My name is Martha Stuffler and I will be your instructor for this course. I am very excited to have the opportunity to use the Internet to teach this class. I personally have taken eight online courses and taught online over the last several years so I understand the challenges of an online course. Additionally, I have used the Internet to supplement my traditional classroom courses for a number of years. You may access this Orientation document online in the Course Information section of CourseCompass at www.coursecompass.com or my webpage http://faculty.ivc.edu/mstuffler. I look forward to a successful semester, one in which you will obtain the knowledge you are looking for and I will be able to interact with students in this new and exciting way.

Online Course Requirements

The following is a list of basic requirements you must meet in order to be successful in completing this online course. In addition to the system requirements listed below, you should be familiar with using the Internet, and retrieving and sending email documents. You should also have a working knowledge of your basic operating system.

Computer: You can use any computer capable of accessing the Internet.

IBM or PC users--It is recommended that you have:

● 200 MHz Pentium or higher processor
● 64 MB of RAM
● Internet connection - Minimum of 28.8 kbps
● Windows 2000 or XP
● Soundblaster or compatible soundcard with speakers or headphones
● QuickTime 6.0 or higher
● Internet Explorer 5.5 or up to 6.0
● Netscape® Communicator or Netscape Navigator, Version 6.2 and 7.0
● Macromedia Shockwave Player v8.5
● Monitor with 800 x 600 resolution or higher

Mac users: It is recommended that you have:

● 200 MHz Pentium or higher processor
● 64 MB of RAM
● Internet connection - Minimum of 28.8 kbps
● Macintosh® OS 9.2, 10.1 or 10.2
● Soundblaster or compatible soundcard with speakers or headphones
● QuickTime 6.0 or higher
● Internet Explorer 5.5 or up to 6.0
● Netscape® Communicator or Netscape Navigator, Version 6.2 and 7.0
● Macromedia Shockwave Player v8.5
● Monitor with 800 x 600 resolution or higher

Note: Macintosh does not support ActiveX controls. Thus, MAC users are not able to access MyEconLab resources that include sample tests and online quizzes unless you have Virtual PC or CrossOver software, or install Apple Boot Camp available from Apple at no cost for Macs made after 1/1/06. However, you will still need a copy of Windows.

Browsers and Software: You must have internet access. Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer is the recommended browsers. I also recommend that you have Microsoft PowerPoint installed on your computer, because there are PowerPoint presentations for your review to illustrate economic concepts.

Please Note: AOL and COMPUSERVE browsers are NOT recommended. You may use AOL or CompuServe to connect, but you then need to use either the Netscape browser or Internet Explorer browser.

Cookies: All students, especially those who connect to the Internet through AOL or CompuServe, must be sure the cookies setting under the Preferences tab is set to "Accept All Cookies".

Textbook: Principles of Macroeconomics, 8^th Edition by Karl E. Case and Ray C. Fair, 2007 with a MyEconLab Student Access Kit. The textbook with Student Access Kit is available at the Irvine Valley College bookstore or may be purchased online at: www.ivc.edu/bookstore. These resources contain the reading materials and the interactive multimedia components required for this course.

Note. Although you only use your Student Access Code for the initial registration, please keep your Access Code handy in case you need to reference it again. Redeeming this Access Code gives you unlimited use of the online components of MyEconLab and its interactive, multimedia features including eBook (an electronic version of the textbook). This access code may only be used by one student.

If you have purchased a used copy of the textbook, the access code will not work. You will need to purchase a new access code to get the online version of the text, MyEconLab and all its interactive multimedia features. To obtain a new, usable access code, you may purchase it online at http://myeconlab.com/students

If you do not wish to purchase the hard copy of the text, you may purchase the MyEconLab Student Access Kit online at http://myeconlab.com/students and use the electronic version of the textbook (eBook) which mirrors the printed version of the text.

Calculator: You will need a basic calculator for this course.

Steps to complete before beginning the course

Before we can get started, we need to get some basics out of the way. I am listing a number of
steps that you need to complete below. The instructions for these steps are shown in the pages that follow this list of steps.

1. Learn how to access MySite from the Irvine Valley College homepage at www.ivc.edu. It will allow you to gain access to a wide range of information, much of it customized specifically for you.

2. Take a tour of MySite that will familiarize you with the MySite interface.

3. Verify your Irvine Valley College email account username and password.

4. Learn how to forward your Irvine Valley College email account to any other email account you wish to use when receiving email messages from your instructor.

5. Register for MyEconLab for your online course.

6. Enter your course at www.coursecompass.com and run the Installation Wizard by clicking on the link on the left side of the screen and following the instructions. This installation will ensure that the MyEconLab contents will run properly on your computer.

7. Enter your course and tour your course contents by clicking on the links shown on the left side of your course to become familiar with your course layout at www.coursecompass.com.

How to forward your email account

In order to participate in this course, you must have access to the Internet and the ability to read email messages as well as attached messages. You are required to have access to the IVC email address assigned to you when you registered for this class. You should forward your IVC email to whatever email service you normally use. Be sure to update the forwarding address if you change email service providers.

Use the following instructions to forward your email account.

1. Log into the IVC web page at http://www.ivc.edu

2. Click the MySite button to go to the MySite web page (you might want to bookmark this page).

3. Enter your username: For example, if your name is John Smith, your email account name is jsmith0@ivc.edu. Your username would be jsmith0 (the first letter of your first name, your last name and a number).

4. Enter your PIN number. This number was either assigned to you or you picked the number when you registered. If the number was assigned, it will be the last four digits of your social security number. If you picked the number, only you will know it.

5. If you have forgotten your number, you will have to personally contact Admissions and Registration to get your PIN. It may require that you to come to campus with picture identification.

