Orientation
 

Orientation

Blackboard Course Site

Thompson Homepage

Welcome to POFT 1319
Records and Information Management

Currently, this course is offered ONLY Spring semesters.

This course  emphasizes principles and practices of effective records and information management for physical (paper) and computerized systems.  Records management is so important that businesses cannot survive without it!  Individuals also benefit from good records management.

This course allows you and your professor a unique opportunity to take advantage of the latest technology and techniques in distance learning, with flexibility for completing assignments from the convenience of home or college library workstations.

POFT-1319 Records and Information Management is an electronic, interactive class with a professor, students, and assignments. If you want to complete assignments online from home, you will need Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, or Microsoft Internet Explorer.  If you do not have one of these browsers, you can download one from the Internet (or use college computers for your course work).  See the technical r

equirements below.  You will access the course via the Internet from a computer at home, work, or on campus--anytime, day or night, that you have access to the Internet.

How do I get started?

Because your course Web site is on Blackboard, you will not have access to your course until classes begin.  Once classes begin, go through CougarWeb (and bookmark the URL  http://elearning.collin.edu as a backup access option) and follow the login instructions there for accessing your Blackboard course site.  Once you have Blackboard access, all course communications must be within Blackboard for your convenience and privacy.

You should review everything in this Collin Learning Center (eLC) link, which will include a Contact Information link.    Please do take advantage of the tutorials offered there.  If you are an experienced online student, the material should be fairly familiar but include a few new tips and the important contact information.  Be encouraged that many students take this course as their first online learning experience and do well.  Your professor can be more available to you online than within a traditional class that meets on campus only at certain times.

You will be expected to check your Blackboard course often for announcements, discussions, and Mail messages.  Frequent communication between professor and student is important to your success in this course. 

TEXTBOOK within MindTap e-Bundle:

Records Management, 10th edition + LMS Integrated for MindTap® Office Technology, 1 term (6 months) and includes an interactive e-text, eliminating the need for standard printed materials and greatly reducing costs.
Printed Access Card 978105625723.
Spring 2016 ONLY, the access card will be FREE from the publisher and provided to students by Professor Thompson in Blackboard when classes begin.

SUPPLIES:  A flash drive for backing up files, as needed for transferring files among various computers, if you will not be doing all work from home.

EQUIPMENT: In order to do course work from home, you will need a scanner that saves files in PDF format and a good Internet Service Provider (ISP).  You also have the option of doing all assignments for your online course by using equipment provided by college libraries.

SYSTEM/TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Review technical information from the Collin Learning Center (eLC) link. Click the Contact Us link at the top of that page if you have questions or need help with getting your system to work smoothly for your online course.

COURSE FORMAT:  Your online classroom includes a schedule to keep you on track for assignments and guide you concerning completing assignments for your professor's review.

Your professor will work with you using Blackboard to evaluate your assignments and to help you with questions or problems.  Your course work will be reviewed and graded by your professor, with feedback provided through My Grades in Blackboard.  Grading will include professor comments, if appropriate and/or helpful.  Class discussions may be conducted electronically, as appropriate.  Even this Orientation information is online, and there will be NO requirement to come to campus for any assignment. 

You will be able to monitor your progress through Blackboard grading feedback.  This will allow you opportunity to communicate with your professor concerning any differences between your records and your Blackboard grades prior to your final course grade posting.  Most of the course credit depends on your satisfactorily completing and submitting all assignments in a timely manner.

How do I access the POFT-1319 Records and Information Management class?

First, you must be officially enrolled.  Once classes begin, go through CougarWeb or to http://elearning.collin.edu and follow the login instructions there for accessing your Blackboard course site.  Your username should be your Cougarmail username, and your password should be the last six digits of your CWID (college-wide identification number). 

Once classes begin, you will be expected to check your Blackboard Discussions and Mail often.  Frequent communication between professor and student is important to your success in this course.

What is the POFT-1319 Records and Information Management course like?

After registering for the class and purchasing the course materials, you will:

• study the Blackboard site information
• follow the schedule of assignments
• submit all assignments in a timely manner

YOU are responsible for scheduling your study time and  completing your assignments. You are responsible for keeping up to date with the course schedule, matching the course weeks with your calendar, and keeping a record of the assignments you have submitted. You will be encouraged to communicate with other class members through the Blackboard discussion forum. Your professor is available to help you through the course using Blackboard Discussions (group) and Mail (private) features; please do not hesitate to contact your professor. Your professor acts as a facilitator to help you master the course goals.

Realize that this course requires YOUR motivation, commitment, organization, and self-discipline. YOU must supply those success factors. Effective learning results only when students become active participants in control of their learning and take the initiative to do what is necessary. Learning the skills necessary to communicate in an online course format will be a valuable bonus to you in preparing for working in high-tech offices.

POFT-1319 Records and Information Management is a competency-based course. You are expected to meet certain performance objectives, which are found in the course syllabus. The generic syllabus (containing objectives) is posted at http://iws.collin.edu/syllabus.  Your professor's syllabus (including how you will be graded) will be posted on the Blackboard course site.  Your final grade will be based upon your participation and performance.  Following instructions accurately and submitting assignments in a timely manner will be important aspects of course success.

Please do "enjoy" this class!