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Explanation: There are two course options for taking Communication 1100 in a web-based format:
Hybrid-Online course sections are designed to include both an online and in-class component. Class will meet once weekly on the assigned day. Class time will be used predominantly for speeches, tests, group work and other learning activities. Attendance is required. The remaining material is presented in an online format. The student will work independently by reading the textbook and by accessing this website and completing the reading and assignments posted here. Students will need regular access to a computer and the internet to be successful in this course. Time commitment necessary to do well: 2-3 hours per week online in addition to time required for reading the textbook, preparing for speeches, completing homework, etc. This course is suitable for the “average-good” student who has a reasonable amount of self-discipline and computer savvy. As this course still has a relatively high level of in-person instructor contact, past experience shows that a wide variety of students can be successful in this format including: reasonably prepared incoming freshman, those students juggling full-time employment and other commitments for whom this format is a benefit, and those students who have never taken an alternative delivery format course before but for whom these offering fit well schedule-wise. In general, this course is not well-suited to those students struggling academically. Online Courses: Online course sections include a mandatory orientation session and several mandatory class meetings during which speeches are presented and exams given. Course materials will be delivered through both the text and the course webpage. Students must have regular access to a computer and the internet, and be EXTREMELY disciplined to be successful in this course. Students will work independently by reading the textbook and accessing the class webpage on the internet to complete the assignments and activities posted. This course is suitable for the “good” student who has the self-discipline and organizational skills to work independently and a solid amount of computer savvy. Past experience shows that this group often includes: non-traditional students juggling full-time employment and other commitments, students who regularly successfully complete distance learning course options, students with successful previous college experience, or any student highly motivated to complete the course in an online format. In general, this course is not well-suited to those students struggling academically, the average incoming freshman who has no previous college experience, and those who require a high level of face-to-face instructor contact to remain on track.
1. What’s the deal with this web-based communication course? GHC is offering several sections of Communication 1100 in an online format. This online course requires a prescheduled mandatory in-class orientation and 3 mandatory prescheduled class meetings during which speeches will be presented and exams administered. See the current course catalog for dates and times of orientation/meetings. Course materials will be delivered through both the text and the course webpage. Students must have regular access to a computer and the internet, and be extremely disciplined to be successful in this course. Students will work independently by reading the textbook and accessing the class webpage on the internet to complete the assignments and activities posted. For more information, contact Dana Pergrem at dpergrem@highlands.edu. Textbook for this course: Communication Works 9th edition by Gamble & Gamble 2. Does this course involve watching DVDs? No. This is a web-based course. Web-based courses and DVD courses are occasionally listed in the same section of the course catalog, which might account for some confusion. 3. If this is an online course why do we have class meetings? Although online courses can be structured in a variety of formats, many have some degree of “in-person” contact for testing and various other activities. This course requires in-class meetings on four occasions: once for the required orientation, and three additional meetings during which students will present speeches (with the class acting as an audience) and take exams. That is, at each of the three meetings each member of the class will present a speech and take an exam. There will also be additional online assignments for this course. 4. So this class still has speeches which are presented to a live audience? Yes. There are four major speeches required to complete this course. Three of the speeches will be given on the scheduled in-class meeting days. The fourth will most likely be a videotaped speech that is submitted to the instructor. 5. And the exams? The exams will be taken, at least partially if not completely, during the scheduled in-class meeting days. 6. So I’m really covering the same material I would cover in a regular Communication 1100 course? Precisely, only instead of learning the material by attending twice-weekly class meetings with your instructor and by reading the textbook, you will be learning the material by accessing the course webpage online to complete the readings, assignments and activities posted there, and by reading the textbook. 7. How can I tell if I am a good candidate for an online course? Good question. Not everyone is a good fit for an online course offering. To be successful in an online course requires discipline and organization. To assess your likelihood of being a good fit for this online communication course, click here to view the “Will You Be Successful in an Online Course Format?” document. Additionally, the Student Online Readiness Tool (SORT) can be found at http://www.alt.usg.edu/sort/. 8. So, you’re saying this is an online course? Just to reiterate, this is an ONLINE course. You will be responsible for reading on your own; you will be responsible for accessing the course web page and completing the assignments there on your own. We will not talk about/go over/review course material in class. Essentially the only things we will do in the class meetings are present/listen to speeches and take exams. Your main contact with the instructor will be online. Attending both the orientation and all scheduled class meetings is absolutely mandatory. I have tried to be as straightforward as is possible about the nature of this course. Please consider this information carefully. For many of you, this format will be a great fit with your academic strengths and schedules. For others who lack the skills required to be successful in an independent academic environment, this format will be a recipe for disaster. Please assess yourself honestly by using the tools provided in #7 to ensure your highest probability of success. |