DE Oracle @ UMUC

Example of a class FAQ for students

George Harding

Adjunct Faculty

Graduate School of Management and Technology

Category: » Online-pedagogy » Classroom-management

This sample FAQ for students supplements the article, "Managing Student Expectations of Your Class." It was composed by Dr. George Gordon Harding over a period of several years, based on typical questions asked by his students as well as typical misconceptions or areas of difficulty they experienced. He posts it in his classroom Content area and refers students to it both at the beginning of the semester and as needed during the course of the semester.

ADMN640: Information Systems for Managers Dr. George Gordon Harding

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Question:

What do I need to do to get an A, maintain my A Average, etc.?

Answer:

The Graduate School states, "The course grade of 'B' represents the benchmark for the Graduate School. It indicates that the student has fulfilled all course requirements and demonstrated competency in the subject matter of the course. Only those students who fully meet this standard and who demonstrate exceptional comprehension of the course subject matter merit an 'A'."

For those of you who may be "new" to Graduate Programs, this statement, which is standard in most Graduate Programs, states that most students will get a Grade of "B" for their submitted work and in the course. I want to encourage everyone to strive for an "A", but be aware that only the few students who demonstrate exceptional comprehension of the material will receive an "A".

Part of the process of becoming an MSM (Master of Science in Management) is to improve our level of thinking/writing/speaking.  To succeed as an MSM, you need to think, write and speak on a higher level than what is expected in day to day activities.

Actively participate in the Discussions which requires logging into the classroom several times during the week to keep abreast/participate in the discussion. In addition to multiple responses to a topic, responses should demonstrate in depth research, reflection and thinking into the topic.

Pick up on issues raised by fellow students and respond directly to that student. If you only respond to the instructor's questions/comments (1 to 1 relationship), the learning process is constrained. If you respond to fellow students (1 to many), the learning process expands.

When answering Exam Questions you need to be sure to answer the question asked:

• Your Responses need to be precise, accurate, concise and succinct with no generalities.
• While being concise you need to be sure to cover all applicable points/issues.
• Cite the sources of your answers.
• Note if your statements are facts, beliefs, opinions or feelings (see "Evaluating Resources"). Wherever possible state facts and support them with appropriate citations.
• Contribute Additional Readings, citations and/or URLs (demonstration of independent research) in the Weekly Conferences, Supplemental Materials folder and in the Exams.
• Logical development of an argument, citing evidence to justify your position, and presenting your position convincingly and coherently.
• Writing skills including spelling, grammar and punctuation (use the Spell/Grammar Check feature of your word processor to check your work before uploading it, then proof read it after it is uploaded to ensure that nothing has been distorted in the upload process).
• Knowledge of and adherence to APA Format on formal papers.

I will note (in my Response attached to a student's Response) when someone does an exceptional job in his/her Response to a Discussion Question. Note the level of thinking/writing in such Responses, in the Lecturettes and in the Weekly Summaries to the Discussions. Emulate this type of thinking/writing, keeping in mind that no matter how good the writing, it can always be improved.

Question:

Do I need to participate in every Discussion?

Answer:

No! However, Class participation is an important part of your grade. Therefore you need to participate as often as possible. You should plan to log into the classroom several times each week to keep abreast of/contribute to the discussion. Be sure to respond/react to other student's comments. Be sure that all aspects of controversial items are discussed. Use your knowledge and experience to add substantive materials to the discussions.

Question:

If I disagree with a Response, should I be polite (politically correct) and keep it to myself?

Answer:

No! Attach a Response to the Comment stating your opposing opinion or politely challenging what has been "said". The best way to explore a topic is to discuss the various (perhaps conflicting) aspects of the subject.

Question:

When I log-on late in the week, all the "easy hits" have been made and I have little additional information to add to the Discussion. What should I do?

Answer:

The "early bird catches the worm" (gets the "easy hits"). They also expose themselves to the most challenge. Each of us has different knowledge and experience to bring to the Discussion. Reviewing the discussions to date should kindle within you additional thoughts or personal experiences that will augment the Discussion. Note how my comments "zero in" on an item in the students Response that needs reinforcement, expansion and/or additional discussion. Your research/Responses can do the same. However, let's be sure to avoid redundancy and "me-too-ism".

Question:

What do I do if I have a concern about a grade?

Answer:

My comments on exams and projects tend to be short and cryptic. If you have a question/concern about one or more of my comments, send me an email detailing the issue.

If after reviewing the "Official Answers" you believe that you should have received a higher grade, send me a side by side comparison of your answer(s) compared to the "Official Answer(s) with a statement why you believe your answer(s) is/are equivalent to or superior to the "Official Answer(s)":

Question:

What's wrong with telling me what to do, so I can do what needs to be done?

