Introduction to Psychology 1 with Dr. Kari Tucker

Using Blackboard for Psychology 1 ONLINE

and Other Important Information

Introduction

Hello! And, welcome to this online course! Please review your class syllabus very well. You will be held responsible for knowing the expectations, and for the due dates and times for each component of your grade. A link to the syllabus is located at the bottom of this page, and in “Course Documents” in the Blackboard system.

Taking courses in an online format is an excellent way to learn about Psychology! However, it is VERY important that you stay self-regulated. Students who are self-regulated tend to do better in courses in general, and especially online courses. So, please stay on top of your work—it might be helpful to keep your schedule portion of the syllabus on your desk, and then check off each task as you complete and submit them.

Each week (or half a week for summer classes; see the schedule portion of the syllabus) you will have 3 things due: 1). A weekly assignment; 2). A chapter quiz (see your syllabus); and 3). Three separate postings or submissions to a blackboard topic. Please remember, the links to these things will be removed at the due date and time—if you are currently submitting passed that due date AND time, you will be locked out of the system. So, give yourself enough time to complete your quiz, completely upload an assignment or semester paper, and respond to your discussion board topics. I want to see each of my students successful, and your planning ahead and completing AND SUBMITTING on time will definitely help you!

Lastly, don’t forget—you have a semester paper to complete. This paper is designed for you to delve more deeply into topics in this course so that you can think more critically about a specific area of study. I provide a DETAILED handout so that each student has the opportunity to do VERY well on this paper—this handout is provided in the syllabus. And, don’t forget to pay attention to the due date and time that is listed in the schedule portion of the syllabus!

General Introduction to the Blackboard System:

Please note that when you click the links below, it might take a bit of time for the program to load—be patient, and you will learn about navigating the Blackboard system. J

Logging on to the Blackboard System (for an alternative to the Flash tutorial, click here)

Important Links on the Blackboard System (for an alternative to the Flash tutorial, click here)

Taking Chapter Quizzes (for an alternative to the Flash tutorial, click here)

Downloading Weekly Chapter Assignments (to your computer; for an alternative to the Flash tutorial, click here)

Completing and Uploading Weekly Chapter Assignments (for an alternative to the Flash tutorial, click here)

Uploading Your Semester Paper(s) (for an alternative to the Flash tutorial, click here)

Responding to Discussion Board Topics (for an alternative to the Flash tutorial, click here)

Important Reminders for this Psychology ONLINE Course

1. Please remember to give well-thought-out responses in your weekly assignments, semester paper(s), and discussion board postings. A simple, “yes,” “no,” “me too,” or something similar does not count as a sufficient response. So, just remember to explain your ideas.

2. Please save your weekly assignments as a Rich Text Format. I may or may not have the same program, so as long as you save your document as an “RTF” (Rich Text Format) paper before uploading it, I will not have a problem opening your document. For instructions on how to save your document as an RTF file, click this link: How to Save as a Rich Text Format

3. Remember, when uploading your weekly assignments, please upload them and CUT AND PASTE YOUR INFORMATION IN THE MESSAGE WINDOW as well. This way, you have given me your assignment in two ways—this assures you that I receive your assignment one way or the other. If I cannot open your file (for some reason) and you have not cut and pasted your responses in the message window, then I cannot give you credit. Please don’t let this happen! I do not accept late work, so this will assure you that I receive your assignment.

4. Remember, if you are in a pinch for time, please DO NOT email me your assignment or semester paper—I do not accept these by email. Please plan ahead before uploading these to the Blackboard system.

5. When responding to the discussion board topics, it is expected that at least one of your responses is a direct response to the prompt that I post—the other two may be in response to my prompt or to other students. Again, you must have three different postings or submissions to receive full credit. Also, please do NOT make postings on the last day only. It is expected that your first response to my prompt will be posted within 2 days of the appearance of the topic (within 1 day for summer classes). If you do not do this, then you will receive partial credit only. Other students enjoy reading other students’ comments, and if you save it to the last minute to post your responses, few if any students will have the chance to read it.