Course Information and WebCT

Q: Where is the course syllabus and all the course information?
A: All the course information, including the syllabus and announcments is on the UGA WebCT (courseware) site at www.elc.uga.edu . Initially, much of that material is available from www.terry.uga.edu/~jaronson/mist7810/ . This set of material is static; it will not be updated.

Q: How do I get to the course site?
A: Go to the Web and log in.

Q: What is my eLC ID?
A: It is the same as your UGA myID.

Q: How about my eLC password?
A: It is the same as your UGA myID password.

Q: What if I want to change my eLC password?
A: Follow the process for changing your UGA myID password.

Q: Who do I contact if I have problems with eLC?
A: I can add or delete you from the course. For any other problem, you must contact the EITS Help Desk at (go here for WebCT specific help:) www.eitshelpdesk.uga.edu/index.php  or the main number at 706.542.3106. The Terry Help Desk help@terry.uga.edu or 706.542.6799 might be able to help you out..

Q: I know you put announcements for the class on eLC. Sometimes you email announcements and other class information. I haven't been getting those. What is going on?
A: I don't know. If you are part of eLC and have access to the course, once you connect to the course you can access its email. Ask me after class or in my office.

Q: Why don't you use the UGA email system?
A: I do; only not for class issues and class work. If I used it for class work, my mailbox would fill up quickly and often. I check the WebCT email system twice a day or more. Use only the WebCT email system for our class work.

Course Issues - Textbook and Software Versions

Q: Is the textbook required?
A: Yes. You cannot master the material without it. The text is organized as a set of well-structured tutorials. Take them seriously and you will learn.

Q: What if I already own Office 2003 or an earlier version? Can I use it at home?
A: That would be extremely dangerous. Note that I said dangerous. Actually, when a student asked me about this once, three days before the first exam, I told her "You're doomed!" And I was being kind when I said that. I was thinking of several choice words that would have been more accurate. Don't do it. Microsoft has an extreme student discount for Office 2007 (around $100). Microsoft also has a free 60 day trial. Install it in parallel with your Office 2003.

Q: What if I have a MacIntosh computer?
A: You're doomed! Try to do all your coursework on a PC somewhere on campus (Terry or the SLC). Or borrow a notebook PC from a friend.

Q: Why is it so important that I don't use Office 2003 or a MacIntosh?
A: I'll describe in class how I upgraded to Excel 2007 and you'll see. At first it felt like the time I was in a small airplane that nearly collided with a large airliner. Later it was like when I learned to ski (also known as rolling down a hill). If you are familiar with Excel 2003, you'll see what I mean shortly after we get started.

Course Procedural Issues

Q: I haven't been doing the "Suggested Exercises" like you recommended right after completing covering each tutorial chapter of the text. What can I do?
A: Start with the current chapter's Suggested Exercises, and then backtrack in time until you catch up.

Q: I haven't been doing the Tutorials in the Chapters in the text before or even after coming to class like you recommended. What can I do?
A: Start with the current chapter's Tutorials, and then backtrack in time until you catch up.

Q: I was doing great and suddenly I fell behind. What can I do?
A: Get with your course buddies and work on peer learning. Perhaps get a tutor, and do spend more time on the class. You can't rush the learning process. It does take time.

Q: What if I lose all my files that I was going to submit to you.
A: Basically, you are out of luck. You were supposed to own a USB flash drive (it's required). If you didn't back them up and your system crashes or you are on campus and you logout, the files are probably gone. Back your work up regularly.

Q: How do I submit my work?
A: ONLY through eLC (never by email). There is an "Assignment" that you click on. You MUST Upload the file AND Submit it. Look for a button for Upload, and another button to Submit.

Q: What if I submit a file and want to change it?
A: eLC allows multiple submissions.

Q: So, if I like what I submitted, I only have to submit it once, right?
A: Right!

Q: Why do I have an exclaimation mark (!) or three hyphens (---) as a score for an assignment or exam in the myGrades?
A: That is how eLC indicates that a file was submitted for grading. The ! or --- is meaningless as a score.

