Online Course Orientations Directions:

We hope to build course orientation pages for each distance course we offer.  If you can complete this brief document, it will of significant benefit to our students.  In the long run, this should save you time by answering questions, you may have had to answer individually.

 Here are the directions:

 Course Orientations will link from http://www2.volstate.edu/distance/students/CourseOrientations.htm    Samples are already loaded to that page if  you wish to view them, and your  orientation will be added to the list on this page (when received).  Our intent is to make the startup of any course easier for you and for the student.

Directions:
1.  Save the Course_Orientation_Template to a disk or location on your computer.  The orientation template is located at: http://www2.vscc.cc.tn.us/distance/faculty/tools&forms/Course_Orientation_Template.htm
2.  Start Microsoft FrontPage.
3.  Open the "Course_Orientation_Template (from the location where you saved the file).

***Note:  The icons, etc. are in a separate folder and are not included.  Do Not edit the icons or navigation areas.  When your orientation is uploaded to the distance pages, your Course Orientation will find the appropriate files.

4. At the top of the page (below the navigation bar), find the following text:
Type your course name here (example): 
Welcome to ENGL 1010 (VIDEO) English Composition I
Add your course name and number, note whether this is an ONLINE or VIDEO course and delete the directions.

5.  The list of "student questions" (at the top of the page following the course name) are linked to the appropriate bookmarks within the page.  When a student clicks on a question, the page will "scroll" down to the selected question and comments you add.
6.  Scroll down to the first question.  You will see generic "directions" in the table cell beneath the question.  Each question is followed by generic comments concerning possible information that students would wish to have.

To Edit a question's "Directions" cell:

7.  Scroll to a question and type your comments/orientation answer in the "Directions" cell (just below the question).

***Note:  Do not include comments that will require you to edit the file each semester.  Your orientation answers should help students to understand how your course will be taught and to prepare your students to begin the course.  You will still use your "first day of class" orientation to discuss the syllabus, course structure, assignments, etc.

8.  Delete the "Directions" and the [Delete these directions after you have have added what you think important for new or prospective students for your course.] comment, leaving your answer (s) to the student question.
9. Continue down the list of questions, deleting the "Directions" after you have typed your answer to a question.
10. When you are finished, save the file as your course name.
11.  If you are teaching different distance courses, repeat the process as often as necessary.
12.  E-Mail the file (s) to skip.sparkman@volstate.edu or to david.warner@volstate.edu.  Your Course Orientation will be added to the "Course Orientations Page" on the distance learning site.