Orientation
 

Orientation
Blackboard Course Site

Thompson Homepage

WELCOME TO POFT-2312
BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE AND COMMUNICATION
(offered ONLY spring semesters, so plan ahead)

This online Business Correspondence and Communication course offers you and your professor a unique opportunity to take advantage of the latest technology and techniques in distance learning. This course will offer interactive features that will make your experience comparable to that of a traditional classroom student at Collin College.

Business Correspondence and Communication is an electronic, interactive class with a professor, students, and assignments. You will access the course through the Internet from a computer at home, work, or on campus--anytime, day or night, that you have access to the Internet, with no need to come to campus. Even the Orientation information is presented through the Internet.

This course should be one of the last taken in the program.  Employers value technology and communication skills.  Technology courses are plentiful, but this course is one of few focusing on communication for the workplace.  Learning the skills well should provide you a competitive edge!

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 to CougarWeb and follow the login instructions there for accessing your Blackboard course site.  Once you have Blackboard access, all communications and assignments submission 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.  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 messages.  Frequent communication between professor and student is important to your success in this course. 

You should know how to access a Web site when given an address (URL) or link, use the features of your Web browser, download files, scan pages as PDF files, perform screen captures, and attach files to email or upload them as instructed in Blackboard.  If you do not yet know about scanning and screen captures, you will be able to get help with those simple processes by posting your questions in Discussions in Blackboard.  Collin libraries have scanners for student use, in case you find that helpful.

TEXTBOOK within MindTap e-Bundle:

Bundle: Essentials of Business Communication, Loose-Leaf Version, 10th edition + Premium Website, 1 term (6 months) Printed Access Card + LMS Integrated for MindTap® Business Communication, 1 term (6 months), which includes an e-text, eliminating any need for standard printed materials (and saving significant cost).
Printed Access Card 9781305699199.
IMPORTANT: You will have access to course materials in Blackboard for a three-week trial period when classes begin, which will allow you generous time for obtaining your own new access code for uninterrupted access.

SUPPLIES:  A portable USB flash drive for backing up files, as needed for transferring files among computers.

SOFTWARE:  Any recent version of MS Word for Windows software.

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 My Grades in Blackboard.  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-2312 Business Correspondence and Communications class?

First, you must be officially enrolled.  Once classes begin, go to CougarWeb 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-2312 course like?

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

• communicate through Blackboard Discussions, Assignments, Mail.
• study the information on the Blackboard course site.
• follow the schedule of assignments.
• complete and submit assignments in Blackboard, including in MindTap within Blackboard.

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-2312 Business Correspondence and Communication 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!