Welcome to Speech 1321: Business and Professional Communication! I'm Professor Candace Eldridge, and I hope you're ready for a great semester. In order to help you orientate yourself to the course and to Canvas, we'll begin with introductions and common questions about this class. (Also, check your announcements for a few opening comments...the rest of our announcements will take place through Remind.)

First:

Need to contact your instructor? Since this is an online course, you may contact me through Canvas Inbox at any time and expect a response within 72 hours. Additionally, if you message me during my online office hours you should expect a quick response. I also hold my office hours online through Cisco Webex, so you can easily jump in and ask your question face-to-face as well. Many times, I will cover topics during my office hours that I know many students have lots of questions relating to the class. If you have ANY questions, are confused with an assignment, or need help at any time, please let me know immediately. If your schedule does not fit my office hours, but you need help, we can always schedule a Webex meeting for you that is convenient for your schedule. Text me so we can set that up. Don't let that slide; always ask for help. You can email me at celdridge@nctc.edu, message me through Canvas Inbox, or always text me through Remind.
Contact information for your instructor: This course will use Remind, a texting app that goes on your phone. All announcements will be made through Remind. You can text me (or your classmates) anytime through Remind. Our class Remind information is: (for those of you who have Remind on your phone already- enter this number 81010, and text this message: @bpn8; OR, you can pull up your email on your phone to https://www.remind.com/join/bpn8
Office Hours: Tuesday and Thursday 10:45 am -12:45 pm on Zoom. The link can be found in the Announcements and in your emails. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5142633520?pwd=RjFQTXRpTkFhNmVjMXZySDZkWGg2QT09 (Links to an external site.)
Meeting ID: 514 263 3520
Passcode: TRA2728214

What is the audience requirement for this course? Due to the current situation with COVID-19, we are only requiring the speaker to have 1 audience member for their speech if it is an asynchronous online course (no meeting times). The audience member can be anyone who lives at the speaker's residence, and must be shown at the beginning of the recorded speech video and the end of the recorded speech video with no editing. Synchronous speech courses (meeting times in WebEx) will have students present their speeches during class times.

How much time should you expect to spend on this course? Oftentimes, students think that online courses are easier or require less time than a traditional face-to-face course. However, this simply is not the case. You can expect to spend as much time or more reading the textbook, reading the course materials and linked pages, and researching and setting up your speeches as you would in a traditional face-to-face course. The difference for an online course is that you can determine what times during the week you will complete your coursework. If you are not willing to spend the necessary amount of time each week researching, reading, and setting up your speeches, you will probably not be successful in this course. How much time do you mean by "necessary time"? The rule of thumb is a 3-credit hour course should take you 6-9 hours a week. You should expect a minimum of 6-9 hours per week studying, reading, and prepping for most courses in college. Online speech courses, based on students who have completed the course, felt as though they needed more than 6-9 hours a week. You are guaranteed to have me during my office hours, save for any professional travel absences, but you must be putting in those 6-9 outside hours on your own in order to be successful, especially in this course. Please be prepared for each week; make sure you check the weekly assignments at the beginning of each week as many assignments take longer to complete than others.

How much speaking, writing, and reading are required in this course? Keep in mind that this is a communication course; therefore, your grade in the course will be primarily based on your speaking, reading, and writing skills. You can expect to read several chapters each week (plus studying for quizzes and preparing for your speeches).

How much computer knowledge should I have? You don't need to be a computer expert for this course. However, you will need to use Microsoft Word and PowerPoint--and some of the less common commands--for your assignments. You will also need to conduct research from the Library databases. If you are unfamiliar with them, be sure to use the help provided by the Reference Librarians. It is free for you and they are always there to help you. If you don't have Microsoft programs on your computer, don't worry, they are free for you to download through your MyLeo Account.

What kind of feedback can you expect from me in the course? Your success in this course is my ultimate goal; therefore, I will give you feedback on most of your assignments. Sometimes writing comments on each student's assignment can take a couple of days, so please be patient. (There are 25 of you and 1 of me.) I aim to evaluate and provide feedback on your assignments within two weeks, and I will post an announcement when all assignments are evaluated. In return, I expect you to read, reflect upon, and apply my comments to your future assignments. I also promise to respond to your emails as soon as I can. However, don't forget, REMIND IS THE FASTEST WAY TO REACH ME.

What Time are the Assignments Due? You will have weekly assignments that will be due before 11:55 p.m. on the due date listed in Canvas.

How should we respond to each other and to the instructor? You are expected to communicate with your classmates and me with civility and respect when communicating via email, text, or in discussion postings. Posts and emails that are rude, culturally insensitive, or hostile will be deleted and students may be reported to administration. (In other words, just be nice to each other. We're all learning here.)

Getting Behind? I understand that sometimes things come up, so just send me an email letting me know when to expect your work if you have a situation. Once we have moved on from a particular speech, you won't be able to make up that speech assignment. I want you to be successful in this course, so keep me informed.

Next:

How do you get started? While the course might seem overwhelming at first, it's helpful to use the Modules tab and proceed through the course using the "Next" button.

Get excited for a great semester!