AET 4243
Construction Project Management
FAQ

Q: What does it take to succeed in an online course?
A: Before all and after all, and given the nature of studying online, students must realize that they are largly on their own. This may sound scary to those who are not yet ready to study on line. To succeed in online courses, a student must be self motivated, self disciplined, and time-value oriented. An independent learner must be a hard and smart worker.

Q: How do I log onto the class Web site?
A:Type in http://www.eiu.edu/~wahby (or copy this URL and paste it) into the web browser (Firefox or Internet Explorer) of your choice. You can also click on that URL. Then, click on AET 4243.

Q: Where do I get the password to log onto my WebCT desktop?
A: One week before the beginning of the semester, you will need to log on to WebCT with your EIU NetId and account password which is the same password you use for your EIU e-mail and logging on to EIU PAWS. If you experience trouble with your WebCT account password, you will need to contact the HELP desk, 217.581.HELP(4357).

Q: What should I do once I receive my WebCT account and password?
A: Log on to WebCT and review your WebCT desktop for this course. Next, please send your professor an email from WebCT confirming that you have your WebCT account and password working.

Q: How do I print off the syllabus?
A: In the web browser, open the particular page you want to print, then click on the print icon, or press File, Print.

Q: How do I get to the lecture notes and when will they be available to view?
A: The lecture notes are the assigned readings from the text adopted for this course, unless otherwise indicated. Please note that your professor does not necessarily provide lecture notes for every week if the materials are readily available in your textbook. Type in http://www.eiu.edu/~wahby into the web browser and click on AET 4243. Click on Schedule. The notes/reading assignments are given for the whole semester, with dates allocated for each reading.

Q: What is a typical week in studying this course?
A: Before all and after all, and given the nature of studying online, students must realize that they are largly on their own. This may sound scary to those who are not yet ready to study on line. To succeed in online courses, a student must be self motivated, self disciplined, and time-value oriented. An independent learner must be a hard and smart worker. The notes/reading assignments are given for the whole semester, with dates allocated for each reading. Each of the assigned readings is expected to be completed in 50 minutes, resembling a one 50-minute face-to-face class session. It is recommended that students stick to the dates given for each reading as well as to this 50-minute reading guide to organize their study time. Before starting the first reading assigned in a particular chapter, it is also recommended that students would read the Student Learning Objectives as well as the Conclusion of that chapter. The Student Learning Objectives, found at the beginning of a chapter, would help focus students' thoughts as they read. The Conclusion, found at the end of a chapter, would help students get the "Big Picture" of that chapter. Additional information may be posted each week as needed to shed light on key concepts in the readings and to help students get the most out of their readings. Students are welcome to e-mail the instructor with their questions or comments any time during the week at wahby@eiu.edu. The instructor will respond within 48 hours, unless otherwise indicated. Students are expected to answer the homework assignments shown on the Schedule before the deadline posted. The system will automatically shutdown and reject assignments submitted after the due date, and students would lose their grades for that assignment. Grades will be posted within the week following the due date.

Q: When do I "attend" a cyber class?
A: You may "attend" the class anytime. You need to commit at least 9 hours per week for the course. Three hours to "attend" the class, by reading the assigned parts from the text, three hours to study and complete homework assignments/activities, and three hours to acquire additional information on the subject matter from other sources. Devote an uninterrupted 50 minutes to read the assigned reading from the text. It is recommended that you try to summarize, in a special notebook or to a floppy disk, the information you acquire immediately after you have finished the reading while it is still fresh in your mind. This way, also, if you have any problem/difficulty, you will be able to post it for help promptly. Look at the Schedule to see the tasks, assignments and/or activities for the week. If you would like recommendations regarding study habits, please contact the Student Success Center. When at that web site, you will need to scroll down to get to the information.

Q: How do I submit my assignments in WebCT?
A: You will attach your Rich Text File (.rtf) or Word (.doc or .docx) file by pressing the Attachment button, selecting your file, and pressing the Submit button within WebCT.

