Must Read Information on Taking Internet Sections of BIO1114 and BIO1114L (lab)

Bruce G. Stewart

Professor of Biology and Chair of the Department of Science, Mathematics, and Physical Education

 Murray State College


EACH STUDENT WHO TAKES AN INTERNET COURSE AT MURRAY STATE COLLEGE MUST COMPLETE AN ONLINE ORIENTATION AND "TECHNICAL SUPPORT SECTION COMPLETION FORM" TO THE DISTANCE EDUCATION COORDINATOR.  (You do not need to repeat this orientation if you have done it in the past.) THE LINK TO THE START OF THIS ORIENTATION IS:

http://www.mscok.edu/~pwashington/online_orientation.htm 

The following links take you to sections on the page below.  Some but not all of this information may also appear in your on-line orientation at the link above.  You must go to each of these sections and review the material BEFORE you continue in this General Biology 1114 Internet course.
 INTRODUCTION & IMPORTANT CONTACTS DISTANCE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
 DISTANCE EDUCATION SELF-EXPLORATION QUESTIONS GENERAL HARDWARE & SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

INTRODUCTION & IMPORTANT CONTACTS

The purpose of this course is to offer an opportunity for busy or isolated students to accomplish and academic step that might be very difficult in a traditional setting.  It is offered with a commitment from Murray State College to have the same quality of education, faculty, and resources as on the main campus in Tishomingo, OK or the Ardmore Higher Education Center in Ardmore, OK.

Helpful numbers for this course include my own (580-371-2371 ext.225 as also given on the course syllabus) and the following:

NAME TELEPHONE # E-MAIL RELATIONSHIP TO YOUR COURSE
Karen Lee, Coordinator/Invest Learning Specialist, MSC Help Center (in Library)

(580) 371-2371

ext. 229

 klee@mscok.edu  Ms. Lee will administer or arrange for your six exams if taken at MSC.
Bonnie Petersen, Assessment Assistent in MSC Office at AHEC  (580) 220-2858 bpetersen@mscok.edu Ms. Petersen or her designate will administer or arrange for your six exams if taken at the AHEC.
Bill Adams, Instructional Technology Specialist

(580) 371-2371

ext. 138

 badams@mscok.edu  Very knowledgeable about technology in general and Blackboard in particular.  He can provide you with technical help.
Pricilla Washington, Distance Learning Coordinator

(580) 371-2371

ext. 123

 pwashington@mscok.edu  Great general trouble shooter and communicator.  Call her if you cannot reach Bill Adams for technical help. Ms. Washington is also the one to contact if you need to make arrangements for proctoring at distant sites away from MSC & the AHEC.

Note: Maximum of one hour allowed for taking an exam. Testing hours this semester are as follows:

DISTANCE EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS 

DISTANCE EDUCATION SELF-EXPLORATION QUESTIONS

Here are a few questions that may help you decide whether you are suited for a distance education course like Internet BIO1114/BIO1114L. The results of this self test are not recorded by MSC.  The results are not totaled.  Just be honest with yourself.  Are you ready for a rigorous general biology distance learning course?  Take a few minutes to consider the questions below.  If you have even one "No" answer on a critical question, you may not be ready for this Internet course. 

Yes No

I am able to work on my own..
I write well.
I can take good notes from textbooks, television programs, and
            online lectures.
I am will be able to participate in lab days and test days on campus (see syllabus).
I am able to learn visually.
I can learn a job on my own.
I am confident of my academic abilities.
I am computer literate.
I believe I possess the appropriate reading skills for college level courses.
I am in control of my time - I decide how to use it.
I do not give up easily, even if confronted with obstacles.
I am self-motivated.
I believe high quality learning can take place outside of a classroom.
I can make a commitment of 12 hours a week on this BIO1114 course.
I am comfortable communicating in writing.
I believe that what I learn is ultimately my responsibility.
I am capable of doing college level work.
I am not a procrastinator - I like to get things done.
I am comfortable taking both essay and objective exams.
I do not feel that I have to be part of a traditional classes.

    This self-test is not meant to be an absolute guide, but the questions should help point out some possible problem areas that might interfere with your success.  There is no maximum number of "yeses" that will guarantee success.  Even one major "no" might cause you serious difficulties.  Just be aware before you start that you have strengths and weaknesses that you need to consider in your decision.

