Introductory Assignment
Printable Version

This assignment is designed to familiarize students with Blackboard and the contents of the class website. It must be turned in before I accept any other assignments.

Due dates for the steps are in the Course Calendar. Please follow the directions in the final two steps carefully.

1. Login to Blackboard. Enter the Geology E103 course. If you need help, go to Technical Notes.



2. Click the Course Documents Button. You will see links to interesting articles. If you have a car, you may want to print out directions to the field trips in case you miss the bus.



3. Click the Discussion Board Button. Double click on the line that says "Envisioning an Environmental Disaster". Read the other responses to the topic if there are any. Click start a new thread . Type in your response to the "Envisioning an Environmental Disaster" topic. Click submit. Click OK to go back to previous screens. This will count as part of your grade.



4. Click the Course Information Button. Print out both forms. These must be on separate sheets of paper. If you are 18 or older, please fill them out and bring them to me. THE RELEASE MUST BE SIGNED BY A WITNESS. If you are under 18, mail them to a parent or guardian and ask them to complete and return them immediately. You must turn in both of these before you can participate in any field trips or outdoor activities.



5. If you have questions/suggestions, you may take the Anonymous Suggestions or Questions Survey.



6. This item is optional, but strongly recommended. Login to VIP. Click the Personal tab, and then click Show Me Personal Data. If your local phone number is incorrect, click Go to Update Form and change it. Be sure to click Update at the bottom of the screen.



7. Open a MS Word document. If you do not have MS Word, consult the Technical Notes. for important information on submitting assignments. Some questions will follow in this assignment and you will have to record them in your document.The document must be saved as MS Word 97/2003, MS Word 2007, or Rich Text format and sent to me through Blackboard. You must name the document according to the convention described below.
   • Begin the document name with your name (e.g.JohnL)
   • Then add IntroAssign
   • Type the answers to the 6 questions below in your document.
   • Please note that all assignments should be named in the same manner(e.g DanaLab4.doc). Never use the # symbol in your title.
   
   
   
8. Click the Announcements button. Read the announcement that gives hints for success. Then find the link to the Syllabus and click it.



9. Look at the paragraph on Assignments. You should study this paragraph. Due dates will be in the Course Calendar, which you will learn to access below.



10. Scroll down to the paragraph on lab or trip makeups. Question #1 - What should you do to make up a field trip if you have an excused absence? Note that the amount of writing for a field trip differs from a lab or speaker. Please make a note of this. You will probably need this information sometime this semester.



11. Scroll back to the top of the page. Click the More Web Sites link. Click the Mining in SC link. Question #2 - For what product is SC ranked the number one producer?



12. Go back to the More Web Sites page and click the link under the Erosion at Folly Beach photo. Question #3 - What is the name of the lighthouse that was moved in NC?



13. Return to the Syllabus.



14. Click the Extra Credit link. Question #4 - How many points can you earn for the cigarette pollution experiment? You might want to complete Extra Credit # 12 at this time.



15. Click the link to the Congaree trip. Question #5 - What do you need to bring with you?



16. Click the link to the Course Calendar. Question #6 - What is the date of the Congaree National Park field trip?



17. If you are not in Blackboard, go to this assignment in Blackboard and complete the assignment by clicking view/complete and attaching your MS Word document. Make sure you have named it according to the instructions. Make sure to save it in MS Word 97/2003, MS Word 2007, or Rich Text format before sending it to me. If you are not sure how to complete an assignment in Blackboard, details may be found in Technical Notes. If you have submitted the assignment correctly, you will see an ! under the assignment in the gradebook. After I grade the assignment, you will see a number there. When you return the secret number, I will increase your final grade.



18. When I return this to you, you will see a copy of your paper in the feedback section. Open this copy and read the comments imbedded in the paper. Usually, you will see them if you move your mouse over the red or yellow mark. If you need more instructions, go to Technical Notes. Each student will have a unique number in the comments. Copy your number and return it to me in an email. After I receive the email I will post your assignment grade on Blackboard. The assignment will not be complete until you have returned the secret number.

Go to Technical Notes

Return to Syllabus