A brief presentation to introduce students to my classes.

1. Welcome to Professor Michael
Henson’s Class!
Here are some ways to:
• Make me happy
• Increase your chances of
success
• Improve the quality of life
for us all

2. Greetings, College Students!
• College students are adults. You will be
treated like adults, and you will be
expected to take responsibility like adults.
• Does this mean you’re completely on your
own?
– Not at all. The staff and I are all here to help
you, but you are responsible for seeking
the help you need.

3. About Me

4. My Credentials
• Master of Science in
Software Engineering
– Gaming technology
concentration
• Graduate Certificate in
Computer Science /
Distributed Systems
• Bachelor of Arts in
Computer Science
• Associate of Applied
Science in Computer
Game Design
• Sun Certified Java
Programmer
• IEEE Certified Software
Development Associate
• Currently pursuing
Ph.D. in Software
Engineering

5. My Philosophy
• Education is a partnership.
– My role: Offer you the information, skills, and
feedback you need to be successful.
– Your role: Reach for it! Make an effort to
understand the information, and just as
importantly, to understand why.
• What you get from education is
proportional to what you put into it.
• “There is no knowledge that is not power.”
(Mortal Kombat III)

6. Prepare in advance.
• At the beginning of each week:
– Read the class announcements (if any).
– Read the textbook or other material.
– Preview the assignments for the week.
• Before each class meeting:
– Post messages or responses in the current
discussions (if any).
– Review previous assignments.
– Consider questions or topics you’d like to discuss.

7. Get things done on time.
• Maintaining a schedule to get things
completed will keep your workload from
piling up at the end when you should be
studying for final exams.
– Also avoids penalties for lateness.
• Due dates are intended to pace the work
steadily through the course and keep you
from getting overwhelmed.

8. Due Dates
• Unless otherwise specified, assignments
are due at midnight one week after they
are assigned.
• Penalties for lateness:
– 10% within first week after due date
– 20% after first week
– 30% after second week, etc.
• Discussions cannot be accepted late.

9. What to Expect When You Turn
in Late Work
• If an assignment is not turned in by the
time I grade it, I will enter a 0 in the
gradebook.
• HOWEVER…this is not set in stone until
the course ends. PLEASE turn in all
assignments even if they’re late.
• Better late than never. Better to receive
partial credit than none at all.

10. Participate in class.
• Most of my classes consist of both online
and onsite components.
– Participation online means reading the
material, contributing to discussions, taking
quizzes, and emailing me if you’ll be absent.
– Participation onsite means showing up, paying
attention, joining in our activities, and asking
questions when you have them.
• Participation counts for 10% of your final
grade. (Does not apply to DeVry classes.)

11. Absences Happen
• Fact: Students who attend class tend to
outperform those who regularly skip.
• However, if you must miss class, email me
in advance if possible and explain the
reason.
– I can excuse your absence if I have an
explanation for it.
– It also provides documentation that we are in
contact and you are active in the class.

12. Complete your course
evaluation.
• Why? Because:
– We take your feedback very seriously and
have implemented major changes in
response.
– I personally read and evaluate each comment,
and make adjustments as necessary.
– Whatever your opinion, here’s a safe,
anonymous way to say it.
• Besides, it’s quick and easy.

13. Summary
• Prepare.
• Get things done on time.
• Participate.
• Keep in touch.
• Complete your course evaluation.

14. My Contact Information
Triton College: michaelhenson2@triton.edu
College of DuPage: hensonm1236@cod.edu
DeVry University: mhenson@devry.edu
See you in class!