St. Philip's
College
Dear Student:
Welcome to the Internet version of Reading Improvement and Study Skills! I am looking forward to getting to know each of you.
This class will be taught online, on the Web CT platform, using the same textbooks, course content and objectives as a Reading 0303 class taught on campus. Each week, a page will be provided online for you explaining all activities and assignments for the week. To provide for interaction, you will also be required to participate in an online discussion. Some class activities will be completed on the textbook Web site. I am available to answer questions via email, telephone, or prearranged meeting on campus. All assignments must be submitted online, to my mailbox on WebCT. I will not accept any assignments walked in or faxed to the office.
This online orientation is mandatory for all students enrolled in this course.
If this is your first Internet class, please visit The Center for Distance Learning and follow the links for more valuable information.
In order to be successful in the class, you must be prepared to:
Plan and organize your own learning.
Carefully
follow instructions in the syllabus and on the weekly pages
Check your e-mail at least twice per week in order to receive your grade reports and any other important messages from the instructor.
Ask
for help right away if you need it. Don’t
delay! That’s why I’m here! Please contact
me.
Solve
computer problems before class starts, including:
Making
sure you know how you will connect to the Internet
Calling the SPC help desk at 210-220-1616 if you have problems accessing the course Web site.
If, during the semester, you have any computer problems that prevent you from accessing the Internet and submitting your work, you MUST arrange to use another computer so that you will not fall behind in the class. You can, for example, come to the SPC campus and use a computer in one of the labs. In other words, you should always have a backup plan, a "Plan B." For more information on distance learning at SPC, follow the link above to the SPC Center for Distance Learning and click on "Future DL Students."
This is an important message for those using AOL to connect to the Internet. Because of problems accessing WebCT through AOL, to get into the class, please be sure to do the following: First, log on to AOL as you usually do. Next, minimize AOL by clicking on the minus sign at the top right of the screen. Finally, start up Internet Explorer and go to the login for PALS.
If you have any questions or problems concerning this, please call the helpdesk at 210-220-1616.
Let's get started!
Sincerely,
Cynthia M. Kennedy, Ph.D.