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This page contains:	What is the course about and how is it different?	Course Materials and Resources	Required Hardware and Software	Communication with Peers and Instructor: How and How often?
Index

Q. Is this course only for MBA students?

A. This course introduces the technology tools that any manager within any organization will need to do the management job well. Although this course is one of the required courses for Frostburg State University's MBA students, all practicing managers can and are encouraged to take the course on a for-credit, non-degree basis. For more information about the MBA program CLICK HERE

A. On line courses are significantly different from their traditional counterparts. these courses are:

• Student initiative
  When you are taking Web-based courses, it is your own self-discipline, initiative, and motivation that set the path for your success in the course. As a learner within the proposed course content you should determine your learning objectives and set out to achieve those goals by collaborating with the teacher and peers while using the available on line resources and other course materials.

• Self paced
  In this on line class learners are bound only by a final completion date for completing/ handing in assignments, presentations, and taking exams. In an on line format your responsibilities could be accomplished within a period of time (a week or so) at your convenience. For example a presentation could be published on line for the rest of students at any time within the required time period, an exercise could be conducted on line, and homework could be handed in electronically all within the allowed time period at your convenience. You may also move through the course material as quickly as you like, skimming familiar materials and concentrating on new materials and skill development.
  
  
• Technology driven
  To be able to function effectively on line, you need to have a working knowledge of technology that facilitates on line communication. In that regard, the ability to type efficiently, a basic understanding of word processing and web access, and the ability to use email. is necessary.

• Resulting in more collaboration
  Web-based courses will immensely enhance your opportunities to communicate with your colleagues and the instructor(s) through email, synchronous (chat room), and asynchronous conferencing. Here the applications of these technologies will naturally provide additional occasions, for the parties with common interest, to engage in more collaboration, interaction, and information sharing. This can result in a more intense learning of the subject matters at hand.

• Requiring more interactivity with the course materials
  As there will be little face-to-face contact among students and the instructor, the element that bonds the you to one another and to the instructor is an ongoing discussion around the course materials.  To be able to do that effectively, you should be prepared with the assigned work within the specified due dates, and have resolved any remaining questions through self-initiated contacts with the instructor or other classmates (moderator), if group work or conferencing activities are required. This simply requires a higher degree of interactivity with the course materials, other resources (such as the Internet), students, and the instructor.

Textbook and Online Resources

Q. How do I find the online class materials?

A. Information on the course materials can be found in the Syllabus and in the FSU MBA Registration Booklet. Please read this over and look for the required course materials and exercises. There are many opportunities to contact the instructor if you have questions.

Each major course module (Spreadsheet Analysis, Presentation Software, Online research, Web Page Development) contains units that are clearly identified. The units each provide you with learning objectives, the unit resources, references to the textbook, assignments, a calendar, and other communication and related resources.

We recommend that you read each unit instruction carefully. Follow the directions and complete the activities identified.

The course includes interactive exercises designed for self-assessment and evaluation of your comprehension of the topics. Although your are not being graded on much of this activity, you are advised to work through all of the course materials carefully, as it will prepare you well for the the inclass (on site in Hagerstown) assessment in Week 9 of the semester.

Required Hardware and Software

Q. Software requirements for the course?

A. You need a java enabled Web browser such as Netscape 4.0 or higher, Microsoft Internet Explorer 4..0 or higher, or AOL 4.0. A working knowledge of e-mail, surfing the Internet will help you be successful. In addition, we ask that you have Microsoft Excel 95, word processing software, and Microsoft PowerPoint. The following plug-ins might be required as courses develop: Acrobat Reader and RealPlayer. We will make it easy for you to download them. In fact, you can click on the words that describe the plug-ins or you can also visit the University's shareware site.

• Upgraded 486 processor (Pentium recommended) or PowerPC
• Minimum 16M RAM (more recommended)
• 28.8 kbs modem (56K recommended)
• - Windows 95 Operating System

A. Must-Read...Anti-Virus Protection: Get a program! And visit the FSU shareware site
Rosoff's virus article is the best virus information we have ever seen.
Matt Rosoff's Virus Alert!

Rosoff's article describes the following:

• What is a virus?
• How viruses develop
• How do viruses spread?
• Common hoaxes
• 3 ways you can't get a virus
• Errors, malfunctions, and other bugs
• Prevention: 6 simple steps
• Anti-virus software
• How to remove a virus

A. This course is designed for low bandwidth environments and is accessible easily with a 28.8 modem. There are no multimedia files on the actual workshop Web pages; however some of the linked resources may include sound files. The recommended format to use if you are accessing these resources is RealAudio. You can download a free RealMedia player from the Progressive Networks Web site.

