Astronomy 20: An Introduction to Stars and the Universe
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Astronomy 20 Online
Chabot College, Autumn 2011 (22909)
Scott Hildreth
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers.... (or What do I do first!??!)
Online classes can be very intimidating! Here you'll find answers to many of your questions, and if you have other questions, email me! How will this course work?? Who is the professor? What is he like? Can I see him as a live person? (This link will bring up a short videoclip of me explaining our online class.) I'm new to online classes - is Online learning right for ME? I'm registered! What do I do first? When does class start? Do I have to come on campus at all? How can I ADD this class!? What can I do while I am waiting to hear if I can be ADDED? I don't know how to use Blackboard! How can I learn? What do I do if I have problems? Can I come on-campus and learn how to use the course system with you? How do I access Mastering Astronomy? What is the COURSE ID? How do I get credit for the online tutorials? Online Course Syllabus | Online Course Calendar | Astro 20 Home Page
Online classes can be very intimidating! Here you'll find answers to many of your questions, and if you have other questions, email me!
Online Course Syllabus | Online Course Calendar | Astro 20 Home Page
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How will this course work?
Introduction to Astronomy ONLINE
In addition to normal on-campus classes, this term Chabot College also offers Astronomy 20 entirely online, with NO required on-campus class meetings.
A fully-online course is very different from traditional on-campus sections:
Because on-campus review sections and all traditional face-to-face instruction will be optional, online students may find the course even more difficult than the normal on-campus classes. Students who do well in fully online classes typically have very good study skills, are very self-directed, able to create and stick to a firm study schedule. If you find it hard to learn on your own, or find you really need to learn with others in a group setting, or know that you learn best with lectures and going to on-campus office hours, the fully online section may not be for you. Additional information about the class follows: Introduction & Expectations, Technology & Participation Requirements, Accessibility Issues for Students with Special Learning Needs or Physical Disabilities, Required Online Course Materials, How Online Exams will work, Options to Switch to On-Campus Sections, and The complete Online Course Syllabus!
Because on-campus review sections and all traditional face-to-face instruction will be optional, online students may find the course even more difficult than the normal on-campus classes. Students who do well in fully online classes typically have very good study skills, are very self-directed, able to create and stick to a firm study schedule. If you find it hard to learn on your own, or find you really need to learn with others in a group setting, or know that you learn best with lectures and going to on-campus office hours, the fully online section may not be for you.
Additional information about the class follows:
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Technology & Participation Requirements
Accessibility Issues.
Astronomy is largely a visual science; the textbook, online animations, optional video tapes, and the BLACKBOARD course system itself are all filled with wonderful images. But students who rely on text readers and/or audible resources for their learning will find this online Astronomy 20 course rich and accommodating. In particular: All "key concept" web pages that I have created were checked to be at least Level 1 accessible. There are text equivalents for all images and multimedia such as animations, audio, and video. Information conveyed with color is also available without color, headers for data tables are identified where required to make line-by-line reading sensible for layout tables; summaries of graphs and charts are provided. All document language throughout the course is English, no language changes are made. In addition: Content is organized logically within Blackboard, and navigation bars and links are clearly labeled throughout the site. Each of the online animations provided by Pearson are all accompanied by a detailed text description. Entries in the online glossary are accompanied by .wav files for audible pronunciation. The Blackboard implementation we use does not incorporate frames. The optional video series, "Universe, the Infinite Frontier" offers students an extremely effective narrated lecture medium that perfectly complements the textbook. The videos are closed-captioned and available in the Chabot College library. If you want more information about accessibility features or course design, please contact me; if you have special requirements that I can address to help you learn this subject even more successfully, please don't hesitate to call or email, or talk with Kathleen Allen at Chabot's Disabled Student Resource Center, (Building 2400, Phone: (510)723-6725, E-mail: kallen@chabotcollege.edu)
Astronomy is largely a visual science; the textbook, online animations, optional video tapes, and the BLACKBOARD course system itself are all filled with wonderful images. But students who rely on text readers and/or audible resources for their learning will find this online Astronomy 20 course rich and accommodating. In particular:
