Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If I have a question, what is the best way to contact the professor?
A: Please send me a message through Blackboard and I will respond as soon as possible.  You may also email me directly using my Ohlone email address at bkuo@ohlone.edu.  Be sure to include your name and class number and section (ex. Bonnie Kuo, Art 101-1).  Also note that I do not accept email attachments.

Q: Are there any tests in this class?
A: No. There are only the worksheets which take the place of the tests.
 

Q: How will I be graded?
A: You will be graded solely on the worksheets you turn in and on your responses to the questions that you have posted to the discussion boards.
 

Q: How do the worksheets get graded?
A:  Each worksheet is worth about 100 points.  Most of the essay questions on the worksheets are ten points each.  If they are worth more, it is clearly marked after the question.  Identification questions are worth one point for each part of the ID (artist, title, date = 3 points).  When I return your graded worksheet, I will include a few comments.  If you have specific questions about how your work was graded, please email me and I will clarify.
 

Q: When do I get my worksheets back?
A: I will return your graded worksheets within 2 weeks during the fall and spring semesters or within 1 week during the summer term.
 

Q: How do the discussion boards get graded?
A: If you make a sincere effort to think about the question, support your ideas with genuine thought, and write more than two sentences in your posts you will most likely earn 100% on them.

You should read the posts that are already up there and provide an answer that has a unique point of view with as many facts in it as possible.

In terms of responses to other students' answers, I would like for you to attempt to provide more support for your observations.  If you agree with someone, make sure that you provide an additional fact or idea that supports the idea.  Don't just say "I agree" and then quote one of the ideas that the original post said.  These types of responses will get a "C."  Even better would be to provide an additional or "con" point of view.

Some key ideas that I would like for you to work with are:

Did you bring up a new idea?

Have you helped them to understand the concepts pro or con?

Have you brought up some new fact or an alternate point of view?

Q: How can I keep track of my grade?
A: At any point in the class, you can calculate your own grade and keep track of your progress in the class.
               Here's how:
               1.  Add up your scores on the assignments that have been due.
               2.  Figure out the total points possible on the assignments that were due.
               3.  Divide your total points by the total points possible.
Your grades are also posted on Blackboard.  If you have additional questions concerning your grade, send me an email inquiry.
 

Q: How much time should I plan on spending for this class?
A: Online students have to make up the lectures they are missing by reading the information.  That means you have to spend a minimum of 4 hours a week just reading the lectures.  For a four hour lecture class, the formula is that you spend at least time and a half each week studying that subject.  That means in addition to those four hours reading you are expected to read and do homework for an additional 6.  This means that you should be spending a minimum of 10 hours a week studying for this class.
 

Q: Are there any field trips?
A: No, there are no field trips in this class since it is online.
 

Q: Are there any video tapes that would help?
A: There is a video tape series available on reserve in the library called "Art of the Western World," aside from that you may want to stop into the library and check out the video holdings.  We do have some tapes that would apply.
 

Q: Do you have any hints on how to take this class?
A: This is the way that I would take this class if I was a student.

To start: I would print out the worksheet at the beginning of the week and fill it out by hand and take notes on it over the course of a couple days and leave it in the copy of Sayre.

Then: I would read over the chapters from Sayre at the beginning of the week.  I would leave the pages bookmarked with a post it note and then leave the book on my coffee table or kitchen table so that I would glance over while snacking or eating or when I'm bored.

Then, I will have looked over the lecture links on the web and finished the readings from Sayre.  I would email the teacher a question or two or place them on the discussion board to get help from other students and answered one of the questions.

Next, I would start typing my answers into a word processing program so that I can spell and grammar check the work.  This would be my draft of the worksheet and I would transfer my answers by cutting and pasting the answers into Blackboard.  This also acts as a safety net, in case you run into technical problems when submitting the worksheet.  Remember, I do not accept attachments or emails that include images.

Finally, submit your answers via Blackboard.  If you run into any technical difficulties with Blackboard, you can always cut and paste your numbered answers directly into an email and send them to me at bkuo@ohlone.edu.  (Remember, I do not accept email attachments.)  The same is true for discussion board postings.   If for some reason Blackboard goes offline and you need to submit a posting, simply email your posting to me at bkuo@ohlone.edu before the deadline and your assignment will be considered on time.

After you get your worksheets back, read through the assignment and read my comments.  Then use them as study guides for any subsequent assignments, since the later assignments often build on the previous ones.