Frequently Asked Questions How well must I understand computers to be able to complete this class? You must be able to: Access the Internet Use an Internet browser such as Netscape or Internet Explorer Download and print files from the web Load, work in, and save a Word file Receive, read, compose, and send e-mail What hardware will I need? You must have: PC or Macintosh computer Ethernet or Modem card Internet connection (reliable at 36.6 kbs or better) Dial-up, Cable, or DSL Pentium with 266 MhZ processor (or Mac equivalent) CD drive (optional - this is explained later in more detail) 128 MB RAM Graphics card Sound card Speakers or headset What software do I need? You need: Windows 95 or later (or Macintosh equivalent) Recent versions of Mozilla, Internet Explorer, or equivalent (free online) Microsoft Word 6.0 or later You will need Macromedia Flash to view the lecture presentations (free online). Acrobat Reader (free online) Winzip (free online evaluation version) Any current anti-virus program (free online version of symantec antivirus for Virginia Tech students) How can I get the software? The Windows operating system should be installed on your computer already. If not, you will need to find a later computer. For details on how to obtain low-cost or free software, see the Course Instructions available online at the general course web site. How do I register for the class? Register on the web The reduced tuition for teachers in Virginia is available. You will receive more information when you register. How do I get textbooks and CD-ROMs? See the Course Instructions available online at the general course web site. How do I name and organize my assignment and quiz files? Please be sure that your name or initials appear in each file name and that the file name is descriptive of what you are submitting. If your computer limits you to 8-character file names, you may have to think about this. This is important for the instructor in keeping track of who has submitted which assignment. As examples, Sarah Jones might use either of the names below to submit the assignment for a lesson on Professional Roles of Teachers she is submitting for Unit 2, Lesson 3: Jones U2 L3 Professional Roles (long form name) SJU2L3PR (if she is limited to 8 characters) How do I submit assignments? See the Course Instructions available online at the general course web site. How do I know if my file dropped OK? You should see a message at the top of the Student Drop Box screen that says the file has been sent, but you don’t get a verification that the instructor received it. Check your drop box in a day or two to see if it has been graded and returned, or check your grades by clicking on “Tools.” If you do not have a grade for the assignment returned within a couple of days, e-mail the instructor and ask. May I e-mail assignments instead of using the drop box? Please try to use the drop box. You should not experience any problems with it. If you do, call the technician for instructions. If you cannot get the drop box to work, you may use e-mail, but that requires a lot more of the instructor’s time and yours. The computer is running like cold molasses - what is wrong? Probably you are working at the same time as several hundred other students. Very large use loads drastically slow down the server. If the problem continues for a few minutes, you might consider logging off and trying again later. Is there a guide to the time or page limits (minimum/maximum) on my lessons? Be reasonable. Approach each lesson as you would a similar on-campus class. Each course should take about 45 clock hours to complete (give or take 10-15 hours). If you find that you spent just 15 minutes on a lesson, you probably did not get what you should have from it. If you find yourself spending 10-12 hours on a lesson, something is wrong. Call your instructor for guidance. How can I contact an instructor and a technician? William Price, 540-231-7390, wprice@vt.edu (Courses I through III) Daisy Stewart, 540-231-8180, daisys@vt.edu (Courses IV through VI) IDDL Support (technician), support@iddl.vt.edu What do I send to whom? The course instructor should receive all questions regarding the course content and grading as well as all files submitted for grading. The instructors are: Course I - Curriculum & Instruction in CTE: Professional Perspectives - Dr. William Price Course II - Curriculum & Instruction in CTE: Basics of Curriculum Development - Dr. William Price Course III - Curriculum & Instruction in CTE: Instructional Strategies - Dr. William Price Course IV - Curriculum & Instruction in CTE: Advanced Instructional Strategies - Dr. Daisy Stewart Course V - Curriculum & Instruction in CTE: Professional Development and Program Management - Dr. Daisy Stewart Course VI - Curriculum & Instruction in CTE: Diverse Learners - Dr. Daisy Stewart The technicians should receive e-mails regarding technical problems you are having accessing the web site or lectures. Please send a copy of e-mails to the technicians to all three instructors, so they will be aware of any problems. After I drop a file, how long will it be before I receive a grade? That depends - the instructors intend to post grades daily while the classes are in session. You should get feedback within 3-4 working days during that time. Between sessions, there may be delays. If you have not received a grade within 4-5 working days, it might be a good idea to e-mail the instructor to ask about the assignment. How can I check my grades? Go to the web site; click on Tools; click on Check Your Grade. Can I skip to the next lesson before I get a grade on this lesson? Again, that depends. Some of the lessons rely on previous instruction - others do not. You will be told in the assignment sheet if you should not proceed to the next lesson. Otherwise, you should assume that it is OK to go on. What order should you do the steps in each lesson? Go to the web site. Read any new Announcements. Then click on Course Documents. Go to the section for the lesson you are working on. Open the transcript and print it if you plan to use it during the lesson. Open and print any assignments or handouts. Complete the remaining steps in the order they appear at that web site. What materials are located on the Web site? Log onto the course web site and click on Course Documents. There you will see the lesson materials and lectures for each lesson. For every lesson you will find a downloadable transcript and lecture. In addition, most lessons have files for readings, assignments or quizzes, and any handouts you will need. If reading assignments on other web sites are required, they will be linked under Readings by the lesson. The lesson lecture is available for viewing directly from the web site or from the optional CD-ROM you can purchase from the University Bookstore. What is the timeline for completing the assignments for the courses? Because these are self-paced courses, there are no due dates for the specific assignments. However, it is essential that you set aside sufficient time to work on them and have clear goals so you will complete them by the end of the term. To complete the three, one-credit courses in a semester, you would need to complete each course in about one month. If you are enrolled in a summer session, each course would need to be completed in less than two weeks. To receive a grade for each course, the last of your assignments should be submitted to the instructor no later than one week before the end of classes for that term. What happens if I cannot complete all the assignments during the term I am enrolled? If you have not completed all assignments for one or more of the courses, you will receive an Extended grade, which will appear as an “X” on your grade report. This allows you until two weeks before the end of classes for the next fall or spring semester to submit all assignments. The instructor will then change the grade from an “X” to whatever grade you earned, and you will receive a revised grade report. You do not need to enroll for credit again during this “extended” term while you are completing the course work. If you do not complete the assignments during the “extended” term, the grade for that course on your transcript will automatically become an F, and we know you don’t want that to happen! In extreme circumstances only, it would be up to the instructor to determine whether an F might later be changed to a grade for completed work.

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