Welcome to BOT Online!

Thirteen BOT classes are available online during the Fall 2008 semester. The first semester that BOT offered some of its classes online was Fall 2004. As of Spring 2006, 75% of the BOT degree can be earned via online classes. More information can be found on the Online BOT Degrees & Certificates page.

Fall 2008 offerings:
BOT 101A/B Keyboarding & Document Processing
BOT 102A/B Intermediate Keyboarding & Document Processing
BOT 104 Filing & Records Management
BOT 120-122  Comprehensive Word Levels I, II, III
BOT 123-125  Comprehensive Excel Levels I, II & III
BOT 126 Comprehensive Access Level I
(No online BOT classes in Summer)

Welcome to BOT Online
How does an online course work?
How is a BOT online class different from a Flex Lab class?
You mean I don't have to come to class?
Do I need to attend an orientation?
What do I need to be an online student?
What textbook will I need?
Course management and communication
Advice from BOT online students
What students like & didn't like about online classes

How does an online course work?

The short answer is that it's like a correspondence course, but with Internet communication. The online class follows virtually the same syllabus as the Flex Lab class on campus, but you can do the work any time during the week from home or on any computer where you can access the class website and Office 2007 software. Instead of attending classes, online students use the class notes, textbooks, and assignments to learn. You will access the course website by logging in to Blackboard (an online course management system).  Blackboard is used for the syllabus, course schedule, assignment instructions and resources, announcements, discussion, submitting assignments, exams, e-mail, and checking grades. Students are responsible for reading the textbooks and completing all class learning assignments on their own, but help is available by phone, Blackboard discussion, e-mail, or in person in the BOT Flex Lab, room F505/606, during lab hours.

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How is a BOT Online class different from a Flex Lab class?

Students enrolled in an Online section must follow the schedule for the online classes. The schedule for the Online classes will have specific start and end dates (see Cuyamaca class schedule for dates), and assignments and exams will be due at assigned times. You may work ahead and complete assignments early, as long as you turn them in no later than the due date. See the course syllabus and assignments sections in Blackboard for assignment and exam due dates. Students enrolled in a Flex Lab section may begin at any time during the first 10 weeks of the semester and work at your own pace. If you want to take an online class be sure you are enrolled in the correct section number by the add deadline. No late adds!

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You mean I don't have to come to class?

That's right. You can set your own work hours and do everything wherever the course software is installed. Just be sure not to fall behind as that is the number one reason students end up dropping an online class. Of course, you may attend the BOT Flex Lab for in-person help whenever the lab is open, if necessary. If you go to the Flex Lab, see an instructor or aide to sign up for the free BOT 198 class to receive individual help.

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Do I need to do an Orientation for the online class(es)?

Yes, you MUST complete an orientation for the online classes. You do not need to come to campus for the orientation, as they are all available online. Even if you have taken the orientation for the BOT Flex Lab classes, you must still complete an online orientation because the Online classes are very different from Flex Lab classes. Locate the appropriate online orientation for you class and complete them by the deadline listed in the class schedule.

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So what do I need to be an online student?

Here's what you need to be able to succeed in a BOT online class:

• Access to a PC/Windows computer with the following requirements:
  • Computer/Processor:  500-MHz or higher
  • Memory:  256 MB of RAM or higher
  • Hard disk:  2 GB of available hard-disk space
  • Monitor:  800 x 600 minimum monitor resolution; 1024 x 768 recommended
  • DVD drive
  • Operating system:  Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or later
  • Internet access:  Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
  • Sorry, no Macintosh as the Office 2007 program is very different on a Mac.
• Word, Excel, or Access 2007 software (depending which class you are taking). Word, Excel and Access are part of Office 2007. You can get academic pricing, which is significantly lower than retail, at several places. The best prices are available at  www.collegesoftware.org, but it is exclusively for currently-enrolled students. You can also check gradware.com, journeyed.com and campustech.com.
• Keyboarding software if you are enrolled in a keyboarding class. The software is bundled with your textbook.
• Textbook (see next question below)
  The textbooks are available in the Cuyamaca College Bookstore.
• Ability and willingness to work independently.
• Solid experience with Internet and with Windows. (Can you troubleshoot problems? Could you e-mail an attached file?)
• Working knowledge of zipping files using Winzip or similar program.
• Excellent reading and writing skills.
• TIME! Successful students schedule 5-10 hours a week to work on the class.

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What textbook will I need?

The textbooks are available in Cuyamaca College Bookstore or online at www.whywaitforbooks.com.

