional classroom.
  Rather than doling out information, my job here
  is to help you gain and understand information on
  your own. The Flexible Learning Opportunity
  format of this course requires that you be a
  motivated learner who can work independently.

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Instructor Information

• Shawn Stickler
• 52 Campus Drive, Warsaw, VA 22572
• Email stickler_at_rappahannock.edu
• Please send course-related Email from your RCC
  account
  
• EMAIL CONTACT IS PREFERRED!
• Emergency Phone (I forgot to do my assignment is
  NOT an emergency) 804-435-3935
  

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Course Materials overview

• Syllabus (download from Blackboard)
• Telecourse (Cycles of Life) DVDs (from FLO
  office)
  
• Telecourse Student Guide (textbook)
• Biology Concepts and Applications (author Cecie
  Starr)
  
• Computer based lab resources
• Current ISBNs are listed in the syllabus but are
  subject to change by publishers
  
• Detailed Assignment information on Blackboard
  under Assignments

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Previous Text Editions

• You may use the previous editions of the texts,
  or other textbooks, if you wish, AT YOUR OWN
  RISK.
  
• The instructor is not responsible if an exam
  question is geared toward the current edition of
  the texts.

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ISBN numbers

• As I perused the Bookstore this semester, these
  are the ISBNs on the texts I found there
  
• Starr text ISBN 0 534 46224 3 (different for
  text VBL bundle)
  
• Telecourse guide ISBN 0 534 46230 8
• Disclaimer I am not responsible for changes in
  ISBNs nor for any typos in the above!
  

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Course Materials where?

• Syllabus from the FLO website or Blackboard
• Textbook, Telecourse Guide, Computer based lab
  resources from RCCs Follett Bookstore keep
  your receipts!
  
• Telecourse DVDs available through FLO office for
  15/semester rental fee
  
• These DVDs must be returned at the end of the
  semester.

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Important Materials what?

• FLO Course Guide/Syllabus
• Telecourse Student Guide 4th edition
• Biology Concepts and Applications
• by Cecie Starr, 6th edition
• Computer aided lab materials (Biocourse, HHMI,
  Ecobeaker)
  
• Video DVDs (containing 13 thirty-minute programs
  per course)

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What is required in this course

• View the videos
• Read the text
• Work through the Telecourse Student Guide and
  OnLine Learning Quizzes
  
• Perform the lab exercises
• Interact with peers and instructor in the
  Discussion Board Forums and optional Chats
  
• Take the exams
• Supplemental research assignment(s)

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Assignment Grid Course Calendar

• Your Syllabus contains an assignment grid and
  course calendar.
  
• Find this page in your syllabus NOW.
• Refer to this information FREQUENTLY!

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Earning Grade Points

• Introductory Assignment, 15 points
• OnLine Learning Quizzes, 400 points
• 3 Major Exams, 150 points each
• Proctored, Online exams
• Lab exercises, 300 points
• Discussion Forum participation, up to 135 points

• Optional Up to 100 points
• Web Bibliographies
• Current Events
• Field Trip reports
• Target points for taking Exams on time 5 points
  per exam

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Grade calculation

• A 1200 or more points
• B 1050-1199 points
• C 900-1049 points
• D 800-899 points
• F Fewer than 800 points

• In addition,
• To earn an A or B, you must have earned 300 or
  more Major Exam points.
  
• To earn a C or D, you must have earned 250 or
  more Major Exam points.

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To Earn an A or B or C or D

• You must meet both criteria for a passing grade.
  If you reach different levels, you will earn the
  lower grade. For example, 1200 total points with
  only 245 Major Exam Points would earn you an F.
• FYI Target Date bonus
• points DO count as
• Major Exam points .

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What about Incomplete grades?

• Grades of I (Incomplete) will not generally be
  given in this course. You are expected to
  complete work on time as scheduled. It is your
  responsibility to drop or withdraw from the
  course if you are unable to complete the work.
  If you have extenuating circumstances contact the
  instructor immediately and I will try to work
  with you.

