I want to make sure that the focus is on geology and not on the technology -- You will need to demonstrate that you have the equipment and the ability to do things like read and send email, read and send attachments, use the Internet, listen to audio files, etc..
First, I would like you to look at a page produced by a friend of mine who teaches a related course OnLine. Read through her suggestions about who should take an OnLine course. Even though the courses are different I think her comments are quite pertinent: Slaymaker.
Keep track of your responses. Are you the type of person who should take an OnLine course? Of course, the choice is yours. .
The course has an Internet Home Page at: OnLine Physical Geology at the University of Houston.
The version for Spring 2001 will be quite similar. Look at the reading list. Look at the About This Course link. The gruesome details about points and expectations are things you need to be aware of before the course starts. Read the section Why Geology. Look at the homework exercises and the term project. Are you prepared to do this on your own - without the nagging of a face-to-face lecture two times a week? .
Look at chapter 1. Near the top of the page is a link to the power point slides for chapter 1. These are the slides that the face-to-face class sees in during the lecture. Are you satisfied to read on the screen or will you have to print everything out?.
I firmly hold to due dates. About once a week there will be a "quiz". Each is worth 5 points. You will have a week to respond. .
Examinations are held at UH and this will be discussed in more detail below. You should to read email every day or so..
I will send all attachments as Rich Text Format text ..... rtf. An rtf document is attached to this message. Find it, read it, answer the questions and send me your document as an rtf attachment. IF you convince me that you can receive and send attachments and receive streaming audio (Real Player) then I will enroll you in the class. Once a week I will add qualified students to this section; after that VIP will have your registration and you may drop on your own. .
We will use an e-mail service (called a listserv) to communicate. Sometime in early January I will add your name to the listserv. .
You must be prepared to spend several Saturday mornings on campus..
Exeryone will take tests 1, 2, and 3. All material is cumulative. Material covered on test 1 may reappear on tests 2 and 3, etc. After Test 3, I will post a grade distribution. You may take the final and your score will replace your lowest grade on the first three exams.
If you miss one of the first three exams you must take the final. There are no makeup exams.
Classes will be held in Room 315 SR I. Parking lot 14A (off Cullen, across from the football stadium) is open parking on Saturdays IF you do not park in a "reserved or named space".
Please look at the course pages and think about your willingness to work on your own much of the time and to commit to the Saturday exams and meetings.
If this seems reasonable please respond to the following questions and send your answers to me as an attachment.
Attachment # 1 OnLine Physical Geology Spring 2001
Please respond to the following questions. Save your responses as an rtf (a rich text format - if you use Microsoft Word look at the options on the Save As Command) document and send it to me as an attachment to your email.
My address is jbutler@uh.edu --- always use OnLine Physical as the subject.
The course home page is at Home Page Spend some time looking around.
Then Go To
Could you install Real Player on your machine?
Then Go To
Click on the link to the power point presentation. You will use the name physical and the password rocks. Look through the first few slides. Listen to the real audio file on slide 9.
What do you think of the joke Š be specific as I want to make sure that you heard the audio file?