Answer:

"Tell me what to do" is not appropriate for MSMs. As an MSM candidate, you are expected to work with minimal direction and to exercise innovation and creativity in the development of assignments. You will not be successful in the business world if you need to be constantly told what to do and/or how to do it. Success in Business requires taking initiative in developing new and novel approaches with little/no direction. If I have to tell my subordinates exactly what they need to do, I'm not going to hire MSMs for the positions.

Question:

Will you post examples of a Feasibility Study and User Documentation?

Answer:

No! In the Lecturettes you will be given specific instruction concerning what is to be contained in each document. This information should suffice for MSMs to be able to "fill-in-the-blanks". In addition, in the Weekly Conferences, you will have ample opportunity to ask any questions necessary to enable you to successfully complete your project. I find that when I post samples, I receive back documents that mirror the samples. I prefer to see the creativity that evolves when students are "left to their own devices". I know that you would feel more comfortable if you had sample documents to reference. However, MSM is not about comfort. It's about innovation and creativity (thinking "outside the box"). Talk to the Information Systems Professionals within your organization and have them show you examples of good documentation. Be surprised (learning experience) when you find that documentation doesn't exist and where it does exist, it usually is not very good.

Question:

How many pages are required in the Feasibility Study, User Documentation, etc.?

Answer:

The length of a document should be whatever length is required to accomplish its purpose and to demonstrate your skills/knowledge. As the author of the document, you have a better knowledge of what is required than anyone else. As long as the document does not contain "fluff", "puff" or "filler", its length is inconsequential. The only caution I offer is to ensure that the document is concise and succinct. Put yourself in the position of a novice who knows nothing about the activity and "tell" him/her (in language they will understand) what they need to know to use/maintain the system.

Question:

Do I need to use APA Format on the Project Documentation, Quizzes and Exams?

Answer:

The Classroom is the place to learn/improve your knowledge of APA and Computer Literacy (most APA issues are Computer Literacy Issues - knowing how to format the document). In this class you will be afforded the opportunity to practice your APA/Computer Literacy Skills in the Project Documentation, Quizzes and Exams.

As stated in the "APA Guidelines" document published within the "APA Guidelines" Folder within the "Projects" Discussions:

The physical appearance of a manuscript enhances the manuscript's effect, facilitates the work of the reader and minimizes the possibility of misinterpretation. To ensure consistency, publishers, institutions and professors require that submitted manuscripts adhere to publicationn standards. UMUC has adopted APA as its standard. Unless specifically stated by the college or the instructor, APA rules must be followed rigorously. Instructors who do not require APA do you a disservice (by not requiring you to learn this system as part of your MSM education).

In addition to APA format, students are expected to demonstrate computer literacy by using the "automatic functions" provided by the word processor, e.g.:

• The "header" and automatic numbering features of the word processor should be used to generate the Page Number within the Page Header of the manuscript.
• Vertical and Horizontal centering should be used to center the Title on the Cover Page (note that this positions the 1st line of the title at the vertical center of the page and requires that the Running Head be incorporated into the Page Header of the 1st Page).
• Double spacing and indenting of the 1st line for each paragraph should be obtained within the Paragraph Style and empty paragraphs (paragraphs without any data) should not appear anywhere in the document (violation of the double spacing rule).

Question:

Do I need to indicate whether my statement are facts, beliefs, opinions or feelings and cite all sources of material?

Answer:

As noted in the folder "Evaluating Resources", when expressing views in our discussions, we need to carefully consider whether we are expressing:

• Facts (supported by scientific research/evidence
• Beliefs (acceptance of something as true without supporting evidence).
• Opinions (conclusions which seem true or probable, but are open to dispute).
• Feelings (what is attributed as a result of one's own impressions and/or emotions).

Wherever possible, we should "stand on the shoulders" of those who have performed research in the area by citing their works. When citing an author, we must evaluate if the author is expressing facts, beliefs, opinions or feelings. Pay particular attention to who is funding the research and what biases they may have by asking yourself:

• What information (decision making criteria) is needed to make the decision?
• What information (statistics) is used to evaluate the results of the decision?
• When is the information used?
• Where is the information used ?
• Why is the information used?
• How is the information used?
• Who uses the information?

Little of what we read is factual information. Usually it is:

• "Infomercials" (infornmative commercials with the express purpose of selling us a product or service).
• "Horn Blowing" (informing the world of an accomplishment).
• Posturing (statement of a position).

