Course Expectations

Course Expectations

 

In addition to the information below, the student should become familiar with the The Golden Rule Handbook for UCF Students. All polices included in these handbooks apply to this class.

Tips for Success

The following expectations will help you be successful in this course. Carefully review these tips and follow them.

  1. Log into the course several times each week to check the course content, announcements, and your canvas inbox.
  2. Keep up with the weekly readings and assignments. Students who keep up with the weekly reading and assignments tend to do much better in an online course than those who do not.
  3. Please do not miss an assignment deadline. Refer to the course schedule/calendar to ensure that you submit assignments on time.
  4. Remember that academic integrity will be appraised according to the student academic behavior standards

Notifications

Each semester, review your Notification settings to make sure you receive course information in a timely manner. Use this notification guide Links to an external site. to make adjustments.

Conversations

Conversations will be an integral part of this course. Make sure you:

  1. Check your inbox at least twice per week (more often is better).
  2. Be patient. Don’t expect an immediate response when you send a message. Generally, two days is considered reasonable amount of time to receive a reply.
  3. Be courteous and considerate. Being honest and expressing yourself freely is very important but being considerate of others online is just as important as in the classroom.
  4. Make every effort to be clear. Online communication lacks the nonverbal cues that fill in much of the meaning in face-to-face communication.
  5. Do not use all caps. This makes the message very hard to read and is considered "shouting." Check spelling, grammar, and punctuation (you may want to compose in a word processor, then cut and paste the message into the message).
  6. Break up large blocks of text into paragraphs and use a space between paragraphs.

Interaction Guidelines

Many of the "rules of the road" that apply to conversations also apply to the use of interactive tools used in this course. Use the following conventions when interacting with the instructor and fellow students:

  1. While using synchronous tools, such as chat and conferences, be located in a quiet, private environment. This will help you stay clear of disturbances.
  2. If you want to send a personal message to the instructor or to another student, use conversations rather than the discussions (see Conversations).
  3. Be patient. Don’t expect an immediate response.
  4. Respect each other’s ideas, feelings and experience.
  5. Be courteous and considerate. It is important to be honest and to express yourself freely, but being considerate of others is just as important and expected online, as it is in the classroom.
  6. Explore disagreements and support assertions with data and evidence.

Viruses and Redundancy

A virus can spell disaster. Your use of a reputable anti-virus program is a requirement for participation in this course. AVG Links to an external site. is a great, free antivirus program. Malwarebytes Links to an external site. is a great anti-malware program

 

Technical Resources

  • Center for Distributed Learning's website provides information about support services and resources available for distance learners (e.g., Service Desk, Technology Commons, and campus computer labs).
  • Webcourses@UCF Support provides technical support for students taking online courses at UCF.
  • Knights Online: Resources specific for online students including Webcourses@UCF tutorials.