First thing, please doublecheck that you registered for SPCH 1311.2b1. If you registered for any other 1311 on the Web section, you'll need to contact the instructor for that course, Sherry Rhodes, at srhodes@ccccd.edu.

If you are in my section, here's some useful information below.

Frequently asked questions about Fundamentals of Speech on the Web!

1) Q: Are there any exams given in the Testing Center for this course?

A: Yes -- two exams are given in the Spring Creek Testing Center. One group competency exam (the Skills Analysis) occurs at Spring Creek as well during Live Session #2.

2) Q: Do I have to be in the Plano vicinity to take this course?

A: Unless you are able to make frequent trips to the Dallas area and Plano, you should live locally to take this course effectively and conveniently. This course is a Web-hybrid course, meaning that lecture material is presented on the Web, but the live component of the course -- speeches, interaction activities, etc. that are also part of the course requirements -- do have to take place in person. There are two mandatory "live" sessions for this course, plus two exams in the Testing Center -- all that occur on Spring Creek campus.

The live sessions for Summer II Speech on the Web course are as follows. The mandatory live sessions are worth about considerable points per meeting -- with group activities, speeches, the group exam etc. all earning points -- and often include test review material, so missing one does significantly impact a student's grade. If these meeting times are not suitable for the student, then the blended course isn't the option that student should pursue. Since work done in these meetings is done in a group analysis and performance context, there is NO make-up capability for a missed meeting.

Here's some additional advance info:

* Mandatory on-site meeting dates for the Summer II '09 course will be:

Mandatory meetings on Saturday July 18, 3:00-6:00 PM and Saturday August 8, 2:00-6:00 PM. Room TBA.

* Exams (2) will be given at the SCC Testing Center across at least four days.
* A group competency exam will be given at the last Live Session on August 8th.
* Online orientation available first day of class, linked off Blackboard. You'll simply click to it, read through it, send a response e-mail, and be done. :-)

Exams are flexibly scheduled, so that you can choose a time that works for you within a given period. For security reasons, exams are given only at Spring Creek Campus, where the instructor is based.

Test dates are still pending. However, they are offered in a wide array of flexible times (you'll have at least four days to take each written test), so they're generally never a problem.

3) Q: I've never taken a Web class before, so I'm not sure how this works.

A: Web courses may be completely different in administration, policy, and requirements. Mass Comm on the Web, for instance is VERY different from Fundamentals of Speech on the Web, so it is wise to ask about individual course procedures. In the case of this course, Web content is the equivalent of in-class lectures; your textbook serves the same function as it usually does. Questions answered to me in e-mail are based on Web content and text material. Exams, papers, etc. are also based on both. Fundamentals of Speech on the Web is a hybrid course -- so do expect in-person interaction, e-mail interaction, responsibility for studying Web content AND text material.

4) Q: How do I interact with the instructor?

A: Most frequently by e-mail. Please contact the instructor at ccharleson@ccccd.edu. We will NOT be using Blackboard's internal email for this course.

Every Tuesday morning, an Updates page of announcements for your entire class will be released. Simply click the Announcements section of your course within Blackboard to see each week's update.

5) Q: Is there an orientation I have to go to at Spring Creek Campus?

A: No. Orientation materials are online, including a response that students send to the instructor indicating they understand course procedure and equipment requirements. That orientation is available the first day classes start for the Spring '09 semester linked off Blackboard. Please do not attempt to access the course or the orientation prior to your semester beginning, as many changes are made between semesters, and accessing too early will only lead to confusion later.

6) Q: When should I get started with the course, and how do I do it?

A: Get started no earlier than the first day of the relevant semester, but once the semester starts -- right away. Ideally you should start Web courses the first day the semester begins, as with traditional courses. Simply log in to Blackboard, where this course should appear. Once you access the course Blackboard area, you'll find another link to this FAQS page, a link to the syllabus, the orientation, the calendar, and the course itself, as well as a link to the Updates page. On the first day classes begin, these links will be appropriate to use. Again, do not click links or attempt to begin the course early, as old material from previous semesters may be visible until the day the new semester actually begins. There are changes every semester, so don't start early, even if Blackboard gives you access early!

7) Q: What is the text?

A: Text: Verderber, Inter-act : Interpersonal Communication Concepts, Skills, and Contexts - With CD 11th edition ISBN: 0195300645 . You will need this edition to efficiently take this course, as it includes information relevant to your tests that old editions won't have. However, if you can find a copy that does not come with the CD that is less-expensive, used, do feel free to get that one. We will not use the CD in this section.

Additionally students should be prepared to use additional reading material (fiction or narrative nonfiction reading materials) for an analysis paper at the end of the course. You may use a novel, memoir, short story, etc. to respond to these questions. I recommend having something in mind that you can read ahead on and use as early as possible in the semester.