1

How often must I post? You must post an acceptable, astronomy class-related entry 3 or more times a week on the forum - each is an absence if not done. If 4 absences are earned, you must withdraw from the class. The other ways to earn absences are to miss a test, miss a due date on a lab notebook. You should also visit and read any other messages at least 4 days out of every 7. In order not to miss any important announcements, you should check in to the forum roughly every other day.

2

What constitutes a sufficient post? Any post or response to fellow classmates that addresses topics in astronomy being covered in the chapter assignments that week. In addition, posts dealing with labs and news in astronomy also count.

3

Will posts made on the weekends count? Yes, posts anytime during the 7-day week at any hour will count!

4

When are posts removed or deleted? The forum will be cleansed or purged (deleted of posts) about the end of every academic week (see the Weekly Activities page for the start of the academic week) and during the testing periods. So as not to miss out on announcements or Q&A exchanges, visit the forum often.

5

How can posting earn me extra credit? In general, it can't. By meeting the required minimum of posts, you are only ensuring you are not withdrawn due to excessive absences; however, if you post up and beyond this minimum requirement each and every week (not missing a week) then you will be eligible for extra credit at the end of the term.

6

I posted something that I would now wish I hadn't. What may I do? Just e-mail me and request that I remove it. Give me the subject and date so I may easily find it. I'll be happy to help.

7

Are there any times we should not post questions and answers on the forum? For Labs – No, you may post questions anytime on anything pertaining to the labs. You may post before during and after the due date. For Tests – Yes, you may only post questions & answers on the forum before or after the testing  period (see the Test Schedule for the testing periods); however, once testing starts, no one is allowed to post questions or answers or comments pertaining to the test or the testing material until the testing period is complete. You may post about other astronomy topics during this period however.

8

I visit the forum often, but I don't always post. Will I get credit for this? No, since I wouldn't know that. Being an internet course, means you will have to communicate through the forum often. Just dropping in and reading the posts doesn't count for participation. Anyone who keeps up with the readings and assignments outlined on the Weekly Activities page will no doubt have many questions to ask others and should also have learned enough to answer the questions of others. An absence from participating on the class forum, would imply that you are not participating nor learning - which is usually reflected in the final average.

9

What happens if I answer someone's question incorrectly? Will I penalized for providing false information? No, not at all. If your answer is off slightly, I'll jump in there to help both of you out. There's no penalty - only praise - for participation on the forum.

10

How can I post a link to a website on the forum? Simply type in the website's URL into your test such as  http://www.midlandstech.edu/ and make sure you include the http:// such that it will be activated by the forum. Once you see your post, the website's URL will be active. I recommend you right-click on it and choose "Open in a New Window".

11

When do we stop posting at the end of the term? As far as worrying about attendance and extra credit, that would be the last day of classes (in our case, that would be the end of the last academic week - see the Weekly Activities page for the start of the academic weeks); however, you may continue to post up to the start of the final exam - soon thereafter, the forum will be taken off-line.

12

Is there extra credit to be earned by participating on the forum? Yes, in more ways than one. Test or lab extra credit activities may be offered through the forum but will only be applied to those who meet the minimum attendance requirement for posting on the forum. If you fail to meet the minimum posting requirements each week, then even any extra credit offered will not be granted. Exceptions are made for those who have a single bad week or two and fail to meet the required posts, but then they accrue absences in those cases. For those who excel in there forum postings, they will be granted special extra credit at the end of the term when I am determining the final grades.