All "key concept" web pages that I have created were checked to be at least Level 1 accessible. There are text equivalents for all images and multimedia such as animations, audio, and video. Information conveyed with color is also available without color, headers for data tables are identified where required to make line-by-line reading sensible for layout tables; summaries of graphs and charts are provided. All document language throughout the course is English, no language changes are made. In addition:
If you want more information about accessibility features or course design, please contact me; if you have special requirements that I can address to help you learn this subject even more successfully, please don't hesitate to call or email, or talk with Kathleen Allen at Chabot's Disabled Student Resource Center, (Building 2400, Phone: (510)723-6725, E-mail: kallen@chabotcollege.edu)
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Required Texts & Materials:
1) Textbook Essential Cosmic Perspective with Mastering Astronomy, 6th edition by Bennett et. al. 2011 ISBN: 9780321775467 The syllabus has more details and options for used books, and the e-text option (which you should explore at Mastering Astronomy first - it is offered there at a lower cost when bundled with the required access code.) 2. A Mastering Astronomy PIN access code IF YOU PURCHASE THE BOOK NEW in the bookstore or online, you will receive the required Mastering Astronomy online access code (PIN) FREE. If you purchase a used book online, or borrow a book, you will still need the online Blackboard/Mastering Astronomy PIN code, which you can purchase from the publisher online for $40.20. Our class code that you'll have to enter is CHABOTASTRO20ONLINEFALL2011 Please Note! The Access code IS NOT refundable. The Access code IS required. If you are trying to add this class, do not purchase the code until you know that you can get in. If you take the class, purchase the access code, and later withdraw, you cannot return the code for a refund. Codes are typically good for 1 year, so if you have to withdraw, you can probably use the code for one additional term.. 3) A Star Locator You might want to purchase ONE "Star & Planet Locator", also known as a "Planisphere," available at the bookstore and numerous stores, for about $3-11. The syllabus has more details. Since we don't have the chance to use the planetarium in our online class, I heartily suggest you get one of these to help you learn about what is up in the sky during the year. Top
1) Textbook
Essential Cosmic Perspective with Mastering Astronomy, 6th edition by Bennett et. al. 2011 ISBN: 9780321775467 The syllabus has more details and options for used books, and the e-text option (which you should explore at Mastering Astronomy first - it is offered there at a lower cost when bundled with the required access code.)
2. A Mastering Astronomy PIN access code
IF YOU PURCHASE THE BOOK NEW in the bookstore or online, you will receive the required Mastering Astronomy online access code (PIN) FREE. If you purchase a used book online, or borrow a book, you will still need the online Blackboard/Mastering Astronomy PIN code, which you can purchase from the publisher online for $40.20. Our class code that you'll have to enter is CHABOTASTRO20ONLINEFALL2011
Please Note! The Access code IS NOT refundable. The Access code IS required. If you are trying to add this class, do not purchase the code until you know that you can get in. If you take the class, purchase the access code, and later withdraw, you cannot return the code for a refund. Codes are typically good for 1 year, so if you have to withdraw, you can probably use the code for one additional term..
3) A Star Locator
You might want to purchase ONE "Star & Planet Locator", also known as a "Planisphere," available at the bookstore and numerous stores, for about $3-11. The syllabus has more details. Since we don't have the chance to use the planetarium in our online class, I heartily suggest you get one of these to help you learn about what is up in the sky during the year.
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Optional for Online Students:
Universe: The Infinite Frontier video series, available from Chabot College Library. The tapes are fairly new (recorded in 1995), and full of interesting examples of astronomy and astronomers, from all backgrounds and all areas of the science. Each episode is 26 minutes, and they match our textbook perfectly. Much of the text information is already included on the website, but if you find you learn better via TV, or that you want to share your learning with your family, please consider watching the videos in addition to reading the text or using the web resources. Note that if you do decide to take this class, and you are also taking other on-campus courses at Chabot, you might consider whether to attend on-campus meetings, if that will help you succeed! In Fall, 2011, I also teach an on-campus Astro 20 class (T-TH mornings 10:30-11:45 AM). Online students always have the chance to resume attending on-campus meetings if that delivery format is preferred. You will be give a pro-rated grade and credit for all assignments turned in on-time. We want you to be successful, and if you find your learning preferences are better addressed by on-campus instruction, we'll do what we can to help you find an on-campus section. Please check the main page for the current class times and dates, and contact me if you need more information or help getting into another class. If you would like to sit in another class, please check the schedule for this semester's astronomy program, and let me know which class(es) you could and would like to attend. I'll be happy to contact the instructors and inquire whether there might be space available for you to sit in. Typically, classes are full for the first 3-4 weeks, but after that time, there is often some space available.