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Administrative Withdrawal

• Students may be administratively withdrawn
• If they do not complete the first, Getting
  Started assignment by the add/drop deadline for
  the term (January 13 )
  
• If they do not take Exam 1 by its deadline
  (February 16)

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Target Dates and Deadlines

• Each Major Exam has a Target Date
• If the exam is taken on or before the Target
  Date, you receive a 5 point grade bonus on it
  
• All exams have Deadlines
• Exams not taken by the deadline receive no
  credit I MEAN THIS. I WILL DO THIS! If you miss
  the deadline by only a day youre already more
  than a week late!!
• AIM FOR THE TARGET DATE!!

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What about labs?

• Computer-based labs are assigned for most units.
• Lab information is found under Labs at the
  Blackboard web site
  
• Make sure to check these assignments! They should
  be helpful in doing your lab, and moreover, labs
  that do not meet the requirements listed may
  receive no credit.
• All should enhance your learning of the topics

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Turning in Labs

• All labs will be submitted online as attachments
  per the links provided. Labs sent via e-mail
  will not be accepted for credit.
  
• Please keep a copy of anything you submit.
• NO LABS ACCEPTED AFTER THE DEADLINE!
• Labs submitted during the last two weeks of the
  term may not be graded for students who have not
  earned at least 250 Major Exam Points.

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Video programs

• Thirteen 30-minute programs per course, on DVDs
  which you will rent from the FLO office
  
• Each Telecourse Unit has one video segment, and
  corresponds to one or more text chapters
  
• You are responsible for returning your DVD media
  at the end of the semester
  
• Report any DVD problems to the FLO office
  (flo_at_rcc.vccs.edu).

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RCC Email

• All students automatically have RCC email
  accounts in the format jqp24_at_email.vccs.edu
  
• MOST IMPORTANT Please sign all Emails with your
  name and course identification!
  
• Assignments will only be accepted from your RCC
  account.
  

If you, your internet browser, or your ISP have
issues with Blackboard they are up to YOU to
solve. I am not a computer expert!
The FLO office has helpful hints for attachments
. For example, use simple file names, do NOT use
AOLs browser, etc.
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Access Blackboard IMMEDIATELY

• All students must access the Blackboard website
  for this class, click the Assignments tab, and
  complete the Getting Started/Introductory
  Assignment there by January 13.
• This should take you only 20-30 minutes IF YOU
  CAN WORK BLACKBOARD AND YOUR RCC EMAIL.
  
• Failure to complete the assignment by the
  deadline will result in your administrative
  withdrawal from the course.

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Blackboard Site Contents I

• Log in from http//rcc.vccs.edu , MyRcc, or
  http//learn.vccs.edu
  
• Announcements
• Any changes to the syllabus or assignments,
  target date and deadline reminders,
  administrative notices, etc. will be posted
  here.
• You are responsible to check for any updates via
  the announcements as well as the Ask the
  Instructor discussion board.
  
• Course Information
• Course Syllabus, Assignment Grid/Calendar,
  Grading information
  
• Orientation/FAQ

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Blackboard Site Contents II

• Staff (instructor) Information
• Office Hours
• Contact Information
• Assignments
• Link to Assignment Calendar
• General instructions on Units
• Assignments by Unit Objectives, Learning
  resources, on-line learning quizzes, other
  information and instructions
  
• Directions for Supplemental Assignments

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Blackboard Site Contents III

• Discussion Board Forums
• Communication, essay preparation, and posting of
  Current Events
  
• Communication
• links to Email
• Collaboration, also known as Chat room
• External Links to helpful sites
• Tools
• Gradebook, etc.
• Labs
• Instructions for labs and links for submission
  are found here.
  
• You will need a password, available for purchase
  in the bookstore, to access Biology Online labs.

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Blackboard Announcements

• If you walked into a classroom and the instructor
  had announcements written on the blackboard, you
  would read them, right?
  