Q. How do the navigation buttons on each page work?

A. The words that are in color and are underlined are hot, meaning if you click on such words, you will open a new page, a section of a page or another site. In this way you can easily move from section to section, page to page and site to site while you're in the course. Clicking on the browser's back button or any other back button within each page will generally bring you back to the previous location. If you get "lost" do not hesitate to begin again with the URL that has been provided by the instructor for the course.

On Line Class Discussions With WebCt

Q. What is WebCt?

A.WebCt is an Authorware that facilitates the posting (asynchronous communication), delivery, assessment, and management of hypertext material for the purpose of educating an audience on the Internet.

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Electronic Communication

Q. How do students interact with one another?

A. Discussion starters (issues) might be provided each week by the moderator (teacher, or guest speaker) on the bulletin board (class discussion area). You are expected to visit the bulletin board regularly for information about the class. Feel free to interact with instructor and other students.. Since these discussions are asynchronous in nature, it is not necessary to post your responses immediately. Check the bulletin board at any time during each week day to read what others are posting and asking and the moderator's responses. Also check your email frequently to get the latest information on your course.

A.Online chats are optional, as we know everyone is very busy with family and work. You can use the chat room for the purpose of interacting with any team you or the instructor sets up. The chat rooms are synchronous (real-time), therefore you should designate a certain time convenient for all your team members to go online and engage in a discussion. Be aware of the time zones as you set up a time for chat room discussions.

Q. How often should I check my e-mail?

A. Generally, there are questions from students on different topics and I find those questions will benefit everyone, I will email an ansewer to all students. Therefore, ou will probably need to check your e-mail about 5 days a week in order to keep up with class in terms of questions raised by your classmates on different issues and assignments.

A. This course is designed to facilitate learning anytime, anywhere. Thus, it does not matter if you are away from your computer for a few days. As long as, you can access and handle the course requirements within the designated time, you are in effect an active participant in the class. Make sure to continue your regular participation in one line discussions if they are required and observe the minimum posting requirements in the course. In case that you anticipate not having access to a computer for a period of time, please inform the instructor, and make the necessary arrangements to make-up for the missing assignments in advance.

1. Drag across the "location" line to highlight the URL, then...
2. On the upper tool bar click on Edit - then Copy.
3. The URL is now saved on a "clipboard". Go to your e-mail form, click the cursor on the position where you want to insert the URL, click on Edit then Paste from the menubar.

If you are using Windows 95 or higher, here's a shortcut: Highlight the URL in the browser location window, hold down control and the "c" key, place the cursor in the document where you want to copy the URL, hold down control and the "v" key.

Q. How do I attach a file to an e-mail?
A.
1. Begin by using the command or button to create a new message
2. Fill in the recipient's email address and type in the Subject and a message just like any other email message.
3. Look for a command that says "Attach" or a button that shows a "paper clip"
4. Browse for the file you wish to email and your browser will probably ask you to "open" it.
5. The name of the file will generally appear on the message form somewhere near the top.
6. Send your message and trust the process.

The first few times, ask the recipient to respond to you that s/he received the attachment alright.

Caution: Do not open attachments whose authors are are unfamiliar to you or which carry subjects that you are not expecting. Viruses from strangers can be carried this way; an unopened attachment cannot inflict a virus.

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Q: In what format do I send course assignments to my instructor?

A. While this may vary with instructor, generally you can save your files in Microsoft Word format (Word 5.0 or 7.0 for Windows 95) and Excel (Excel 5.0 or 7.0 for Windows 95) so that it can be read easily. This can be done by using the command File Save As. Select File Type in the dialog box and identify one of the above on the list and then name your file. Then it is ready to be attached to your email software. In some circumstances involving different proprietary browsers (AOL, etc). files do not translate well. In such cases, both parties should use an .rtf (rich text format) file type to transmit through the Internet.

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Q. How should I respond to other students' postings?

A. Imagine you are sitting in the same class with other students. One student raises a question or make a comment which you have an answer to, or may agree/disagree. When online you have the advantage of thinking it over before you express yourself. Therefore, your responses are more intellegent and to the point. In fact a lot more learning occurs on- line as you would naturally consult the available resources before you make up your answers or comments.

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Is this course only for MBA students?
How is this course different from traditional courses?
How do I find the online class materials?
Software requirements for the course?
Hardware requirements?
How important is anti-virus protection?
Do I need a sound card? Will I need RealAudio to participate?
How do the navigation buttons on each page work?
What is WebCt?
How do students interact with one another?
Are online chats required?
How often should I check my e-mail?
What if I will be away from my computer for a few days?
How do I copy and paste a URL into an e-mail?
How do I attach a file to an e-mail?
In what format do I send course assignments to my instructor?
How should I respond to other students' postings?