Universe: The Infinite Frontier video series, available from Chabot College Library. The tapes are fairly new (recorded in 1995), and full of interesting examples of astronomy and astronomers, from all backgrounds and all areas of the science. Each episode is 26 minutes, and they match our textbook perfectly. Much of the text information is already included on the website, but if you find you learn better via TV, or that you want to share your learning with your family, please consider watching the videos in addition to reading the text or using the web resources.
Note that if you do decide to take this class, and you are also taking other on-campus courses at Chabot, you might consider whether to attend on-campus meetings, if that will help you succeed! In Fall, 2011, I also teach an on-campus Astro 20 class (T-TH mornings 10:30-11:45 AM). Online students always have the chance to resume attending on-campus meetings if that delivery format is preferred. You will be give a pro-rated grade and credit for all assignments turned in on-time. We want you to be successful, and if you find your learning preferences are better addressed by on-campus instruction, we'll do what we can to help you find an on-campus section. Please check the main page for the current class times and dates, and contact me if you need more information or help getting into another class. If you would like to sit in another class, please check the schedule for this semester's astronomy program, and let me know which class(es) you could and would like to attend. I'll be happy to contact the instructors and inquire whether there might be space available for you to sit in. Typically, classes are full for the first 3-4 weeks, but after that time, there is often some space available.
Online Exams and Quizzes
The midterm and final exams will be offered as take-home essay exams. The questions are available online in our Blackboard course site.
Frequently Asked Questions! What do I do first!??!
I'm pre-registered! What do I do first?
When does class start?
Class starts officially Wednesday 8/17/2011. You should logon and post your first messages in the first three days, preferably no later than Friday 8/19/2011. IF YOU ARE PRE-REGISTERED for the course, but do not log in by Friday, 8/19/2011 and do not contact me, you will be dropped in favor of students wanting to add. If you do not make your first posts by Sunday (8/21/11), AND you do not contact me by email, I will drop you from the course - consider this equivalent to missing the first day(s) of a normal on-campus class. (Chabot College policy requires that pre-registered students who don't show up in a class where others are trying to add must be dropped if they miss either of the first two days.) .
Class starts officially Wednesday 8/17/2011. You should logon and post your first messages in the first three days, preferably no later than Friday 8/19/2011.
IF YOU ARE PRE-REGISTERED for the course, but do not log in by Friday, 8/19/2011 and do not contact me, you will be dropped in favor of students wanting to add.
If you do not make your first posts by Sunday (8/21/11), AND you do not contact me by email, I will drop you from the course - consider this equivalent to missing the first day(s) of a normal on-campus class. (Chabot College policy requires that pre-registered students who don't show up in a class where others are trying to add must be dropped if they miss either of the first two days.)
Do I have to come on campus?
No! The class is offered totally online -- you are never required to come on campus, even for tests! But of course you are *welcome* to come on campus and see me, or see our great planetarium, if you live or work in the neighborhood, or you already are taking other on-campus classes.
How can I ADD this class!?
If you are interested in adding to the class, please email me at your earliest convenience, AND fill out the online form to let me know of your interest. If you don't fill out the online form, you won't be officially on the waiting list. I will add students to the class according to Chabot's ADD/DROP policies, modified as necessary for our online class. Specifically: I'll keep a list of folks who have emailed me AND successfully completed the online form prior to the start of classes. This will be the official class "wait list." I know folks on this list will be able to get going immediately if space becomes available. I'll contact you ASAP if/when space is available. I will take folks from this wait list, according to date of request, and then according to registration priority order, as space becomes available through the first week of classes. (I'll be dropping folks from the original roster after this first week if they haven't contacted me or logged in, to free up space for more people to ADD.) After the first week of classes, I'll take folks from this wait list according to the date of request, based on space available, and again use registration priority if I have fewer slots than the number of folks who requested entry to the class on a particular day. Note that students wanting to add should still read the syllabus, login to the class (see below for a userid and password to use), and participate in the initial online discussions. You will still be held to the same deadlines as other students. Adding late into the class, after the first week, will require you do do some make-up work.
