Course Logistics
 
  Meet Your Teacher

Be sure to click the My Instructor link on the BlackBoard Course Menu for details about contacting your instructor.


  Communications

You can always contact your instructor by eMail or through the course Discussion Board or live Chats (see below for details). However, you can also call your instructor for quicker help. You can also contact your instructor through the Maricopa eMail system. There is a 24 hour turn-around policy on these message features except on Saturday, Sunday and Holidays.

Announcements:
Your instructor uses this course area to make general announcements to the class. It is very important that you read all of the messages on the Announcements page on a regular basis and ask any questions you may have about them.

eMail:
Send your instructor an introductory eMail message right now to get a conversation going about the class. Stay in touch by sending your instructor eMail whenever you have a question or comment.

eMail addresses are automatically entered in Blackboard. Your official e-mail address is <MEID>@Maricopa.edu (a Gmail address automatically set up for you). You are responsible for communications sent to this email address. You have the option to 'forward' email going to this address to your 'preferred' email address.

To send an eMail:

  1. Click eMail in the course menu.
  2. Click Select Users.
  3. Click the name of the user you'd like to send a message to (ex. Pepe, Philip) and click the right arrow to add them to the selected box.
  4. Click in the Subject Box and type the subject of the message. Be sure to identify the course by typing BIO100 as part of your subject (ex. "Introduction for BIO100").
  5. Click in the Message Box and type the message.
  6. Click submit.

Discussion Board:
The Discussion Board is an important communication device. It is divided into Forums. Anything you send to it is available to everyone in the class. Please, take the time to read all of the messages on the Discussion Board and ask any questions you may have about them.

You can add a thread (series of replies) in any of the Forums:

  1. Click Discussion Board on the Course Menu.
  2. Click the name of the Forum.
  3. Click +Thread.
  4. Enter a Subject and a Message.
  5. Click Submit.

You can view and reply to a thread (series of replies) in any of the Forums:

  1. Click Discussion Board on the Course Menu.
  2. Click the name of the Forum.
  3. Click on the subject name of the thread.
  4. Click Reply.
  5. Enter a Message.
  6. Click Submit.

Discussion Board Forums:

Introductions Forum
Use this discussion board to introduce yourself, interact with your classmates and help us all get to know one another. Reply to this forum with your name, occupation, the program that you are studying, your interests and any other pertinent information that you wish to share. If you want, upload a picture or share your favorite links.

General Class Questions
Use this discussion forum for class-related questions. If you come up with questions about course structure or how to complete your assignments, post them here. I will respond to the question if a fellow student has not responded and I will add to responses as necessary. Refer to this discussion board often - if you have a question it is very likely a classmate has a similar one! You can post anonymously.

Textbook Forum
This forum is reserved for discussion about obtaining and using the Textbook and discussion topics about the readings. If you know the answer to a fellow student's question, please respond to the question. Begin to rely on your classmates for their information and knowledge. I will respond to the question if a fellow student has not responded and I will add to responses as necessary.

Virtual Labs and Animations Forum
Use this discussion forum to discuss virtual labs and animations. Post your own questions about lab and animation topics. If you know the answer to a fellow student's question, please respond to the question. Begin to rely on your classmates for their information and knowledge. I will respond to the question if a fellow student has not responded and I will add to responses as necessary.

Essays Forum
Use this discussion forum to discuss essay quiz questions. I will post topics pertinent to properly writing essays. If you come up with your own questions about essay topics, post them here. If you know the answer to a fellow student's question, please respond to the question. Begin to rely on your classmates for their information and knowledge. I will respond to the question if a fellow student has not responded and I will add to responses as necessary.

Virtual Office Hours:
I will be available for live chat Q&A sessions on weekdays from 4-5 pm or by appointment.

You can join the chat during office hours:

  1. Click Office Hours on the Course Menu.
  2. Click join next to Virtual Office Hours chat.
  3. Click in the Compose box and type a message.
  4. Click Send.

  Academic Help

Your Instructor is available to answer questions. If you ask a specific question, even about a quiz, your instructor can steer you in the right direction. So, don't hesitate to ask for help!

Please feel free to ask questions. For example, when faced with an essay question like: Describe how a cell carries out energy transformations. Explain the role of mitochondria and chloroplasts in energy transformations. You may want to ask: “What is an energy transformation?” or “What is a mitochondrion?” Ask away!

Phoenix College provides academic help through a number of services including some online services:

  Technical Help

 

Use the information on the PC Online website for step-by-step instructions on how to access and use your online courses.

