Student Manual

 

The following document was designed to be distributed to students starting an Interactive Video course. The general objectives were to ease the students' minds about the technology and to give them an idea of their roles in making it work. It was developed by the Faculty/Staff Subcommittee of the North Suburban Higher Education Committee (NSHEC) under the guidance of Mr. Jerry Pinkham, College of Lake County (IL). This version last updated July, 1995.    CLASS NETIQUETTE Student Survival Guide to Interactive Television Classes  Asking questions:  As with any other course, we expect you'll have some questions or concerns from time to time. And that's good. However, how you ask questions in an ITV class works a bit differently. At the very least you'll be a part of a two-location class, perhaps even three locations or more. Your classmates at other sites (probably your instructor as well) may not be able to see you at times; so if you only raise your hand for a question, you might be waiting a long time.  Remember that the microphones are volume-sensitive, so just speak clearly and use a normal tone of voice. So at an appropriate time, simply raise your hand and say something like: "Hi. This is Jill from the O'Hare campus. I have a question please." Everyone will then know that you have a question, who it is that's asking the question, and where you're located. After acknowledging your question, your instructor might switch the on-line camera to your site so that everyone can actually see you when you ask your question. Please follow this rule even if you happen to be sitting right in front of your instructor; remember, you re also doing this as a consideration to people at the other sites (besides, they probably want to get a close look at who it is that's sucking up to the instructor).  Be on time.  This is a good policy in any class. But in an ITV class it's even more important. If you walk in late, the sound sensitive microphones may pick up your noise and the TV cameras could automatically zoom in on you. It's an experience you'll only want to go through once.  Class participation is important:  More than most courses, an ITV class really needs your sustained participation (that's partly why we call it interactive ). So within the parameters set by your instructor, involve yourself with the class topics, challenge the views of your classmates, or ask for clarification on any elusive points in the lecture. You may not have an agent yet, but remember that with an ITV class you re part of the cast, not the audience.  Quiet please.  Since the microphones are sound sensitive (and often linked automatically to the room's cameras), if you make too much noise you might suddenly find yourself at the center of everyone's attention. Giggle loudly and the world just might giggle at you, not with you.  Eating and drinking in class.  We all get hungry and thirsty; that's why we schedule breaks. So food and drink really don't belong in class. We need to keep these rooms especially clean because they re filled with such expensive equipment. And then there's the noise. Next to a hockey announcer, the loudest thing on earth is the Whoops from the person who's just spilled a drink on your book bag. Remember, abstinence makes the stomach grow fonder.  Class policies may vary.  The policies and procedures of your instructor, institution, or host site will probably vary from other situations you ve known. So when at Oakton (or any other foreign site, do as the Oaktonites do. Since there will be so many variations, make sure you know specifically what your instructor's policies are on such things as:  VHS tape availability  Dropping off assignments  Test taking  Critiquing how the instructor looks on camera  Teacher/student conferences  Leaving messages  Switching between sites  Answer the room phone.  It could be Publisher's Clearing House with your $1,000,000 prize, but more likely it's your instructor or a technical assistant with an important message. So don't be shy; just pick up the phone and answer, e.g., Hello. You ve reached the DePaul Chicago campus ITV classroom. May I help you?  What if there's no picture?  Since most room sites will be in continual use, it's unlikely that someone will turn off the TV sets, but it might happen. So if you walk in the room (more or less on time) and there's no picture on the set, try turning it on. If it is on (but still no picture) wait until class time and then phone your instructor or the on-site Help Desk (the appropriate numbers should be on a nearby desk or wall and in your syllabus). Another possibility is that your school hasn't paid its electric bill.  If you don't want it heard, don't say it.  Even though you may be on break, the cameras and mikes in your room will probably still be live. So making a funny face or remarking about how many guys in the other class are wearing pocket protectors may result in you losing the shiny new dime your instructor gives out for good behavior at the end of the course.  How to get help.  If you're at a remote site and need technical assistance, look near the phone for a help desk number. Most sites have someone on call for just such an event.  Don't give up if the equipment goes belly up.  A few technical problems are inevitable, so be prepared. If the ITV system goes down, wait several minutes. Your instructor will probably call. But if you don't hear from anyone within a reasonable time, call your instructor or your on-site Help Desk with the classroom phone for further instructions.  Private conferences:  If you re at a remote site and the occasion arises that you need to talk privately with your instructor, simply call him or her on the phone at break time.  We'd like your help:  This type of course presentation is as new for your instructors as it is for you, so lend a hand. If you can't see or hear something that you think you should be seeing or hearing, let them know; chances are they simply forgot to push some button (it's a great opportunity to tease them and get away with it). If you think of ways to improve course delivery or the system as a whole, we welcome your suggestions.  Please be careful with the equipment:  We take cash or credit cards if you happen to break a piece of equipment, but we'd rather we didn't have to. So please, unless you really know what you re doing, or you're following your teacher's instructions, please resist the temptation to fine tune the equipment.