Such documents add little/nothing to our knowledge base. As Dr. W. Edward Deming said in his lectures, "Without factual supporting data, you are just one more person with an opinion."

In summary. good research is time consuming but necessary. It often shows conflicting opinions. One of the major advantages of the virtual classroom is the ability to research questions (in f2f [face-to-face] classes, questions are answered with "top-of-the-head" answers). As MSM students, you need to learn how to:

• Conduct meaningful research.
• Evaluate material presented as to whether it is fact, beliefs, opinions or feelings.
• Stae in our discussions whether the information presented is fact, beliefs, opinions or feelings.

Question:

Accessing and reading Hot-Linked materials can be tedious and time consuming. Why not just include the material in the Lecturette, Response, etc.?

Answer:

Copyright Laws and professional ethics restrict the incorporation of other people's literary property into our work. Please review and adhere to the Copyright practices detailed at http://www.umuc.edu/library/copy.html.

Question:

How do I upload HTML (Hyper Text Markup Language) into an Access Table?

Answer:

• Be sure that the TFE (Text Formatting Editor) option is disabled.
• Compose the document as a web-page. If the document was composed in word, copy it into a HTML composer such as Netscape Composer.
• Open the saved web page in a composer such as Netscape Composer.
• Right click on the web page and then click the "view source" option (in Netscape Composer, the "<html>Source" button at the bottom of the screen can be used).
• Copy the HTML code between the <body> and </body> tags. (Note: Do not include the body tag)
• Paste the contents in the Text Area of the Webtycho Response.
• Click the Enter Text as: HTML option that appears directly above the Text Area.
• Click the "Submit" button.

Question:

How do I upload data from an Excel Spreadsheet into an Access Table?

Answer:

The following Steps detail how to upload data from an Excel Spreadsheet into an Access Table

Be sure that:

• the first row of the Excel Spreadsheet contains the same headings as the database and that they are in the same sequence.
• the field to be used as the key does not contain any duplicate data.

1. Within "File", select "Get External Data".
2. Click "Import" when the "Import" dialog box appears.
3. Using the "Look In" box select the Excel Spreadsheet.
4. Click "Next".
5. On the resulting menu specify that the First Row contains the Column Headings.
6. Click "Next".
7. On the resulting menu specify if you want the data stored in a new or existing table.
8. Click "Next".
9. This menu allows you to specify information about each of the fields being imported. Its main use is to specify any fields that are not to be uploaded.
10. Click "Next".
11. The resulting menu will allow you to specify the Primary Key.
12. Click "Next".
13. The resulting menu will allow you to specify the name of the new table.
14. Click "Finished"

The new table should be available for your use or the new data should be added to the existing table.

Question:

How do I add Hot-Links to my Responses?

Answer:

The following Steps detail how to add Hot-Links to a Response when using the Text Formatting Editor:

• In the Response text highlight the word/phrase to which you desire to add the Hot-Link.
  • Copy the URL (Ctrl & C).
• Click the "Create link" Icon in the Toolbar (7th Icon on the 2^nd Toolbar of the Edit Screen - it looks like a series of squiggly lines).
  • When you click on it, an "Enter URL" pop-up menu will appear.
• Paste the URL (Ctrl V) into the input box.
  • Note that instead of the above Copy and Paste you can type the URL.
• Click "OK".

The URL should now be underlined in the text. After creating the URL, be sure to test it.

Question:

How do I "capture a screen" to include it in my document?

Answer:

The "screen capture" method that works best for me is as follows:  

• Position the cursor in the screen that you want to capture.
• Hold down the "Alt" and Shift" keys, then press the "Print Scrn" key.  
• To capture all the screens displayed on the CRT, hold down the "Ctrl", "Alt" and Shift" keys, then press the "Print Scrn" key.
• To insert the "captured image" into your word document, position the cursor at the appropriate location in the Word document, then select "Edit", "Paste Special", "As device independent bitmap", then press "OK" ("device independent bitmap" allows you to move/position the "captured image" anywhere in your Word document).  
• You can then size, crop, etc., the image using the "Picture" toolbar.

Question:

How do I vertically center the title page and handle the running head?

Answer:

The following Steps detail how to format the headings and the Title Page of an APA Document. The Title Page should be centered vertically using the Vertical Centering feature within Microsoft Word. Note that the Running head is included in the Page Header of Section 1 (Title Page) and eliminated from Section 2 (Text).

1. Open a Microsoft Word Document.
   
   
2. Check that paragraph marks appear on-screen
   
   

Highlight the paragraph that appears in the "Work Area" of the Screen: If the "Paragraph Marks" do not appear on the Screen: Select "Tools" from the "Menu" bar. Select Options Select the "View" tab within the "Options" menu. Check "Paragraph marks" within "Formatting marks" within the "View" tab. Click "OK" to exit the "Options" menu.



