Hello all, My name is Joe Escobar and I am your instructor for HST195 History of the Vietnam War at Lane Community College. You are receiving this email because you have signed up for the course and you have wisely included your email address in your ExpressLane account information. I wanted to contact you in advance of the start of the term with some information relevant to this particular course. HST195 is a fully online class, and as such, it will require a significant amount of writing. Besides the objective-format examinations, how else can you assure the instructor that you are learning the material? While there is no official writing course prerequisite, if you have not successfully passed WR121, WR122, & WR123, if your writing skills are not already at a college level, I would highly recommend against your taking this class. As a fully online class, you must be able to access and print course materials from the internet. The two links below are examples I'd like you to "try out" as soon as possible. The first is a 2.5 minute video with sound, similar to the longer clips you'll be required to view during the term. Make sure you can view and hear it. https://teach.lanecc.edu/escobarj/media/sample/ The second is a portable document file, or PDF which is 2.5 pages long. This format is often used for written handouts and is viewable and printable by all computers. Be sure you can download it and read it. (You do not have to print it.) https://teach.lanecc.edu/escobarj/media/sample.pdf By providing this information, I'm hoping that everyone will avoid any technical issues over the next 11 weeks. Finally, I have more information for you, including textbook and DVD information, Moodle login procedure, and more at: https://teach.lanecc.edu/escobarj/lcc/HST_195.html If any of this information causes you concern, feel free to drop this class at your earliest convenience. Many students are still in need of classes, and I am sure that any openings that result will quickly be filled. Well, that's all of the news I have for you now. I look forward to working with you during the term. Until then, Joe Escobar History Instructor Lane Community College