Course Overview

ASL 101 Beginning American Sign Language I

All content created by Dr. Daniel Swartz. All rights reserved.

This content of this page is organized using tabs. All laptops, desktops, and tablets using a Windows, Linux, or Mac OS will be able to view this window as designed.

Introduction to the Course Overview!
Home & Start Here! (Yes, Really!!!)
Syllabus
How do I?!?! and Announcements
Modules & Discussions
Grades
Now What?!?!

To navigate this window using a browser program like Chrome, Firefox, or Safari, please click on each of the tabs (Home & Start Here!, Syllabus, How do I?, etc) to navigate this page. If you are using the Canvas app to view this page, you will need to scroll down to see all the content as the tabs won't display. Please open and view each item...

I am so glad you chose to explore this fun and useful topic with me. I wanted to give you a quick guided tour to help you get started in this course. As always, please be sure to ask any questions as they arise.

On the left side of this window, you will see a number of buttons. These are here to help you navigate from area to area within this course. In order to move from one area to another, simply click in the center of the button you choose and the new area will appear in this frame- the one you are currently reading. The new content will replace what you originally were looking at. Let’s take a quick look at some of the areas and learn where they can take you. Click on each of the tabs above to explore Home & Start Here!, Syllabus, How Do I?, Assignments & Discussions, and Grades...

Please don't click "Next" at the bottom of the page yet... There is more to see in the other tabs! Click on the tab labeled Home & Start Here!

Home & Start Here! (Yes, Really!!!)

The first button in the navigation pane is Home. Anytime you wish to come back to that page to get reoriented to where you are, click on Home.

The first module you will see listed in our class is Start Here! (Yes, Really!!!) It contains a quick tour of this course. Think of Start Here! (Yes, Really!!!) as a place where you can be reminded of where to find the information you need in this class. Inside Start Here!, in addition to some of the other information found there, is a short bio (biography) about me, your instructor! This allows me to introduce myself to you and share a little about who I am and why I am here.

Please don't click "Next" at the bottom of the page yet... There is more to see in the other tabs! Click on the tab labeled Syllabus!

Syllabus

Your Syllabus is the road map to your course that can tell you the schedule of events in this class. Be sure to read this carefully- it is very important to your successful completion of your course. The Syllabus contains a list of all your assignments and their due dates for the entire semester. The syllabus document which you can (and should) download contains also grading guidelines as well as lots of other information about the College. (Hint: There will be a quiz on the contents of the syllabus...)

Please don't click "Next" at the bottom of the page yet... There is more to see in the other tabs! Click on the tab labeled How do I!?!?

How do I?!?! and Announcements Announcements

How Do I...? is an area that does not specifically relate to the course itself, but have hints and assistance for the technical aspect of taking a course with an online component. Take some time to see the presentation as well as other links and information inside How Do I...? You will be glad you did! (OK, not too subtle hint here...)

You should check the Announcements area each time you log in. This is the place to see if there are any messages, hints, tips, or updated information that you may need for your course. I do not automatically email each Announcement to you; you need to take the initiative to visit our class environment to see what is new... I recommend checking in every day as I also use the Announcements area to share questions your classmates might have asked and the answers I gave. Chances are really good that a question one of your classmates have would be the same or similar to one of yours...

Please don't click "Next" at the bottom of the page yet... There is more to see in the other tabs! Click on the tab labeled Modules & Discussions.

Modules & Discussions

You will find your assignments listed under each Module. In this class, most of your assignments are submitted through Canvas. You may need to download (and save to a place you will later remember!) files you will need to complete your assignment. (Those files are attached to each assignment so you don't need to search around for them.) Once you complete your assignment, you will then upload the completed files using the specific assignment's upload tool.

You will have the opportunity to interact with your classmates through Discussions. Once you click on that button and enter, you will see a number of different forums; those forums were created to help channel your conversations into specific 'rooms' or areas. In this way, we can help reduce some of the challenges that can occur when conversing in an asynchronous environment.

Please don't click "Next" at the bottom of the page yet... There is more to see in the other tabs! Click on the tab labeled Grades.

Grades

Inside Grades, you will be able to track your progress in the course. You will see the names of each assignment, how many points you earned, how many points possible. By the way, if you see an image that looks like a page where your points should be that means you have successfully submitted a file to that assignment. If you are not sure what you submitted, you can always look here to see! When I grade your work, you will see a point value entered. If I have not yet graded that assignment, there will be no points listed.

Please don't click "Next" at the bottom of the page yet... There is more to see in the other tabs! Click on the tab labeled Now What?!?.

Now What?!?!

So now that you have taken a quick look around, what do you want to do?

Do you want to check out your instructor? Click on Instructor Info...
Are you not sure how to get around in Canvas? See the presentation inside How Do I...?
Do you want to get started? Go to Syllabus, read your syllabus and Assignment Calendar- it will list everything you need to do... (Be sure to check for assignment descriptions in each module.)
Do you want to start on your first assignment? See what it is on your Assignment Calendar, go to Modules, find the first one, and go for it!

Be sure to come see me, call, or email if you have any questions or need any help. That is why I am here!

Good luck and have fun!

Prof. Swartz