Hello students,

My name is Joe Escobar and I am your instructor for HST203 United States History at Lane Community College. You are receiving this email (Moodle announcement) because you have signed up for the course and you have wisely included your email address in your ExpressLane account information. In just one week from today, Spring Term will start and we will begin our course on Tuesday.

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First, please read my "open letter" to students located here:
http://media.lanecc.edu/users/escobarj
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HYBRID CLASS

As you've read in the open letter, this is a hybrid class, with both in class and online requirements. From a survey my students completed at the end of last term:

    Over 78% said they logged in to the class at least 4 or more times each week.
    63% considered receiving email announcements each week was "extremely important" (so have a valid email address and check it regularly)
    83% wanted future students to know that having their own, internet-connected computer should be considered an "extremely important" part of taking this particular hybrid course

Here's what one anonymous student shared in an evaluation of my Winter Term HST202 hybrid class last year.

"Personally I am not a tech person, I rarely use a computer. I actually missed three quizzes because I don't ever think about going on the computer. This class was a horrible choice for me personally, it doesn't suit my learning style at all. Which set me up for a rough time."

In fact, 24% of my students last term said they would have preferred a traditional 4 hour course, rather than a 3-1 hybrid course.  So this student was not alone.  Don't let this happen to you.  Now that you have the facts, make a decision that is best for you regarding this class.  

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS

I included several links in my "open letter" to you. If there are any problems, figure them out on your own, update your Quicktime plugin and/or web browser software, contact the LCC student help desk at SHeD@lanecc.edu, use a friend's computer or one in an LCC computer lab, or drop the class. All technical issues you may have should be solved now, before the term begins. Technical issues, beyond the LCC Moodle server going down, will not be valid excuses for failing to meet class deadlines and complete class assignments.

Before the term begins, I hope you:

Login to Moodle and take a quick look around.

Read the course syllabus now.  If you don't like what you read, consider dropping the course.  If you think this class might be a good fit for you, I'll see you in class.

Read my past instructor evaluations.  I even have a few interesting recent ones on ratemyprofessors.com.  What conclusions can you draw from those students who either love or hate an instructor?

THE TEXTBOOK & YOUR FIRST QUIZ

I was a slower reader when I attended college, so I appreciated any advanced notice the instructors could give me. In that same tradition, I offer you this information. We are starting the first week with material from Chapter 22, Becoming a World Power.  (Specific textbook information is  on the website, linked above.)

As a matter of fact, I've also "opened" the first computer quiz on Chapter 22 in Moodle. Feel free to try it before the term starts, multiple times, even without the textbook, without your actual score having any negative effect on your class grade. 

Well, that's all of the news I have for you now.  I look forward to meeting you in person on Tuesday and working with you during the term.

Until then,

Joe Escobar
History Instructor
Lane Community College