Online Communication 1100 -

Frequently Asked Questions


 

1.     What’s the deal with this web-based communication course?

 

GHC is offering two sections of Communication 1100 in an online format for Spring 2008. 

  • CRN 20381 is offered at the Acworth site.  Mandatory orientation: Friday, January 11, 8:00am, Room 201.  Mandatory class meetings on Fridays February 8, March 14 and April 25 from 8am-10:45am in Room 201 at the Acworth site, during which speeches will be presented and exams administered.
     

  • CRN 20392 is offered at the Cartersville campus.  Mandatory orientation: Friday, January 11, 11:00am, Room 164.  Mandatory class meetings on Fridays February 8, March 14 and April 25 from 11am-1:45pm in Room 164 at the Cartersville campus, during which speeches will be presented and exams administered.

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.