Class Preparation and Success During the Semester
To make sure that you are best prepared for a successful semester,
- Verify that you have the requisite entry skills for the course, including computer literacy, college-level reading and writing skills, and that you have completed any additional course requisites (either advisory or prerequisite).
- Find out what course materials are required (textbooks and software). The best place to start is the Classes page on this site, clicking the link for the individual course. The subsequent page provides course information, such as course description, student learning outcomes, upcoming scheduling, and software requirements. However, these class information pages do not have specific textbooks listed because different instructors specify different books. Cerro Coso's bookstore's site is the most reliable place to find out what textbooks are required. Faculty are also encouraged to keep the course information page (linked from the online schedule—after choosing the appropriate semester) updated, which should provide information about textbooks, software, online training subscriptions, and weekly time commitment.
- Obtain your textbooks and software BEFORE the semester begins. Note that software applications are not bundled with the textbooks and must be purchased separately. Order your books and software well in advance to allow time for shipping and backorders. You are responsible to have your textbooks and software when the course begins, so if your order encounters delays, locate another vendor that can process your order faster.
- You can order your software from Computerland of Silicon Valley. This vendor has entered into an agreement with Adobe for California Community College students to get deeper discounts than are available from other academic discount software vendors.
- You can order your textbook(s) through Cerro Coso's Bookstore, the Booknook, online. Select the appropriate term and check the checkbox for the course discipline. Then click the Continue to Get Course Materials submit button on the right side of the window. In the next window, check the checkboxes for the course(s) in which you are enrolled. Again, click the Continue to Get Course Materials submit button on the right side of the window. In the following window, you'll be presented with the required textbook(s) have have the opportunity to purchase them online through the Booknook. The Booknook has several shipping options. You can also make note of the book and purchase it elsewhere (e.g. Amazon.com) if the Booknook is out of stock or you find better pricing and/or faster shipping.
- Online courses do not require that you log in at specific times during the day or week, but you are responsible for meeting weekly deadlines or incremental deadlines during the week. You will need to log in several times during the week to get your work done and to engage in discussion and collaboration with your peers.
- Be open minded and enthusiastic about the idea of working in a group. Most of our courses involve a group assignment. Collaboration and leadership are essential soft skills in the web design industry, and our curriculum is designed to help you develop these skills. If you have never worked in a group before, that is okay. We will teach you how to do this. Again, it is important that you log into class several times a week, even if briefly to facilitate group discussion.
For continued success during the semester,
- Develop a weekly schedule for the semester that sets some time aside early in the week to read assigned resources and make early contact with peers—especially if you've working in a group. Determine which days and times of day you are most alert and able to produce quality work and schedule those times during the week for school.
- If you are struggling with concepts or techniques, don't be timid about asking your instructor for help. If you need tutoring, we can arrange that, as well. Let us know! We are here to help you succeed!
- Engage with your class learning community...ask questions, answer questions, find resources...the more you put into your learning experience, the more you will receive from it.