• Well, this works for FLO too. Any special info
  that you need to know will be posted there. This
  includes any changes to the syllabus, reminders
  of deadlines, etc.
• You ARE RESPONSIBLE for any material/changes sent
  through announcements.

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OnLine Learning Quizzes

• These cover material in objective question
  format
  
• THESE WILL HELP YOU PREPARE FOR THE MAJOR EXAMS.
  USE THEM WISELY.
  
• You are encouraged to discuss these questions in
  the Question Forum.

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OnLine Learning Quizzes (cont.)

• Suggestion print these, work on them, then
  answer them online. You may repeat them as many
  times as you like.
  
• They are randomized, so you may not get the same
  questions each time.
  
• ONLY THE LAST TIME you open a quiz will be
  gradedif you open it again, you must complete it
  again. Otherwise, your grade will be 0 points.
  
• These questions are the basis of 60 points of
  each Major Exam.
  

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Discussion Forums

• Each topic is a potential essay question on a
  Major Exam. Discuss these with your peers.
  
• Your first substantive post on each of these
  forums will receive up to 4 points if completed
  during the posting period for the material (see
  DB for dates). A maximum of 135 points can be
  earned.
• Me too is not substantive, but any addition to
  a previous post, question about a previous post,
  or intelligent comment on a previous post will
  count! Links to helpful websites are great, too.
  Restating what has already been said does NOT
  constitute a post worth any points.

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Supplemental Assignments

• Deadline Major Exam 2 deadline
• All instructions are under Assignments at the
  Blackboard site. Submissions that do not meet the
  requirements may not receive any points.
  
• Current Events 2 points each may do 10.
• Field Trips 20 points each may do 2.
• Web Bibliographies 20 points each may do 2.
• Advanced approval needed for Web bibliographies
  and Field Trips, approved before you do the
  work.
  
• Current Events do not need prior approval.

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First assignment

• Access the class Blackboard site, and go to the
  Assignments/Getting Started
  
• Take the Pre-Test online
• Complete and submit the Materials Tour online
• Post your greeting to your classmates in the
  Discussion Board Introduction Forum
  
• Use a word processor to write the required note
  to your instructor and submit via the link
  provided as an attachment in Word .doc or .rtf
  format
• Email your instructor, using your RCC account,
  and ask that your points be recorded.

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Normal Instructor response time

• On-Line Office Hours instructor is available
  anytime via e-mail and discussion boards.
  
• Email answered daily, except weekends.
• Phone messages answered via e-mail in 1-2 working
  days.
  
• On-Line quizzes are posted immediately by
  Blackboard.
  
• Discussion Boards are monitored 1-2 times per
  week, and points posted at the end of each unit.
  
• Major Exams are graded by the instructor
  generally within 2-3 working days.
  
• Lab and Supplemental grades will be up within 2
  weeks of receipt by the instructor.

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Evaluation

• In order to truly improve, we must evaluate the
  class. Please complete your course evaluation
  when posted in Blackboard near the end of the
  semester.
• Only you can make the course better by giving us
  constructive feedback. Thanks!

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Login Help
Email for help at RCChelp_at_rcc.vccs.edu
Online Resources Help Page http//www.rcc.vccs.ed
u/distancelearning/onlineresources.shtml
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Email and Blackboard Tips and Tricks

• If using AOL or other broadband internet
  providers, please open another browser such as
  Internet Explorer or Netscape 6.0 or higher.
  
• Make sure when sending attachments that the
  filename contains no spaces or special characters
  such as hyphens or symbols.
  
• If you are having trouble with opening blackboard
  or your email, make sure to view the VCCS outage
  page at http//helpnet.utility.vccs.edu/central/Lo
  gs/outagelog.htm.
• If you are typing a long email, you might want to
  type it in word and then cut and paste the
  information into your email message.
  
• Other tips can be seen at the Webmail manual at
  https//email.vccs.edu/help/apps/brands/_at_/locale/e
  n_US.ISO_8859-1/webmail/FramesLayout.html.

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Good luck!