1. Email and Announcements You need to check your email and look for new announcements every time you login. This is the most important way for you and your teacher to communicate with one another. When you are done with this short slide show, click on the “Email” button just under the “Start Here” button and send your teacher a short email introducing yourself.

2. Completing assignments This course is organized into Units. Each unit has two or three chapters. All of your assignments are found inside chapter folders. You are expected to complete one chapter per week to complete the course on time. Two of the units prepare you for the midterm and final exams.

3. Completing assignments All assignments have a due date, usually at the end of each week. The actual date will appear in the grade book. Assignments that are not completed on time will receive a 60% (the lowest grade a student can receive for an assignment). Once you have missed the deadline, you will not be able to complete the assignment unless you email your teacher and request that the assignment be reopened for you.

4. Keeping track of your grades It is your responsibility to keep track of your grades. The “My Grades” button will take you to the grade book. You can see what grades you got for individual assignments and read comments from your teacher. You can also see what your average in the course is. Some of the assignments are graded automatically. Others must be graded manually by your teacher--those grades may take a few days to appear. If you see a problem with your grades, you should email your teacher.

5. Finding and using resources The “Resources” button will take you to several valuable resources, including an good online dictionary and some screencasts and videos. You will also find important resources within each of the chapters. Other important resources can be found by clicking on the “Important Handouts” button.

6. Getting extra help Every teacher has office hours—theseare specific times during the weekwhen you are encouraged to contact your teacher for extra help. You will find your teacher’s office hours, along with contact information, by clicking on the “Your Teacher” button. Later you will learn about some special technologies that will help you communicate more easily.