Online Learning Orientation

1
Online Learning Orientation

• Danny Williams
• Instructional Support Specialist
• dwilliams_at_heartofgatech.edu

2

• Purpose of this session is to introduce you to
  Online Learning _at_ HGTC
• Steps to Prepare for your First Online Course
• Exploring the Angel Online Classroom

3
Introduction to the Online Learning Experience

• Computer is your classroom
• Communicate with fellow students and your
  instructor through electronic communication
• Flexible and convenient
• All components of a campus class discussions,
  assignments, exams and FIRM deadlines

4
How to Prepare for your First Online Course

• STEP 1 Make sure you have everything you need
  to get started
• Computer Requirements
• Technical Skills
• Student Skills
• Textbook (HGTC bookstore or in your course
  syllabus)
• Folders
• Paper Folder for printouts
• Computer Folder for documents
• External Storage for Course Documents
• USB Flash Drive
• Diskettes
• CDs

5

• Step 2 Set aside physical space and time for
  class work
• At Home, work, or library
• Class Time
• Minimum 6-9 hours per week for each course!
• Step 3 Get to know the virtual campus
• Angel Learning Site http//gvtc.angellearning.com
  
• HGTC Website www.heartofgatech.edu
• Angel Student Essentials Guide http//gvtc.angelle
  arning.com/Help/Public/

6

• Step 4 Visit the bookstore
• Porter Center on Main Campus
• Online http//www.heartofgatech.edu/main/InstSppt
  Srvs/bookstore/2006index.cfm
• Step 5 Find important offices and contact
  information
• Help Desk
• Department Office (Provided on Syllabus)
• Student Success Center ( Located in Stewart
  Building)
• Library (located in Louie Livingston Hall)

7

• Step 6 Login to your online class
• Locate your username and password
• Find the Angel Online classroom Website
• Step 7 Learn the layout of the online classroom
• Login to the Angel course site
• Browse Your Online Course
• Read the Course Syllabus
• Find the Course Due Dates
• Find Instructor Contact Information
• Learn How to Submit Assignments
• Verify your email address in Angel

8
Online Tips for Success

• Login to Angel often (3-5 times per week minimum)
• Do your work off line and save your files to
  disk before you send them
• Keep a copy of ALL your assignments (including
  discussions)
• Contact your instructor as soon as you know you
  have a problem DONT WAIT
• Resolve computer problems immediately or find
  another computer.
• Avoid plagiarism
• Contact the Help Desk if you are not sure who
  else to call
• Use campus facilities if needed
• Email Subject Course name
• Be sure to sign your full name at the end of the
  email
• Assignment Files Always type your name on top
  of assignment documents
• Name computer assignment files in a recognizable
  way
• Good Filename tjones_essay2.doc
• Bad Filename essay2.doc

9
How to get help when you have a question or a
problem

• About your online course
• Read your course syllabus
• Contact your instructor
• Post a message in the online Discussion Board
• Email or call your instructor
• About any other issue
• Contact the Instructional Support
  dwilliams_at_heartofgatech.edu

10

• Problem with your course work
• Contact the instructor
• Problem with Angel technology
• Inform the instructor
• Visit Help Tab in Angel Course
• Contact Instructional Support dwilliams_at_heartofgat
  ech.edu
• Problem with your instructor
• Inform the instructor
• Contact the Department Chair
• Contact Instructional Support dwilliams_at_heartofgat
  ech.edu

11
Accessing the Angel Online Classroom

• Locate your Username and Password. If you are new
  to Angel your username and password will be
  33_9000XXXX ( your 9000 number from banner)
• Login to Angel
• Go to http//gvtc.angellearning.com
• Follow the directions given on this page
• Review the Angel announcements on the right side
  of the login page.

12
Computer Requirements

• HardwarePentium or compatible processor 200MHz
  or greater, 32 MB RAM or greater, sound card and
  speakers
• SoftwareWindows 2000 ,XP, or Vista
• Web BrowserInternet Explorer 7.0 or Firefox 3.0
  or higher
• Internet ConnectionWithout an Internet
  connection it is impossible to take on-line
  courses. Students can use a dialup, DSL,
  satellite, cable or direct connection to the
  Internet. ISPs provide these services.
• Additional SoftwareSome classes require or
  recommend software packages. The following are
  common and typically have a free download version
  available to students Adobe Acrobat Reader,
  RealPlayer, Microsoft Media Player, Macromedia
  Flash Player, Macromedia Shockwave Player, and
  WinZip.

13
TECHNOLOGY COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

• The following computer skills are needed prior to
  taking online courses through GVTC. Students are
  responsible for assessing their own skill levels.
  Students who are taking an online class for the
  first time must take the READI assessment. READI
  is a tool which helps you determine your level of
  readiness for taking online courses. Students
  will be asked questions on topics in the areas of
  how well you can use a computer how motivated,
  organized, and self-directed you are how you
  prefer to learn new information and you will
  even be able to measure your on-screen reading
  speed and comprehension. Your username and
  password for READI is hgtcstudent

14
Skills for Success

• Familiar with the operating system of the
  computer being used to access the Internet course
  
• Understand terms such as mouse, drag, open,
  select, file, choose, double-click, download,
  upload, send, etc.
• Save, copy and find files/folders on floppy and
  hard drives
• Navigate between two or more applications without
  closing and re-opening (multitasking)
• Minimize/maximize Windows

15

• Send, open, reply to, and forward a message
• Enter a message subject
• Send an attachment
• Open and/or save an attachment
• Go to a specific URL
• Print a page
• Follow a hypertext link
• Conduct a basic search using a search engine
• Open a new file
• Open an existing file
• Save a file
• Rename a file (Save As)
• Cut, paste, format text

16
Student Skills

• Same skills you use in the classroom
• Basic Study Skills
• Keep up with reading assignments
• Complete all coursework
• Budget your time
• Dont procrastinate dont get behind
• Meet deadlines
• Actively participate in your class

17
Contact Us

• Website www.heartofgatech.edu
• Email sservice_at_heartofgatech.edu
• Phone [phone] or 800-200-4484
• Office Stewart Building, Room 110
• Hours 730am 1000 pm