Student Guidelines 

Welcome to a course that is being taught in a unique format-a virtual classroom. You are enrolled in a course that may have students located in one or more locations throughout the tri-county college district. Students may be located on the Shasta College campus or located at one of our Centers in Burney, Red Bluff, Hoopa, or Weaverville. Using state-of-the-art telecommunications equipment and T-1 network connections, we have created an interactive virtual classroom happening in real time even though you are separated by distance.
 

Will it be greatly different from a traditional classroom? Probably.  Sometimes, technical difficulties require cancellation of a class meeting or you may, on occasion, lose visual or audio connections.  Occasionally, there may also be a delay in the return of completed assignments from the instructor.  Be patient and tolerant.  The system is not perfect, but few things in life really are. The important thing, however, is that you participate in the learning process and you allow others to learn as well. 
 

If you have any problems or educational needs involving your ITV course, discuss it with your ITV faculty member or contact the Extended Education staff at your site or the Extended Education ITV office in Room 242 on the main campus in Redding.
 

Please turn off all cell phones and pagers before entering the ITV classroom.  These types of electronic devices will interfere with the audio portion of the class.

NO FOOD or BEVERAGES other than water is allowed in any ITV room.

Here are some guidelines for your class:

1.     We will not only assume but expect that you are a responsible adult and well aware of expected adult behaviors which include courtesy and respect for the faculty member and the other students located in both your classroom and the other downlink sites.  Talking to other students in the classroom is inappropriate when the faculty member is talking-- just like in a traditional classroom.  Even though your site mike may be muted, unnecessary noise or activity will distract others in your class.

2.     Either the faculty member or a staff member will monitor all tests, quizzes and examinations.  The expectations of the Shasta College faculty are that you will not engage in any type of behavior that would compromise the absolute integrity of the quizzes and the examinations. Cheating will be dealt with immediately and the penalty incurred for cheating will be at the direction of the faculty member and in compliance with district policy.

3.     Many faculty members ask that roll be taken in their classes at each of the sites.  Do NOT come to class to sign the roll sheet and then leave or to sign the roll for someone not in attendance.  This behavior is unacceptable in a live class; therefore, it is unacceptable in an ITV class.  The roll sheets will be collected and sent to the faculty member.

4.     The audio and video delivery on the ITV system can be set in a variety of modes depending upon the instructional needs of the faculty member and the students:

·       If the ITV system is set in a presentation mode (which is how it normally operates), the cameras are set so that all receiving sites can view the person teaching the class.  When you speak from your center, you will be heard by all of the students at all of the sites, but the video will not change. The faculty member can see the students at all sites on a continuous basis.

·       If the ITV system is set in a voice-activated mode (only used for specific types of classes), the video will change from one site to another.  The audio signal will be transmitted instantly but it will take about four seconds for the video to change locations.  Do not be concerned.  Just speak and the video change will happen automatically.  In this format, all students at all sites see and hear the presentation of every student as they are talking.

5.     To ask a question or respond to the instructor:

·       If you are in an ITV classroom with the Tandberg system:

Press on the microphone in front of you and the green LCD will light up. Simply speak in a normal voice and everyone at each of the sites will hear you. When you are finished speaking, mute the microphone by again pressing the green LCD.  The green light will go off and the microphone is now muted.  Open microphones in the ITV system can be disruptive to the faculty member and other students in the class.

·       If you are in an ITV classroom with the Polycom system:  

Press the red light to speak, the light will go off.   When done speaking press the button again, the microphone is muted when the red light is on.

6.     REMEMBER, the cameras are live at all times.  Other people will be able to see and hear you!

7.     Even though you are in an ITV classroom that is different from a live classroom, your behavior should not deviate from the acceptable norm.  Disruptive behavior of any kind will not be tolerated.  Also, please show respect for the furnishings by not placing your feet on the tables, etc.

8.     The system is a closed system. Even though you will see yourself and other students at various college sites, the signal is not being broadcast through the airwaves like your home television.

9.     Faculty members can be contacted for assistance outside of class time by a variety of means, including telephone and E-mail.  Contact the staff at your Center for assistance.

If you have any concerns or need assistance with any matter regarding the ITV system, please call the ITV Office on the main campus at (530) 225-4814
 

We believe the educational experience that you receive using Shasta College’s ITV system can be a positive experience and will, with few exceptions, be similar to that in a traditional classroom. Have a great semester.

Revised November 21, 2005