Q: Then, where can I see my assignment scores?
A: The actual assignment scores may appear as a different entry in the myGrades.

Q: Why did the Excel file I submitted to eLC not have the changes I made in it?
A: You must have had Excel running with the file open when you submitted it. You made the changes in Excel, but did not Save the file. When you submitted the file, eLC through the MS Windows File Manager goes to the hard drive to get the file, not to the open one. Just to be safe, always close your files before submitting them for grading.

Q: Why was the Excel file I submitted to eLC empty?
A: See the answer to the previous question. You need to save the file and close it before you submit it.(I have to check on this one. This is true for Access database files, and may hold true for Excel files in Excel 2007.)

Q: What are valid excuses for missing any in class exam?
A: First off, you need proof. Valid excuses include illness (physical or emotional), serious illness of a family member, death in the family, getting drafted into military service, jury duty, court appearances, civic elections, and a few others. Even so, if you miss too many tests, it is as if you did not take the class, and therefore may earn a not such great grade.

Q: How is attendance handled?
A: This is a graduate course. Attendance is not taken; it is expected.

Q: Should I contact you if I will or did miss class?
A: Typically, no. There is no way to make up a missed class. Contact one of your course buddies first, or email the class to find out what we did. I post all completed files in the Lectures section of eLC, and do email information on a regular basis about what we did and will be doing. Do contact me if you miss an exam class. If you are involved in something life-threatening or emotionally draining, deal with the issues first. Contact me last.

Q: What happens if I get really sick and miss a lot of school?
A: When you return to campus, bring me documentation and we will attempt to work something out to make the course work for you. You might have to complete the course in the following semester.

Q: Where are the course syllabus and other materials?
A: Everything is on eLC. Because you are enrolled in the class, you have access to them. This can be reached from www.eLC.uga.edu . You must check your section's site for announcements daily.

Q: Where are grades posted?
A: Only on the course eLC site. You may have to activate that area to view it. It is a secure site.

Q: I don't know anyone in the class. How can I get a course buddy?
A: Introduce yourself to the people around you and ask them to be your buddies. Don't be shy. If you ask me, I'll introduce you to the next two people who walk by to be your buddies.

Q: Is it possible for the grading scales to be different in from one section to another?
A: Yes. Technically, each section of the course is a different course. Even though the Instructors are coordinating them, and the exams and assignments are essentially the same, the quizzes and exams, though comparable, may be different. And, because each instructor may emphasize slightly different topics, students in each section may perform differently. So grading cutoffs for As, Bs, Cs, etc. (and +/-) may be different.

Q: I heard great things about the course. Even so, why am I taking this course?
A: This course provides many details about Excel that you will definitely find useful in your professional career. The return on investment from saving three weeks of implementation effort more than pays for the time and effort (and cost) of this course. I have asked students in the class both before and after to find out the answer to this question. I try to give you useful information about Excel in every class; on the whole, the knowledge you gain is definitely well worth the time investment.

Q: Why is class cancelled if the Clarke County Schools are closed even though the University may still be open?
A: On the third day that I drove to campus when this occurred, a bus and a jackknifed tractor trailer slid down the hill on Broad Street near campus towards him. I realized that if it is too risky for me to get to campus because the roads are slick, it is too risky for you to get to campus, too. We don't need to risk our lives for learning. We can learn later.

Q: Why do I have to bring a bag of candy to class if my cell phone rings?
A: It seems fair that since you disturbed everyone, you should have a penalty that involves everyone's benefit. If your phone rings and you don't answer it, I might look for it so we know it's yours. Own up to it if it happens.

Q: What about in-class computer, notebook computer and PDA use?
A: If you're taking notes, that's fine. If you're playing games or checking email or surfing the Web - or basically doing anything not class-related, the bag-of-candy rule applies. It is extremely distracting to other students if you are tapping on keys. I found out that in the past some students find the Web distracting, both when they get on it or others do during class. Consequently as a learning enhancement, stay off the Web, email, facebook, etc. It'll help you out a lot.

Q: Why do you encourage active learning and note taking?
A: These, along with attendance, are the most important criteria for course success.

