Fall 2010
Editing and Style for Writers
English 130-601 with Honors section 130-H61
Online through ANGEL Learning
William R. Gray, Assistant Professor of English/Writing
School of Humanities, Office: 1835
505-566-3476
Welcome! You will complete an online orientation once you have logged on to the course page. There is no face-to-face orientation. You will be able to log on and review the Course Information folder in the Lessons tab starting Monday, August 16, 2010, although the course itself will not commence until August 23. There is much important information in the Course Information folder—including a video in which I discuss the course—so save ample time to read all elements in this folder. If you need assistance logging in, please contact the San Juan College Help Desk at 505-566-3266 or at helpdesk@sanjuancollege.edu
Required text
None—I will be supplying all the course materials; you’ll end up with 70 some pages of handouts that will serve you as a Style and Usage Manual for years to come
Optional text
College-level dictionary and thesaurus
A binder to organize all the course handouts.
What you need to do and know
DO THIS NOW:
Email the instructor, Will Gray (grayw@sanjuancollege.edu) with the following information: name, work and home telephone numbers, email address, and a brief explanation of why you’re taking English 130 online. Also, please indicate your level of experience with online learning. You may also call me with questions. I will be on campus full-time starting August 16, 2010, but will be checking e-mail frequently before that. 505-566-3476.
DO THIS BETWEEN AUGUST 16 AND AUGUST 23:
Log on to the course page on ANGEL (use the English 130 MERGED course designation) and browse it, getting to know the links, assignments, and course requirements. You may begin the orientation activities anytime.
DO THIS BY MONDAY, AUGUST 30:
Complete the course orientation activities and all Week One activities and assignments. I’ll be posting announcements in ANGEL as we begin the course.
FOUR THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TAKING THIS CLASS:
FIRST, the orientation activities are important, especially for those new to ANGEL or to online learning. SECOND, this is a schedule-based course (not self-paced) that requires frequent and rigorous reading, editing, and writing assignments (it’s not “easier” than a face-to-face course). THIRD, computer-savvy students who are also familiar with keyboarding do best in online classes. If you are unsure of yourself on the computer, or if you are a typist who “pecks” her way through assignments, you might want to reconsider whether or not you are suited for this class. FOURTH, consider carefully whether or not you are suited for online learning—not everyone is. Students with self-discipline and high levels of motivation do best with online learning.
Lots of luck, and I’ll “see” you online!!
Will Gray