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Author(s): Brandy A. B. Perkl, Ph.D. - Feel free to use/adapt with credit! | Originally posted: January 6, 2025
(A video WAS here, but I need to redo it! Coming soon!)
Welcome to a class with me! I'm Dr. Perkl and I'm here to help you navigate your learning journey. This page is your go-to for understanding how I (and all my classes) work.
Note: Anything included here may be assessed on your Start of the Semester Quiz!
The Basic Structure
The Basic Structure
(It looks complicated, but once you get used to it, students love it! I promise I have the reviews to prove it.)
Checklists
Checklists
Checklists in D2L/Brightspace will guide you through what needs to be done—assignments, discussions, and quizzes, etc.- to make sure you know what to do, when to do it, and how to do it to get the credit you want in the course.
Use them to stay organized and on track.
You can use these however you prefer - they are not graded themselves.
Lessons
Lessons
Each course includes custom lessons as well, the checklists will guide you to them in D2L/Brightspace. You’ll find readings, videos, and activities to engage with key topics. This is my way of guiding you through a topic online the way I would have if we were in person.
Live Interactive Sessions: Zoom
Live Interactive Sessions: Zoom
All my courses include live Zoom sessions designed to be interactive and engaging.
The basic requirements? Be prepared, engaged, involved, and respectful - the way I plan to be for you.
Here's a video on self-leadership in Zoom: https://youtu.be/cQ8uh9Ti0VQ
Work + Grades
Work + Grades
All work is submitted through D2L/Brightspace generally, unless we're using a 3rd party tool (and if we are, it will be explained in the relevant course!).
You’ll find grades and comments in D2L/Brightspace as well!
Here's a video on how my grades work: https://youtu.be/bD0CfRXQ6gc
What I Expect From You:
What I Expect From You:
Engagement: Engage with lessons regularly and complete tasks in the checklists. Small, consistent efforts lead to success.
Transparency: If you use tools like AI to support your learning (e.g., brainstorming or editing), disclose it clearly. This is part of learning to use technology ethically and responsibly.
Communication: Reach out if you’re struggling or have questions! I’m here to help, and your classmates are a resource too.
The Basics Across Courses
The Basics Across Courses
Technology-Wise
Technology-Wise
Checking in: You should go no more than 3 days without checking your U of A Email and D2L/Brightspace when actively in a course.
Hardware/Software: To succeed in online classes, having your own computer (ideally with a larger screen and webcam) and daily, reliable internet access is key. It’s much easier to work with a checklist alongside a lesson when you can have multiple windows open! Loaners or public access computers might work in a pinch, but they’ll likely make things harder/be impossible to get by with on the long-term.
For detailed specs, check out: Technical Requirements | University of Arizona Online.
Zoom: These days most students know how to use Zoom, so I won't go too deep into that. If you do need help, it's available via 24/7 IT or here: https://thinktank.arizona.edu/getting-started-zoom
Tech hiccups happen! If your internet or computer goes down, have a backup plan like public Wi-Fi spots or campus labs.
Screenshots: You'll want to know how to take a screenshot for when you need to turn in proof of completion or outside work at times: https://www.take-a-screenshot.org/
Contact Hours: How Much Time You'll Need To Dedicate
Contact Hours: How Much Time You'll Need To Dedicate
Regardless of the course length, you can expect to do a lot of work in my classes. You have to work to learn! An explainer of this is available here: Understanding Credit Hours & Work Expectations
Participation matters! Engage in discussions and live Zoom sessions to get the most out of the class. I hope you're here to get what you (or someone) is paying for!
Grading + Extra Credit (OCBs)
Grading + Extra Credit (OCBs)
My courses use a weighted grading system, where categories like assignments, discussions, and quizzes each contribute a percentage to your final grade. It's designed to make sure nothing weighs too much or too little!
In my classes, Extra Credit revolves around Organizational Citizenship Behaviors (otherwise known as OCBs). If you are not sure what an OCB is - well, in normal speak behaviors become OCB's when someone goes above and beyond in a helpful way that benefits the organization (our class) and contributes to effectiveness. There are several ways to earn these which are noted in each class when they are available. A major one available in all classes? Helping others in the Virtual Office before I get there to help them!
Details will always be in the syllabus and D2L/Brightspace Grades tool itself, which I try to design to 'talk' to you and to make sure your grade is always very clear. The video above has been found very helpful by prior students!
Academic Writing Requirements
Academic Writing Requirements
These are fairly minimal in my courses, as I want you to write like you would at work to get in some real-world communication practice.
However, everything requires 2 things: Proper APA Style for citations and references & an AI Disclosure (even if none was used) - samples and details are in your syllabi and at this link.
If you don’t know the difference between citations and references, use this <3 minute video to get up to speed, and this <7 minute one goes over APA 7 too.
Support for APA can be provided by most AIs - Scribbr may be best + free (just disclose usage - especially given your likely lack of expertise in this area!), the library and librarians (they offer chat/texting!), Purdue OWL: APA Formatting and Style Guide (7th Edition), and of course through U of A tutoring options.
Keys to Success
Keys to Success
Stay Organized
Use the checklists and course calendar to manage your time and tasks.
Skim + Bookmark the Syllabus (Go to File to save to your own Drive/NotebookLM/whatever you're using to stay organized)
I know syllabi can be a LOT and they're not very friendly - that's why I put together this page actually.
Still, it’s the official guide to the course structure, expectations, and grading. Use it to consider how this semester will work for you.
Print the calendar page you'll find there.
Bookmark the Google Site - Keep it handy for easy access to lessons and materials.
Ask Questions
Whether it’s about the content, an assignment, or technology, don’t hesitate to ask for help from the right resource.
Review Feedback
Use the feedback provided on assignments to grow and improve.
Get Started!
Get Started!
To kick off your journey, please access your first checklist in D2L/Brightspace. https://d2l.arizona.edu/ This will guide you through initial tasks and set the stage for our course.
I strongly recommend you make the LMS work for you. The key? Just click around!!! D2L/Brightspace has a ton of different ways to get to and do the same things, YOU cannot break the class (only I can), so just find your preferred methods! Here's the help pages (but the people in this office are more helpful than the pages are): https://studenthelp.intech.arizona.edu
All of my classes will expect you to do the following:
Subscribe to Notifications from D2L/Brightspace: You can do this via User Settings in D2L/Brightspace or via the Pulse app.
Subscribe to the Virtual Office Discussion: You can subscribe without posting, posting is not required. Just go click the star in the correct discussion (a link to the one for a particular class will be in that class' checklist too so you don't have to go hunting if you prefer not to). The reason I want you to do this is because I find how News/Announcements works stupid, you can't comment back! This gives me a way to 'talk' to you or for you to 'talk' to me as a full class, it also give us a place to help each other like we would if we were meeting in person. (I give extra credit when students step in and help each other before I get there to sort things out!)
You'll turn in screenshots of both of the above as part of a Start of Semester Quiz in every class!
You’ve got this! My courses are designed to make learning clear and approachable, no matter your starting point. I’m excited to work with you and can’t wait to see the progress you make.
Note - one last time: Anything included here may be assessed on your Start of the Semester Quiz!
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
This guide was created with the assistance of ChatGPT, an AI tool, to ensure clarity and conciseness (I am NOT good at concise by nature - I keep trying, but it's an area where an editor is invaluable for me). Additionally, Google Images was used within Google Sites to enhance visual elements. The content reflects the expertise of Dr. Brandy Perkl, Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Arizona, and aligns with academic standards and institutional guidelines as of the publication date: Jan. 2025.
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