•   Project links:

•   Instructions for Practice Project.
•   Instructions for ISP Search Project (#1).
•   Instructions for Search Engines Project (#2).
•   Instructions for Using Resources Project (#3).
•   Instructions for Images Project (#4).
•   Instructions for Web Site Concept Project (#5).
•   Instructions for Scavenger Hunt Project (#6).
•   Instructions for Web Site Project (#7).
• Extra Credit Project:
    Instructions for Social Networking Project.

Why is orientation required?  (From HCC Absence Study)

HCC bookstore on-line

This course is an on-line, distance learning course.  Students are expected to be on campus for the first day orientation.  This course uses the WebCT / Blackboard.com online course management system, known as Online@HCC.  Students are expected to use this system for course information, email, discussion groups, live chats, receiving and submitting assignments, taking tests, retrieving grades, and using other class resources.

Students not attending the mandatory distance learning orientation class meeting will be withdrawn from the course as a No Show, unless prior arrangements are made with the instructor.  While the day, time, and location of the orientation meeting don't appear on a student's schedule, you can find this when you use WebAdvisor to search for sections.  (Click on the course link that appears, to view the course description including the orientation meeting information.)

1. describe the Internet, and navigate the World Wide Web using web browsers
2. use email professionally and safely, and describe email issues such as spam and privacy
3. find and evaluate information and other on-line resources
4. understand Internet and wireless networking security, and use the Internet safely
5. create HTML (hypertext markup language) documents
6. understand and use various Internet protocols and tools
7. understand and use various Internet communication tools, including mailing lists, RSS feeds, podcasts, instant messenger, on-line chat, and newsgroups
8. understand and use social networking tools
9. describe guidelines for conduct on the Internet”

Students may need USB flash drives to save projects or submit them from HCC.

In order to use computers on campus, you will need your HCC student ID and password.  These can be obtained from HawkNet.  You can use HawkNet (WebAdvisor) or FACTS.org to obtain your final grade for the course.  You can use CampusCrusier for email, college calendars, and course (and college related) resources.

HCC DM Open Lab
Computers are located in the computer science department open lab in DTEC–462.  Lab hours are:

SMARTHINKING
is an Internet Tutorial center.  It provides students with qualified tutors and study resources, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for many basic subjects including math, science, and English.  Students can access tutors and resources at home, school, or anywhere else they have an Internet connection, whenever they need help.  Getting started with Smarthinking.com is very quick and easy.  HCC has already paid for the services; therefore it is free for students.  For more information visit Smarthinking on our website at www.hccfl.edu/Distance-learning.aspx.  (Click Smarthinking link under Student Resources.) 

Grading scale:  A=387-445,   B=344-386,   C=301-343,   D=279-300,   F=0-278
(Or you can elect to audit the class during the add/drop period.)

• No make up quizzes or exams will be offered without the prior approval of the instructor.  Quiz and exam due dates appear in the Online@HCC Quizzes and Exams tool.
• Quizzes (one per chapter) will be 25 question open book multiple choice exams.  While quizzes are non-cumulative, each does build upon knowledge acquired earlier.  Quizzes and tests are based upon assigned readings and from other on-line resources.  All quizzes and exams are taken using the Online@HCC system.  You should have plenty of time to complete all exams.
• These exams should be taken only after completing projects and quizzes by their due dates.
• The optional final exam is longer and cumulative for all chapters listed on the schedule.  You don't have to take it but if you do, it will replace your lowest test score.  Taking this test can not hurt your grade, it can only help.
• You can go to the open computer lab anytime they are open to take exams or submit assignments.  Be sure you should leave yourself sufficient time to complete exams.  (So don't show up at 9:50 PM when the lab closes at 10:00 PM!)
• All tests are open book exams.  (We aren't trying to test your memory here!)  However it is considered cheating to get help from another person or by searching the Internet while taking tests.
• Attendance is required for the first class session (the orientation session), except with the permission of the instructor.
• All phones, pagers, and beepers must be turned off during class time, except with prior permission of the instructor.  No food or drink is permitted in HCC classrooms.  Attendance will be taken within 15 minutes of the start of class. 
• You must login into the Online@HCC server at least twice a week to verify your continued enrollment in this class.  Students receiving federal financial aid may have to return some or all funds if they fail to follow this policy!
• Students are expected to check the class website regularly.  Any syllabus changes or project updates are posted to the website.  You are expected to read all postings made on the Online@HCC class discussion boards.  Additionally, changes will be announced via the class RSS feed.
• This class discussion board is a place to post questions or comments relating to our course.  Please keep the postings related to our course, the Internet, and current events that relate to the subject matter of our course.  Any student can post here, or reply to a question or any other post.  The more postings, the better the course is!  But please, don't post off-topic material, or personal questions such as those questions on your grades.  Also while you can post questions about projects, don't post answers to questions from tests, or even your answers to some project; send such questions as email to your instructor instead.  Finally, follow Netiquette guidelines when posting.
• Working together on individual assignments is considered as cheating!  Turning in someone else's work without giving them credit is also considered cheating (plagiarism).  Cheating will result in an automatic F (zero) for the project for all parties.  It is okay to ask a fellow student for help in understanding the text or material given to the class (e.g., using Online@HCC or understanding sample web pages on the class website).
• You must follow the academic honesty policy for HCC.  A second cheating offence will result in an F for the course, and your name will be turned over to the Dean for further handling.  I take these matters very seriously.  You have been warned!
• Online@HCC is not always available, especially on the weekends.  You must allow for this and submit your work well before the deadlines.  Some resources and links may not be working properly.  When problems are noted, please contact your instructor as soon as possible during office hours or with email so such problems can be quickly addressed.  Should any such problems arise that prevent project, quiz, or exam completion by the due dates posted, extra time will be granted or grades adjusted as deemed appropriate by your instructor.
• Communications Policy:  I will respond to your emails within 48 hours or two business days.  Please send email only using Online@HCC email.  HCC policy is that grades can only be discussed in person or via email only if you use your assigned HCC HawkNet (Campus Cruiser) email account.
• If you are having difficulty with some project please feel free to ask me about it (well before the due date).  You can send emails of questions and/or your work-in-progress, to receive feedback and suggestions.  Or you can stop by my posted office hours without any appointment.  (Note:  Due to faculty meetings or other work I may have to cancel or postpone some office hours on short notice.  Before driving to campus for my office hours, you can send an email the day before to verify I still plan to be there!)

