Please Read Carefully:
This course is being offered using Blackboard Vista as the Learning Management System. If you have never used Blackboard vista before, please visit the orientation site.  http://www.ccconline.org/support/vista

You will access your CCA Blackboard Vista course at http://online.ccaurora.edu

Note:  You will not be able to access your course until the start date, June 2^nd.

New this semester: A support desk is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you with setting up your computer and solving problems. http://www.ccaurora.edu/students/helpdesk/

COURSE TITLE

AST101-176 [or 7] (Online)

4 Credit Hours

(June 2 to Aug 9)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

In Astronomy 101 you will learn about the history and methods of astronomy, the contents of the solar system including the planets, the Earth, the Moon and our nearest star, the Sun. This class includes several easy activities, which will be completed individually rather than in a lab.

COURSE WEBSITE:

http://online.ccaurora.edu

INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:

Name

Larry Sessions

Phone

(303) 360-4719 x5734 (Voicemail-slowest method of contact-use email instead!)

E-mail

larry.sessions@ccaurora.edu

Fax

(303) 349-7228, but inquire via email first.

Mailbox Location

NA, email for details

Other

alternate email: ast101@comcast.net

REQUIRED COMPUTER SKILLS:

·        Send/receive mail

·        Download files to your computer and then open them

·        Basic word processing skills 

·        Experience with the Blackboard Vista tool or having read the orientation guide at http://www.ccconline.org/support/vista

REQUIRED TEXT BOOK(S):

Astronomy: A Self-Teaching Guide, 6^th Edition

by Dinah L. Moche

ISBN: 0471265187
This is a trade paperback for about $20 new

REQUIRED MATERIALS:

Basic household supplies including paper, scissors, tape, a small mirror, etc. You do need a ruler with Metric divisions. Bincolars or a small telescope can enhance your experience, but is not required.

REQUIRED HARDWARE/ SOFTWARE:

·        Supported Web-browser

·        Supported version of Java

·        To confirm your software is supported, run the Browser Check at http://online.ccaurora.edu

HOW TO GET STARTED:

When the course opens for you at the beginning of the semester, look for an announcement with detailed instructions.

As soon as you can log on, check out the online syllabus, schedule, and the “Getting Started” file. If you have questions regarding the course before the opening date, you may email me at the address above. In fact, you should keep that email address in case you run into any difficulties with Blackboard. (During the course, however, you are expected to use the internal Blackboard mail system for normal communication.)

Communication is VITAL, so when the semester begins and you have access to Blackboard, please send me an internal Blackboard mail email about yourself as a short introduction.

Please be clear that this is an online course, and as such it can be very convenient to most students. However, it is not “open-ended” or entirely “self-paced.” It may or may not be like any course you have taken before. Please do not base your expectations on previous experiences, because I may not do things like they were done in any previous class you have taken.

Tests and activities have deadlines and time limits, although these are quite generous compared to those in a conventional class. I have developed the timing through my 10 years plus experience in teaching this course online. While it is convenient to most students, there may be some aspects and some deadlines that may not be convenient to some students. Please check out the schedule when you first access the course on Blackboard/Vista, and adjust your schedule accordingly. If you find that the times for tests and other assessments cannot work within your schedule, you may want to consider taking the course in a traditional lecture format on campus. activity assignments. Please note that I do not give make up tests, so please do not plan trips or other activities that may interfere with your meeting the class deadlines.

ORIENTATION SESSION/FIRST MEETING:

There is no orientation meeting, although I do expect you to email me no later than the end of the first week of class. Anyone who is enrolled at the beginning of class must email me within the first week, and any late enrollees must email me within three days of enrolling.

OTHER INFORMATION:

There will be 3-5 online tests, depending on the semester. There also will be several activities posted online. There may also be homework assignments. Unless noted otherwise, there will be no required visits to campus. Please check the online schedule for details. As noted above, this is not a self-paced course, and all items have deadlines. Please do not expect this course to be conducted the same way as other online courses you may have taken.

You do need to understand the rudiments of the Metric system of measurement, most specifically lengths in meters, kilometers and millimeters; and mass in grams and kilograms. You also need to understand Scientific Notation (also called Powers of 10 Notation). There is a Math Help file on the class website that outlines this material.

I will try to work with any student having trouble, but you must put forth effort and stay in touch. There is a lot to learn, but this is not a rigorous course. There is a little math, but it is no harder than middle school math at worst, and I will try to help you through if you let me know you are having trouble.

It is common for online students to "drift away" or "slack off," thinking they can get caught up easily. However, it is not easy to get caught up, so please stay current with your studies.

Also, I do not issue incompletes except under truly extraordinary circumstances. Therefore, if you fall too far behind and cannot catch up, you must withdraw officially from the class, before the final deadline.

Although you will not be able to log onto the Blackboard class site for this course until the course officially starts, please feel free to email me with any questions: larry.sessions@ccaurora.edu.