Diablo Valley College

Fall 2015: English 122-5460 (online)

Freshman English: Reading and Composition
Week 1: Introduction
Welcome to our online section of Engl-122. I look forward to working with you. As with all
classes, but particularly in an online class, there is a specific procedure to follow to
ensure success in the class. Following directions is paramount. I will do my best to make
my directions clear; I rely on you to read the directions carefully and to do your best in
following them. Questions? Post your question or send me a mail message on D2L as
soon as youre confused. If you see an indication that you have a mail message, pick it
up right away. That way we can stay on top of things together.

Critical Class Information:

ITEM

LOCATION/INFORMATION

Syllabus and
Assignment
Schedule
Weekly
Assignment
Documents

Course Overview module.

Assignments due

9 am on the posted due date late work does not earn credit.
Posts are due on Tues., Thurs.
MindTap assignments are due Fri.
Graded essays are due Mon.

Discussion Posts

Post your work in the Discussion Forum for the current

instructional unit (go to Communication drop down, click on
Discussions).
Reply to other students posts as assigned.

Questions about
assignments

If your question has not yet been posted or answered, post it in

the Q & A Discussion Forum.
If your question is private, send me an email in D2L. I will
respond within 24 hours (excluding weekends).

Graded essays
and final exam

Upload this work to Dropbox (go to Assessments drop down,

click on Dropbox).
Use the MLA format.

MindTap

Virtual handbook and Net Tutor. The MindTap Module includes

links to Assignments and the Weekly Assignment Schedule.
Assignments are due Fridays, but can be completed early.

Posted in each instructional Unit Module by the previous Friday

for the coming instructional week.
Download and read over the entire document before beginning
your work.
This document will direct you to the materials you will need to
complete your assignments.

ITEM

LOCATION/INFORMATION

Time
Management

For a 3-unit class you are expected to spend up to 9 hours per

week on coursework.
Schedule regular days and times dedicated to the work for this
class.
You may post your work early; late work does not earn credit.

8/18 Assignments:
DO
NE

ASSIGNMEN INSTRUCTIONS
T
Read Syllabus

Course Overview
Read carefully with a critical eye look for information
that is interesting or confusing, anticipate how the
information presented here will impact your
performance in the class, and try to assess the central
message.

Read Assignment
Schedule

Course Overview
Read carefully with a critical eye.

Read Instructors
Welcome & Class
Procedures

Course Overview
Read carefully with a critical eye.

Watch Instructors
Welcome

Course Overview

Watch D2L
Overview

Course Overview

Post 1: Letter of
Introduction

Post a 3 paragraph letter of introduction in the Unit 1

Discussion Forum
Go to the Communication drop down
Click on Discussions
Scroll down to Unit 1
Click on Post 1
Click on the blue box, Start a New Thread
Type 1/Your last name (i.e. 1/Orta) in the subject box
Type your letter in the Post box.
When you are done, click the Post box at the bottom
left
After you post your letter, you will be able to read
letters other students posted to this discussion thread.

DO
NE

ASSIGNMEN INSTRUCTIONS
T
Introduce yourself in a letter that includes:
1. Introduce yourself as a person describing an
interest or hobby or personal history that you
feel is unique
2. Introduce yourself as a student describing your
academic history and any experience you have
had with online learning
3. Introduce yourself as a citizen describing why
you are at DVC, why you are taking this class in
an online format, and what you look forward to
contributing to your classmates in terms of
discussion and feedback
Reply to at least
two student letters
by Thursday

Read several (or all) of the posted letters. Reply to a

minimum of two posts, making sure to answer posts to
which there are not yet replies first.
Click on Unit 1, Post 1
You should see a list of subject lines (if you dont, go to
Settings, select Grid view, and Save)
Click on a post that has none or the fewest responses
Read the post
Click the blue Reply box at the top left
Type your response in the textbox
Click the blue Post box at the bottom left
In your replies to student letters, show that you have
read and thought about the post. Point out where you
are similar and different as people, students, and
citizens. Laugh, cry, nod, smile with your words so that
the author feels you listened and thought about what
they shared in their introductory letter.
Keep a watch to see who has responded to your letter,
and read responses as they are posted. You are
welcome to engage in a conversation in posts or in the
email function as the semester unfolds.

8/20 Assignments:
DO
NE

ASSIGNMEN
T

INSTRUCTIONS

Complete the

Useful Links

DO
NE

ASSIGNMEN
T

INSTRUCTIONS

Online Quiz Test

Your Potential

Answer the questions, get your score, and read over

your feedback and the profile of a strong online
student.

Watch What it
takes

Useful Links
Pay attention to suggestions that you feel will work for
you.

Read Manage
Your Work

Time Management
Read carefully with a critical eye look for information
that is interesting or confusing, anticipate how the
information presented here will impact your
performance in the class, and try to assess the central
message.

Read Work
Smarter, Not
Harder

Time Management
Read carefully with a critical eye.

Complete TM
Worksheet

Time Management
Download and complete this worksheet according to
the directions on p. 2. We dont have an Academic
Achievement Center at DVC, but we do have tutors in
LC-105, counselors, and instructors (like me) who are
available to help you with time management issues.

Post 2: Personal
analysis/reflection

Post a 3 paragraph analysis/reflection.

In Discussions, click on Post 2
Click Start a New Thread
Type 2/Your last name (i.e. 2/Orta) in the subject box
Type your three paragraphs in the textbox.
When you are done, click the Post box at the bottom
left
Compose an analysis and reflection on the materials
and activities related to online learning and time
management:
1. Summarize the results you got from the Test
Your Potential quiz and reflect on what you
learned about yourself and online learning from
this instrument.
2. Select 3-4 tips or suggestions from the two time
management articles that you feel you can
apply to your academic work this semester.
Describe how these suggestions might help

DO
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ASSIGNMEN
T

INSTRUCTIONS
you succeed in this class.
3. Look carefully at your Time Management
Worksheet. Make sure you have scheduled
enough time to do the work for this class.
Reflect on your overall schedule and anticipate
what might derail you from sticking with this
schedule.

Reply to at least
two student posts
by Friday

Read several (or all) of your classmates posts #2.

Notice which letters have the fewest responses.
Respond to a minimum of two posts, making sure to
answer posts to which there are not yet replies first.
In your reply, demonstrate that you have read the post
and that you understand what the student is sharing.
Smile, nod, frown, and laugh with your words. Offer
sympathy, empathy, and suggestions that might help
the student succeed in this class.

Post one question

you have about the
class, online
learning, or time
management in the
Q & A Discussion
Forum by Friday

Q & A Discussion Forum

Click on Discussions
Notice the Q & A Forum at the top
Scroll down and click Q & A below the Topic heading
Click on the blue box, Start a New Thread
Type the subject of your question in the subject box,
and type your question in the textbox do not repeat a
question that has already been asked
When you are done, click the Post box at the bottom
left

8/21 MindTap Assignment

DO
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ASSIGNMENT

LOCATION

Read MindTap: How to purchase your access code

MindTap Module

Go to MindTap Assignments and set up your login

(email address and password)

MindTap Module