Welcome to Online Communication. This class is designed to introduce students to online conventions and the tools for accessing information and creatively collaborating to create useful new media.

The Goals of Online Communication:

• To develop information gathering and new media literacy skills.

• To promote social responsibility, creativity, innovation, and collaboration among peers.

• To strengthen the ability to self-direct, reflect, adapt, and solve problems.

• To engage in civic literacy and community awareness both online and offline.

• To complete this course having gained the skill sets to continue learning and developing personal interests using electronic resources.

• To answer the following questions:

• What are the rules of online etiquette and why should we follow them?

• How does the knowledge of online conventions allow us to best share and access information?

• What is “open source” and how may we use it to learn, produce, and share with our community?

Types of Assessments:

Tests, Quizzes, Papers, Projects and an Online Electronic Portfolio

Technology, Art and English credit:

Please share your concentration for this class as soon as possible. Know that regardless of credit choice, all students will be required to learn the tools needed to design and launch a website. The final project for this class will be tailored for individual credit concentrations. Your electronic portfolio will demonstrate your concentration as well.

Technology Requirements:

This course requires the use of computer technologies in and outside of the classroom. We will learn and practice during class but it is expected that assignments will be completed after class using a PC with online access and open source software installed. Please know that if you do not have reliable PC access outside of school you will need to use school resources. The library computer lab is open until 4 pm every day and you may see me if you need to use our classroom lab after school.

Moodle Online Learning Management:

We will use Moodle to navigate the course readings, assignments, and classroom discussions and reflections. Forums and Wikis will be used to collaborate and share ideas online.

Class Website:

Projects and electronic portfolios will be shared using the classroom website. We will use the CoffeeCup html editor and Gimpshop image manipulation program to complete community projects and create online portfolios.

Attendance:

You must be here to benefit from this class. Much of what we learn in this class comes from peer collaboration and hands on application. With that in mind, you are responsible for all work missed in the event of an absence. Any tests, quizzes or assignments given during an absence must be made up immediately following your return or you will receive a zero.

It is your responsibility to find out what you have missed and when you can make it up. Questions regarding missed classes, absences, make-up work, etc., should be asked before class begins or at the end of class. Avoid asking for make-up information in the middle of a lesson!

Students late to class more than three times will be given a detention and two unexcused absences will be logged on his or her record. If you come to class after the bell rings you may be counted as tardy.

Important Note: Know that major exams, papers and projects are often assigned near the end of a marking period. Failing to complete one of these assignments due to an absence may result in a passing grade dropping to a failing grade.

Passes:

Bathroom passes will be distributed one at a time and only for emergency or medical reasons. Please use passing times, study hall or lunch time to go to the bathroom. Locker passes will not be issued as requested by administration. Routine requests for a pass will result in loss of pass privileges.

Other Policies:

All school policies will be enforced in this classroom. Please reference your current 2007-2008 student handbook for more information.

I have read the above class expectations and understand them.

 

I also know they are in effect as of today: __________/__________/__________

Student_________________________________________________________________

Parent__________________________________________________________________