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Classes:

Online Orientation

by Sharon Huston

This document serves as an orientation for all on-line classes. Students should be familiar with all material in this document.

Last revised 8-22-2002

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This site is designed to be viewed on screens with a resolution of at least 800x600. This makes all the text and icons on screen smaller, but it also gives you more room on screen. To change your resolution:

  1. Minimize everything
  2. Right-click on the Windows desktop.
  3. Choose "Properties" from the pop-up menu
  4. Click the "Settings" tab
  5. Locate the "desktop area" slider and change the slider to at least 800x600 pixels.

This site also assumes a "4.0" browser miniumum -- Internet Explorer 4.0 or Netscape Navigator 4.0.

Am I Ready for This Class?

Web and multimedia classes traditionally considered advanced software classes, students are expected to have several basic competencies before entering classes. Details on required competencies can be found on the Student Assessment web page.

Which Class Should I Take?

Usually Page Design is the best place to start. We recommend taking Web Graphics concurrently if possible.

Time Needed for Each Class

When we teach this class on campus, it meets twice a week for three hours per session -- in other words, six hours per week. Homework (including readings) is not uncommon. Since our course is the digital equivelent of a classroom course, you should plan on just as heavy a workload. The average student should plan on spending ten to twelve hours a week working on class assignments.

Hardware and Software

All students enrolled in online classes are required to own the software used in their class. Additionally, you must have a PC capable of running the software, and an Internet connection. (grin)

Students enrolled in Page Design need to own Macromedia Dreamweaver 4.0 or MX. Macromedia's web site does have a trial version of the software, but it's only good for 30 days. Our textbook for this semester uses Dreamweaver 4.0, but we're aware most of you will go ahead and purchase MX. We'll work through the problem spots as we encounter them.

Students in Web Graphics need to purchase Adobe Photoshop 6.0 or 7.0 -or- Macromedia Fireworks 4.0 or MX. (Fireworks is cheaper, and your instructors like it better!) Once again the software industry has outpaced the publishing industry. Our textbooks are for Photoshop 6.0 or Fireworks 4.0. Most of you will probably buy Photoshop 7.0 and Fireworks MX.

Students in Web Animation need to purchase Macromedia Flash MX.

Whatever you do, don't run down to CompUSA to purchase the software. Students are eligible for significant discounts through academic resellers. Macromedia Dreamweaver, for example, retails for $329. The academic price is a mere $99. There are several academic resellers nationwide. In past semesters students have purchased software from JourneyEd and CreationEngine. All reputable academic resellers will ask you for proof of enrollment, such as a faxed student ID or class schedule. Check the reseller's web site for more information.

We want to stress that this is a distance education course. North Lake will not provide software, hardware, or a lab for you to work in. If you need to work in a traditional classroom environment we offer day and evening sections of this class.

Textbooks

Please see the individual class syllabi. If you're looking for a deal we whole-heartedly recommend Half.com.

Special Note to AOL Users

AOL does horrible things to mail attachments, and we've heard it isn't very list friendly either. We highly recommend getting and using a Yahoo mail account for the duration of the class. They're free, easy to use, and can be checked worldwide. The DCCCD also provides free email accounts to students; if you're interested in pursuing this option please e-mail me.

AOL's web browser isn't too hot, either. If you aren't running Netscape or Internet Explorer please consider switching for the duration of the course. AOL's customer support website or phone support team should be able to tell you how to set up Netscape or Internet Explorer for use with your AOL account.

Contacting Your Instructor

Please check your class syllabus for instructions on contacting your instructor.

Submitting Assignments

Each student will be granted web space at NLC. You'll be expected to post all your assignments to your web space. Instructors will visit your web space on a periodic basis to check your work.

Syllabi

Each class has a syllabus which provides more details on each class. The syllabus for each class is located on the individual class pages.

External Links in This Document