Q: I sit in the back and can't hear you. What can I do?
A: Sit in the front? Actually, the acoustics in the room can be an issue. Let me know if this is the case. I might be able to get a classroom cordless microphone from the Terry OIT Desk.

Contacting Me:

Q: How do I get in touch with you directly?
A: The best bet is to send an email to me directly through eLC's email. You must put "MIST7810: " at the start of the subject, and include a meaningful subject. You must include your name (ideally as a signature at the bottom of the message). You may also drop in during my office hours or schedule an appointment. If it is an emergency, try me at jaronson@uga.edu.

Q: Why do you want that information in the subject and my name?
A: Your email is a business correspondence. If you were attempting to use email to get a job and indicated a subject of "Hey" and simply had the message "What about that job?" with no signature, there is no context for the recipient to determine what you are asking about (and you would not get the job; if you had it, you would probably be fired). Professional email etiquette demands what I am asking you for. In addition, good grammar and spelling is important. The most important issue is that I teach more than one course, each with multiple exams, quizzes and homeworks. I need context from you to be able to answer your question or request. Finally, I generally am teaching at least one other class during the semester. Sometimes there is common material, or the two classes use common names. Sometimes I have classes with as many as 330, othertimes as few as a mere 110 (in two sections). I need the context or I can't intelligently answer a question.

Q: What if I leave out that information?
A: I won't know what you are asking or requesting. In the past, I spent untold hours trying either to figure out what was being asked in email, or I repeatedly asked for additional information. I have stopped doing that. It wastes your time and my time. I might simply delete the message.

Academic Honesty

Q: What is the deal with Academic Honesty and Academic Dishonesty?
A: Those of us who have taught for a long time and new instructors realize that Academic Honesty is a critical issue here at UGA. We will remind you all on a regular basis. It is your responsibility to conform to the Academic Honesty policies of The University. These are available at www.uga.edu/honesty/ . Among other things, that means that you cannot copy anyone else's work; you cannot give someone your work to copy; you cannot lie about taking an exam later because you are ill; you cannot copy exam answers from others; you cannot give anyone else exam answers; you canot presume that group work is appropriate unless it is specifically stated in the assignment or announced in class; you cannot put a group's nonperformer's name on an assignment for credit when he or she clearly did not do any of the work on a group project. Finally, if you have not been through the formal stages of the Academic Dishonesty Process here on campus, I can tell you that although it is an extremely fair process, it is also heart wrenching for both students and faculty to deal with a poor choice on the part of one or several students, face-to-face.

Miscellaneous

Q: Do you spend a lot of time preparing to teach?
A: Actually, yes. A lot of work goes into making course material coherent/understandable, and producing a cohesive lecture/demo that makes sense, is timely, and is done on time. Most students don't realize that it probably takes about 6 hours of preparation for a single hour (a 6:1 ration) of in-class material used for the first time  After that, the ratio may drop to 3:1, and finally, maybe to 2:1. This doesn't include replying to and creating course email, exam preparation and grading, etc.

Q: I notice that sometimes you seem to have difficulties with using software in class. How can this happen since you certainly must know everything about Excel?
A: Sometimes there are subtle differences in the way Excel is configured in the classroom, versus how it configured in my office and even at home. Sometimes, a slightly newer software release operates differently than past ones did. When these events occur, please be patient. This is a given factor in using any technology and is not a result of lack of preparation. It is the result of surprise. This is a good example of how the real-world impacts technology use.

Q: What courses outside the major do you recommend for a business or even an MIS major?
A: Surprisingly, I recommend theater, public speaking, communications, and journalism courses on interviewing, reporting, technical and creative writing. These will help you pick up skills that you don't normally get within the MIS major or business courses. Recruiters look for these skills. They know that you know the business and/or MIS stuff. Also, take something that you really enjoy.

Q: Why don't you have standard, formal suit and tie photos of you on your Web and course Web sites?
A: I got tired of wearing and using them. I thought it would be more interesting to show you more interesting photos.

Concluding Question:

Q: Why are there so many policies and rules.
A: Each policy is either a piece of advice, or involves something that has happened in the past. Either way, a policy evolved from it.