6. Once you enter MySite, you should be directed to take a tour. If you miss the tour for some reason, there is a tour button at the bottom of the main page.

7. Take the tour of Mysite. Become familiar with all aspects of the MySite interface.

8. After completing the tour, click the My Email button. Verify your email information. Be sure to read the information carefully.

9. If you wish to forward your email from IVC to a personal or work account, click the Login to the Email Server button. You will be prompted for your account name jsmith0 and your email password. Your email password is your PIN number plus two zero's.

Once you are logged into the email server, a new window will open, and you will be able to change various settings. Please do the following:

1. Click the Delivery Options button (left side of the window).

2. Under "Forward a copy of your messages to:" enter the email address you want course email and materials sent. Use either your home or business email account. I will always send email messages to the IVC email account. By using the forwarding option, you will always receive email at your selected site.

3. IMPORTANT: Once you have finished entering the information, you must click the CHANGE button at the bottom of the page.

4. Close the email server window.

5. When you get back to the MySite window, be sure to LOGOUT by clicking the My Logout button. IMPORTANT: Remember to logout of the MySite window when you finish using MySite.

Registering for MyEconLab in CourseCompass

To access your MyEconLab course, you will need to complete a one-time registration and enrollment process, after which you’ll be able to access your course for the rest of the semester.

If you purchased a new textbook, it may have come with a Student Access Kit that contains a code you can use to register. If you do not have a Student Access Kit, you can purchase access online with a major credit card. The full package can be purchased at the IVC bookstore in person or online at: www.ivc.edu/bookstore

To register for your online course, you will need to have the following information on hand:

1. The author and title of your textbook: Case & Fair,
8^th Edition, Principles of Macroeconomics

2. A MyEconLab Student Access Kit, if you have one

3. Your instructor’s Course ID:

16 WEEK Course ID: (FALL) stuffler95921 and (SPRING) stuffler56243

8 WEEK Course ID: (FALL) stuffler71062 and (SPRING) stuffler28712

12 WEEK Course ID: (SUMMER) stuffler92359

4. Your school’s Zip Code: Irvine Valley College 92618

5. A valid email address

To register and enroll:

Go to http://myeconlab.com/students.
Follow the simple online instructions—you’ll either register with the access code in your Student Access Kit or purchase access with a major credit card.

After you have registered and enrolled, you will be ready to log in to your instructor's MyEconLab in CourseCompass course.

To log in and begin using your course:

Go to http://www.coursecompass.com and click the Log In button for students.
Enter the login name and password you created during registration.
You will be taken to your My CourseCompass page. Any courses you are taking will be listed here. Click the name of your instructor's course to begin using MyEconLab.

System requirements:

Operating systems: Windows 2000 or XP
Browsers: Internet Explorer 6.0 or 7.0, Netscape Navigator 7.1 or 7.2

For help with registration:

If you have trouble registering or logging in, you can contact Pearson Education Customer Technical Support.

Web site: http://247.support.pearsoned.com/
Email: http://247.support.pearsoned.com/email/index.asp
Phone: 1-800-677-6337 (Monday–Friday 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. ET; Sundays 5:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. ET)

Technical Support Information:

Call 1-800-677-6337. Staff are available to troubleshoot your technical issue during the hours shown above.

Course Web Site Layout

1. Announcements are used to communicate general updates, assignments, changes and due dates for assignments, quizzes and exams.

2. Course Information contains FAQ (frequently asked questions) that may help you avoid or solve problems during the semester and links to access student resources.

3. Staff Information contains the instructor's contact information including phone number and email address.

4. Course Documents contains the Orientation Document, Syllabus, Semester Schedule, a link to Online Quizzes in MyEconLab, reviews for Exams 1 and 2, and student learning resources for each assigned chapter. These resources include a link to the eBook, Learning Objectives, Self-Study Quizzes, Chapter Summaries with eStudy Guide, Economic News, and PowerPoint lectures. There is a specific folder with course materials for each chapter in the Course Documents section.

5. Communication contains the Student Blog Discussion Board and Send Email.

6. Important Links contains the link to check your course grades and various other hyperlinks that you may wish to use during the semester.

7. MyEconLab (MEL) Home and the Study Plan links provide access to practice exercises, samples tests, and the Online Quizzes.

Summary

If you follow the steps shown of the course syllabus and complete the course material by the dates shown on the course schedule, you should have a successful experience taking this online course. Online courses are very different from face-to-face (traditional) classes. Students who are successful in taking online courses must be highly organized, self-motivated and excellent time managers who are able to stay on schedule.

Pick out specific days and times that you can schedule time to study. Try not to rely on a computer at work where you might not be able to consistently login during business hours. Remember, even though you are not driving to campus to take this course, you still need to dedicate at least the same amount of time required in a traditional classroom setting. For a three unit 16 week online course, you should expect to put in an average of 9 hours per week in home study. For a 3 unit 8 week online course, you should expect to put in an average of 18 hours per week in home study. For a 3 unit 12 week online course, you should expect to put in an average of 13.5 hours per week in home study. Obviously, the advantage you have with an online course is that you can schedule your time to meet your needs.

Important addresses/phone numbers at a glance:

Prentice Hall Technical Support Phone: 1-800-677-6337 (Monday–Friday
8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. ET; Sundays 5:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m. ET)

IVC home page with access to MySite: http://www.ivc.edu

CourseCompass to access Course materials and MyEconLab: http://www.coursecompass.com

Martha Stuffler email address: mstuffler@ivc.edu

Martha Stuffler web page: http://faculty.ivc.edu/mstuffler

Martha Stuffler office telephone: 949-451-5759

Good luck and have a great semester!