Eng 295WB FAQs

How can I get a ten out of a ten on a discussion forum post?

(1) Follow the class discussion rules (label your post carefully, respond to other students by name, note what is new in your response). (2) Use evidence (such as a quotation from the assigned reading) in your post. (3) Show that you are reading and understanding the professor's posts.

Do I lose anything (such as points) by submitting my assignment late?

A discussion post submitted more than two weeks after I post the discussion questions will lose at least one point. If you do not submit your paper by the earliest deadline, you do not lose points, but you should anticipate long wait for feedback. (If the wait gets too long for you, email me.) Quizzes may be taken any time until the end of the semester.

What is a thread?

A thread is a series of posts on a single topic. On the discussion forum, you stay in a thread by using "Reply" instead of "Post." (Use "Post" if you are starting a brand new topic; use "Reply" if you are going to post on the same topic as someone else.)

How can I get a good grade in the discussion forum component of this class?

Be sure to make at least one post (or reply to a post) every week; if you have to miss a week, post to the extra credit week. If you don't like the grade you got for a given week, post again until you get a grade you like.

How do I label my post adequately?

Find the "Subject" box. Make sure what is in the Subject box includes the Question Number (of the question you're answering) and at least some of the question. You may also want to include the topic of your answer. Note that when you use "Reply," Moodle will automatically fill it in for you, so you may have to erase what is already in the Subject box if it doesn't contain sufficiently specific information (as described above).

When can I expect you to respond to my email?

I try to respond to email within one to two days. If you haven't heard back by then, please feel free to send a polite followup. Please be aware that it takes me much longer to grade assignments than it does to answer email. I will respond to polite inquiries, though.

Where can I find the grade on my discussion post?

I use the forum's "rating" system to grade discussion posts, and I grade each post out of ten points. After I grade your post (not always immediately), you will see a number over 5 (such as 8, 9, or 10), followed by a the number 1 indicating that only one person (I myself) rated your post.

What should something on the web site isn't working or isn't visible to me or I don't understand it?

If something isn't working, email me. If you don't understand something, check to make sure I haven't addressed it in an email to the class or on a forum--then email me.

Which books should I buy?

Most of the reading for the course is out of copyright and can be found on the web for free. If you can't find it, email me (but check first to see if I've posted a link to it). If I have required a book for the class, the book generally contains material or a particular translation that cannot be accessed for free online and that I have assigned or am referencing this semester.

How can I meet with you?

No one is required to meet with me, and there is no in-class final (this course nearly always has a Glens Falls section). However, anyone who would is able to meet with me on campus (for example, to get something explained in person or extra help on a paper) should email me to set up a meeting.

Are there any definite deadlines in this course?

Only assignments submitted within the first six weeks are counted towards your midterm grade. Students with a zero in more than one of the three components will receive an E as a midterm grade. I may not accept any assignment submitted after the last day of the semester.

There are no discussion questions for this week. Does that mean we don't have to do them?

Sometimes I run late posting the discussion questions. If you need them posted by a particular day of the week (because of your work schedule or limited access to a computer, for example), please let me know.

Why is there more than one deadline for the same assignment?

Staggered deadlines give both the professor and the student greater flexibility in time management. I will give students who submit an assignment by the earliest deadline quicker feedback on the assignment.

How can I get a good grade in the quiz component of the class?

Take each quiz with the reading assignment nearby; use the reading to help you with the quiz and the quiz to help you with the reading. Re-take each quiz until you get the grade you want.

How do I get good grades on the two papers assigned in this class?

The main purpose of the discussion forum is to help you with the papers. Since assignment for both papers is to analyze a modern work that uses an ancient Greek or Roman text, I am hoping that (at least until you pick a work to write on) you will try to respond to questions about the modern works, to read other students' responses, and especially read my comments about the modern works. Feel more than free to meet with me in person (or email me if you can't) to work on a paper together (or on any particular aspect you find difficult).

What is the assignment for the paper?

The paper topic or topics should always appear somewhere on the course web site. If you can't find them, email me. If you're not sure you understand them, email me. If you think you might need help with one of them, email me. (But do check your campus email first to see if I've already emailed the class about them.)

How can I get a good grade in the class?

To get a good grade in the class, you will need to get a good grade in each of the three components of the class: (1) quizzes, (2) discussion forums, and (3) papers.

Why can't I see my grades online?

To give you an accurate overall grade at any given moment, I would have to spend all of my time updating everyone's grade. You should be able to see quiz grades right away and other grades as I submit them. If you would like to find out more about how you are doing in the class at any given point, you may email me.

How do I drop this class?

You can drop any online class (including this one) by having the instructor email you permission to drop it and then forwarding that email message (the permission from the instructor) on to the Registrar's Office.

Do I have to read all the posts on the discussion forum to do well?

You do not have to read every single post. If everyone is carefully to label posts correct and put them in the right thread, each person should only have to read one thread to be able to follow the discussion rules. Before you write the assigned paper, it is also a good idea to go back and read the professor's posts on your topic if the work you are writing on has been discussed in class.