GENERAL HARDWARE & SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS
Operating System Windows 2000, XP, or Vista, Recent Mac OS
Processor 350 MHz, but the faster the better
Memory 64 MB of RAM, but the more the better
Hard Drive Space 1GB free disk space
Browser

For your Notes on the Web, about any descent browser will due. However, for various web sites linked from your Notes on the Web, and for all functions of Blackboard, Internet Explorer (latest version preferred) is probably your safest bet, although I personally use the most recent versions of Firefox.

  • Note: JavaScript & Cookies must be enabled. There are a number of pluggins that are required to view various graphics, etc. Some of these a listed in this table.
Browser Settings

By default, web browsers store visited web pages on a computer's hard drive (cache). These pages are erased either after a number of days or after the maximum file size is reached. These options can also be set by the user.

Since the content of this BIO 1114/BIO1114L course can change on a daily basis (such as when I am updating or adding information to your notes), it is important that you make the following modifications to your cache settings.  If you do not, your computer may use previously cached old versions of the page.

If you are using Firefox
-click on TOOLS
-click on CLEAR PRIVATE DATA
-click on the make sure CACHE is checked in the list.
-click on CLEAR PRIVATE DATA NOW
-now when you refresh or revisit any web page, the lastest version should display.

NOTE: Don't check "Saved Passwords" or all of your saved passwords will have to be re-entered when you.

If you are using Internet Explorer (version 5 or higher)
-click on TOOLS
-click on INTERNET OPTIONS
-click on DELETE FILES (in the middle of that screen)
-click on OK
Now click on SETTINGS (it is to the right of the "delete files)
-have the dot beside "Every visit to the page" 

Plug-ins & Downloads
  • Not all of these may be used, but here they are in case you need them. 
  • Acrobat Reader -View and print millions of documents on the Web with the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader. You WILL need to have Acrobat Reader on your computer.
  • Apple Quick Time -Quick Time lets you add more than 200 digital media capabilities and components to your Mac or PC.
  • Chemscape Chime - Note that you must register first with MDL before being permitted to download the Chime software.  This plugin allows the viewing of certain 3-D graphics at required web sites you will use during the semester.
  • Excel Viewer - allows you to view the Microsoft's EXCEL files on this system if you do not own EXCEL - Do NOT install if you have EXCEL on your computer.Use the search feature on the web site and select Excel for the program and "viewer" for the key word.  It will then give you choices to download.
  • Mozilla Firefox - I like using this brower for most everything; however, there are times when only Internet Explorer or Netscape will do (e.g. with Chemscape Chime).
  • Internet Explorer - standard browser, but oh so subject to viral hijacking!
  • Microsoft Media Player - Windows Media Player supports Windows Media (WMA,ASF), MP3, WAV, MIDI, AVI, and other formats.
  • Netscape - standard browser that will allow viewing of all web animations with appropriate plugins
  • PowerPoint Viewer - allows you to view the Microsoft's PowerPoint files on this system if you do not own PowerPoint - Do NOT install if you have PowerPoint on your computer.  Use the search feature on the web site and select PowerPoint for the program and "viewer" for the key word.  It will then give you choices to download.
  • Real Networks RealPlayer -Play online audio and video content. Note that you should want to download the free version, NOT the "free trial" version.  One is truly free while the other cost money if you wish to keep using it beyond the free period.
  • Shockwave, Flash & Authorware - Macromedia's Shockwave, Flash and Authorware Player plug-ins let you experience automation and entertainment in your Web browser. The new Shockwave 7 provides auto-updating of the player.
  • Word Viewer - allows you to view the Microsoft's WORD files on this system if you do not own WORD - Do NOT install if you have WORD on your computer.Use the search feature on the web site and select Word for the program and "viewer" for the key word.  It will then give you choices to download.
  • Other plugins and add ons to your browser may be required by certain web sites. If so, they will nearly always offer you a link to download those items. If you have trouble, please contact Mr. Bill Adams (see contact information earlier). Be sure to have the specific name of the plugin you need before calling Bill.
Modem 56 kbps or higher speed, but higher speeds definitely make the experience faster and better.
Printer graphics-capable (inkjet or laser) printer
CD-ROM not needed at this time
Sound Card required for a few items, but most all computers have sound capabilities these days
Monitor Recommend minimums of 15" monitor and 800 x 600 resolution. Higher resolutions make the experience visually richer.