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AAS 345OL - FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Created: August 19th, 2004 Updated: February 15, 2008
Q: I just enrolled, what do I do?
Q: Does the class actually meet in person?
Q: Is the class completely online?
Q: Does the class meet at a specific time?
Q: The class time overlaps with another class, is that ok?
Q: Is there a syllabus for the course?
Q: What text will I need?
Q: Do I really have to buy the book?
Q: Is there any way I can add your class?
Q: I would also like to know if I am working and traveling to (insert city here) can I do your online course from a distance?
Q: Do I really have to send in my picture and profile information?
Q: I took another online course before, is this course just like it?
Q: I sent an email to the professor 30 minutes ago, why hasn’t he responded?
Q: I just enrolled, what do I do?
A: Email me to confirm. Buy the textbook. Follow the instructions for week one.
Q: Does the class actually meet in person?
A: Overall, all class meetings, turning in assignments, tests, quizzes, etc. is all done online and via email. I used to do an optional on-campus meeting for week two but hardly any students would show up and generally not the students who really should have come. What I do recommend is that if you have never taken an online course before, you draw a blank when looking at this course website, or you are just generally confused, disoriented, or unclear on anything, come to my office hours during week one or two.
Q: Is the class completely online?
A: For the most part yes. See above. However, please keep in mind that the major assignments for this class (midterm and final projects) will require you to do research/work that is not online such as visiting a local Asian American community or designing and testing an actual curriculum unit with a group of people.
Q: Does the class meet at a specific time?
A: In general, we will be meeting every Wednesday (Spring 2008) online. However, we will only actually be meeting for discussion forums every other week. On alternating weeks, there will be a bulletin board assignment that will be due by classtime but you can of course do it ahead of time.
Q: The class time overlaps with another class, is that ok?
A: Well, that is completely up to you. Absences and tardies will count toward your grade. Showing up for discussion forums late is also very disruptive, not to mention that it means you probably didn't do the reading assignment. Again, I leave that up to you. I just add up the points at the end of the semester so it really depends on what grade you expect to receive.
Q: Is there a syllabus for the course?
A: Yes and no. There is not a traditional syllabus like what you're generally used to but the website as a whole is your syllabus in terms of everything you need to know for the course being here. Your primary resource should ALWAYS be the front page. I will generally "front-page" whatever is current for that particular week. Apart from that, there are detailed subsections for each week available through the Week-By-Week section of the main menu. All information that you will need is on the course webpage and it will be 100% your responsibility to check the webpage each week to see what you need to be working on. Just because we work in a virtual environment does not mean that you can use that as an excuse, that you didn't "see it, so you didn't do it."
Q: What text will I need?
A: There is a textbook that is available either from the Matador Bookstore. In addition, there will be online readings most weeks.
Q: Do I really have to buy the book?
A: No. But if you expect to pass the class, it sure will help. Other options, if money is an issue, is to borrow the book, share the book with someone else, to buy, make a copy and return it, or whatever you need to do but just make sure that you do the assigned readings. Also, the textbook will be very helpful for your midterm and final.
Q: Is there any way I can add your class?
A: This varies from semester to semester. In general, the class is usually full at the beginning of the semester as online classes seem to be in high demand. However, because my class is a bit more demanding than the typical CSUN online course where basically never meet and you're doing essentially an independent studies, there tends to be a lot of movement the first week or two. I can usually add people but I will generally do that only as space opens up and once I have a sense of enrollment during week two. if you would like, you can just follow what the rest of the class is doing for the first two weeks and then if space has opened up, you can add at that point.
Q: I would also like to know if I am working and traveling to (insert city here) can I do your online course from a distance?
A: I have had students do the class from San Francisco and even New York so it is possible. The main difficulty will be potentially in terms of your midterm and final assignment. Depending upon where you are physically located, it might be difficult, for example, to find a local Asian American community to visit. However, if there is a will, there is a way. Just let me know early on what your situation will be.
Q: Do I really have to send in my picture and profile information?
A: Yes. Unlike other online courses which are more like independent studies, I try and recreate some of the classroom dynamic.You will be interacting with your fellow classmates in discussion forums and so it is important that we get to know a little bit about each other so that things go more smoothly. Also, during the semester, if you miss class or want study with someone else, it helps if you know other people in the class.
Q: I took another online course before, is this course just like it?
A: Probably not. They are all different just as all teachers are different. Please look carefully at the assignments because this class does involve a bit more work than the average online course as CSUN. I really emphasize active learning and community involvement so the course, even though it is online, will involve a certain amount of real, hands-on activity and interaction. My belief is that you learn more in this manner.
Q: I sent an email to the professor 30 minutes ago, why hasn’t he responded?
A: The sheer volume of email is one of the serious drawbacks of this online format for me. In a typical semester, I handle around 800-1000 emails directly related to the course or about 50-60 per week.
Because of that volume, I usually cannot responded individually to each and every email. I would prefer that people post your question or comment on the website and ask the question there but that usually doesn't happen for some reason. Keep in mind that there is a comment feature automatically in place for each content item on the website. In other words, if you have a question on unit 1, post a comment there and I will answer and everyone else can see it and I don't have to answer 15 emails asking the same thing  . I will usually try and respond to general issues or problems by posting a response or in a general email to all the students. If there is something specific however I will respond to you email.
Please keep in mind that I am reading your emails even if I don't respond right away. Thanks for your patience.
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