Accessing Your Course |
Blackboard Vista (Bb Vista)
Your course is using Blackboard Vista (Bb Vista)! Your student account in Bb Vista will be created about 2 weeks prior to the start of your class and you can log into the system at that time. Please use the time before the start of your class to become familiar with Bb Vista by using the tutorials provided for you.
You will be able to access your course as of
1 AM on the official course start date.
Logging In
Log in to your Bucks Bb Vista course space at:
http://online.bucks.edu
- Username: Your new user account will consist of your last name and first initial, and if necessary, followed by a random number. For example, John Smith's user account will be smithj4567
- Password: Your initial password for all systems will be reset to "bd" followed by your birthdate in mmddyy format. (Example: bd042372 for 4/23/72). You will need to establish your new password immediately, which is 6-9 characters in length, using letters & numbers. You should also establish a password hint at this time.
- To obtain your new user account go to
http://www.bucks.edu
and select WebAdvisor. Select Account information (upper right hand corner of the screen) then select What's My User ID? and follow the prompts. You will need to provide your last name AND your 7 digit student ID number OR your social security #. Your new user account name will display on the screen
Note: If you registered late, there may be a short delay in activating your Bb Vista login.
Computer Requirements and Settings
Your computer must be correctly configured to work with Bb Vista. Before you login do the Check Browser located on the Bb Vista login page. This will ensure your browser is configured so the complete functionality of this application is available to you. If errors are detected, mandatory or recommended changes will be indicated.
Access Codes
Some Bb Vista courses that use content provided by textbook publishers require an access code.
If your course requires one, you will
be prompted to enter it the first time you access the course.
This access code may be
included with the purchase of a new textbook, or may be
purchased separately from the textbook publisher through
http://www.webct.com/content/viewpage?name=content_student_access_codes.
If you purchased a used textbook and do not yet have an access code, you can obtain a 15-day temporary code the first time you log in by clicking the "get temporary code" link. You will then have 15 days to purchase your access code.
Troubleshooting
Detailed troubleshooting information is available by clicking on Help
on the Bb Vista login page or on any page within the system after you have logged in.
Learning To Use Bb Vista
- Face-To-Face Workshops!
are offered at the beginning of each
full semester at the Newtown campus.
- LIVE Online Sessions!
are offered via web conferencing before the start of each modular session and full semester.
Check
http://www.bucks.edu/e-resources/virtual-campus/after-registration/kickoff/ for dates and times. We also encourage you to use the various "Learning Bb Vista" courses provided online when you log in to your Bb Vista account.
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Purchasing Your Books and Other Course Materials |
While you may purchase your books and other course materials from the provider of your choice (using the
ISBN number available through the course's academic department
where applicable to ensure the correct version), both the campus bookstore
and our online bookstore,
guarantee that they stock the correct version for your course.
Approximately 3 weeks prior to the start of the session you can use the link
below to see the list of books that have been selected by your instructor. If you have
any questions about the course materials listed, please contact your instructor or the academic
department directly.
Click
this link to see the book list for your course.
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Other Information about the Course |
Hello! My name is Sarah Bruck, and I am delighted to be your instructor for this course.
Course Description: English Composition I emphasizes the systematic study of writing effective expository prose and argumentation, stressing development and support of a clear thesis. Essays must demonstrate careful thinking, ability to synthesize sources, and must employ appropriate diction, sentence sense, and standard organizational strategies. Reading assignments will provide models of good writing and support for student compositions.
Prerequisites: Writing Placement Test Score of 6 or higher or a grade of C or better in COMP107 (Introduction to Rhetorical Skills).
Textbook: THE MCGRAW-HILL READER (10th Ed.). Gilbert H. Muller, ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008.
Online Learning: This composition class, including the focus, readings, assignments, and assessments, is largely the same as my face-to-face course, except that we will be meeting and communicating with each other solely online instead of live, in a classroom. The online format, while more convenient for many, leaves a significant responsibility on the student to stay organized to keep pace with the course content, discussions, and assignments. All of the learning outcomes and standards are identical to the face-to-face version of the course. This almost goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway: students have to be able to access a dependable computer that is connected to the Internet. Home or work computers that experience problems do not release you of the responsibilities and deadlines related to this course. If you have technical problems, you should go to a friend's house or a library to complete class work.
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