Frequently Asked Questions
How often do I have to log in?
Ideally, you'll log in every day. However, you should log in a minimum of once per week. You will get a monthly progress report email from me indicating your current level of engagement and your grade. Logging in weekly is crucial to your success in this course.
How do I contact you?
Use the message center in Blackboard; this helps me keep track of all of your messages in one place.
I sent you a message 10 minutes ago and you still haven’t responded and now I’m having a melt-down because if you don’t get me an answer right away I’ll fail this course and never graduate high school, and then I won’t get to go to college, and then I’ll end up living in a van down by the river! Why haven’t you responded yet!?
I haven’t responded yet because you sent the email 10 minutes ago. Remember, teachers have up to 24 hours Monday-Friday to respond to your messages. I usually reply much sooner, but sometimes I have many emails to get through in one day and yours will have to wait its turn. If I haven’t responded in 24 hours Monday-Friday, I’ve either been blown up by a meteor, or something went wrong with your message delivery. Wait the full 24 hours, and then feel free to write again. I PROMISE to get back to you as soon as I possibly can. Remember, I WANT you to succeed. We’re on the same team.
How long do you take to grade assignments?
I grade all assignments within 72 hours (Monday-Friday), usually much sooner. But remember, if you turn in an assignment on Friday, I have 72 BUSINESS hours to grade it. You might not receive a grade until the next Wednesday. THIS INCLUDES DISCUSSION POSTS. Here's a chart to help you keep track of the timeline:
TURN IN DAY GRADED BY THE FOLLOWING
Monday Thursday
Tuesday Friday
Wednesday Monday
Thursday Tuesday
Friday Wednesday
Help! I can't access half of the course material! Why is it hidden from me?
Some courses use something called an Adaptive Release Feature. This feature limits how much of the course you are able to access at any given time; it will require that you pass certain quizzes or turn in certain assignments before it will release the rest of the course materials to you.
Where do I go for…
Test passwords? Your school site mentor/teacher/counselor
One-on-one help? Attend an Elluminate session, held for an hour weekly. Check the Staff Info page for my current office hours.
A pacing plan? You should have gotten one from me when you enrolled in the course. If you need another one, or to change your dates, go to the ORIENTATION tab and click on Schedule.
To change my end date? Talk with your school site mentor/teacher/counselor. They are the ones who set your end dates.
Ideally, you'll log in every day. However, you should log in a minimum of once per week. You will get a monthly progress report email from me indicating your current level of engagement and your grade. Logging in weekly is crucial to your success in this course.
How do I contact you?
Use the message center in Blackboard; this helps me keep track of all of your messages in one place.
I sent you a message 10 minutes ago and you still haven’t responded and now I’m having a melt-down because if you don’t get me an answer right away I’ll fail this course and never graduate high school, and then I won’t get to go to college, and then I’ll end up living in a van down by the river! Why haven’t you responded yet!?
I haven’t responded yet because you sent the email 10 minutes ago. Remember, teachers have up to 24 hours Monday-Friday to respond to your messages. I usually reply much sooner, but sometimes I have many emails to get through in one day and yours will have to wait its turn. If I haven’t responded in 24 hours Monday-Friday, I’ve either been blown up by a meteor, or something went wrong with your message delivery. Wait the full 24 hours, and then feel free to write again. I PROMISE to get back to you as soon as I possibly can. Remember, I WANT you to succeed. We’re on the same team.
How long do you take to grade assignments?
I grade all assignments within 72 hours (Monday-Friday), usually much sooner. But remember, if you turn in an assignment on Friday, I have 72 BUSINESS hours to grade it. You might not receive a grade until the next Wednesday. THIS INCLUDES DISCUSSION POSTS. Here's a chart to help you keep track of the timeline:
TURN IN DAY GRADED BY THE FOLLOWING
Monday Thursday
Tuesday Friday
Wednesday Monday
Thursday Tuesday
Friday Wednesday
Help! I can't access half of the course material! Why is it hidden from me?
Some courses use something called an Adaptive Release Feature. This feature limits how much of the course you are able to access at any given time; it will require that you pass certain quizzes or turn in certain assignments before it will release the rest of the course materials to you.
Where do I go for…
Test passwords? Your school site mentor/teacher/counselor
One-on-one help? Attend an Elluminate session, held for an hour weekly. Check the Staff Info page for my current office hours.
A pacing plan? You should have gotten one from me when you enrolled in the course. If you need another one, or to change your dates, go to the ORIENTATION tab and click on Schedule.
To change my end date? Talk with your school site mentor/teacher/counselor. They are the ones who set your end dates.