Navigating the Online Environment

Navigating the MyCC Environment

Navigating the MyCC Environment

communication Communication

In the online classroom, you will use a variety of tools to participate in your online class. Most communication is written communication. Written communication allows you to get to know your instructor and other students in your class. Unlike oral communication, written communication allows you to take the time to edit and revise documents and other communications before they are submitted or viewed by others. Here are some parts of MyCC to consider.

discussio forum Discussion Boards

The discussion board is commonly used in the online classroom allowing you to post and reply to text-based messages on a common topic. For example: an instructor may post a question or prompt, then require each student to reply. It is common for instructors to include an “Introduce Yourself” discussion to encourage interaction and allow students to find common interests. Here are items to consider for participation in discussion boards.

  • Share a related experience–your personal experiences, experiences of friends or family, or something you have read or seen (especially in the news).
  • Expand on others’ experiences or expand on the main theme of the question (or class material for that unit).
  • Quoting the text or other resource you have found is a great way to make a connection back to the topic.
  • Ask students questions about their ideas/experiences.
  • Try to use your posting to add value to the discussion. This is more effective than simply responding to meet a requirement.
  • Consider an idea being discussed and offer a different perspective on it.
  • Describe an interesting idea from the week’s reading and explain what insights you gained from it.
  • Ask the group a question about the week’s reading.
  • Provide an opposing argument for something presented in our text by providing a resource/source that demonstrates another view.
  • Disagree (respectfully, of course) with a point that someone else has made (asking a question such as “what about…” or “what if…” can be respectful approaches to show nother view)
  • Discuss a related issue on which you would like some feedback.
  • Describe how you have applied the recent course concepts to your personal/professional life.
  • Share another resource you have used as you explored the course topics.

Announcements or News

Watch your course home page carefully to view general announcements from your instructor. These announcements may be timely reminders of upcoming due dates for assignments or other very important course-related information.

Assignments

An assignment tool is used in your online course so that you are able to directly upload files for the instructor to review and provide feedback and grades. Be sure to check the course syllabus or instructions for the assignment to know the guidelines for a specific file type for these submissions.

Grades

The grades area of the course provides a way for you to check you progress in the course. Some items are graded automatically while others are graded manually and require instructor feedback. It is important that you closely monitor your grades and communicate quickly with your instructor to discuss any discrepancies.

Assistive Tech

assistive tech

Assistive technology is assistive, adaptive, and rehabilitative devices for people with disabilities or the elderly population. People who have disabilities often have difficulty performing activities of daily living independently, or even with assistance. Federal law requires colleges to provide an equal opportunity to students with disabilities to participate in and receive the benefits of an educational program. When applied to online coursework, this means that materials used for instruction must be accessible to all students.

Video and Audio Resources

Whenever video or audio resources are used in the online classroom, the instructor will ensure the content is accessible to all students. For instance, if a student is hearing impaired, the media resource should provide the audio in an alternate format. For students who are not able to see, the media resource should provide a visual component for the student.

Screen Readers

Accessibility Tools

Many common software applications have built-in features to help make the course content more accessible to students with disabilities. Most applications allow you to modify the size, color, and style of the font, which can be helpful for low-vision students. Also, the computer operating system may have accessibility features to magnify the screen, change the size of icons, or adjust the way the mouse and keyboard react. Visit the links below for detailed information on accessibility features and information about how these technologies can be applied to assist.

Resources

15 Assistive Technology Tools for Students with Disabilities – https://www.teachthought.com/technology/15-assistive-technology-tools-resources-for-students-with-disabilities/