HOW TO GET STARTED WITH

PROFESSOR HARGIS'S SUMMER '08 ONLINE CLASSES

Even though my three summer session classes officially begin on June 9th and end on July 31st (8-week classes) you can get an EARLY START and begin the classes when they "open up" to students on Thursday, June 5th, 2008.

  1. Go the the college webpage and click on "Online Courses" on the right-hand side menu.
  2. On the site, "Porterville College Online - Getting Started", follow all directions and read everything.
  3. At Course Login Information, click on the Course Login Info link.
  4. Follow directions for ETUDES
  5. Read everything and download (if necessary) and check your browser settings.
  6. Then follow the login instructions for ETUDES (I would also advise that you take the tour if you've never used ETUDES before).
  7. Once you figure out your User ID and password and actually get to the site, take some time to look around and get used to moving from area to area with the left-hand side menu.  Make it a regular thing to always look for announcements on the class page first.  There is already two there now (including a copy of this email).
  8. You must read the Syllabus as that is your online class contract.  It also tells you everything we are going to do and how I want you to do them (and when).
  9. To start then, first read the assigned Module(s) or unit(s).  You can only access those that are open to students at the time.  Read all content sections and review any and all linked web pages -- these are what part of your weekly assigned reading (along with your text - check the class Syllabus for that week's reading assignment).  In some classes, you have the alternative of listening to the written module content on a linked audio file. 
  10. After all text reading, module reading (or listening) and visiting and reviewing all assigned websites, then proceed to the Assignments area and find the open assignment for the module you just read/reviewed.  Complete all assignments given, usually two, which include one you submit further down the assignment page in a text box and the other is a posting to the Class Discussions forum in the Discussions & Private Messages area.
  11. Be aware of all date and time deadlines for each assigned task!
  12. Good luck and I will see you online!