Welcome! At each unit I will provide a few words of introduction to give helpful hints and an overview of the activities and assignments. I strongly suggest you start with the "Introduction" in each section first.
You may have noticed the Gold Review symbol when you logged into this course. MUSC 355 meets the highest standards for online courses at Towson University and has received this special certification. I have made extra efforts for all aspects of this course to qualify.
Today you will set up the software (computer programs) and configure your hardware (your computer) for the course. Make sure that all the software is in working order and up to date!
You will receive an invitation from me to set up your two Dropbox folders. You will have a personal Dropbox folder that only you and I can see. You will also have a group Dropbox folder in which you will share and receive assignments from other students.
If you have not already done so, view all of the materials contained on the course homepage. Just select "Home" in the upper left corner to get to this page.
Please carefully check when assignments will be due. Dates are given in the syllabus and listed on the course unit pages. Be timely with your assignments. The penalty for late work is a grade of 0%.
I have saved you at least $100 by not requiring a textbook. I and others have provided many online materials for free, so please be respectful of our efforts by carefully viewing what we have provided.
Two of us (Terry Ewell and Luis Engelke) have developed this course and many of the materials contained in it. You will have, however, only have Dr. Ewell as your professor during the section of the course you are viewing right now.
One great benefit of this course is that your technical/computer skills will improve. Have patience with yourself as you are learning not only the content of the course, but the mechanics of receiving and distributing items via the Internet.
Textbook
Although we will reference many materials throughout the course, there is one important book that will serve as our principal textbook. The book by Moser is available online through the TU E-Reserves and links in the course. However, since so much reading will be done from this book, you might want to purchase your own copy. If you don't like to read for hours online, get the paper copy of the book. You might find it helpful to have the copy of the book (paper or online) open when you take tests or exams in this course.
Blackboard
I realize that most of the online courses you take at Towson University are solely hosted on the Learning Management System. However, I am not just an online professor, but a digital professor. Blackboard is a great little "sandbox" for hosting text, but it does not provide for the digital media experiences that I seek in my courses. Let me explain to you the reasons for this:
Thus, I choose to break away from the standard online course. I have put many additional hours into bringing you a product that will encourage creativity and learning. This has been on ongoing process and I am not done yet. Please let me know right away if you see things that I can improve (broken links, for instance). Thanks!
Due dates are listed for assignments, tests, and quizzes. These must be completed by 11:59PM on the assignment date. Readings, videos, and other items are provided in a suggested sequence. Don't get behind!
This course is patterned off a Towson University 15 week, face to face curriculum. Successful students allocate time each day for their coursework. Set up a schedule!
I am looking forward to working with you!
Dr. Ewell
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Copyright 2012-2024 by Terry B. Ewell. All Rights
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