WELCOME TO CABRILLO'S Accounting/Business Online Orientation

Instructor: Cheryl Furbee
Fall 2008

I am looking forward to working with you in this virtual classroom. Please read the following information before contacting the instructor.

Answers to frequently asked questions:

• You are NOT required to attend an orientation and do NOT ever have to come on campus for the online classes offered by this instructor.
• There will be no email or letter sent to enrolled students.
• The Arr. reference in the Schedule of Classes with B. Durland as the instructor is ONLY there to inform the Manager of the Computer Technology Center, Barbara Durland, to create an account for you on the Cabrillo student network. You do not have to meet with her, go to the lab, track your lab hours, etc.
• All assignments will be available/submitted electronically and timed quizzes will be completed online. These are all date-driven; therefore, they will automatically close at 11:59 p.m. on the due date. Access is denied after this time so be sure you complete your assignments/quizzes BEFORE the cut-off period.
• Blackboard, the course management system used at Cabrillo, will be available at midnight on the first day of the semester.
  • Learn about Blackboard and watch a video demonstration that shows you how to log into and use Blackboard.
  • The first time you access the site, you must register by clicking on the gray box " Look up username and password".
    • You will enter your Last Name, date of birth, and Student ID.
    • You will be provided with a username, you create your own password. These are case sensitive and the password is not available to the instructor so be sure you remember it.
    • After you are registered, you simply enter your username and password in the appropriate fields.
• It is mandatory that you access the class site during the first THREE days of the semester to prevent you from being dropped as a "no show". If you do not log on to Blackboard within this first three days, your "spot" may be given to students wanting to add. If you have problems logging onto Blackboard, be sure that you have NOT disabled cookies on your computer. Past problems have generally been caused by tight security systems installed on your computer; you want to enable cookies.
• Adds will be provided depending on the number of "no shows".
  • Priority will be given to those on the wait list.
  • You must contact the instructor via email (chfurbee at cabrillo.edu) during the first FOUR days of the semester. In your email provide the following:
    • a statement requesting to be added to the class,
    • the course name and section number,
    • your full name and student ID or Social Security Number.
    • If you have other communication with the instructor, make this request a NEW message so all the other communication isn't forwarded.
      
  • If there is space available, your request will be forwarded to Admissions and Records and you will be notified when you have been added. You will have access to Blackboard within 2-3 business days of being added.
  • No adds will be given after the four days.
• Online courses are very demanding due to the subject material as well as the online format. Statistics indicate that online courses take more time than traditional courses. You can expect to spend a minimum of 12-20 hours/week to read, complete assignments, conduct research, communicate, take quizzes and exams, etc. Some people have the opinion that an online class will be easier; it is not!
  

Additional information:

We will be using Blackboard for our communication system. This service is managed by the Cabrillo College Teaching Learning Center. It provides a public bulletin board, private email, and calendar. It also contains links to quizzes/exams, class assignments, class activities, and research. All our communication will occur on this site. Enrollment in this course automatically gives you access to this system. You should check this site at LEAST 2-3 times a week. It is suggested that you set a time in your busy schedule to "attend" this course. You may use computers in the Computer Technology Center (room 1400), the Library, or an off-campus computer. Changes, additions, deletions, etc. will be posted via Blackboard. It is your responsibility to access Blackboard frequently and participate in the discussion topics.

It is VERY easy to procrastinate in online classes. This only leads to frustration and failure. Therefore, it is imperative that you keep up with the material. Communication via Blackboard is our main contact so be certain to ask questions and participate in discussions.  When you are experiencing any difficulty understanding the procedures, software, assignments, etc., ASK. The only "dumb" question is the one that is not asked. If you have a question, probably at least 25% of the rest of the class has the same question - ASK!

Because this is an Internet-based class, you must have access to an Internet account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) via a modem or high-speed connection such as DSL or Cable. It is recommended that you use an ISP other than AOL. While dial-up networking will provide access, it will be very frustrating when you try to download videos, etc. Cable or DSL works much better!

You must have access to Word, Excel, Power Point, Adobe Acrobat Reader, Apple Quicktime Video Player orMacromedia Flash Player, and Access (Bus 5 only); Works is not adequate and cannot be opened by the instructor. After the semester begins, you will have access to the Cabrillo Technology Center where these programs are available. Acrobat Reader is required for some of the courses because the financial information of many corporations is in the format of a .PDF file which is readable only by using this software. It can downloaded free by clicking on the above link. The video player programs are needed to use publisher materials. Links for the video players are available via the publisher's online student page (see the course page). The publisher of the accounting texts are now providing course content that can be downloaded to your iPod.

Alternatively, as a member of these courses, you may use the computers in Cabrillo's Computer Technology Center. You will be charged $0.08/page to print. You must purchase a copy card before printing. These are sold in the Center for $1.00 and $5.00. You may also access the web at the campus library and/or any public library. The campus library, however, will not allow you to download files except to an external disk.

Go to the course page for specific details and links to the tentative schedule and publisher's site. Purchase the textbook, start reading the first chapter; get lots of rest. You will be able to log in to Blackboard beginning at midnight on the first day of the semester.

If you have problems logging into the site, click on the Check Browser link in the upper right corner to see if your browser is validated for use with Blackboard. If you still have trouble, be sure you are using your STUDENT ID (NOT your Social Security Number). Still can't? - send an email to online@cabrillo.edu for help.

Once you get logged into Blackboard, click on the various links to see what is there - you are "exploring" our new classroom, trying to decide where to sit. Click on the Learning Module on the CourseTools Menu, select Week 1, and complete the instructions. Keep an eye on the Discussion Board (aka bulletin board, message board) for new and exciting messages. Check out the calendar for due dates.

Thank you for enrolling in these courses. I know how busy everyone is and appreciate the fact that you will give your valuable time to expanding your education. PLEASE keep up the communication and let me know if and when things get to be TOO MUCH. Most importantly, Hang In There - It only lasts 16 weeks!!

Course pages:
Acct 1A | Acct 1B | Acct 6 | Acct 151A | Acct 159 | Acct 163 | Bus 5