CIS-100 Chapter 1—Orientation

Chapter Objectives After successful completion of this chapter you should be able to:  Access assignments, projects, and tests  Access your school account  Contact school administration and President  Download all plug-ins required for ACoT-eLearn  Download Google Talk and add ACoT staff  Identify and understand ACoT’s policies and guidelines.  Access the “How to Succeed” page for extra help with your studies.

ACoT eLearn What is ACoT eLearn? ACoT eLearn is a web-based, student portal used by ACoT to deliver online education. What will ACoT eLearn allow you to do? ACoT eLearn will allow you to login and access the live lectures, recorded lectures, homework, tests, grades, and various other resources. Note: In order to access ACoT eLearn you must have an internet connection with Java enabled.

Understanding the ACoT-eLearn User Interface The ACoT eLearn system consists of three parts: Left Navigator Middle Navigator Right Navigator

Left Navigator The Left Navigator contains links that will connect you to the:  course syllabus  live lectures  recorded lectures  Software Page  Access PDF’s for Week 1  How to study and succeed

Middle Navigator The Middle Navigator contains links that will connect you to:  all available courses for the current semester  course materials for each week  objectives  assignments  projects  tests

Right Navigator The Right Navigator contains access to a wide variety of students services such as: Tutoring Tech Support Link to Check your Internet Speed Academic Calendar Typing Tutorial

Live Lectures Most courses are offered live three days a week. You are able to see the times and dates of your course as soon as you have selected your course from the Middle Navigator. Attending all live lectures is strongly recommended, however you must attend at least one live lecture per week. Extended Courses are offered at various times and meet one day a week with a second live lecture in weeks 4, 8 and 12. Your Instructor will inform you as to the precise date and time. You MUST attend at least every other Live Lecture.

Snap Shot of the Live Lecture Room

Logging into Live Lectures—First Time Users If you have any trouble signing into the live lecture you will have to download the software plug-in. Please contact Tech Support by browsing to this page: for assistance in downloading the plug-in.

Live Lectures Continued..  High Speed Internet is required to access live lectures. (DSL, Cable Modem or Broadband Air Card with a strong connection.) Your internet Speeds must exceed 150 kbs for a successful live lecture experience. To test your speed click on the “check your speed” button found on the right navigator within your course page. iPhone users within a 3G network and achieving a strong signal should be able to connect to a live lecture. You are now in your classroom and your name will appear in the “Attendees List” on the left of your screen.

Live Lectures  The Live lecture room is divided into 3 areas. These areas are called “pods” The top pod is the instructors video and voice area, the pod below that is the attendees list and the last pod is the chat pod. The center area is reserved for the instructors presentation area.  Adobe Connect Pro has many features that allow for instructor/student interaction. Your instructor will employ the use of several tools during class such as; “polling” which allows the instructor to pose questions and get real-time feedback from you the student; “passing the microphone” which assigns a microphone to a specific student or all students; “call on students by name” for a specific question on a related classroom topic”; and “desktop sharing” which allows the instructor to share different presentations with students onscreen such as PowerPoint presentations, websites, power points and other audio and or video information. Note: iphone/ipod touch users can download adobe connect from the app store and attend live lectures on the go.

Navigating Live Lectures Your course runs Monday, Wednesday, and Friday MondayWeek 1 Day 1(Wk1D1)6:30-9:00 pm WednesdayWeek 1 Day 2(Wk1D2)6:30-9:00 pm FridayWeek 1 Day 3(Wk1D3) 6:30-9:00 pm

Talking During Live Lectures While in a live lecture you can use the chat window to communicate with the class or you can push the “raise hand” button at the bottom left. This will prompt the instructor to grant you microphone rights. You will then be able to push the talk button located at the bottom, under the chat log.

Google Talk ACoT uses Google Talk so students can keep in touch during and between classes. We request you to be signed into Google Talk when attending the live lecture.  Please create a Google Talk account and add ACOT staff members to your friends list.  Download at  Add ACOT staff to your friends list here: (bottom of page)

Recorded Lectures In the event that you are not able to attend your scheduled live lecture, you will need to access and view the recorded lecture. All live lectures are recorded, and once concluded they are posted in ACoT eLearn and are available 24/7 for your retrieval at your convenience.

Logging into Recorded Lectures Step 1: Type elearn.acot.edu in your browser.elearn.acot.edu Step 2: Type your username and password in the appropriate fields. Step 3: Select your course by clicking on blue text found in the Middle Navigator. Step 4: Click on the recorded lectures link found on the Left Navigator. A new window will open that contains all recorded lectures. Step 5: Select the appropriate lecture by date and click on the video icon

Your School Myacot.com is your new web based powered by Google. This is the account the school will use to send information to you throughout your courses. It is EXTREMELY important that you check this account at least two times a week, including the one week break between semesters. All school correspondence will be sent through this account only.

Accessing Your School Step 1: Type in your web browser. Step 2: Click Sign In, in the upper right corner of the screen. Step 3: Type your username (FirstName.LastName) and password (2 Initials followed by 6 digit DOB) in the appropriate fields.

Viewing/Uploading Assignments and Projects While signed into e-learn, locate the week one assignments. Click on the first assignment to view it. You will not need to browse to your assignment. Select your assignment. Click upload. You Will receive a notification that it uploaded successfully. Your assignment will be sent to your instructor.

Taking Tests  Tests are timed  You only get one attempt per week  Use the save buttons as you go  Complete and submit when complete  Due by Sunday at Midnight CST  Late tests lose 10% daily and are not accepted after the following Sunday.

Grading and Performance  Grading is carried out as you go throughout the week. Instructors will post the results from the grading of items turned in by Sunday midnight by the following Wednesday. 80% of your Grade is based on:  Three Assignments/Projects:50%  5 Weekly Online Test:40%  Weekly Attendance:10% The Final is worth 20% of TOTAL Grade

ACoT Policies  Live Class is offered three days a week. If you are not able to attend you, the student, are responsible for viewing/listening to recorded lectures and completing the attendance quizzes.  All assignments and projects are due before midnight CST on Sunday. We highly recommend that you complete assignments as assigned.  If you have questions regarding your class you should first contact your instructor. If that avenue of communication fails, then contact the Admissions Office or Director of Operations.  One-on-one training and tutoring is available by appointment. Complete the Request a Tutor in the student services section of e-Learn on the right Navigator.  If you disagree with your instructor for any reason, and cannot come to a resolution you can contact the school administrator or file a complaint to ACOT. This form is located in the student services section of e-learn.

ACoT Policies Continued  You can appeal any decision made by the school by sending an appeal to the school President, Sam Atieh.  You need at least a 2.0 GPA in order to graduate from ACoT.  You must attend at least one live lecture per week and listen to the other 2 missed lectures. 150 minutes of live lecture per week  Academic Activity: 14 day rule. Will be dismissed for no activity.  You can withdraw from school at any time, though you may forfeit fees and tuition based on our refund policy in the college catalog.  You will have an opportunity to evaluate the course and instructor once at mid-term and again at the end of the term.  In order to verify that you have listened to a recorded (missed) lecture you MUST submit answers to the two questions found in the recording called attendance quizzes.

ACoT Policies Continued  If you fail a course you will be put on probation.  If you fail a course twice in a row you will be dismissed for failing to meet the schools Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.  You must provide ACoT with a copy of your driver’s license and requests a personal photo.  You MUST Sign and Submit the Academic Honesty Statement.