Blogs explained

As Kirkwood begins to make its way into the world of blogging, I thought it timely to share an explanation. Lee LeFever at commoncraft.com -- a blogger himself -- offers a creative and informative video to explain blogs.

CE6 Combined Login Page

Kirkwood's Learning Management System, Blackboard CE6, received a little attention this weekend. It's the little things that are truly most appreciated. Am I right? In an effort to streamline the login procedure, Blackboard (finally) made it possible to combine the login screen with the landing page.



Previously, the landing page had two buttons, one for Login and one for View Course List. With this set-up we bypass that page. One less click for everyone. Think of the time you will save!

Unfortunately, this page is not further customizable. There is still no way to remove the Forgot your password link or the View Course List button. These do nothing for us at Kirkwood but cause confusion. It's best to just ignore them. That's what I do. If ever you do forget your password, the password web site will be much more useful. And if you cannot remember your user name, take a look at the k number page.

(Be careful not to bookmark this login page - your login might fail if arriving via a bookmark or favorite. Instead, bookmark the eLearning page if you like.)

Online Student Success - Instructor Quotes

I'm working on an online-student orientation video script and we solicited quotes from faculty who are teaching online. I asked faculty to share a thought or two about what accounts for successful students in their online courses. There were multiple requests to share these quotes, so here they are...

1. Students should communicate with their instructors. Send e-mails or call with any questions or issues. We are here to help! And we can't help unless we know that help is needed.
2. Print off the syllabus and read it!
3. Use the Calendar and keep up with deadlines for assessments and assignments.
4. Do not PROCRASTINATE! Procrastination is rewarding but deadly and has sunk many a student. Watch deadlines and pace yourself through the course. Set up a study schedule and get on the computer every day you possible can. Get into a rountine.
5. "Ability is what you’re capable of doing. Motivation determines what you do. Attitude determines how well you do it." -- Lou Holtz, Football Coach
6. My biggest suggestion is to be disciplined, and set aside a regular time each week to work on your class, as if you had the class face to face. Even if that time is 3:00am.
7. Pay attention to due dates on your assignments. Don't fall behind. Don't make excuses. Don't wait until the end of the semester to start. Set aside time each day for your class and stick to it! You'll be amazed how much easier the course will seem.
8. Distance learning is self-directed learning. It requires a high level of personal responsibility, dedication, and self-discipline on the part of the student. In order to succeed, you must log in to the course regularly to check for announcements, participate in discussions, and engage with course content.
9. If the course offers an opportunity to "practice" submitting assignments and responding to comments through the submission link, use this chance to get comfortable with this process prior to submitting.
10. Make it a point to check your course every day. Once you have the habit, then it is easy to stay up on assignments and discussions.
11. Please save your assignments in Rich Text Format .rtf. That way your assignment can be read by me and by your peer reviewer regardless of what word processing program is being used.
12. Take some time at the beginning of the course to navigate through the course material.
13. If you are having problems or have questions, be sure to ask.
14. Staying on track with the course outline and due dates are important in being sucessful.
15. One of the challenges in an online class is remembering when assignments are due. Try posting your syllabus in a visible place in your home. If you make a habit of looking at the syllabus several times during the week, you will be less likely to miss assignments. Also, set reminders for assignment due dates on your email system calendar.
16. Check into Blackboard regularly for announcements and emails. When you submit an assignment, check back in a day or two to be sure it was submitted properly and that your instructor was able to open any attachments.
    
17. Make sure you know how your instructor prefers to be contacted. I want questions about the course to come to me via Blackboard; others prefer that you use their Kirkwood address.
18. If you have problems using the website, utilize the technical support option instead of contacting the instructor.
19. I would say "Communicate with your instructor"! or "Follow instructions for assignment submissions carefully"!
20. Want success in online Comp I? Possess eagerness to accept challenge, computer comfort, self-discipline and willingness to work with teams.

Connecting with Students Online

I'm a little embarrassed that I encouraged people to attend this webinar yesterday. The title was so promising. The presentation was too simplistic. He focused on tech tools (e.g. what's a blog? hmmm, let me think...) and not on methods for using those tools. He spent time classifying types of orientations and never spoke to which works for which groups.

On a more positive note, several of us did sit and chat after the presentation. We talked about this project and several others that are in the works. Should be good times ahead for Kirkwood students. Or maybe just more connected times ahead. And connections are good.