If you are interested in adding to the class, please email me at your earliest convenience, AND fill out the online form to let me know of your interest. If you don't fill out the online form, you won't be officially on the waiting list.
I will add students to the class according to Chabot's ADD/DROP policies, modified as necessary for our online class. Specifically:
Note that students wanting to add should still read the syllabus, login to the class (see below for a userid and password to use), and participate in the initial online discussions. You will still be held to the same deadlines as other students. Adding late into the class, after the first week, will require you do do some make-up work.
What can I do while I am waiting to ADD?
To improve your chances for success, and also help you if you want to ADD the class, please go to the course website at http://clpccd.blackboard.com and use a temporary userid of: "onlineastro" and temporary password of "astrostudent". If you post any messages to the discussion forums while using this ID, you must identify yourself by name; otherwise, I'll delete the messages immediately (not knowing who might have sent them!) You cannot take quizzes with this ID. You can check out the resources available, and explore Blackboard, though, to help familiarize yourself with our online course system. If you want to check out the Mastering Astronomy site use a default userid of "chabotstudent" and password of "fall2011". Again, these are shared for the entire class, and cannot be changed or used for any quizzes assessments. You'll need to purchase your own PIN code for Mastering Astronomy to participate in our course.
To improve your chances for success, and also help you if you want to ADD the class, please go to the course website at http://clpccd.blackboard.com and use a temporary userid of: "onlineastro" and temporary password of "astrostudent". If you post any messages to the discussion forums while using this ID, you must identify yourself by name; otherwise, I'll delete the messages immediately (not knowing who might have sent them!) You cannot take quizzes with this ID. You can check out the resources available, and explore Blackboard, though, to help familiarize yourself with our online course system.
If you want to check out the Mastering Astronomy site use a default userid of "chabotstudent" and password of "fall2011". Again, these are shared for the entire class, and cannot be changed or used for any quizzes assessments. You'll need to purchase your own PIN code for Mastering Astronomy to participate in our course.
I don't know how to use Blackboard! How can I learn?
There are some wonderful support services offered for students new to Blackboard! If you are new, learn about the system, and how to log in to Blackboard for the first time, by looking at the help pages at http://www.chabotcollege.edu/online/ . And please consider going to the Drop-in Student Online Orientations to learn about how to begin your online or hybrid course, see the Blackboard course management system, view some quick online learning success strategies, and learn how to find technical help. This will help you to be better prepared for your online course. There are four sessions available: Wednesday August 17th: Noon-1:00PM: Room 714 (Assessment Center) Thursday August 18th: 1030AM-11:30AM: Room 714 (Assessment Center) Monday August 22nd: 1:00PM-2:00PM: Room 709 (Online Services) Late Start Online Orientation: Tuesday September 6th: 10:30-11:30AM: Room 709 (Online Services) ALL Sessions are located at Online Services in Building 700.If you can't come to campus, you can learn how to use Blackboard online, and take advantage of its many features, check out http://www.liberty.edu/academics/cafe/bb/index.cfm?PID=8038 .
Blackboard is totally new to me!! When can I come on-campus and learn how to use the course system with you?
I understand that you might want to walk through the online course with me and other students, especially if this is the first time you have ever tried an online course. If you still need help, please email me if you want some extra one-on-one time, and we'll set up a meeting. Check out my office hours first to identify a time that might fit, but let me know if you can only attend at times outside of my office hours, and we'll see what we can do. This is NOT mandatory (I don't expect folks in New York to fly here! :) Please email me if you will can stop by. Also, you should consider enrolling in Chabot's wonderful Introduction to Online Learning Course! It will absolutely help you to learn how to be a successful online student!
What do I do if I have problems?
First, don't worry! We have loads of support for you as an online learner! Be sure you take a thorough look around on this webpage, the online class syllabus, and other links from these pages. Maybe your question is already answered. But if not, please email me with your question, or stop by my office if you are on-campus. Check out my office hours if you can make it to campus. If you have problems with the Blackboard login to our course, please: - visit the Chabot College Blackboard Support webpages- notify Chabot College Blackboard support by filling out the form at http://www.chabotcollege.edu/online/help/default.asp . Include your name, that you are enrolled in my Astronomy 20 Online Course at Chabot College (Section ON1, CRN 22909 ). Email replies to Blackboard inquiries can be expected Monday through Thursday 8:30am to 4:30pm and Friday 8:30am to 1pm. Be sure you email me as well so that I can ensure your name and password were entered correctly. Please note! If you *call* me with your problems, at (510) 723-7468, you'll get my voicemail, and you may not get a call back quickly. I am usually in class when I'm on-campus, and rarely at my phone; I actually respond to email much, much faster, since I can access it from any room with a computer. And as a prospective online student, you'll need to use email to communicate with me anyway. So if you have a problem with email, you'll no doubt have a major problem taking this class!
