To EPL 259 students:

            Hi from me (D’Arcy).  The purpose of this letter is to give my take on the EPL 259 system, so that some confusion can be avoided or cleared up.
            In 259, there are basically three types of homework to turn in.  These types are:
            ·        Electronic submissions,
            ·        Hard copy submissions,
            ·       and, Discussion Postings.
Electronic submissions are all done in Course Sorcerer.  Course Sorcerer is basically a system that allows you to submit homework, and for your instructor to grade and give feedback to you about your homework.  The items in Course Sorcerer are:
            ·        Assignments,
            ·        Applications,
            ·        Quickpractices,
            ·        Spotquizes, and
            ·        Self-Assessments.
            These items have to be done by the window close date.  The window close date may be found in Course Sorcerer and on the Calendar.  Your instructors will remind you of this date also.  You may access most homework items multiple times.  Spotquizzes and Quickpractices, generally, may be accessed only once.
           You may only access EPL 259 Course Sorcerer from the Dennis Learning Center in the Younkin Success Center.  You have until midnight of the day the window closes to finish.  Seems to me that you have plenty of time during class to finish this type of homework.  If you don’t, you may come into the Academic Learning Lab at another time to finish (the DLC is open until 9 pm on weeknights except for Fridays).  No electronic submissions are accepted late.
            When you access (or leave) Course Sorcerer, a window will appear indicating you are accessing (or leaving) a “secure” site.  Just click through this box.
            Hard copy submissions are papers that you bring to class.  These are:
            ·        the Hope Papers
            ·        the Portfolios
There are ten Portfolios and four Hope Papers over the quarter.  Each are two pages apiece.  You may read the syllabus for what should be contained in each.  These papers are worth 30 points apiece, so you shouldn’t miss any.  Portfolios and Hope Papers may be written during your time in the DLC, or at home.  If you don’t bring a “hard copy” (that is, a printed version), but bring a disk with your paper on it, you can print it off for a price of  $.10 a page.  However, note that all the machines at the DLC are PC’s/IBM’s, and that Mac/Apple documents can't be read or used or printed here.
            The due dates for the Portfolios and the Hope Papers are not the same as the window close dates.  You may see the Calendar for these due dates. Hope Papers and Portfolios may be handed in up to one class late (but no later), with a penalty of 7 points (out of 30).   
            Discussion Lists are postings you make to the web in response to a question or a statement about an issue, or, your classmates statements concerning a question or statement.  There are two types of Discussion Lists:

·     LMS Discussions, and
·     Hope Discussions.

You may do these discussions either at home or in class.  Just follow the link in the upper right-hand corner of the course web (labeled "Discussions").
            If you get confused about what is due when,  look at the Calendar and/or ask your instructor.
            A word about printing: you may print out materials related to 259 with no cost to you with the help of your instructor.  Your instructor has access to a print card with money on it devoted to this course.  If you want to print out anything not explicitly related to the class (or class materials outside of your class time) you need a Buck ID with money on it.  The charge is $.04 a page.  To do this, follow the instructions posted on the printer.
            If you need technical help and your instructor can’t help, look for me, or the tech team (office next to mine).  Otherwise, send me an email at oaks.9@osu.edu.

 -darce 

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