TWC 452/552: Information in the Digital Age
Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication
Spring 2006

Course Guidelines and Policies

• TWC452/552 is an online course. We will not meet in-person in a classroom.
  
  • Course documents, schedule information, assignments, readings, and other course information will be posted or linked from Blackboard.
  • There is no text for this course. Readings are available either online or as pdf documents in the "Readings" section of Blackboard.
    
    
• TWC452/552 is a 3-credit course; it is expected that you will dedicate an equivalent amount of time as you would an in-person 3-credit course. However, unlike an in-person course, you are completely responsible for planning and scheduling your time so that coursework is understood and exercises/assignments are completed on time. If you have never taken an online course, you may want to take the Online Learning Readiness Quiz to see if it's right for you.
  
  
• Some of the work we will do this semester will ask that you participate in discussions using the Discussion Board in Blackboard (and possibly the virtual classroom). You should think of these as the equivalent of in-class discussion and participation except it is taking place in writing online.
  
  In the online environment, we lose visual cues indicating how others’ are responding to our words—there is no eye contact, facial or body expressions to guide us. Consider what you are writing and how someone may react to it before you post it. Each of you bring unique knowledge and experience of and perspectives to the class and discussions. Contribute, challenge, and be challenged in return. But at all times, you should be polite, thoughtful, and show respect for one another. This is non-negotiable --flaming will not be tolerated and will be considered grounds for a 0 for the week's work. Please read “Core Rules of Netiquette.”
  
  
• You are expected to do your own work for each exercise and assignment and to fully participate in group work when assigned. Read ASU’s policy on Academic Integrity. If you have questions about your writing or when/how to document sources, contact me or consult with the ASU Polytechnic Learning Center.
  
  
  
• Schedule information will be posted prior to the beginning of the week and will include readings and activities/assignments. A table on the Schedule page gives a snapshot of the course with readings and activities/assignments due each week.
  
  
• All activities and assignments are to be completed and submitted by the posted due date. Weeks will typically run from Monday through Sunday with assignments due on Sunday. Late assignments will not be accepted for any reason other than family or medical emergency.
  
  
• Access to a computer with Internet access and an email account are required for this course.
  • If you are using an email account other than your ASU account, be sure to set mail forwarding through the Electronic Post Office. I use the Blackboard email links to send grades and other course information; if you do not set mail forwarding, you will not receive course email.
  • Be sure that your email account permits file attachments to be sent and received.
  • Many free email accounts (hotmail, yahoo) have limits on disk space and message size. Be sure to check your quota so that mail does not bounce. Disruption in email service by your provider or full mail boxes is not an excuse for late work or lack of communication with me.
    
    
• Online classes are dependent on the proper and efficient running of technology. Network problems occur and can interfere with coursework. We will deal with these on a case-by-case basis if and when they happen. ASU maintains a systems outage page listing current network problems. Keep in mind that Blackboard is shut down for maintenance every Friday at 9:00pm.
  
  
• Email Protocol:
  • When sending email for this class, use TWC452 or TWC552 in the subject line along with the topic. For example: "TWC452: confused about reading" is a message from a student indicating confusion about a reading assignment.
    
    I use the subject line to filter email. If the course number does not appear in the subject line, you may not receive a prompt reply (or at all).
    
    
• Communication is key. If you have questions, concerns, or other issues come up, contact me immediately: don't wait until a small problem becomes a crisis.
  
  • Email: bdangelo@asu.edu
  • Phone: 480-727-1160
  • Office: Sutton Hall, Rm 301P
  • Yahoo IM ID: barb_dangelo

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Page last modified: 9 January 2006