BLACKBOARD:
BlackBoard 9.0 (BB) is a course-management system that allows students to access class information, documents, and assignments 24 hours a day. By using BB, you can stay better organized, keep up with your assignments, and more easily meet your academic obligations. The course outline, requirements, policies, important documents, assignments, project directions, etc. are available on BB at any time day or night. Periodically, you may be required to complete online quizzes on BB outside of class hours; those quizzes will be graded instantly and the grades will be posted immediately in your personal ‘Grades’ section in the BB Gradebook.
UNV grades will be posted and updated regularly on BB, or in a manner determined by the instructor, so you as a student can check your progress at any time. Check the system daily because sometimes simple assignments will appear unannounced. In addition, the Blackboard 9.0 system enables your professor to periodically check to see (a) who logs on, (b) when they log on, and (c) what areas they look at, quizzes they take, etc. So, if you need to practice using BB, the directions are on the BB link on the KSU website. There is also a BB Tutorial on the BB link's opening page that will show you step-by-step how to use the system. If you have trouble, quickly ask for help.
COURSE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS, EXPECTATIONS, POLICIES:
- ATTENDANCE - Attendance in class is recorded each day by the professor. Class attendance is important and the rules and guidelines governing class attendance are set by the instructor in agreement with KSU policy. The attendance policy for this course is the same as the University's attendance policy as stated in the KSU Catalogue: if a student has more than three unexcused absences a professors will lower the final grade in the class one letter grade beginning with the fourth unexcused absence. In other words, you lose points when you miss class – and you lose out on a lot more than that. Quizzes often begin during the first few minutes of class, so if you're late you will not have enough time to finish the quizzes.
- OFFICIAL EXCUSED ABSENCES – Read the University’s attendance policy in the KSU Catalogue. You must take verification/proof of an absence to the Office of the Vice President of Student Affairs (3rd floor Student Center). This is your responsibility. If an “excused absence” is granted, a staff member in that office will email the official excuse to all of your professors. However, it is up to your professor to decide whether or not you get to make up any work you missed during your absence. Good grades usually result from faithful attendance and hard work. Poor attendance almost ALWAYS results in a failing grade.
- LATE ASSIGNMENTS - If you are having trouble getting your work done on time, contact your professor immediately because all late assignments, quizzes, projects, etc. are usually penalized one letter grade for each day they're late. Some professors may not accept late work at all. Your professor determines the penalty – but turning things in late will quickly ruin your grades. Late work is usually the result of poor time management,
[48]