"Syllabus Quiz" for CrCrTh692

An important exercise to acquaint you with the different dimensions of the syllabus, requirements, and on-line materials. It helps no-one if you find yourself still confused half way through the course about where to find instructions, when you could have spent time st the start to get acquainted with the course materials and ask questions to help you -- and probably other students -- clarify things.
Q: Why not spend time in class sessions going over the materials?
A: It is more effective for each student to do this at their own pace and then spend precious class time on specific, focused questions.

Q: Why not make this info available as needed (rather than having to spend a block of time at the start)?
A: Most of the info you need is available through the links to each session on the syllabus and the assignment checklist, so if you feel comfortable navigating those two sites on the web, don't spend lots of time on the quiz.

Copy and paste this quiz into a word file, then insert the answer or check off in the left margin when you have completed any item.

Technology Set-Up

The specific technological competencies you will need for this course are described at http://crcrth692.wikispaces.umb.edu/692Tech. At this point, get on top of (or get help on)

• 1. your official @umb.edu student email address and password
• 2. sign in to the course wiki (http://crcrth692.wikispaces.umb.edu) and your personal cct-xx.wikispaces.umb.edu (where xx = your last name)
  • Don't spend more than about 5 minutes confused by the wiki before you take a break and send an email to the course listserv asking for help (see below).
  • (Students in face-to-face sections should note, however, that non-technological alternatives to the wiki can be arranged if you find the technologies to be consuming time and attention that would be better used for the engaging with the central learning activities of the course.)
• 6. Get set-up on your computer with folders for course work, downloaded readings, etc. and, most importantly, bookmarks to the course syllabus and your CCT-xx 692checklist wikipage.

(After you finish the syllabus quiz, keep working through the technological competencies. On a printout of the 692tech wikipage use the right hand column to check that you've noted or explored or implemented each point.)

Course materials

All course materials can be accessed via the online version of this syllabus (face2face section, online section) together with your personal CCT-xx.wikispaces.umb.edu/692checklist wikipage for assignment submission.

Students who prefer to refer to hard copies should download and print out the pdf compilation (at http://www.faculty.umb.edu/pjt/692-11.pdf) of the syllabus, 692checklist wikipage, and course materials linked to both of those webpages. Use post-its or other marker to highlight the start of the different sections of materials.
Alternatively, you might download but not print out the pdf compilation so you can have access to that for working offline.

Your 692checklist wikipage (and links to it) also provide details about the assignments, expectations, and rationale. At this point, review this for the overall organization, not for the details.

• The first assignment is? When is it due? Where can you find instructions for the assignment?
• The first participation item to be completed is? When is it due?
• What is the difference between an assignment and a participation item?
• Where can you find this information other than on the 692checklist wikipage?

Get an overview the full syllabus and requirements.

• How many assignments can you miss and still get an "automatic B+"? What is the difference between submitting an assignment and getting "OK/RNR"?
• How do you get to the instructions for any given session?

More tasks to get set up and running

Sign up for first conference (for face2face sections: signup sheet; for online sections by email to the instructor ). What should happen at this conference?

What does "Research workbook and organization" refer to? When will this be perused?

Are .docx or .pptx files acceptable? (If not, you might set your copy of word to default to output .doc and .ppt files.)

Take a first look at preparation for session 2 and 3 and note the next 3 things that you need to do.

Send a question to the course email mailing list "listserv" (face2face, online) about something you need clarified re: course materials, technological set-up, etc.

Bring a question to session 2 that isn't answered already in emails to the listserv.

Download and fill in Information Sheet, then iry uploading it to the Assignment checklist on your personal CCT-xx wikispace. If you have problems, make note of the specific steps you took and ask for help (using the course googlegroups email listserv).

Upload your word file of this syllabus quiz to the Assignment checklist on your personal CCT-xx wikispace by start of session 2.

Print out or create a word file of the assignment check-list.

• Insert the actual dates (as against session number) when assignments are due
• Read and indicate that you have taken note of the completion rules at the end of the assignment check-list.

Getting into the process of the course

Peruse evaluations from previous semesters.

Download a previous student's report that interests you (using password from instructor).

Find briefings by past students (under Additional materials on the web at the start of the syllabus), review them, decide if you want to add or update one, and, if so, submit a topic by session 3.

Where do you find instructions for any particular assignment, e.g., Key Article?

Formulate a question about an aspect of chart (designed to help you pace your submissions) that do you not understand.