Welcome to class everyone. This homepage is actually a blog that I have inserted into the D2L course. If you don't know what a blog is, not to worry, you will by the time you are done with this class. In addition to teaching you what you need to know about doing academic research (which is very different from what you do in your everyday life), I'll be teaching you about web 2.0 stuff, which is also known as "social networking." For the purposes of this class, to be considered "information literate" means that you not only know how knowledge and information is created and organized, and how to search for information in sophisticated ways, but you also know how to create and produce information, both individually and as a member of a group. We'll be learning all that in this class.
So take some time to explore the rest of the class here in D2L. You will also being using a Wiki to do group assignments. While this is a face to face class, we will be using D2L quite a lot. I have included a tutorial on using the various features of D2L. The tutorial, along with other course material, is located in the Content area.
If you haven't already purchased the course textbook do so ASAP. You must take your first two quizzes by the second week of class. Look at your syllabus for details. This class is fast paced and you must keep up with the readings, quizzes and assignments if you want to do well. Between the textbook, readings, videos, tutorials, and what I present in class, you will have all the material you need to succeed. But you must put in the time and effort required to master the material. As with all college classes the assumption is that if you do not understanding the material it is up to you as a student to figure out what you must do to learn the content. It is expected that as a college student you are capable of being an independent learner. One of the purposes of this class is to help you become an independent learner. I am available for consultation during my office hours, but I teach other classes and have library and other faculty work duties, so my time for individual consultation is limited. There is usually one or two student tutors in the Learning Center that can help you with the course.
So make sure to consult the course syllabus at least once a week to plan your work schedule. It is your responsibility to know what is in the syllabus and to know the deadlines for each assignment. Since all the assignment deadlines are clearly listed in the syllabus course calendar it is your responsibility to know and follow the deadlines. As with all college classes the expectation is that you spend between 2-3 hours outside of class for every 1 lecture credit. Since this class is 1 lecture credit (and 1 lab credit) so you should plan to spend between 2 -3 hours per week outside of class on the readings and homework assignments. We will have weekly lab time in class to work on the assignments,and the research portfolio project.
