Buffie Schmidt, MBA, Ed.S.
Algood Hall (AH) E130
email: bschmidt@augusta.edu
office: (706) 667-4535
text: (706) 680-6123

MGMT 3500: 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.

COURSE CODE ID's along with instructions will be posted in D2L News on the Morning after Drop/Add

STEP 1: STUDENT ADD/DROP PERIOD

The drop add period (first 2-3) days of class is for students to review syllabi and assignments and determine if the want to take a class. Click here for an explanation of Augusta University's Add/Drop Period.

Determine if this is the course for you by:

  1. Check/Communicate: Check D2L News for Updates throughout the 1st Week of Class.
    1. Contact AU's ITS for D2L Access Issues
  2. Explore Professor's Website Especially the Getting Started and First Week of Class webpages
  3. Find/Read Professor's Website, including:
    1. Course Syllabus
    2. Assignment Schedule
    3. Required Resources
    4. Suggested Plan of Study
    5. Course Policies
    6. Getting Started in Lab
  4. Review/Document all important dates and deadlines.
  5. ASK Questions now! While there is still time to Drop and Add another course.
  6. Attend Course Orientation (not required)
  7. Determine if MGMT 3500 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.

STEP 2: AFTER DROP/ADD but BEFORE ATTENDANCE DROP

The attendance drop (a single date set by the registrar, usually between days 7-10 of classes) is for the university to determine if the student is serious about taking the class. 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REQUIRED to do the following BEFORE the ATTENDANCE DROP Date to be counted as attending the course and prevent being withdrawn by the registrar due to nonattendance.

  1. Check D2L for Course Updates throughout the First Week of Class.
  2. Register in the Pearson Online Lab (MypearsonLabs) BEFORE the ATTENDANCE DROP Date.
    (Video demonstrations for the registration process are available on my "MyLab How-To Videos" webpage!)
    1. The Course Code ID needed for registration will be posted in D2L the day after the last day of the ADD/DROP Period.
    2. Get Resistered. Everyone is able to register immediately using the 14 Day Free Trial Registration from Pearson (Eventual Lab Access purchase is required)
    3. Check your computer's System Requirements to ensure compatability with Pearsonlab
  3. Begin Course Assignments
    1. Complete the “Orientation/Syllabus Quiz” with a 90% or better. (Located inside lab)
    2. Begin Course Assignments (by order provided in Course 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:

  1. Stay ahead of deadlines.
  2. Manage Time Well Remember up to 7-10 hours may be needed for the preparation and completion of a chapter's assignments.
  3. Use resources in the lab and on Professor Schmidt's website.
  4. Contact Professor Schmidt with questions at first sign of difficulty.
  5. 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):

*ONLINE VERSUS CLASSROOM COURSES:

You would not purchase a house with first researching the area, price, condition, etc.

Likewise, do not sell yourself short with your education. Your education is important (and expensive) enough that you should make an educated decision as to the format of your course.

  1. Research for yourself the main difference between Online and Classroom instructed courses.

  2. Familiarize yourself with the syllabus for the course in which you are interested.

  3. Assess your own personality, skills, habits, and abilities. Be truthful with yourself.

  4. Decide if an Online course is right for you.

    • Take an Assessment provided by the Georgia Board of Regents to determine your readiness for Online Learning Environments.

ONLINE VS. CLASSROOM SKILL SET COMPARISON

Skills: Online Course: Classroom Course:
Time Management Must independently manage time well. Self-motivated and self-discipled.
 		 Peers & professor provide reminders and encouragement.
 
Time Commitment Availability to spend the same or more time than classroom course weekly requirement. Flexibility to utilize midnight hours, double up on work one week and have a break the next, or complete the course early.
 
 2.5 hours per week in class. Out of class recommendation is 6 hours per week.
 
Communication Mostly written communication. Comfortable communicating virtually using technology.
 		 Mostly verbal communication. Comfortable with communicating in classroom.
 
Study Skills Ability to analyze text, critically think through process and key points and communicate virtually. Student must understands his/her learning style.
 		 Professor assists in analysis of text, critical thought process, and lectures on key points. Student will communicate via open dialogue in class.
 
Learning Styles Highly independent learner. Follows written instruction well. Completes assignments with little direction. Highly technology literate.
 		 Mildly independent learner. Follows verbal instruction well. Completes assignments after demonstration in class. Mildly technology literate.
 
     

**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.