MINF 2201: First Week of Class

READ THIS PAGE ALL THE WAY TO THE BOTTOM!

NOTE: Online courses are not for everyone. Online courses are NOT easier and do NOT require less time. However, they ARE more flexible and a wonderful asset to those who manage time well.

Compare Online versus Classroom course skill set.
If you are unsure, take an ASSESSMENT provided by the Georgia Board of Regents to help you determine if you are ready for an online course.

COURSE CODE ID's along with Lab Registration Instructions will be posted in D2L News after the Course Orientation

STEP 1: BEFORE COURSE ID CODES ARE RELEASED

The drop add period is for students to review syllabi and assignments and determine if they want to take a class. Click here for an explanation of Augusta University's Drop/Add Period.

Determine if this is the course for you by:

Check/Communicate: Check D2L News for Updates throughout the 1st Week of Class.
1. Contact AU's ITS for D2L Access Issues
Explore Professor's Website Especially the First Week of Class and MyITLab Resource webpages
Find/Read Professor's Website, Including:

Review/Document all important dates and deadlines.
ASK Questions now! While there is still time to Drop and Add another course.
Attend Course Orientation (not required yet highly recommended).
Determine if MINF 2201 fits well with your schedule this semester.
1. If NO: DROP the course before the ADD/DROP period ends, and I hope to see you next semester.
2. If YES:
  1. Mark your personal calendar with due dates/deadlines.
  2. Purchase Required Resources.
  3. Watch D2L for release of Course Code IDs.
  4. Register in the lab and complete one assignment before the Attendance Drop Requirement

STEP 2: AFTER COURSE ID'S ARE RELEASED but BEFORE ATTENDANCE DROP

The attendance drop (a single date set by the registrar, usually around day 10 of classes) enables the university to determine if the student is serious about taking a course. The date has not been released as of yet but will be announced when the Course Code ID's are released. Click here for an explanation of Augusta University's Attendance Drop Date.

MANDATORY: Students choosing to remain in the course are REQUIRED to register and complete an assignment BEFORE the ATTENDANCE DROP Date to be counted as attending the course. All other students will be withdrawn by the registrar due to nonattendance.

Check D2L for Course Updates throughout the First Week of Class.
Register in the Pearson Online Lab (MypearsonLabs) BEFORE the ATTENDANCE DROP Date.
(Video demonstrations for the registration process are available on my "MyITLab How-To Videos" webpage!)
1. The Course Code ID needed for registration will be posted in D2L after the Optional Course Orientation.
2. Get Resistered. Everyone is able to register immediately using the 14 Day Free Trial Registration from Pearson (Eventual Lab Access purchase is required)
Prepare Technology: If you skip these steps your computer will not function properly and your assignment scores will be effected. (Already performed on all campus computers)
1. Run Setup to Ensure your computer meets Pearson Requirements. Pearson's MyITLab Support website. (Instructions inside the Lab under the Start Here Tab)
2. Download Correct Software: If you do not have MS Office 2016 Professional Plus or 365 you must:
  1. Uninstall your version of MS Office
  2. Download and install MS Office 365 provided by AU (Instructions inside the lab under Start Here tab.)
Begin Course Assignments
1. Complete the “Orientation/Syllabus Quiz” with a 90% or better. (Located inside lab/ Not Graded)
2. Begin Assignments (in order provided in Assignment Shedule).

*A Pearson Access Code purchased online or with the JagStore package AND the Course Code ID released on D2L will be REQUIRED for Pearson Online Lab Registration.

** ANYONE NOT MEETING ALL REQUIREMENTS ABOVE BY THE ATTENDANCE VERIFICATION DATE WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE FOR THE SEMESTER BY THE REGISTRAR.

STEP 3: THROUGHOUT REMAINDER OF SEMESTER

Week 2 and beyond (day 4 and beyond in Summer)

To be SUCCESSFUL in this course, be sure to:

Stay ahead of deadlines.
Manage Time Well Remember up to 7-10 hours may be needed for the preparation and completion of a chapter's assignments.
Use resources in the lab and on Professor Schmidt's website.
Contact Professor Schmidt with questions at first sign of difficulty.
Check Lab Announcements Daily for reminders/important information.

*Deadlines ARE the day assignments are to be completed.
**Deadlines ARE NOT the day to begin working on the assignment or to plan on doing the majority of the assignment.

You should KNOW (all found on Professor Schmidt's website):

Best way to Contact Professor Schmidt.
Options for Online Support from Professor Schmidt.
How to manage Lab/Computer Issues.
What happens if you submit someone else's work in part or in full. (see course syllabus for the most current Academic Honesty information.)
Extra Credit Options.

This course can be overwhelming in the first two weeks.

However, once the students gets the hang of the software and course assignments it is rather routine. Many students complete the entire course before midterm.

PLEASE Email me (Professor Schmidt) anytime with questions!

**EXPLANATION OF STUDENT ADD/DROP PERIOD:

The Add/Drop Period for students...

...is a period at the beginning of each semester (typically the first 2-3 days of classes) that allows students to adjust their schedule for the semester. During this period, students may add or drop classes without a withdrawal (W) showing on their transcript.

***EXPLANATION OF ATTENDANCE DROP DATE:

The Attendance Drop Date...

...(typically 5-7 days after the start of classes) is the date after which students will be dropped by the Registrar from courses which they have not yet attendend.

Augusta University's Student Manual describes the Attendance Drop Date as follows:

“To assist the University in complying with federal regulations pertaining to financial aid, faculty members are also required to maintain a record of and report student non-attendance at the start of each academic term. The Vice Provost is responsible for informing faculty of the duration of the nonattendance verification period and appropriate reporting method at the beginning of each academic term. In accordance with this policy, a student who does not attend a class or begin participation in an online course during the non-attendance verification period will be dropped from the course by the professor unless they have contacted their professor and notified them of their reason for non-attendance. In the event a student is dropped for non-attendance during this designated time period, the effect is the same as if the student never registered for the class and the course will not appear on the student’s transcript.”

More information regarding Augusta University's Attendance Policy can be obtained by downloading the Student Manual from the Student Conduct webpage on the Augusta University website.