What tools do I need to be successful in this class?
To be successful in this online course, you will need to be able to effectively use the following tools (note: you might not necessarily be familiar with all of these tools at the beginning of the class, but you must be able to learn and utilize these throughout the course):
Reliable Internet Access
You will need consistent internet access to complete this course. If you are unsure that your internet connection is reliable or if you do not have regular and consistent access to a computer (i.e., access to a computer with internet multiple days a week), please drop this course now. This course cannot be effectively completed if you only have access to a computer once a week or if your internet access is unreliable.
UALR Email
Due to FERPA regulations regarding student privacy, I will only respond to emails submitted through your UALR email account. If you need help accessing your email account, please contact Technology Support. For help with technology on the UALR campus, please contact Technology Support http://ualr.edu/itservices/.
Blackboard
All assignments will be submitted through Blackboard, and communication with your classmates (i.e., discussion boards) will also take place in Blackboard. For help with Blackboard, see http://ualr.edu/blackboard/.
Reliable Document Storage (Google Drive)
Because you can only submit one late assignment for the course, store your documents, files, and work in a reliable place. You will need to understand how to use Google Drive (to which you have access through your UALR Gmail account), Dropbox, or a similar cloud storage system. If you store your documents on your computer, a thumb drive, or another source that can be lost or damaged, you are risking your grade in the course.
Adobe Acrobat Reader
At times, you may be required to open pdf files, so an application, such as Acrobat Reader, will need to be installed on your machine.
Word Processing Software
You will need access to Google Documents, which you have access to through your UALR Gmail account. Just go to your UALR email and click on the icon that looks like a Rubics Cube in the top right corner. Then select "Drive" (see this video for a quick video that will get you started creating and sharing Google Docs). For the formal report, you may need access to Microsoft Word or another word processing application that allows you to do a little more sophisticated page layout and design. Note: If you work in Pages, you will need to convert your documents to .doc or .docx files before you submit them.
Reliable Internet Access
You will need consistent internet access to complete this course. If you are unsure that your internet connection is reliable or if you do not have regular and consistent access to a computer (i.e., access to a computer with internet multiple days a week), please drop this course now. This course cannot be effectively completed if you only have access to a computer once a week or if your internet access is unreliable.
UALR Email
Due to FERPA regulations regarding student privacy, I will only respond to emails submitted through your UALR email account. If you need help accessing your email account, please contact Technology Support. For help with technology on the UALR campus, please contact Technology Support http://ualr.edu/itservices/.
Blackboard
All assignments will be submitted through Blackboard, and communication with your classmates (i.e., discussion boards) will also take place in Blackboard. For help with Blackboard, see http://ualr.edu/blackboard/.
Reliable Document Storage (Google Drive)
Because you can only submit one late assignment for the course, store your documents, files, and work in a reliable place. You will need to understand how to use Google Drive (to which you have access through your UALR Gmail account), Dropbox, or a similar cloud storage system. If you store your documents on your computer, a thumb drive, or another source that can be lost or damaged, you are risking your grade in the course.
Adobe Acrobat Reader
At times, you may be required to open pdf files, so an application, such as Acrobat Reader, will need to be installed on your machine.
Word Processing Software
You will need access to Google Documents, which you have access to through your UALR Gmail account. Just go to your UALR email and click on the icon that looks like a Rubics Cube in the top right corner. Then select "Drive" (see this video for a quick video that will get you started creating and sharing Google Docs). For the formal report, you may need access to Microsoft Word or another word processing application that allows you to do a little more sophisticated page layout and design. Note: If you work in Pages, you will need to convert your documents to .doc or .docx files before you submit them.