Q: How do I view comments on my graded WebCT assignment box assignments/projects?
A: You will need to click the radio button next to the assignment, scroll to the right, and then click on comments. This is where you will see the comments about your graded assignment as well as the grade for the assignment. You may always see your grade for any assignment by clicking on the View Grades icon on your WebCT desktop after the assignment due date AND after it has been manually graded by the professor.

Q: How and when do I take a test on WebCT?
A: There are three tests and one Final Exam for this course. You will only be able to take a test when it is available at the scheduled date. Refer to the Schedule for the date and time for the test. Login to WebCT with your WebCT ID and password. Click on the Assessments icon from the INT 4243 web site. There will be a practice test and a survey available. You may use the practice test anytime to get yourself familiar with the online WebCT test format. Double click on the test when you are ready to take it. You will have only one opportunity to take a particular test.

Q: How and when will I see my scores for a test or an assignment?
A: Login INT 4243 web site. Log onto your WebCT desktop with your id and password. Click on Grade Book. You will see your scores for your test and progress report. Homework scores will be posted during the week following the assignment due date. Test scores will be posted after one week from the test date unless otherwise indicated.

Q: How do I participate in the WebCT discussion board?
A: A WebCT discussion topic is another name for discussion area. You will be electronically communicating with your class mates within a discussion topic area. However, this is different from a chat room (synchronous-on at the same time). You can post your answers to the discussion topic area at any time. Then, when others log on to WebCT, they can respond to your comment(s) as a part of course requirement. There is not a synchronously scheduled time to take part in the discussion board but there are due dates associated with discussing and responding to a topic. In the topic area, messages are posted and threaded under each other depending on how you and others reply to a message. The thread is organized by the subject of the message. You will see a green arrow pointing forward when there are several messages related to a thread. To expand a thread to see all the messages related to that thread, you will press on the blue arrow which will cause it to point down. Remember to click the REPLY button to respond to a classmate's posting in a topic area.

Q: How I Post my initial response to discussion topics on the WebCT Discussion Board?
A: First, open the question or message you want to post a response to. Next, click on the REPLY button. Type your message. Press Preview button to read your reply. Please check for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and misstated comments-remember netiquette rules/principles. Press Post button when your message is completed. Avoid creating your own thread to answer a question by NOT pressing the Compose button.

Q: How I reply to a classmate's posting on the WebCT Discussion Board?
A: Open the classmate's response by clicking on it. Press Reply button and type your response. Press Preview to read your reply.Please check for spelling, punctuation, grammar, and misstated comments-remember netiquette rules/principles. Press Post button when your message is completed. Avoid creating your own thread to answer a question by NOT pressing the Compose button.

Q: What is the plus sign next to the WebCT Discussion Board message?
A: When you see the plus sign next to the WebCT message it indicates that there are several responses to that message. When you press on the plus sign it will expand the message thread and show you all the responses related to that message.

Q: How do I attach a file with a discussion message?
A: Click on Discussion. Go to the topic area will you will need to post your message with its attachment. Click either Reply or Create Message depending on the directions for the assignment. After you type in your message, click on the Browse button next to the Attachments: text box area. You will need to locate on the computer where the Rich Text Format (.rtf) file is saved. Click Open. This will bring you back to the WebCT topic message area. Click the Attach File button. Click Preview to review your message for content, spelling, grammar and netiquette. Click Post.

Q: How do I view the streamed PowerPoint Presentations or video clips?
A: You will need the free Windows Media Player from Microsoft.com (http://www.microsoft.com) or RealOne Player from Real.com (http://www.real.com/). Be careful on their site to always look for and then click on Free RealOne Player. Remember to select Basic version as it is the FREE version. The download/install is automatic after you click on the final "get the Free RealOne Player." Once installed, go to the presentation or video and click on it to start the Real Player. The videos are about 17-20 minutes in length and will provide insights to course content.

Q: What if I open up a browser and can't get to the class Web site?
A: Close that browser and reopen it. Or you can try another browser.

Q: How do I log out of WebCT?
A: Close the browser. This will ensure nobody else can get into your WebCT desktop.

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Eastern Illinois University