How do I start my Blackboard course?

PC Online

Blackboard Student Resources

Blackboard Student Guide

Disable Pop-Up Blockers:

  • Pop-Up Blockers will prevent you from doing quizzes and/or e-mail since each of the quizzes or messages opens in a pop-up window.

Additionally check for the installation of required plugins. To effectively utilize the variety of content in courses, the following plugins and features should all be successfully installed:

If you need technical help, such as help configuring your browser, contact the Maricopa help desk by calling 24x7 Toll Free Support Line 1-888-994-4433 or visiting the Bb Helpdesk Support Site.

  System Recommendations


Broadband Internet connection (1.5 Mbs download bandwidth) recommended. In addition, Firewalls or internet network settings will also affect performance, especially with the video content in this site.

Adjust your Monitor to 1024 x 768 and Turn on your Speakers.

Recommended Windows system:

  • 1 GHz or faster processor
  • 256 MB RAM (512 MB RAM recommended for XP)
  • Internet Explorer 6 or higher, or Firefox 1 or higher
  • Flash Player 8 or higher
  • Windows 98, 2000, or XP

Recommended Macintosh system:

  • 1 GHz or faster processor
  • 256 MB RAM (512 MB RAM recommended)
  • Safari 1 or higher, or Firefox 1 or higher
  • Flash Player 8 or higher
  • Mac OS X v10.1 or higher

  Maricopa's Blackboard Help

Watch self running demonstrations on using Blackboard.

Navigate the Blackboard Modules
Navigate in Blackboard
Login to Blackboard
Edit My Personal Information
Send an Email in Blackboard
View My Grades
Submit an Assignment
Use the Discussion Board

24x7 Toll Free Support Line

1-888-994-4433

Submit Help Desk Request
Chat with Help Desk
Bb Helpdesk Support Site


  E-Orientation

  1. Review the Orientation Materials:
    • Click Orientation in the Course Menu.
    • Read carefully through the Course Syllabus, Course Logistics, and Course Structure.
    • Open and examine the Orientation Quiz.
  2. Review Announcements:
    • Click Announcements in the Course Menu.
    • Read through all of the messages I've posted on the Announcements page.
  3. Gradebook:
    • The grades will also become available in your gradebook the week after their due-date on the calendar.
  4. Review the Schedule:
    • Click the Schedule link on the Course Menu.
    • Review the items on the schedule that must be completed each week.
    • You can use the quick links to get web sites outside of BlackBoard.
  5. Review Lesson 0:
    • Click on Course Content in the Course Menu.
    • Click the Lesson 0 Folder.
    • Click the Lesson 0 Link.
    • Scroll through the Lesson 0 Page.
    • Open and examine the Lesson 0 Reading Quizzes.
    • Send me an eMail to inform me of your progress.
  6. Review testing within the Lesson 0.

    Practice Quizzes:
    • Click on Textbook Reading.
    • Click on Reading Practice Quiz.
    • The Reading Practice Quizzes are optional. They do not count for grade points.
    • Always check the answer key for correct answers after taking a practice quiz.

    Quizzes:
    • Click on Reading Quiz.
    • Examine the quiz to see how it works.
    • Don't forget that quizzes are not timed. You can move in and out of them and retain your answers simply by clicking save answer after each one. You can return later to finish them.
    • You do not have to complete a quiz in one sitting. It is also quit legitimate to have activities open in one window and the corresponding quiz in another window.
    • Please note that the duration of quizzes is set to unlimited. This means that you can return to a quiz many times before submitting it. If you click save answer after each question your answers remain even if you close out of BlackBoard and return to your quiz later

  Creating an E-Notebook

I suggest that you keep notes in your word processor as you complete exercises. You can cut and paste note and lab questions (and quiz questions for that matter) into word and then cut and paste the answers as you collect them. All this can be saved and used when you take and submit your quizzes.

  Using Your eTextbook

CourseSmart eTextbook's are online versions of the text. eTextbook's offer a search engine, highlighting, note-taking, and printing features.


  Getting Started

  1. Click the Course Content link from the Course Menu.
  2. Open Lesson 0 and examine it's parts.
  3. Complete the reading in your required eText.
  4. Open and complete the Reading Quiz.


  Additional Information

Structure:
The Structure page contains information about the structure of the course and lessons. To access the Structure page the eOrientation link on the Course Menu and then click the Structure link.

Syllabus:
The Syllabus page contains info about course policies, requirements, grades, and grading. To access the Syllabus page click the eOrientation link on the Course Menu and then click the Syllabus link.