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Overview of EST 343 and BlackBoard

Please read all of this document as it discusses course and BlackBoard issues you need to be familiar with.  BlackBoard is a on-line course delivery system.  For EST 343 a majority of the work will be done through BlackBoard.  Some general guidelines for using BlackBoard:

• Once you have created your Network ID and password, please don't forget it.
  

• Do NOT use your browser's 'Back' button when navigating.  Always use links within BlackBoard.
  

• There are multiple links and options.  As with any computer program the best way to learn is to click and explore.
  

Lab Questions (Assessments)

• Lab Questions (Assessments - also referred to Homework) will be in the form of multiple choice and fill-in quizzes.  They appear as pop-up windows.  If you don't see them open in a new window, check your computer for pop-up prevention software.
  

• Each lab question set may be taken twice.  Your final grade for the set will be the Highest of the 2 attempts.  You do NOT need to do twice if you are comfortable with your score.
  

• A lab question set may have 40 questions.  The questions you get are at random, possibly 20 of the 40.
  

• While helping other students is encouraged, passing them your answers IS NOT.  If it is apparent that answers are being distributed to other students, the ability to see your quiz after completing it will be disabled.  This is a good learning tool so don't abuse it.
  

• Ensure you save each answer as you take the quiz, and then submit the quiz for grading once complete.  As you save answers they are saved to the server so you may stop a quiz and resume it later.  Connection losses and power failures will not affect your quiz for saved questions.
  

• Maintain steady progress.  Do one lab per week.  All labs are due to be submitted by the start of EST 342.  In EST 342 you will studying a different processor and a different language.  Also, during EST 342. you will be required to develop a project of your own using the BASIC Stamp for your final EST-343 grade.  This part of the grade will be determined by your EST 342 instructor.
  

• A welcome Lab has been posted.  It is worth a few points, please take it as soon as possible to become accustomed to how it works.
  

Grades

• Under My Grades you will be able to see the points earned for each section.  Your final grade will be a percentage of the total points possible for labs, other assignments and your final project.
   

• The way the course is organized, Chapters 1-4 should be completed by the beginning of EST 341, and Chapters 5-10 should be completed by the beginning of EST 342.  10% of the course grade is timely completion of the lab work.
  

• A "programming challenge" is also part of the lab work and should be completed by the start of EST 342.
  

Mail

• BlackBoard has an internal mail system.  You and your instructors may use it freely.
  

• Occasionally mail will be sent to all students with updated EST 343 information.
  

Discussion

• The Discussion area is a threaded message board.  Questions or information is posted, and replies may be made to those.
  

• If you have general questions about the course material, please use the General discussion board to post questions/comments.
  

Chat

• Chat is a real-time chat area for discussions.
  

• The EST 343 chat area will be used as required to assist students in real time if needed.
   

• The WhiteBoard is used to share images and drawings in real-time through BlackBoard.  It may be used as an aid.

Getting Help:

• Power points for the chapters have been created and posted for use.  Use the link in BlackBoard.
   

• Going to your base coordinator for help is discouraged except on issues of enrollment status for the Network ID.  They are not  experts on BlackBoard nor on the course material.
  

• Post questions on the discussion board.  This is the BEST way.  Myself, your instructors, or other students can lend assistance and answer questions.
  

• Email me via BlackBoard when possible.
  

• Use the BASIC Stamp forums below are used to ask questions about programming and such.  There are several thousand users who help one another.
  

• Ask your instructors.
  

• As a last resort, E-mail me directly - mhebel@siu.edu -- Ensure you have EST-343 in the subject line.

As the developer of the on-line material, I hope it is useful and aids in the execution of EST 343.  Please seek out other resources as well, including your specific course instructors.

If you need to email me, please do it through BlackBoard, though I prefer to use the discussion boards as much as possible so all students can benefit from the questions and answers.  I will be checking the boards every few days.

We hope you enjoy this course.
 

Martin Hebel
Associate Professor
Electronic Systems Technologies

Parallax Home Page

Parallax Discussion boards

Do a Google search for "BASIC Stamp".

EST Program