3. Setup Page so that all margins are 1 inch, header at .5 inch
   
   
   • Select "File" from the "Menu" bar
   • Next select "Page Setup" from the Pop-Up menu
   • Then select the "Margins" tab. Within the "Margins" menu:

   Top: = 1
   Bottom: = 1
   Left: = 1
   Right: = 1
   Gutter: = 0
   Header: = .5 (note that this positions the Page Header half way between the top of the page and the text which start at the 1" Margin)
   Footer: = 1
   Apply to: = Whole document
   Click "OK" within the "Page Setup" menu.

4. Format styles for normal text to be indented at the first line of each paragraph, double-spaced, Courier font, size 12
   • Select "Format" from the "Menu" bar.
   • Next select "Style" from within the "Format" menu (note that this is the "Normal" Style which will be used for most of the text).
   • Then select "Modify" within the "Style" menu.
   • Select "Format" within the "Modify Style" menu.
   • Select "Paragraph". Within the "Paragraph" menu:
   • Select "Format" within the "Modify Style" menu.
   • Select "Font" Within the "Font" menu:

Alignment = Left
Indent Left: = 0
Indent Right: = 0
Spacing Before: = 0 pt
Spacing After: = 0 pt
Special = First line
By: = .5
Line Spacing = Double
Click "OK" on the "Paragraphs" menu.

Font = Courier New
Font style = Regular
Size = 12
Font color = Automatic
Underline style = (none)
Click "OK" on the "Font" menu.
Click "OK" on the "Modify styles" menu.
Click "Apply" on the "Style" menu.

5. Create styles for title page text and page to be centered horizontally and vertically
   • Select "Insert" from the "Menu bar.
   • Select "Break" from the Pop-Up menu.
   • Select "Next page" within "Section break types" within the "Break" menu.
   • Click "OK" within the "Break" menu.
   • Select "Style" within the Pop-Up menu.
   • Select "New" within the "New Style" menu.
   • Within the "New Style" menu: "Name" = "Title Author Institution".
   • Select "Format" within the "New Style" menu.
   • Select "Paragraph" within the Pop-Up menu.
   • Within the "Paragraph" menu:
   • Click "OK" on the "Paragraph" Menu.
   • Click "OK" on the "New Styles" Menu.
   • Click "Apply" on the "Style" Menu.
   • Select "File" from the "Menu" bar.
   • Select "Page Setup" from the Pop-Up menu.
   • Select the "Margins" tab within the "Page Setup" menu.
   • Within the "Margins" menu:
   • Click "OK" on the "Page Setup" menu.

On the 1st line type the Document Title.
On the 2nd line type Your Name.
On the 3rd line type the Institution (University of Maryland University College).
On the 4th line type "Insert text here."

With the Cursor at the beginning of the 4th Line: Highlight the 1st three lines and select "Format" from the "Menu" bar.

Alignment = Centered
Indent Left: = 0
Indent Right: = 0
Spacing Before: = 0 pt
Spacing After: = 0 pt
Special = (none)
Line Spacing = Double

Top: = 1
Bottom: = 1
Left: = 1
Right: = 1
Gutter: = 0
Header: = 1
Footer: = 1
Apply to: = Selected sections
Section Start = New page Vertical Alignment = Centered

6. Format the "Header" styles for sections one and two
   • Select "View" from the "Menu" bar.
   • Select "Header and Footer" within the Pop-Up menu.
   • Select the "Header" Paragraph within the Header of the document.
   • Remove all tab markers.
   • Set the "Indent Marker" in the "Ruler" to 0.
   • Select "Format" from the Tools Bar.
   • Select "Style" within the Pop-Up menu.
   • Select "Modify" within the 'Style" menu.
   • Select "Format" within the "Modify Style" menu.
   • Select "Paragraph" within the Pop-Up menu.Within the "Paragraph" menu",
   • Click "OK" on the "Paragraph" Menu.
   • Select "Format" within the "Modify Style" menu. Select "Font" Within the "Font" menu:
   • Click "OK" on the "Font" menu.
   • Click "OK" on the "Modify Style" menu.
   • Click "Apply" on the "Style" Menu.

