This is a course on how to be a successful online student. We are in the midst of a revolution in communication spawned by the internet, and it has fundamentally changed many of the ways in which we work and play. Higher education is also affected by that revolution. The World Wide Web has unchained instruction, freed it from its temporal and spatial shackles, and created a world where learning can take place anytime and anywhere.

By the end of this course you will understand how to succeed as a student in an online learning environment. This understanding will be informed by our use of the various tools provided by the Desire2Learn software program, which is the preferred system for online course delivery in the Los Rios Community College District. We will also take a look at the issue of netiquette, or how to communicate in a professional and polite manner in the informal world of easy electronic exchange. Finally, you will learn some tips on how to be a smart surfer and effective in your internet searching strategies.

This is an online class, and we will never meet in person as a group. However, course material will be available for you to access at your convenience, and you will be able to complete assignments from any computer that has an internet connection. You can also make arrangements to meet with me in person.

I expect a great class with you. We have some exciting material to cover, and I am looking forward to our time together. This course will reward every effort you put into it, and I am here to be your tour guide as we travel together along the information superhighway.