TWC 494/598
Principles of Information Architecture

Multimedia Writing and Technical Communication
Fall 2004

Course Guidelines and Policies

• TWC494/598 is an online course. We will not meet in-person in a classroom.
  
  • Course documents, schedule information, assignments, readings, and other course information will be posted or linked from Blackboard.
  • The Discussion Forum in Blackboard will be used for class discussions.
    
    
• The schedule for each week will be posted in the Weekly Schedule area in Blackboard. Schedule information will be posted prior to the beginning of the week and will include readings and activities/assignments. A table on the "Schedule at a Glance" page gives a snapshot of the course with readings and activities/assignments due each week.
  
  
• All activities and assignments are to be completed and submitted by the postede due date. Late assignments will not be accepted for any reason other than family or medical emergency.
  
  
• Students registered for TWC598 are required to complete additional coursework and assignment.
  
  
• Access to a computer with Internet access and an email account are required for this course.
  • If you are using an email account other than your ASU account, be sure to set mail forwarding through the Electronic Post Office.
  • Be sure that your email account permits file attachments to be sent and received.
  • Many free email accounts have limits on disk space and message size. Be sure to check your quota so that mail does not bounce.
    
• Online classes are dependent on the proper and efficient running of technology. Network problems occur and can interfere with coursework. We will deal with these on a case-by-case basis if and when they happen. ASU maintains a systems outage page listing current network problems. Keep in mind that Blackboard is shut down for maintenance every Friday at 9:00pm.
  
• Email Protocol:
  • When sending email for this class, use TWC494 (or 598) in the subject line along with the topic. For example: "TWC494: confused about reading" is a message from a student indicating confusion about a reading assignment.
    
    I use the subject line to filter email. If the course number does not appear in the subject line, you may not receive a prompt reply.
    
    
• Activities and assignments will generally be due by Sunday of each week. I will email your grade and feedback for each activity or assignment.
  
  
• Communication is key. If you have questions, concerns, or other issues come up, contact me immediately.
  • Email: bdangelo@asu.edu
  • Phone: 480-727-
  • Office: Sutton Hall, Rm
  • Call or email me if you would like to schedule time for a virtual office meeting in Blackboard or AOL instant messenger.
    
    
• TWC494/598 is a 3-credit course; it is expected that you will dedicate an equivalent amount of time as you would an in-person 3-credit course. However, unlike an in-person course, you are completely responsible for planning and scheduling your time so that coursework is understood and exercises/assignments are completed on time. If you have never taken an online course, you may want to take the Online Learning Readiness Quiz to see if it's right for you.
  
  
• Some of the work we will do this semester will ask that you participate in discussions using the Discussion Board in Blackboard (and possibly the virtual classroom). You should think of these as the equivalent of in-class discussion and participation except it is taking place in writing online.
  
  In the online environment, we lose visual cues indicating how others’ are responding to our words—there is no eye contact, facial or body expressions to guide us. Consider what you are writing and how someone may react to it before you post it. Each of you bring unique knowledge and experience of and perspectives to the class and discussions. Contribute, challenge, and be challenged in return. But at all times, you should be polite, thoughtful, and show respect for one another. This is non-negotiable --flaming will not be tolerated and will be considered grounds for a 0 for the week's work. Please read “Core Rules of Netiquette.”
  
  
• You are expected to do your own work for each exercise and assignment. Read ASU’s policy on Academic Integrity. If you have questions about your writing or when/how to document sources, contact me or consult with the ASU East Learning Center.

 

Page last modified: 13 August 2004

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