Alignment = Right
Indent Left: = 0
Indent Right: = 0
Spacing Before: = 0 pt
Spacing After" = 0 pt
Special = (none)
Line Spacing = Double

Font = Courier New
Font style = Regular
Size = 12
Font color = Automatic
Underline style = (none)

7. Insert correct content for Header, and format Running Head
   With the View/Header dialogue box still open, on the Header Line:
   • Type "Surname". (Note the 5 spaces, ½ inch, between the Surname and the Page Number.)
   • Click on the Page Number Icon (this will automatically number the pages sequentially).
   • Press the "Enter" key to create a 2nd Header line.
   • On the 2nd Header Line: Type: "Running head: ABBREVIATED TITLE" (note the lower case "h" in the word head and that the ABBREVIATED TITLE is capitalized).
   • Select the 2nd Header Line. Select Format from the Menu Bar.
   • Select "Style" within the Pop-Up menu.
   • Select "New" within the "Style" menu.. Within the "New Style" menu:

   Name = Running head
   Select "OK" within the "New Style" menu

   • Select "modify" within the "Style" menu.
   • Select "Format" within the "Modify Style" menu
   • Select "Paragraph" within the Pop-Up menu.
   • Within the "Paragraph" menu":

   Alignment = Left
   Indent Left: =0
   Indent Right: = 0
   Spacing Before: = 6 pt (this will position the Running head within the 1" margin)
   Spacing After: = 0 pt
   Special = (none)
   Line Spacing = Double

   • Click "OK" on the "Paragraph" Menu.
   • Click "OK" on the "Modify Style" Menu.
   • Click "Apply" on the "Styles" Menu.
   • Select the "Show Next" Icon within the "Header and Footer toolbar.
   • Click on the "Same as Previous" Icon within the "Header and Footer" toolbar to disengage it, i.e., to isolate the Current Header from the Previous Header (note that the "Same as Previous" notation disappears from the Header).
   • Delete the 2nd line of the Section 2 Header.
   • Click "Close" to exit the "Header and Footer" menu.
   • Verify the format using "Print Preview" within "File" (see sample).

Note that setting up Styles saves work in the long run, since you can use the styles each time you write a paper in the Graduate School. If you are unfamiliar with the above steps for formatting and creating paragraph styles, you should work through a Microsoft Word Tutorial such as O'Leary & O'Leary, Microsoft Office 97 or 2000.

Questions concerning APA Style can be emailed to apastyle@apa.org . The URL (Universal Resource Locator) for the APA Web-Page is http://www.apastyle.org/faqs.html.

Question: 

How can I copy Formating (Bold, Colors, Tables, etc.) into my Responses in WebTycho?

Answer:

If you compose your work in a Microsoft Word File (.doc), when you copied the data into the Text area of the Response, the formatting from the Word file is not transferred to the Response (the data is transferred in text format [.txt] - no formatting).  When you want to copy a formatted document into a Response, use one of the HTML generators such as Netscape Composer.  I personally like Netscape Composer because it is a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) composer.  However, the spell and grammar check in Composer is week, so I usually compose the data in Word where I spell and grammar check it.  I then copy the data from Word into Composer (surprisingly, tables copy as tables and URLs copy with their hot-links).  Some additional tweaking may be necessary, but it's usually minor.  When copying the data into your Response, you need to click on the "Source" button at the bottom of the Composer screen, and then copy the source code without the Head or Body commands.  When you submit the Response, it will contain all the formatting, including any Hot-Links that may be imbedded in the text.

Word documents can be converted directly into HTML documents, but Microsoft's HTML code is very specific to Microsoft products and often does not copy properly into WebTycho.  Therefore, this approach is not recommended.

It sounds complicated, and it can be a little tricky during the learning process, but with a little practice it, it quickly becomes 2^nd nature.  If you have Netscape, you might want to play with this concept to see how it works.  If you have any difficulty, get WebTycho Support on the phone (800-807-4862) as you are doing the copying.  They will be able to guide you through the copy and paste, which can get a little tricky, as you are copying source code without the Head or Body Commands.  When copying HTML code, be sure that the copied test starts with a less than symbol, <, and end with a greater than symbol, >.  HTML uses the < and > to enclose the HTML commands.

Question: 

As someone who does not work directly in the Information Technology/Information Systems field, I feel quite out of touch with what is "in vogue" (latest and greatest Information Systems information).  Can you refer me to some professional publications that will allow me to keep abreast of MIS (Management Information Systems)/computer trends?

Answer:

A couple of Information Technology Publications that will help you keep abreast of computer trends are:

• PC World which can be subscribed to at http://store.yahoo.com/magazinecity/8730-12.html
• ComputerWorld which can be subscribed to at http://www.computerworld.com/

Let's be sure that we incorporate what we have learned here in our discussions.

2004: Dr. George Gordon Harding/University of Maryland University College.