Instructor’s Welcome Message

Hello Everyone, and Welcome to San Diego Mesa College Geology 101 Online!

I’m your instructor, Ray Rector.

Congratulations for signing up for an online earth science course here at Mesa College – you picked a great program! First off, if you’re taking this course because you think it will be easier than a traditional course, then think again – it’s really not. This is a 3-unit college-level course. Since it is offered this summer in a condensed 6-week format, this means students can expect to spend around 20 hours per week on the course. Some may complete the work more quickly, while others may take more time.

This course is ONLY for people who are comfortable using computers, the World Wide Web, interactive software, and e-mail. If you are not already comfortable using such electronic methods of communication and learning, then this course is not for you. Seriously, if this is your first online course, and you are just starting to learn how to use a computer and navigate the Internet, then this course will surely kick your butt. On the other hand, if you are computer and Internet savvy and this is your first online course, then you may well find that online courses really work for you – you may just actually really like them!

Here’s how this online course generally works:

1) The instructor (that’s me!) is primarily a course content facilitator and learning outcome assessor – I’m here to make sure that you are able to access all the course content, that you understand how to successfully complete all the course activities, and finally, grade your assignments and tests. You and I primarily communicate via email me using the “Communication” link found on the left-hand menu on the Blackboard course page. You can also reach me by calling 760-942-9201, if emailing is not available.

2) The student (that’s you!) uses this online classroom platform (Blackboard software) to learn introductory geology and successfully (hopefully) get college credit for doing it. To successfully complete this course you must successfully complete a number of writing assignments, take several quizzes and exams, and go on a couple of fieldtrips.

3) The information (course content) you need to learn in this course is found in several places: a) your textbook and its accompanying CD, b) instructor lecture notes, c) instructor’s website links, d) numerous website and online article links that have been included in the assignment instructions, and e) direct personal communication with me.

4) Navigating through our Blackboard course site is fairly simple. When you log on to Blackboard, you’ll notice that there is a menu on the left side of the course page, which lists things like "Schedule", "Assignments", “Quizzes and Exams”, “Fieldtrips” , “Course Resources”, “My Grades”, “Communication”, etc. Here are the details for each menu item:

a) Basic course logistical information is found at the “Class StartUp Info”, “Syllabus” and “Schedule” links.

b) Geology science curriculum is found in the “Course Resources” portal, which includes textbook support, professor’s lecture material, and Internet links.

c) Assignments are found in the “Assignments” link. You access assignment instructions and submit your assignment response from the “Assignments” portal.

d) Quizzes and Exams are taken through the “Quizzes and Exams” portal.

e) You have access to your grades in the course through the “My Grades” link.

g) All forms of online communication is done via the “Communication” center. This is where you email me, the instructor, for all your questions and concerns. You can also email fellow classmates. Additionally the “Discussion” link is found there, which is used primarily as a forum for personal introductions and sharing and critiquing assignment responses. The “Discussion” link is also used by students for public or private discussions concerning course work – primarily students helping students.

For those students who are new to the Blackboard online learning platform, a very helpful link to a Blackboard Users Manual is found in the “Student Tools” link.

5) Your typical work agenda for each week will include: a) reading up to four chapters in your textbook, b) working through the textbook’s CD-ROM exercises, c) visiting and browsing several educational websites, including the “Earth Revealed” streaming video series, d) reviewing my lecture notes and PowerPoint presentations, e) completing one written research assignment, and f) taking a couple of quizzes.

6) I personally grade your written research assignments, whereas the quizzes and exams are automatically graded. Therefore, you get test results back on the test due date, whereas your submitted written assignments will take longer for me to grade and get back to you. Please give me a little patience with getting back your graded written assignments.

Important Must-Read Documents

Make sure to thoroughly and carefully read the course syllabus, schedule, and plagiarism policy.

1) The syllabus is basically the official course contract between me (the instructor) and you (the student). This is where all the course information and logistics are found. Things like textbook information, how assignments should be completed, and grading standards are all found in the syllabus.

2) The schedule is, by far, the most important document during the semester for keeping your studies on a timely track – things like assignment, test , and fieldtrip due dates are all there.

3) My plagiarism policy is also provided for your benefit as a student. Read and understand it very carefully. Note that I use plagiarism detection software like “Turnitin.com” and “Eve2” on the assignments that you turn in to me.

4) Assignment and Test taking tips are found in the Class StartUp Info folder -- created to help you successfully complete and submit the assignments, quizzes, and exams.

5) Finally, there is a link to the official Blackboard User Manual found in the Class StartUp Info folder -- created to help you learn how to successfully navigate in the Blackboard learning platform.

The Written Research Assignments

Writing assignments are probably going to take the lion’s share of your assessment time in this class, as an online science class should. Therefore, it is important that you understand how I would like those assignments completed and submitted to save you time and trouble. I give VERY DETAILED instructions on what and how to complete each assignment within each assignment’s instructions. If you still are unsure of what I am asking for, do not hesitate to contact me, or another student. But, be sure to clearly articulate your question or concern first before contacting me.

Each and every assignment and test has two specific dates: 1) the availability date in which it becomes available for your inspection and response, and 2) the due date, in which it is due for grading, which is the same thing as the expiration date, as it also becomes unavailable for inspection henceforth.

Late assignments and tests are both unaccepted. Make sure that you stay on top of ALL due dates (listed in the Schedule).

As a general rule, I can be contacted by email through the “Communication” link. I will check messages virtually every day. Alternately, I can be contacted via traditional email at geoprof@terrasonics.com, or by telephone at (760) 942-9201. However, unless there is an urgent need to contact me, I prefer to be contacted via email.

I think that we can have lots of fun with this course this summer, and that we’ll all learn a lot. Let’s make the most of it! Look forward to meeting everyone.

Ray Rector