Read Me First

Read Me First

This course uses technology to enhance classroom learning. Follow your syllabi and tentative assignment handout to navigate through the course. If at any time you have technology questions, please contact:

COM Help Center

Blackboard Help

Class Help

Top Hat Help

I will try to respond to all email correspondence within a 24-hour time frame during the work week. Emails sent during the weekend may not be returned until the following Monday.

The Nature of a Hybrid Course

Hybrid courses are created to combine traditional face-to-face classroom instruction with online computer coursework. This class meets face-to-face once a week as stated on your syllabi. Class meetings will be used for discussions, activities, reviews, and peer workshoppings. The online (Blackboard) portion of this class will consist of chapters, blogs, discussions, videos, and related activities. You must keep up with both aspects of the class to be successful and get the most benefit from the materials.

About Blackboard

The browser you use when accessing your Blackboard course is very important. Because browser versions change so frequently, check the current list of browsers that have been certified for use with Blackboard before you install or upgrade to a new browser.

Even though there may be several browsers certified for use we will focus our support on the following two browsers:

 Windows users: Firefox or Chrome

Mac users: Safari

Internet Explorer--may be used but be ready to change to a different browser if you experience any problems

About Top Hat

In this course, Top Hat is used to make the learning process easier. Learn about program by watching the Top Hat Student Orientation video below:

Top Hat (www.Tophat.com) allows us to be able to submit answers to in-class questions using Apple or Android smartphones and tablets, laptops, or through text message. We will register in class for software access.

You can visit the Top Hat Overview (www.support.tophat.com/hc/en-us/articles/200019034-Top-Hat-Overview-Getting-Started) within the Top Hat Success Center which which outlines how you will register for a Top Hat account, as well as providing a brief overview to get you up and running on the system.

Top Hat will require a paid subscription, and a full breakdown of all subscription options available can be found here: www.tophat.com/pricing.

Should you require assistance with Top Hat at any time, due to the fact that they require specific user information to troubleshoot these issues, please contact their Support Team directly by way of email (support@tophat.com), the in app support button, or by calling 1-888-663-5491.

Textbooks

In addition, this course uses Open Ed Resources free college textbook: Writing for College. Note this course is themed around conspiracy theories, and these readings are free on Blackboard and from public domain websites.

If you would like to earn your first extra credit in this course, complete the exercise below:

1. Go to the author's contact page by clicking here.

2. Write a well-constructed, college level email message thanking the author and telling him what it means for him to provide the textbook free to college students. Be sure to address both points: (1) thanks and (2) what it means to you...

3. Send the email to Richard Jewell at richard@jewell.net

4. Print a copy of your email and turn it in for credit. Be sure your name is on the paper.

You will receive two extra credit points!

Welcome to the course!

English Composition I

Table of Contents for English Composition I