BOT 101A & 101B (same kit for both classes):

• College Keyboarding & Document Processing, Lessons 1-60, 10th edition
  by Scott Ober, Jack E. Johnson, & Arlene Zimmerly, with GDP10 software. ISBN-13: 978-0-077-260-538 (Kit)
• Also requires MS Word 2007 (available separately). NOTE: Older versions of Word will not work with the GDP keyboarding software. (software purchasing information)

BOT 102A & 102B (same kit for both classes):

• College Keyboarding & Document Processing, Lessons 61-120, 10th edition
  by Scott Ober, Jack E. Johnson, & Arlene Zimmerly, with GDP10 software. ISBN-13:   978-0-077-212-551 (Kit)
• Also requires MS Word 2007 (available separately). NOTE: Older versions of Word will not work with the GDP keyboarding software. (software purchasing information)

BOT 104:

• Filing A Course in Modern Methods for the Business Office 4th edition
  by Cogswell, ISBN-13: 978-0-88294-834-8
• Gregg Quick Filing Practice, 4th edition
  by Jeffrey, ISBN-13: 978-0-07322-288-2

BOT 120, 121, 122 (same book for all 3 Word classes):

• Required:
  1) Textbook: Signature Word 2007 by Nita Rutkosky
  2) Software: Word 2007 (software purchasing information)
  
• Purchasing Options: 
  The bundle available in the Cuyamaca College Bookstore includes the textbook with 180-day license of Office 2007, ISBN-13:  978-0-76383-2575 
  If you buy your textbook online other than the Cuyamaca Bookstore, make sure you purchase both items listed under "Required" above.

BOT 123, 124, 125 (same book for all 3 Excel classes):

• Required:
  1) Textbook: Benchmark Excel 2007 by Nita Rutkosky
  2) Software: Excel 2007 (software purchasing information)
  
• Purchasing Options: 
  The bundle available in the Cuyamaca College Bookstore includes the textbook with 180-day license of Office 2007, ISBN-13:  978-0-76383-2438
  If you buy your textbook online, make sure you purchase the 3 items listed under "Required" above.

BOT 126:

• Required:
  1) Textbook: Benchmark Access 2007 by Nita Rutkosky
  2) Software: Access 2007 (software purchasing information)
  
• Purchasing Options: 
  The bundle available in the Cuyamaca College Bookstore includes the textbook with 180-day license of Office 2007, ISBN-13:  978-0-76383-2490
  If you buy your textbook online, make sure you purchase the 3 items listed under "Required" above.

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Course Management and Communication

• Blackboard is a course management tool used to communicate (discussion forum and e-mail), submit assignments, take exams, and check grades. Plan to check Blackboard twice a week or more. Course announcements will be posted to the Blackboard announcements section.
• Occasionally your instructor will contact you by e-mail. You need to e-mail your instructor before each class begins. Let the instructor know if your e-mail address changes during the class.
• Assignments are posted in Blackboard with due dates and instructions for turning in the work.
• Post your questions at the Blackboard discussion forum. You should get an answer by the next business day. Other students may post an answer to your question. E-mail the instructor if your question is urgent or personal.
• You may also go to the BOT Flex Lab in room F505/606 for individual help from an instructor. See lab staff to enroll in the free supervised tutoring section, which is required in order to work in the lab. See the BOT Flex Lab website for hours.

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Advice from BOT online students

• Can you work independently? If you can pretty much figure things out on your own and don't need the teacher to explain everything, and if you can get by without face-to-face interaction with the other students, you can succeed. We can always get help and other viewpoints through the discussion board, though it won't be immediate.
• Can you manage your time effectively? This is by far the most important consideration for an online student. This class takes more time than I had anticipated, and I bet others feel the same way. Unexpected things seem to always happen, so you need to be prepared. Make a game of it - pretend that assignments are due earlier than they really are, and challenge yourself to complete them early. That way you won't have a problem trying to get things done at the last minute, and you'll have more time for other classes or activities.
• Treat online courses the same as face-to-face classes
• Keep up with assignments
• Maintain an active role in the course.  (Check the discussion boards, ask questions, etc..)
• Give yourself plenty of time for coursework
• If something is unclear be sure to clarify
• Keep up with the class. The biggest problem online students have is gradually falling behind. You lose points when assignments are late, and you may be dropped from the class if you get behind. These classes are only 5-8 weeks in length and all work must be completed by the class end date.
• Schedule enough time (from 5-10 hours per week) to focus on the class. Some students may need more or less time, so you can make adjustments based on your skill level in Word.
• Don't wait until the last minute to start an assignment. If you run into a problem, it may take time to get help.
• Contact your instructor as soon as you begin to have problems or if you decide to drop.
• Attend the BOT Flex Lab for in-person help whenever the lab is open, if necessary. See lab staff to enroll in the free supervised tutoring section.
• Check e-mail and online discussion several times a week.
• Have a back-up plan in case your computer crashes. You can always use the BOT Flex Lab during open hours.

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What students like about online learning:

• Having the time to work at home at my own convenience.
• Online interaction with other classmates.
• Freedom of not having to come to class.
• Not being held down to a class time allowed me to attend class online during my most creative/productive times.

What students didn't like:

• It is harder to stay motivated and put the time in.
• Some things are hard to explain by e-mail or phone.
• It's harder for your teacher to get to know you.

Good luck and let's have fun!!!

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