  If you have any questions on any part of the assigned reading (from the text or from on-line resources), please feel free to ask me via on-line chat, instant messenger, email, phone calls, or office hour visits.  However the preferred way to get this sort of help is by posting your questions on the class WebCT discussion board.  This discussion board should be used the way you might raise your hand to ask a question in a traditional class.

• No appointment is necessary to see me during my scheduled, on-campus office hours.  You can just walk-in.  You can make appointments for other times as long as I'm available. 
• Occasionally my office hours will be canceled on short (or no) notice, for example if the dean calls me for a meeting.  Before driving out to campus just for my office hours, you can contact me the night before to make sure I still plan to be there.
• Late Policies:  Late assignments (projects or exams) generally will not be accepted.  An assignment is late if not turned in by the due date and time shown in Online@HCC tools Quizzes and Exams and Submit Projects (drop-boxes). Don't wait until the last minute to submit an assignment or project; if a problem arises you may miss the due date.

  Late assignments will be accepted late only if you obtain the instructor's permission prior to the due date of the assignment, or for a documented serious medical reason.  All late assignments are subject to a late penalty of at least one letter grade (10%) regardless of the reason for the delay.

  Projects and quizzes later than one week will receive a more severe late penalty; very late assignments without adequate excuses will receive a grade of F (0).  However if you have a very good reason your instructor may waive any or all of the late penalty.  (Examples of good reasons include extended illness that prevents working, being out of town for work, or military service.  Remember documentation will be required.)

• The current flu pandemic requires some changes to normal policies.  HCC is implementing the recommendations for institutions of higher learning of the CDC.  (See www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance/ and www.flu.gov/ for guidance from the CDC.)  You won't need documentation if you miss class due to the flu.  (But if you think you have the flu, you should see a doctor as soon as you can.)  In the unlikely event of a school closure, some plan to make up the missed work will be made.

  If you think you have the flu, stay home.  Do not come to HCC until 48 hours after your fever has broken.  People are infectious to others for a day or so before they have any symptoms.  Flu is spread by touching doorknobs, computer keyboards, railings on stairs, etc., that were touched by someone with the flu.  Avoid shaking hands; use the fist shake (touching of fists) if you must use a physical greeting.  The most effective way to prevent catching the flu is to wash your hands frequently, especially after touching something that was touched by others.  Avoid unnecessary touching of eyes, nose and mouth.  While not as good as properly washing hands, hand sanitizers have been installed throughout the campus; use them often.

Feedback comments are sometimes given by your instructor in addition to a grade.  You should always check for a comment from your instructor if your grade is not what you expect.  Note comments can only be seen when you review the graded project from the Submit Projects link, and not from the Grades link of WebCT.  If the project status says Graded, click on that to view the comments.

Projects are not graded when you submit them!  They are graded all at once, sometime after the project deadline has passed (usually the next weekend).  Every effort will be make to grade projects within a week of the due date, or as soon thereafter as possible.