Orientation for Distributed Education

1
Orientation for Distributed Education

• Department of Computer and Information Science
• Indiana University-Purdue University,
  Indianapolis
• ã 2003 Indiana University Board of Trustees

2
Typical Distributed Student

• Most think distributed classes are an effortless
  way to earn credit
• Students still have weekly assignments that must
  be turned in on time
• Students will still have quizzes and tests

3
How to be successful

• Access to the internet
• All communication with your instructor will
  happen via the internet
• Tests are not taken on paper but via the internet
• Internet connection may be at home or via the
  many open labs on campus your instructor will
  have a link of open labs for you

4
How to be successful

• An Oncourse Account
• Communication will be through your Oncourse
  account
• Tests will be taken through your Oncourse account
• Need help setting up your Oncourse account
  274-HELP or visit https//oncourse.iu.edu/help/stu
  denthelp.html
• Time Management Skills

5
How Distributed Classes Work

• Managing Instructor
• While you will see Andy do the instruction in the
  video in most courses, Andy does not control your
  assignments or grades. He is your talking
  textbook.
• Lecture Material
• This is handled through the CDs available for
  purchase at the IUPUI bookstore.

6
How Distributed Classes Work

• Class Web Page
• The class web page can be located off the
  orientation page. Save the URL for future use.
  Class material is also accessible through
  Oncourse. The class web page is your greatest
  resource for success in the class.
• Read over the policies of the class and
  familiarize yourself with the additional
  resources.

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How Distributed Classes Work

• All distributed classes follow the same calendar
  structure. You will be given a topic, reading
  assignment, the lab assignment and the due
  date.
• Instructions will be given on how to submit your
  lab in the assignment.
• PAY CAREFUL ATTENTION TO THE INSTRUCTIONS OF THE
  ASSIGNMENTS THEY MAY VARY THROUGHOUT THE
  SEMESTER

8
Reading Materials

• Each Lecture has a corresponding text for reading
  assignments to reinforce the lectures. Your
  class web pages will contain the title of the
  text to be used this semester and the reading
  assignments.

9
Lab Assignments

• A little boy stopped an old man on the street and
  said, Hey, Mister! Can you tell me how to get
  to Carnegie Hall? The old man replied,
  Practice, son. Practice.
• You will be practicing quite a bit in the form of
  assignments (aka labs).
• If you fall behind in the assignments, you will
  not only not get to Carnegie Hall you will not
  succeed in our courses.

10
Quizzes

• You can expect a quiz, a lab assignment or both
  to be due each week with a specific due date.
• LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED
• It is acceptable to work ahead if you know your
  will be traveling or have a busy schedule.

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Communication with Instructor

• Course communication will occur primarily through
  Oncourse e-mail and forums. You can expect an
  email turn around of 24 hours during the week and
  48 hours on the weekend.
• If your instructor will be unable to communicate
  with you (funeral, etc.) they will post an
  announcement via Oncourse.
• The Distributed Instructors understand the needs
  of the DE student. They were selected because of
  their understanding and response to the DE
  environment.

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Open Lab

• There will be an open lab for students that need
  face to face contact with the instructor.
• The open lab times are listed on your
  instructors web page.
• Attendance is completely optional and many will
  choose not to attend.
• Open lab is another resource for you to use if
  you choose.

13
Exams

• Tests and quizzes will be administered through
  Oncourse.
• The exams follow the University dates for
  midterms and final exams.
• Students are given at least a 2 day window to
  complete the exam.
• Students can take the exam at any time during the
  48 hour window.

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Exams

• You will be given your test score after the exam
  but will not be given the questions and answers.
• Your instructor will be happy to go over the exam
  with you during office hours or open lab.
• If you cannot make it to campus, you can
  communicate with your instructor via Oncourse to
  find out what questions you missed.
• Each exam will be password protected. Your
  instructor will provide the necessary passwords.

15
Your DE Experience

• We want you to be happy with the quality of our
  courses.
• Feel free to talk to your instructor about any
  issues or concerns you have about the course.
• If you feel you are not getting a response from
  your instructor or have concerns, your department
  contact is (de-admin_at_cs.iupui.edu )

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Enjoy!

• Thank you for choosing the Department of Computer
  and Information Science Distributed Education
  Courses.
• We hope you enjoy your Distributed Education
  classes!