What is Technological Professionalism?
Technology will be an integral part of the course.
By signing up for an online course, you are accepting the responsibility of being technologically literate.
We are using multiple digital programs in order to complete this course. You are required to build a Wix page in order to receive your grade. I will not accept excuses regarding being unfamiliar with the required online programs. Wix has a very friendly and helpful support service. Also, the answer to most questions can be answered by a quick Google search.
You need to prepare yourself for potential technological problems. Computers crash, files corrupt, work gets misplaced/erased, screens crack and repairs need to be made.
I cannot access something I cannot read. If links are broken, incorrect, or corrupted, I will give the assignment a Zero.
Save your work frequently, and set up an auto backup solution like Google Drive, Dropbox, or other that offers gigabytes of free online storage for you to take advantage of, and access all of your files on any computer (and online through browsers) and have them automatically updated in the cloud after any and all changes. I also recommend physical backups: buy a flash drive, buy an external hard drive, use an SD card, burn to a CD/DVD… anything to keep hard copies as well as other backups.
If something should still somehow go awry, I urge you to explain your situation to me (as we all experience difficulties with computers and other technology sometimes,) but know that with this warning coming on day one that extensions are unlikely unless there are severe extenuating circumstances.
How to send an email:
I am not legally allowed to use text-based digital communication to discuss grades. No email, no Twitter, no gChat. We must speak face to face via Google Hangout.
When you email me, please include the purpose of the email in the subject line. In the content of your email, you should include an opening to your email (Good morning, Dear Instructor Bradley, etc.), the message and a closing (your name). This will be expected in other academic and professional emails; as such, I want you to get into the habit of this now. If you do not include a subject line and the above format, I will reply only with “Please follow the email format explained in the syllabus and resubmit your email.” Provided your email is in the correct format, I will respond to your email within 24 hours if you email me on Monday-Thursday. If you email me on Friday-Sunday, I will email you by Monday evening. Please email me in a timely manner with questions about assignments. I DO NOT CHECK EMAIL AFTER 7 PM.
Discussion of grades may only take place via Google Hangout. I cannot discuss grades via email. If you email me asking about grades, I will respond with only the following: “I cannot discuss grades over email. You may schedule a conference with me via Google Hangout to discuss grades.”
Check your email at least once every weekday. I will occasionally contact you via email to ask questions, seek clarification, and make announcements.
Twitter conversations:
I am often available to answer questions via Twitter. I prefer for you to ask questions by Tweeting @bbradley2135 then asking your question. This way, if another student has the same question, they can see the answer as well.
If you need to reach me, keep this in mind
This is an online class, and online communication is how we get things done. Many students feel very comfortable emailing me, tweeting me and video conferencing with me when they have questions. Make sure when you do, you are utilizing proper email format, using respectful language and being reasonable with appropriate turnaround for responses.
That being said, I am not a 24-hour tech or IT service. I'm a human being who also enjoys sleeping, watching Netflix and texting my friends. I have office hours when I am available for video conferences. I will meet with students outside those hours with proper notice if it is before 5 pm. If the sun has set, it is too late to ask me to video conference.
Keep these things in mind:
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I will respond to your email within 24 hours, so don't expect a response on an 11 pm email before the 11:59 pm deadline.
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I will not double-check your submissions to make sure you "did it right". Your submission is your responsibility.
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I stop responding to student Tweets and emails at 5 pm during the week. On weekends I will not be available. There is no reason why you cannot ask your question during the week before 5 pm.
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Google your question before you contact me, especially if it is tech related. Google is a fine resource for technological questions, especially if it relates to Canvas, Microsoft, Google Hangout, Twitter, etc.
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Ask your classmates. You have been broken into groups, so you have Twitter addresses and email accounts of your classmates. Use them as a resource.
The beginning of a semester is always bumpy. Don't be discouraged by these bumps. Reach out to me and I will help the best I can.