Linda Woodward

Distance Learning Classes:

Art History 1303, Art History 1304, Humanities 1301 and Art Appreciation.

Welcome to Arts and Humanities classes offered through the WebCT format. If you haven’t used this type virtual classroom before, this segment may offer you some guidelines. If you have participated in a virtual course offering, there may be a few different or new elements for you, as well. When navigating through the WebCT icons, if you need help, just click on the "Help" icon at the top right. It will give you help for the page you are currently on. To start off, click on the e-campus link and find your user name and password. Please change your password asap for security reasons. This is very important!!

One of the most frequently questions asked of me is "How do I insure success [and a good grade!] from this course?" My best answer for you is to work hard at achieving a regular schedule for reading and performing all of the class activities. Despite your busy schedule, class moves onward through chapters, discussions and tests. It’s hard to catch up, once you have fallen behind in assignments. So, plan your time wisely and rest assured that as a community of learners, we all are here to help. Even if this is your first on line course, don’t be nervous! Make friends or co-learners in the virtual classroom. Offer to help and don’t be hesitant to ask for help as well. Its important for me to know my students also, so don’t hesitate to communicate with me.

You will have posted reading and activities assignments as well as test dates in the Calendar function. Please note that depending oncircumstances, these may change and I will post a notice regarding anything to that effect. It is your responsibility to keep current with class news and posts.

Chapter assignments are organized with the following components:These are referred to sometimes as components of the chapter MODULE:

1.Course/Lecture notes

2.Discussion Questions [some courses]

3.Study Questions

4.Images/ Graphics [related to lecture notes]

5. Self Quiz [some courses]

The completion of a chapter must include participation in posting on the Bulletin Board.

These components are explained below:

In addition to text readings, the Course Content/ Lecture Notes gives you a virtual lecture. These will either elaborate and clarify chapters in your text or give additional information about different aspects of art, culture and history. It is helpful to utilize your text while reading course/lecture notes. The illustrations in the text will not be repeated in the image/graphics files and you can "follow along" with your text as you read some of the segments.

 Discussions  is where you will post opinions and answers the Discussion Questions. Postings should be done weekly per assignment. You should post and respond to at least one posting to academic postings each week. Just don’t make the posting so lengthy that the others are pressed to read it!

Additionally, there will be a topic called "Class Café" for socializing with classmates.

Be sure that when you post you use the "reply to post" function, rather than to create a new thread as a reply.

It is expected that you use this function to post appropriate material. Rage, profanity or common "bad manners" will not be tolerated. All sites are moderated. Students will be dropped for infractions of this rule.

Chat rooms are available for the students use or for meetings with me. Use the chat feature to have study groups on line, work on questions and general class camaraderie. We do not officially use Chat.

The same rules apply for chat as those for the bulletin board. There is a class chat room and three other smaller rooms. Use to enhance your learning experience.

The Media Library contains illustrations linked to the Lecture Notes or will enhance your understanding with additional information and will aid in your comprehension of style and iconography. Use them as study aids as well. 

Self Quizzes are for your use. They are not graded per se but are helpful for test preparation. Your grade in this area is of no impact to your class grade. This is for you to study and check your retention of the information.

Study Questions are exactly that. Some chapters need little help in the way of study questions, others are more lengthy and complex so I provide some assistance in significant areas. Use these in addition to the course lecture notes, text and web sites to insure success! Additionally, I will be providing a list of slides for testing. You will be expected to know the title, culture and date of these for the image identification part of the tests. These are for your use and you do not turn these in to me, nor are they a part of your grade.

Email is used within the Vista function. It sends and receives your email directly to your Vista box. Please use this rather than outside emails. It is easily retrieved and keeps your class email separate from other outside emails. Make it a habit to login and check your mail on a frequent basis. I will send out notices as needed but also will use the bulletin board, as well. I do my best to answer your emails within the same day sent. Please check your email often!

Ok, now you know the components you are most likely to use. Keep current with the assignments and all its components. Post any questions for the class or Discussion Questions to the web Bulletin Board and keep rolling! If you need Vista help on any particular page, simply click on "Help" on the top of the page and information for that page will pop up. Play around with the site and navigate through the features. It will help you feel familiar with the Vista program.