First, don't worry! We have loads of support for you as an online learner! Be sure you take a thorough look around on this webpage, the online class syllabus, and other links from these pages. Maybe your question is already answered. But if not, please email me with your question, or stop by my office if you are on-campus. Check out my office hours if you can make it to campus. If you have problems with the Blackboard login to our course, please: - visit the Chabot College Blackboard Support webpages- notify Chabot College Blackboard support by filling out the form at http://www.chabotcollege.edu/online/help/default.asp . Include your name, that you are enrolled in my Astronomy 20 Online Course at Chabot College (Section ON1, CRN 22909 ). Email replies to Blackboard inquiries can be expected Monday through Thursday 8:30am to 4:30pm and Friday 8:30am to 1pm. Be sure you email me as well so that I can ensure your name and password were entered correctly.
Please note! If you *call* me with your problems, at (510) 723-7468, you'll get my voicemail, and you may not get a call back quickly. I am usually in class when I'm on-campus, and rarely at my phone; I actually respond to email much, much faster, since I can access it from any room with a computer. And as a prospective online student, you'll need to use email to communicate with me anyway. So if you have a problem with email, you'll no doubt have a major problem taking this class!
How do I access Mastering Astronomy?
Check out the helpful instructions about accessing Mastering Astronomy. And you can always login to the Mastering Astronomy site with a default userid of "chabotstudent" and password of "fall2011". Note you cannot use this ID for the course, and you cannot change the password or user information for this ID - it is set up solely for students to use to check out the system. Our Course ID for the system is CHABOTASTRO20ONLINEFALL2011.
How do I get credit for the online tutorials?
Check out the helpful instructions about accessing Mastering Astronomy. Note that if you do the tutorials in the study area, you won't get credit, but you can practice!
But is Online Learning Right for ME?
OK, maybe you are still not sure online learning will be right for you, let alone any fun! Well, here I have some collected some great links to help you decide, including my personal observations about the challenges of online learning based on years of teaching this class online, my hints for success, and some great online diagnostic tests you can try to see whether online learning "feels" like it might be workable for you. Chabot's own Introduction to Online Learning Course will absolutely help you to learn how to be a successful online student! What Makes a Successful Online Student? by Illinois Online Network, University of Illinois, IL. This site explains ten qualities that an online student should possess. http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/StudentProfile.asp Is Online Learning for Me? by Online Learning.net, Los Angeles, CA. This site helps youto find out instantly if you are the kind of person who will do well in an online course. Itconsists of a Quiz with four parts, and helps by making a decent prediction. http://www.onlinelearning.net/ole/holwselfassess.html?s=522.201032027.171p517570
OK, maybe you are still not sure online learning will be right for you, let alone any fun! Well, here I have some collected some great links to help you decide, including my personal observations about the challenges of online learning based on years of teaching this class online, my hints for success, and some great online diagnostic tests you can try to see whether online learning "feels" like it might be workable for you.
Chabot's own Introduction to Online Learning Course will absolutely help you to learn how to be a successful online student!
What Makes a Successful Online Student? by Illinois Online Network, University of Illinois, IL. This site explains ten qualities that an online student should possess. http://www.ion.uillinois.edu/resources/tutorials/pedagogy/StudentProfile.asp
Is Online Learning for Me? by Online Learning.net, Los Angeles, CA. This site helps youto find out instantly if you are the kind of person who will do well in an online course. Itconsists of a Quiz with four parts, and helps by making a decent prediction. http://www.onlinelearning.net/ole/holwselfassess.html?s=522.201032027.171p517570
Astronomy 20 Online Course Enrollment Check
If you are registered in the class, or you have received an OK from me, please complete the following online verification form; upon completion, you'll be taken to the page with our course website address http:clpccd.blackboard.com where you can login and begin!
SH - 8/14/11