As a new semester begins, I want to offer some important reminders to both veteran and rookie online students.

1. Submit your work in the correct format. The official format is Microsoft Office (97-2003). That means a Word document should have a .doc suffix (not .docx). A PowerPoint file should have a .ppt suffix (not .pptx). Do not use Rich-Text (.rtf) or open document format (.odf). NOTE: If you submit in the wrong format, instructors can simply choose to reject the submission. That sounds harsh, but a lot of time has been wasted trying to get student submissions into a readable format. It is your responsibility to use the correct format.
2. Be certain you can see the comments your instructor makes on your assignments. This is one reason that it is best to simply purchase Microsoft Office (you can get it for only $79.95, click here to see how). If you must use another program to review your graded work, be certain you can see the comments made by your instructor. Those comments should be in the margin with a line pointing to a point in the paper. Instructors assume you are reading those comments. If you make the same mistakes the following week, your instructor is likely to ding you more severely. What is worse, you simply will not learn as much if you do not read your instructor's comments.
3. If you do not make a substantive post to the forum during the week it is assigned, you will be marked absent for that week. If you accumulate a second absence, you will either fail the class or be withdrawn.
4. Buy a web cam. This requirement has been in place for over a year now. If you are doing the bulk of your classes online, then you must have a web cam. A web cam is required to complete more and more classes. If you take an occasional class online, you may still need to buy a web cam to complete the course (e.g., Speech requires a web cam to submit speeches).
5. Use Technical Support. If something is not working right in the course site, please use the technical support form to request help. This is usually quicker than emailing your instructor (who will refer you to technical support) or emailing the online office. Using the technical support form promptly gets your issue in front of the person who is on duty to handle it.
6. Take advantage of the Online Tutoring Center. One of the best ways to improve your grades is to improve your writing. Mrs. Trowell will work with you to help you write better.
   

Registration Help...
Since registration for DCC Online students has begun, I thought I would share the attached file that has the full online schedule. This allows you to easily see all the dates in one place, which facilitates planning.

Begin working on your schedule and contact you adviser ASAP to get registered

Bruce Long
Associate Dean - Online Learning