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Graphics and Media: A Multicultural Perspective
Questions? Comments? Lpayn@palomar.edu

Online Orientation / FAQ

Are there any other questions you need answered or want to see here?
Contact lpayn@palomar.edu

  1. Does everyone in the class have to be on the computer at the same time?
  2. What are my passwords?
  3. What books do we need?
  4. What is the class site?
  5. How do we get the assignments?
  6. When are assignments due?
  7. What are our reading assignments?
  8. How do we send in our homework?
  9. What if we have a question?
  10. What is CANVAS?
  11. What if I don't have a computer or my computer crashes during the semester?

    or

    When is open lab? Can I use open lab when I am in an online class?

  12. What are the important URLs we need to know in this course?
  13. I think I may have too many obligations and won't be able to finish the course. What should I do?
  14. What's "netiquette?"
  15. How do I take advantage of resources and services for students at Palomar College?

 

1. Does everyone in the class have to be on the computer at the same time?

To maximize the flexibility and technology, this is an "asynchronous" course. We do not have to be on the computer at the same time. Work at your convenience, but be sure to keep up with the weekly assignments to finish the course on time. Set aside a regular time to work, as though you were attending class, to help you keep up.

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2. What are my passwords?

Canvas: Tutorials, Discussion Board and Chat

On the Internet, go to:
https://palomar.instructure.com/courses/

Your logon name is your Palomar student e-mail address.

Your password is your Palomar student e-mail password.

Discussion Board and Chat

Post your questions and comments In the Discussion Board. It is like raising your hand in a face-to-face class. Don't put anything personal here, as this is a public forum. Questions of a personal nature should be directed to the instructor. Check the Board frequently to help your colleagues by posting answer. By the way, CANVAS archives assignments, homework posts, and discussions, so you can look at the archives to see what was discussed. In fact, participation in this course involves active interaction with your colleagues in the community of learners.

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3. What books do we need?

The syllabus lists the complete details for your required and recommended texts.

(Thanks to the Open Education Resources Initiative (OER), we can provide a
FREE textbook to this class. The text will be transmitted to you in a PDF file
 
via the Canvas Virtual Classroom. This version is based on the following text
 that has been adopted for this class previously
.)

Understanding Media and Culture: An Introduction to Mass Communication.
By University of Minnesota is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License,
except where otherwise noted.

Based on:

Introduction to Mass Communication: Media Literacy and Culture. By Baran, Stanley J.

Additional Readings: assigned in the Canvas Virtual Classroom.

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4. What is the class site?

http://www2.palomar.edu/users/lpayn/115

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5. How do we get the assignments?

Go to the Canvas section by clicking on the "Tutorial" button on the class site, or type in your browser location field:

https://palomar.instructure.com/courses/

Access the tutorials in the "MODULES" button. Remember you can press your mouse button on the STUDY GUIDE link (Right mouse click or Control key) to open it within its new, whole window for easier sizing, viewing and printing. Some browsers let you scale the page for printing, to use less paper and ink.

Each module will have a study guide, with the textbook files that will help you learn the course content, such as the author's powerpoints, glossaries, objectives, movie clips, etc. Some of the movies are from the Palomar College library resources, and you will need to logon with your Palomar ID and password when off campus. Then, to demonstrate that you have learned the content for each module, there is one or more tasks. Those will be in the "Discussion Forum" button below the "MODULES" button.

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6. When are assignments due?

See the syllabus. The assignment is due on the date next to the module number, usually at midnight Pacific time. The due date is also stated within the tutorial itself. Please note that the Assessment 4 will be due at 4 pm, because the ATRC staff is not scheduled after that on Fridays.

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7. What are our reading assignments?


A summary of the assignments is on the Syllabus. On the course site home page, go to Syllabus button for the assignments, dates, point values of the assignments and all other administrative info. Or the MODULES button to go to the CANVAS site, which is the college's online classroom. It is password protected. The reading assignments are listed in the on the STUDY GUIDE, with exact page numbers, as well as all other assignments.

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8. How do we send in our homework?

You will be posting your comments to the Discussion Forums in CANVAS.

You will also post your Projects in CANVAS in the corresponding Discussion Forum.

The ASSESSMENTS are in CANVAS.

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9. What if we have a question?

Questions of a personal nature should be addressed to the instructor by phone or e-mail. You can also make an appointment for a face-to-face meeting for help.

Questions about the class or course content should be posted to the Troubleshooting Forum in the Discussion Board. Class members should answer each other's questions and help each other. Discussion posts are graded for quality, quantity, and interaction with GC 115 colleagues.

if you must e-mail the professor ::: PLEASE: E-mail Subject line: your section number!

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10. What is CANVAS? CANVAS is the repository for all your class information: announcements, syllabus, instructor information (office hours, phone, e-mail, etc.), course files, assignments, grades, student lists.It is a "virtual classroom." It is password protected and not open to the public. It has a Discussion Board (i.e., forum, listserv, etc.) where you post your questions about the class and course content. It is open 24/7.

If you have issues with your e-Service logon, you can call Admissions Helpline (760)744-1150 ext 2164.
If you have issues with CANVAS, you can contact the ATRC Help Desk: https://www2.palomar.edu/atrc/helpdesk/

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11. What if I don't have a computer or my computer crashes during the semester? and

When is open lab? Can I use open lab when I am in an online class?

While students with their own computers may feel more productive and less inconvenienced, there are open labs available at the San Marcos campus (MD Building, Library, etc., as well as labs in the Escondido Center. Lab hours are posted.

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12. What are the important URLs we need to know in this course?

GC 115 class site with links to the syllabus, tutorials and the Discussion Board http://www2.palomar.edu/users/lpayn/115

Syllabus SUMMER https://www2.palomar.edu/users/lpayn/115/115SU20-Syllabus.pdf

Syllabus for Fast Track 2 http://www2.palomar.edu/users/lpayn/115/syllabusFT2.pdf

CANVAS tutorials, Discussion Board, Chat https://palomar.instructure.com/courses/

(Note: The syllabus also has the URLs to Black Board tutorials and the Discussion Board.)

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13. I think I may have too many obligations and won't be able to finish the course. What should I do?

Since "Incompletes" are discouraged except in the most dire emergencies, you might consider changing your status to P/NP, so you can relax and learn the materials, without the stress of a letter grade. Try this rather than dropping the course. (If you are planning to transfer to a 4-year university, a letter grade has more weight on your transcripts, however.) Be sure to find out the exact last day that you are allowed to change your status or drop the course (listed on the syllabus), since special paperwork is required for both of these. Always stay in close communication with your instructor, who may have good suggestions as to how we may accommodate an emergency.

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14. What's "netiquette?"

To promote a harmonious learning environment in which everyone feels safe to learn and explore our subject, in the event that we meet together in an online chat room during the course:

  1. No flaming. (Rude comments.)

  2. Professional conduct and language and attitude are required in our classes and discussions. Success in the business world requires mature, thoughtful and respectful conduct. Our department is conducted in a professional manner, which is preparing you for success in our industry. So, please harmonize with the group and match the professional style that I seek to establish in my classes.

  3. Note that our discussions provide an opportunity to explore many different viewpoints and positions. A "right answer" is not expected for such discussions. Keep an open mind, listen, and respectfully disagree as you express your perspective.

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15. How do I take advantage of resources and services for students at Palomar College?

Please see the list of services and resources and the contact information available to both online and face-to-face students: http://www.palomar.edu/students/