BIOLOGY 2404 A&P Basics On-Line Orientation Information  forBlackboard

This document is to provide you a step by step procedure on using the course web site in Blackboard.

Welcome to A&P Basics On-Line.  This is a lecture and lab course in which you will learn a lot more about the human body and how it works.

Your instructor this course is Dr. Mary T. Weis and you can find out more about her via her website at http://iws.collin.edu/mweis under the instructor information link. 

To get started, using the Blackboard links provided, access the following:

            1) Click and read the course summary overview to get the big picture for this course. Next, print out and read the discipline syllabi and instructor addenda to the syllabi for both the lecture and the lab. The syllabi and addenda will discuss different assignments and requirements which will comprise your overall course completion grade.

            2) Click on the course check list. Read and print out this list.  This reference list is based on the syllabus and addenda requirements for the course.  Use this check list to keep track of the assignments and tests that will be graded to comprise your overall course completion grade for this course.

            3) Click on the link for the semester calendar and access the links for each month to see the organization of the course during the upcoming semester.  It is highly recommended that you print out each month of the current semester so that you will know what is expected each day and to help you stay on track and on task! You may use the calendar to access the assignments for lecture and lab or use the individual links on the Blackboard home page.

            4) Click on the Student Agreement Form.  Print out and carefully read this form. You must initial each section, sign and date, and provide additional contact information. This is a required form that will be counted towards your participation grade and MUST be sent to the instructor as indicated by the due date indicated on the addenda for full credit.  No form = no grade, no exceptions!  Also, No form = no testing password/ID.

            5) To access the testing link page, you will need an additional password.  This will be sent to you during the first week of the semester via an email from your instructor.  Keep this password in a safe place.  If needed, the password may be changed during the semester.  Your instructor will notify you, if this is necessary.

NOTE: Testing Passwords and Modfied New Design MasteringA&P course IDs will only be given out to students who have submitted the Student Agreement Form.  You may click the testing link to access the directions and requirements for the password.

DO NOT USE Blackboard for any testing assessments (quizzes, exams, practicals) for any reason!

            6)  Please make sure you have Adobe Acrobat Reader downloaded and installed. The lecture syllabus provides a link to the Adobe Website for this free download. Your graded paperwork will be returned to you in this format. 

            7) Grades.  Paperwork is graded within 7-10 days of the due date and returned in an Adobe .pdf format. A sample grade sheet can be accessed by using the grade link to view the excel document.  Individual grade sheets will be sent to the students during the semester once major work is completed.

            8) Assignment links.  There are links for the lecture assignments and a second link for the lab exercises. Use the course calendar to determine your work for that day. Any reading and review exercises should be done prior to taking any quizzes or exams.

You may access your assignments from the Blackboard links or from the calendar.

            9) Lab Reports.  Access the various lab reports from the list page under Lab Reports. Each link on the list page will take you to one of the lab reports discussed in the lab addenda.  Please note the due times addressed in the lab addenda.  The due dates for each type of lab report can be found on the semester monthly calendar.

            10) Discussion Topics. Use the link to access the topic list and complete the assignment as outlined in the lecture addenda.  The student 4-6 word summary introduction can be done directly using the discussion folder link and completing the assignment in the proper folder.

Other Notes:

            * Student Contact Information. The email address used when you confirmed your registration will be used as your contact email.  If two email addresses were used, then the college “Cougar mail” will be used to contact you unless you specifically request a different address as your contact email. Make sure that any email account you use for this course is capable of opening and sending attachments.  It is recommended that you use one email account for school and another for personal needs.

            * If Blackboard problems persist for more than 3 hours, you will need to use the direct link to the instructor’s website as outlined in the website orientation document sent prior to the start of the semester via an email attachment.

            * If you have a problem with any links or have questions, please let me know via my college email:  mweis@collin.edu

Have a good semester and remember every day to

Read, Learn, Study, and Review for success!