Welcome to COM 112- Television Production
Skip Sparkman, Assoc. Professor
 

Click on any of the questions below:

• Does this course cost the same as a regular course?
• Does this course count the same as a regular course?
• Does this course transfer?
• How can I contact my professor?
• How is this course taught without meetings?
• Do I have to come to campus to complete this course?
• How do I access the course content and materials?
• What are the computer requirements?
• How do I get started?
• What do I do if I need assistance with technology or the course?
• How is attendance taken in a distance course?
• What is expected of me in this course?
• Where do I find my assignments?
• How do I know when assignments are due?
• How do I communicate with other students?
• How do I submit my assignments?
• How do I take a test?
• Can I finish the course early?
• How do I find my grades?

Does this course cost the same as a regular course?

Does this course count the same as a regular course?

Does this course transfer?

How can I contact my professor?

How is this course taught without meetings?

This course is partially offered over the internet.  It requires significant reading on your part as well as participation in discussion board activity, chat room discussions along with preparation and submission of communication activities as assigned.  You must be self directed and motivated to stay on track.    You will have  deadlines for submission of communication activities,  and other assigned work.  Quizzes and exams may be  taken on line within the WEBCT course.  You will have specific times to take the exams and specific time limits with which to complete them.

Do I have to come to campus to complete this course?

Yes.  This course has lecture and laboratory schedules along with WEBCT Components.  Written Work and other Communication Activities must be submitted as Microsoft word or excel documents.  Class discussions are conducted in class and  on our course discussion boards or in course chat rooms.  Exams are taken as online (timed) tests.  You may participate in the online components of this course from any computer where you have access to the world wide web (internet)

How do I access the course content and materials?

All course materials are found in the WEBCT site for COM 112.  You will have a user name and pass word.  That information will be sent to you at the home address you have listed with the college.  Typically the username is your first initial and last name (in my case ssparkman).  However for many students someone already with that initial and last name has been a student so your username ends up being your first initial, last name and a number such as wsmith6.    Your password will be your birth date, mm/dd/yr

The Volunteer State WEBCT URL is http://vswebct.volstate.edu

What are the computer requirements?

Access to a computer that is connected to the internet with a minimum 56k modem and a browser, such as Internet Explorer 5.0 or later version will be sufficient.  Obviously, any connection speed above 56k will give quicker response and access to the course. All college computers exceed these minimums.  No special software is needed.  You should have Microsoft Word and Excel for completing and submitting (as attachments) the Communication Activities you will need to submit.  All college computers have Word and Excel.
 

You need minimal typing skills, the skills to use a simple e-mail program (or be willing to learn some minimal tasks), the ability to use a discussions board (or be willing to learn some minimal tasks) and some minimal web-browsing and website navigation skills.  You will be expected to navigate the course website, do web searches and use e-mail and the discussions board feature.  I will expect you to complete a library tutorial to insure that you can conduct library research if you are not on campus.

Directions for communication tools use are provided in the Help section of the course site.  You will not need your own e-mail address since this is provided within the course.

How do I get started?

You can log into this course on the first day of classes at: http://vswebct.volstate.edu. 

1. Log in and choose the name of your course from the list.  If you do not know your user name go the following website:  http://www.volstate.edu/email/lookup.asp  and follow the directions.  Your user name will be the same as your Vol State email user name.  It will precede the @student.volstate.edu address.  Remember, your password is your birth date mm/dd/yr.
   Please contact Admissions and Records if you are unable to log in to the course.  You may need to check your username or password.  Or, if you register on the first day of classes or during late registration, it will take a day or two to add you to the class roll for the course and grant you access.
2. Tour the course website and thoroughly read the syllabus by the first day of classes.  Look at the assignments, calendar, supplementary course materials and become familiar with where materials are located and how they are organized.  This will save you time later.
3. Review the course calendar to note your assignment reading and due dates for the entire semester. These dates are non-negotiable.  You may complete assignments early.
4. Take time to tour the remainder of the website to familiarize yourself with the course and site before the first day of classes.  Write down any questions you have and be prepared to ask me these questions before you begin.
   
   E-mail me and introduce yourself after you have reviewed #1-4 of this list.  Use the course e-mail program, not a personal or college Outlook account.
    

What do I do if I need assistance with technology or the course?

I can help with simple procedures required in the course, but for technical questions, you should call the college's Help Desk.   615-230-3302 or Toll Free 1-888-335-8722 Ext 3302

When you have course questions (navigation, for example), you should e-mail skip.sparkman@volstate.edu  or post questions on a the course discussions board.   Since your classmates may think of questions before you do, you should also check the discussions board regularly to learn from student questions and answers (and/or my answers and comments).

For help with course content, assignments, course topics, etc., you should post questions on the course discussions board for all members of the class to read.  Probably, others have the same or similar questions.  By posting on the discussions board, all can review my answers and may contribute answers and explanations.  I particularly enjoy seeing students work together to help explain aspects of the course, and I can always "join" the discussion to lend assistance and provide further explanation.
 

How is attendance taken in a distance course?

I will check the roll for class meetings and for online components, the WEBCT site tracks each student's time in the course.  It tracks dates of log in, discussions posted, assignments submitted etc.  It's really quite amazing how much information is tracked about student performance.  You can rest assured, the email contents of your messages are not seen by the instructor unless I am the addressee.  If you email another student, I cannot monitor that message.

What is expected of me in this course?

The course calendar provides detail on what is expected from you and when it is due.  The Course Content is contained in the Lessons Tables of Contents.  This course is sub divided into 5 major components:

Chapters 1 & 2 - The Production Processes and People
Chapters 3 through 9 - Image Creation and Control
Chapters 10 through 12 - Video Recording, Switching and Editing
Chapters 13 through 15 - Talent and the Production Environment
 

Where do I find my assignments?

Your assignments are located on the course website and will be emphacized in class meetings.  Your "Lessons Table of Contents" will specify the assignments.  And you can confirm on the course calendar.  Again the course website is:  http://vswebct.volstate.edu.  Once you have registered for the course, you will have access on the first day of classes for the term.  Go to this address and log in.  Select your course name from the list, click on the course name and proceed to navigate the site. 

 

How do I know when assignments are due?

Check the Course WEBCT site calendar.  The calendar specifies the due dates for Communication Activities submissions, Exam dates, Research Paper submissions and other discussion postings.

How do I communicate with other students?

The email system within WEBCT allows you to send email to any other student in the class.  You have the flexibility to email an individual student, groups of students, or all students in the class.  Additionally, your Vol State Student email system allows you to send email to any other currently enrolled student.  Refer to the section on "How do I get Started" to determine how to find email addresses of other students.

How do I submit my assignments?

The WEBCT Homepage for this course will have an "Assignments" link.   Use this link to find and submit assignments.

How do I take a test?

Your tests will be taken on line or can be a live classroom activity.  They will be available at specific days and times for you and will only appear at those times.  You must follow testing directions for submission of the exam.  They are set for a specific time limit and will go away at the stated amount of time from when you began.  You will get nearly instant email feed back on your test results after you submit them.

Can I finish the course early?

No.  Lab schedules prevent early completion.

How do I find my grades?

The "My Grades" feature of WEBCT allows you to follow your course progress.  Your scores are available only to you and are viewable after your instructor assigns the grade for the assignment.