1. Review tips for success in terms of
what you know about your learning style. Also reassess what worked for
you in previous courses and what didn't. -- click
here
On this page, you'll find information about
preparing for a new semester or summer session. Even if you've taken
tpc web-based courses
during one or two "semesters" before (especially if you've taken only
one
course each time), you might want to review the start up website for
first-
and second-"semester" students at http://core.ecu.edu/engl/tpc/startup/startetc.htm.
That web page has been updated so links should be current.You should
have bookmarked (called "favorites" in Internet Explorer)
that page, so you can return to it easily. In addition, if you don't
have a print version of that start-up website, you might want to print
off all of that website (the opening page and those linked to it) to
create a print booklet to use.
Throughout, ask if you run into problems; you can email the adviser for graduate-level tpc students (Sherry Southard @ southards@ecu.edu). When you have finished, you are finished. You do not need to email anyone.
Bookmark (called "favorites" in some browsers) this page, so you can return to it easily. One other matter: Links (and url's) are fragile and sometimes transient items. If you have difficulties accessing the url for a link, let me know in a professional manner.
One almost last word
-- Our courses focus on content to improve your communication
abilities, no matter what your intended career path, not teaching you
technology per se. However, as you complete courses, try to strengthen
your computer and technology abilities, especially in terms of
technologies for communicating and creating "documents" as appropriate
for your interests and intended career goals.
One last, but very important word -- if you do encounter difficulties as you are completing courses, contact your instructor, the tpc adviser, or the tpc lead faculty. Do not just "drop out." We can help you figure out what is the best approach for your particular situation.
1. Review tips for success in terms of
what you know about your learning style. Also reassess what worked for
you in previous courses and what didn't. -- click
here
2. If
needed, upgrade or try the following basic softwares:
You might also want to try Foxit, which often downloads pdfs much faster than does Adobe Acrobat Reader. See http://www.foxitsoftware.com/pdf/reader/ See the left-hand column for "More PDF Tolls" -- tools such as a Foxit pdf creator.
3. Build
community
4. Double check the following resources.
The CAP is most often taken the final semester that you are enrolled. That website has been greatly revised (with a few parts still under construction) as of 15 June 2009. Check it out.
Information about masters requirements can be found at http://core.ecu.edu/engl/tpc/tekkom/forms.htm
If you are reaching the time to complete your CAP,
review the information about that activity.
You should begin planning for your CAP the semester before you will
take it.
Whether or not
you
work with your director in the summer (for those graduating during the
fall) or over the break between semesters depends upon your director
and his or her schedule. Don't expect your director to work with you
during summer or
breaks.
1. For many of your courses, you will use
Joyner Library's excellent virtual resources. Very important:
see http://media.lib.ecu.edu/DE/DE_Home.html
[This link was available until recently; I'm leaving it with hopes it
will heal itself.] Not only can you access secondary literature from
professional journals, but you can "talk" with librarians who will help
you complete projects. In Engl 7701: Research Methods in Technical
& Professional Communication, you'll learn more about "researching"
topics.
Chat with a librarian: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-dhs/laupuslibrary/chatlibrarian.cfm
Ask a librarian: http://www.ecu.edu/cs-lib/reference/ask_a_librarian.cfm
2. Review your
ECU One Stop that provides many interactions. It is important to learn
about this resources. You can access a tutorial from http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/options/tutorials.cfm
[Scroll down to find the tutorial.]
For those of you beginning one of our
programs, you must be enrolled to be able to use this website, and you
may not be able to use it until the semester or summer session begins.
To access your One Stop page, click here
3. Review the variety of support
resources provided by Distance Education (Continuing Studies) at http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/options/firsttimestudents.cfm
Some resources duplicate what you have already read about by going
through the information on this page.
You should also check out what you can access from http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/options/currentstudents.cfm
These
resources can be very helpful.
4. Review technology resources available from
ITCS (Information Technology & Computer Services) at http://www.ecu.edu/itcs/ and http://www.ecu.edu/itcs/students.cfm
5. For ECU tech support, go to http://www.ecu.edu/9866/
This web page provides new information as well as links to some of the
resources already referred to or accessed as you've worked through this
page.
6. If your instructor uses Blackboard, you
can access a tutorial from http://www.ecu.edu/cs-acad/options/tutorials.cfm
[Scroll down to find the tutorial.]
7. Review, if you wish, but bookmark for
sure, the website for the technical and professional communication
programs. It provides answers to many questions that you might have
about the Certificate or MA program. Currently, a lot of valuable
information is available.To become familiar with what the tpc website
provides, "click" through the resources available.
Finally, to access current tpc site, click here .
However, do note that the site is being revised and downsized because a
lot of the information is available on the English Department website
recently revised: http://www.ecu.edu/english/
1. Build
computer abilities appropriate for your career plans. For now, you may
want to just go
to
these resources, determine what they contain, and bookmark them. ECU
and the tpc program provide resources for increasing your
computer/technology abilities.
2. Learn about
portable Apps, which can be placed on a flash or thumb drive ... very,
very useful. See http://portableapps.com/
and http://portableapps.com/apps
3. You can find a
searchable archive for the newspaper columnist Bill Husted who talks
about computer stuff at http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/technobuddy/entries/columns/
The side bar also contains a list of categories for searching. This
information does not constitute an endorsement for that resources, just
fyi ....
