Last Updated: 4/24/02
Link back to course Welcome...

Web.Edu Agenda 9
for class on April 18, 2002
(Revised 4/24 to describe recent problems with file sizes and email systems. See Item IV,
shown in red below.)

1. Startup
   1. Reminder to sign in during the class, using the online signin form on the course web site
   2. Reminder about regular online work: conference postings, online weekly course reports. Conference postings should now be using the ListServ - send your posting in an email message to WebEduW02@lists.wayne.edu. Or reply to a message from the ListServ - the reply should go to the same address
   3. April 18 class and final on April 25 will be 6 to 7 PM as originally scheduled.

2. Review for Final. See the list of exam questions.

3. Assignments, from the assignment schedule on the Syllabus

   1. Final exam is next week. My final grades will be due almost immediately afterwards (I think we will be turning grades in to the University online, or maybe that doesn't start until Fall), so there will be no time for late assignments being counted in the regular course grade (makeup grades only). Aside from the exam, all other work to be counted in the regular grade is due by April 18. Work turned in after that can be taken into account for a Change of Grade.
   2. Reading

      3/21	Ch 13:Taking Tests
      3/28	Ch 14: You're in Charge
      4/4	Ch 15:Learning At Work
      4/11	Ch 16: Marketing Online Education

   3. Catch up on your WebBoard postings from the past and continue posting on Blackboard

      Messages for Discussion Forums
      Dates	Discussion forum	Weeks	Messages	Contact
      1/10 through 2/21	WebBoard	6	14	Link from course web site
      2/22 through 3/27	BlackBoard	4	9	blackboard.wayne.edu
      3/28 through 4/18	ListServ	3	7	webeduw02@lists.wayne.edu

      Is everybody clear on how the ListServ works?
      1. Send a message to "the List" (that email address) and it will be distributed to the class. This ListServ address is WebEduW02@lists.wayne.edu.
      2. Reply to a message from the List and it will also go to the List and be distributed to the class
   4. Weekly course report.
   5. Do "The Email Test". Your message in each case should say whether it is 1, 2 or 3 (see numbers below)
      1. Send an email to at least two different people, with me being one of them.
      2. Send an email to someone else, with me as a cc
      3. Forward an email from someone else to me.

      Email addresses: d.r.bowen@wayne.edu, mbabi@hotmail.com, pdpj@att.net, pdpj@att.net, baddog@govital.net

4. Other technical issues:

   1. Email systems.

      1. All email systems allot a maximum amount of storage for each user. Fill this up and any further incoming email will be "bounced back" to the sender without any further notification to you. Hotmail seems to particularly susceptible to this problem, because of the large amount of junk email sent there. Hotmail accounts often have unreliable email delivery, and I recommend not using hotmail in an online course. In addition to this problem, hotmail apparently treats ListServ messages as "junk," which may cause you to miss them. Remember; you have good free Internet access and email through the University.

      2. Large homework files can be refused by your Instructor's email system. Exactly what "large" means depends upon the email system. Currently (April 2002) WSU email accounts are allowed a maximum storage of 30 Megabytes for ALL email messages. Also bear in mind that it will often take hours to transmit files of this size using a modem connection. Keep track of files size as you work on a file.

   2. File format compatibility.

      1. This can be the most vexing of problems for a few students in an online class. You will usually be exchanging files with the Instructor for homework. You and the Instructor must find a compatible format. This can sometimes go wrong, especially if you use a small-market word processor. Generally, the two "standard" word processors are Microsoft Word and WordPerfect, and either one of these can interchange files with the other, but this may involve hunting around for a shared format. Generally, the person with the latest version will have to "Save As..."  an earlier version. Small-volume or discontinued word processors may have insoluble problems. Consider buying either Microsoft Word or WordPerfect if you are taking an online class. Your University or other institution will often have outstanding prices on software like this.

   3. Email is one method of transferring files over the Internet, but there are several alternates:

      1. Web upload. This can look a lot like email, but uses a web browser and HTTP instead of email transport protocols; supply a User Name and/or Password, navigate to find the file, and click on a button to transfer the file (this is called "uploading"). This may be the standard method in your online course, and it may be available as an alternate in case you are having email troubles. This method is usually not affected by limits on file size, as email is.

      2. FTP. In a computer-related course, this may often be the standard method. You can examine directories and files, and transfer files either way with FTP. This method also often is not subject to file size limitations.

   4. Getting help. Bear in mind that many Instructors may not be aware of all of these problems. Here are some other sources of help:

      1. Other faculty. If you happen to know faculty with computer expertise, these people are often willing to help. However, not every knowledgeable faculty member knows everything, so beware of the "seeming expert."

      2. Most Universities with online courses have a computer help desk with a telephone number (at Wayne State University, 313-577-4778). Call these people.

      3. If you are having trouble with a particular system, see if you can contact the system administrator. Web Server administrators, for example, often have a "mail to" link. Or cal the Help Desk.

      4. See the earlier advice about collecting all of the information you can about the problem you are having, before trying to get help. You will have more credibility, and it will be easier to help you.

   5. If these problems are affecting your grade, and your Instructor is not supportive or understanding, you may need help to avoid being penalized for technical problems. (If the course is computer-related, however, you may be taught and graded on being able to handle these issues.) Two normal methods of this type of non-technical help are:

      1. Most Universities require academic departments to have a grade appeal process. These processes must be accessible to students; see the literature or ask a counselor.

      2. Most Universities also have an Ombudsman. An Ombudsman is a designated person to assist students with academic problems. The Ombudsman's power is fact-finding, experience in dealing with such problems, and skill in negotiating a compromise. Use the University telephone information system, or University literature, to locate the Ombudsman. Do not expect the Ombudsman to be sympathetic if you are trying to get around a legitimate academic standard.