Getting Started with This Course

To get ready for the course there are a few things that you can do to prepare to get the most from this experience.  

Mobile Users

Mobile device users, please click here to visit the Tips for maximizing your mobile experience page.

 

Student Guide

A short guide for Canvas most used settings to help you getting started with your course. The guide has four sections:

    • Getting to Your Course
    • Help
    • Personal Settings
    • Accessing Files

Click here to open Student Guide file.

How to get help/Instructor Contact Information

If you have questions or need help please contact your instructor by sending a message through the Canvas Conversations Inbox (top right corner) Canvas inbox

NOTE: Canvas conversation-messaging is not the same as email. Rather, it is an internal messaging system that gives you the option to receive email, text-message, or other notifications when you receive conversation messages in your Canvas inbox, or when you are added to a conversation. (For more about Canvas notifications, please see below Setting your notifications below.)

When you send me a message, I will respond within 24 hours on week days. Weekend messages will be answered on Mondays by the end of the day. If you have difficulty using Canvas, click on the Help button in the upper right-hand corner to search documentation or to submit a ticket.

Setting your notifications and profile pictures.

Notifications: When you registered for the course you provided your email address. If you would like to use a different address for course notifications or if you would like to be notified via text message you can change your notification preferences in the Settings tool at the top right of the page.  When you click on Settings on the right side of the page you will see a place to add a new email address or an "Other Contact" which would be your cell phone number if you would like text messages.   

For more information/help, check out this Canvas video tutorial.

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Profile Picture: Whenever you post in the discussion forums your post will feature your profile picture.  It is very helpful to have a picture there so people can connect a name with a face and you can get to know each other.  

To add a profile picture, click Settings and then click the grey placeholder profile picture icon to access the dialogue box.
There are three ways you can select a profile picture to use throughout Canvas:

    • Upload a Picture from your computer
    • Take a Picture using your computer's camera (not supported when using Safari or Internet Explorer.)
    • Import from an existing Gravatar account

To upload a new Profile picture, click the Upload a Picture tab, then click the choose a picture link. You can also drag a picture from your desktop and drop it into the uploader. Canvas will automatically store a copy of the saved profile picture in your personal files. When a new picture is saved in your profile, the new picture will override the existing picture file in your personal files.

 For more information/help, check out this Canvas video tutorial.

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 Reading the Syllabus

The Course Syllabus provides a detailed overview of the course as well as the grading scale, information on policies and procedures, and support services available to you as an IU student.  There is a brief "knowledge check" at the end of this Getting Started Module to help you make sure you have all the information you need. 

Click here to view the course syllabus.

Preparing for the Live Meetings

There will be 2-3 optional live meetings during the course.  These optional live meetings will use a videoconferencing tool called Fuze. You will need a webcam to participate on your computer and we recommend a headset microphone to reduce audio feedback issues.  If you have an iPad you can also participate using the Adobe Connect Links to an external site. at https://connect.iu.edu/.   

Quick Links

  • Bookstore
  • Computer Lab Hours
  • Disability Services
  • IT Resources
  • IUWare
  • Writing Center
  • Lynda.com: Free video tutorials are available at Lynda.com. Check out the tutorials for Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
  • Scratch Site: Links for the resources for the Scratch program.  Download the Scratch program to your home computer.
  • Plagiarism Site: Information and a plagiarism tutorial are located here.  You will need to complete a test on plagiarism as part of this course and send your results to your instructor. (Check Assignments for details)
  • Turnitin.com will be used in this course to check for plagiarism in any work submitted. Check the Academic Integrity section in the syllabus for more details on penalties for plagiarism.

For Assistance with Canvas

24/7 Technology Live Chat Help. Use Live Chat Help if you are having any issues with Canvas or Technology in this course.

Click "Next \triangleright" below to go to the next item in the module.