I am writing to you as my first formal communication with you.

I want you to know that I am both the instructor and student. I am the instructor since I helped design the original course and have been actively engaged in accreditation processes for the processes for the past 30 years.

I have led self-studies, site surveys, and accreditation workshops. I have served on review committees for over ten years and continue to serve today. I have recently served on a Essentials Committee for Pathology Assistants.

Nevertheless, I am a student for this experience is my first one on a web-based course. I have had three years of experience in long distance education but not in this format. I am saying this since I suspect that I will forget some things that are important and this may lead to some confusion or uncertainty on your part. Please help me and the other students by communicating your questions or concerns via e-mail. You can also call me on the telephone if necessary. I doubt if we can arrange
an office visit face-to-face but we can try if distance is not a factor.

I look forward to working together in this different medium.

Sincerely,

Charles W. Ford, Ph.D.

This is an Internet based course. All your lessons will be on the web, as well as your assignments, examinations, and any other materials related to the course.

Most of you have taken a web based course previously.  The format of this course is similar to that of other internet courses offered in the Heath Science program.  You will use the bulletin board and e-mail to interact with each other.  Hopefully, you will get to know each through these networks much in the same way you would in a classroom.  A module has been developed for each week of the course. Each module is set up the same way and consists of  notes from the instructor, reading assignments, written assignments, and bulletin board topics. Whenever you see words or phrases underlined in blue, click on the blue words to link to another site. The "Back" button at the top left corner of the screen will return you to your previous site.

Reserved readings from the library and other Internet sites may also be listed and will be underlined in blue.  In order to access the library readings, you must download Adobe Acrobat Reader to your computer.  To download this free program, click on Acrobat Reader, and follow the directions.  Once your computer is equipped with the Acrobat Reader, click on the underlined readings to visit the site. Some readings require a password in order to open the document.  Only students enrolled in the course have access to these passworded reading assignments. When it asks for your "User Name", type in the following:
fgcu-student/user name, where the user name is usually the initials of your first and middle name and the first six letters of your last name. Your user name is also the same user name designated for your e-mail. For example, John K. Smith's user name would be jksmith. When prompted for your "Password", type in your password.

If this is your first web based course, relax. You will get the hang of it.  The first module includes a Technology Module and a Technology Survival Skills Self Assessment.  The Technology Module and Technology Survival Skills Self Assessment are primarily for your practice and self assessment, and are optional for those of you who have completed them before in another class. If you completed these before it may be interesting for you to complete these activities again to see how much you have learned since the first time you completed them. If you have not completed these activities previously, then by all means complete them now! 

If you are having difficulty accessing sites or any other technology problems, contact Tony Burkett (tburkett@fgcu.edu, 590-7500).