Orientation

ITV Government 2305

What books/items are needed?• Title: Democracy Under Pressure/Election Update

(edition: 10TH - Current Edition) REQUIRED Author: Cummings, Milton C. / Wise, David Publisher:     Thomson Learning/Wadsworth © 2007; ISBN 0-495-502138

• Title: Student Course Guide for Voices In Democracy : U.S. Government (edition: 3rd Edition Election Update) REQUIRED Author: Lynch, Keith, and Lee Publisher:     Thomson Learning/Wadsworth © 2008; ISBN 0-495-091073

• Title: Voices in Democracy DVD Series (ITV) optional Author: N/A Publisher:     Dallas TeleLearning © 0000; ISBN N/A

Where do you find the ICR?

• All course information for this class can be found on our class homepage.

• Our homepage is on the Distance learning page. • Accessing the Class Site

• The student will access the class site in the following manner:

• Go to: http://dl.tccd.edu and select the "Virtual Classrooms (Log In)" link.

• Enter the username and password on this page.

• Your username will be in the format of firstname.lastname and your password will be the first initial of your last name and the last four digits of your Colleague ID number. For example, if George Washington were a student with a Colleague ID number of 1234567, his username would be george.washington and his password would be w4567.Please note that if you are a returning student or have a common name, you may have a number following your username. These usernames will follow this format: john.smith2 or jane.erye3. Please try firstname.lastname first; if it is not successful then try firstname.lastname2 or firstname.lastname3.

• Students may change their password by clicking "Edit User Profile" on the left side of the screen and choosing "Change Password" at the top of the next screen.

• Students should not share their passwords with other students as quizzes and e-mails can be sent with that information. You are responsible for anything submitted using your username and password.

• This class page also has a chat room and a discussion board. These two items can be very helpful to you. Those students who use the discussion boards and chat room usually do better than those who do not.

High Points from ICR• Videos:

• You may stream these from our class page. If you cannot do this, the ICR tells you when and where the videos will be broadcast.

High Points from the ICR• Exams:

• EXAMINATION SCHEDULE• Exam One:

− Covers Material: Video Programs: 1 - 9.   Study Guide Lessons: 1 - 9.

• Exam Two: − Covers Material: Video Programs: 10 - 18.   Study

Guide Lessons: 10 - 18.• Exam Three:

− Covers Material: Video Programs: 19 - 26.   Study Guide Lessons: 19 - 26.

 

High Points from ICR• Exams cont.

• EXAMINATION MATERIAL• Each exam will contain 50 objective

questions of a true/false or multiple-choice nature. All components of the course including video lessons, assigned readings, and study guide materials are important. Test questions will be taken from each course component.

• Questions 51-55 on each test are extra credit questions worth 2 points each. This is the only opportunity for extra credit in this course. The student may choose to not attempt the Extra Credit questions; however there is no penalty for an incorrect answer on an Extra Credit question. Each correct answer will be worth 2 points.

High Points from ICR• Exams cont.

• Exam Information• In order to take an exam, students must present a

current photo TCC ID card, or a printed copy of the student’s current TCC class schedule, plus a photo ID, such as a driver's license. Your name on your photo ID, and schedule must match. There will be no exceptions to these requirements. Students must know their Colleague ID before entering the testing center as they will be required to enter this number on the exam Scantron form. Students can obtain their Colleague ID by logging in to WebAdvisor at http://wa.tccd.edu.

High Points from ICR• Exams (cont)

• The Testing Centers are usually filled to capacity during evening hours. Students are advised to take their exams early in the day if they wish to avoid waiting in line.

High Points from ICR (cont)• Exams (cont)

• Exams will be given on only the day(s) listed in your ICR – make sure you make it there

• The Testing Centers will provide all materials necessary for exams and writing assignments.

• Students must turn off all electronic devices (iPods, cell phones, pagers, etc.) and remove ear phones/headsets before entering the Testing Center. If a student’s cell phone or pager goes off during testing, the exam may be taken away and the student will forfeit the right to complete the exam.

• Once testing has started, if a student leaves the testing area, he/she will not be allowed to return and complete the exam or assignment.In the event a grade is challenged, the student must provide a complete set of original receipts and/or assignments showing proof of completion of all required activities.

High Points from ICR (cont)• Exams (cont)• Testing Center Locations and

Hours• Locations

• South Campus: SRTA 1102 Southeast Campus: EMOD 1105 Northeast Campus: NSTU 1808A Northwest Campus: WCTS 1132 Trinity River Campus – see their Website

• Hours• 9 a.m. - 8:45 p.m. (No objective tests given

after 8 p.m.; no written tests given after 7 p.m.) All exam materials must be completed and turned in by 8:45 p.m. Students are strongly advised to take their exams early in the day if they wish to avoid waiting in line.

High Points from ICR (cont)• E-mail

• All e-mail will be sent to the student's campus cruiser e-mail account .(It is the student's responsibility to frequently check e-mail sent to that account. Students who fail to check e-mail on a regular basis risk missing important class announcements, instructions, and assignments. There are two ways to check e-mail:

• have e-mail forwarded to another email account. • All Internet faculty have committed to reading and

responding to e-mail messages at least five days per week, typically within twenty-four hours. Please note, requests for assistance with technical issues should be directed to the Help Desk at help@dl.tccd.edu and not the course instructor.

• Any questions you might have can be emailed to me. I will usually check my email in the evenings between 6-9pm. .

How to contact me• The best way to get in touch with

me is via email: susan.gresham@tccd.edu

• Office Location: SFOA 1112A• Office Hours: TBA

What is expected of you!• ITV Government is a self directed and

in some ways self paced class.• Each student needs to check the ICR

to see which lessons to cover for each test.

• Each student should read the relevant chapters and do the lessons for each chapter from the course guide

What is expected of you (cont.)• The objectives and questions you answer

from the course guide will not be turned in to me. These are for your benefit!!

• You must report to campus on the day(s) testing is offered for each lesson.

• Tests must be taken on campus. If you cannot get to campus – this is not the course for you.

What is expected of you (cont.)• Testing dates are set and students

are expected to take the tests on the specified dates.   Make up exams will given only in the most extreme cases.  Please plan your schedule so that you take exams on the scheduled date!

What you can expect from me:• I will hold office hours each week. These

will be posted on the ICR.• I will check email daily during the week.• I will check email occasionally on the

weekends.• I will provide reviews for you for each test.• Reviews will be posted on the discussion

board.

What you can expect from me:• I will answer questions and help you

to understand the material to the best of my ability.

• I will make myself available prior to tests to be in the chat room or answer questions on the discussion board.

• I will post grades on the class page as quickly as possible.

Tips for Government 2305• Read! Read! Read!• Do the review questions at the end of each

lesson. (No, I am not taking these from you – but you will benefit greatly from completing these)

• Define and explain the terms and concepts given to you in the review posted on the discussion board.• Make sure you are using information from the lessons

for each test – the concept may be discussed in multiple places

Tips for Government 2305 (cont)• Find a study group or study partner.

Research shows you will know and remember 70-80% of what you talk about as opposed to 40-50% of what you read and write!

• If you don’t understand a term or concept – post it on the discussion board – your classmates will answer and I will make sure they are on target!

Good Luck• I have not covered everything in

the ICR – you are expected to read it and send questions if you have them.

• Good luck and I hope you do well in US Government!