Assignment Hints

 

Dr. G.'s comment:  Many students seem to underestimate the amount of time required for an online course. For your consideration--for a three credit hour course you would be in class for three hours a week, plus additional hours to do the readings, studying for tests, researching for papers, writing the papers and other written work.  The time required for an online course is no different.  In addition, you have to completely structure the time for yourself.

With this in mind.....

...these are a few hints from students' comments on past Course Evaluations that may help you.

1. Look Ahead:  Look at the assignments for the next two weeks. In this way you can plan/manage your time. Some will take more time than others (Generally you can tell by the number of points assigned to the work.)

2. Multi-tasking:  Multi-tasking means doing more than one thing at a time.  Many times you can increase your efficiency if you multi-task.  Some examples:  In SMP1, where you have to track your Daily Stressors, you can work on this throughout the week and have only the Stress Questionnaire to do right before the assignment is due.  Another example, you can work on the Test Study Sheet questions as you read the textbook chapters for another assignment. (The Test Study Sheet (TSS) questions (97%) are directly related to the test itself and you may obviously use the TSS while taking the test itself.)

3. Get your work in on time (earlier than the deadline if possible):  Many points are lost by submitting late assignments.  You earn 5 points for getting assignments and tests submitted by the deadline.  These 5 points are figured into the grade.  For example, if Test 1 is worth 20 points, you will have 15 questions worth 1 point each + 5 points for taking it during the testing period.  Make-up for Test 1 will be worth only 15 pts.

Late work will be given credit (but with a penalty) if submitted no later than 6:00PM EST, 2 days after the deadline.

4. Check your email frequently:  I email the class at least 3 times/week on average.  Some of the emails give you clues for doing a particular assignment correctly.  Also, when a student emails me with a question about an assignment, I send the answer to the class as a whole. 

5. Check the weekly grade scale:  This will tell you exactly what your grade is at a given moment (If you have done all of the work on time).  The Weekly Grade Scale is found on the Class Calendar in the far right column. 

6. Grades are based on TOTAL POINTS:  The total points reflect percentages, but in the past Blackboard has calculated the percentages incorrectly.  You can find your total points on the Blackboard Gradebook.  (Click "Student Tools" bar on the Announcement page, then "Check Grades."

7. The optional Choice Assignment:  You may submit ONE Choice Assignment anytime throughout the length of the course. It is STRICTLY OPTIONAL.  However, the rule is that ALL required assignments must be completed before the Choice Assignment will count.