Course Handbook

Every student must purchase a self-paced course handbook ($3.75) in the Bookstore. Use your course handbook as your guide as you progress through your self-paced course. This handbook contains the syllabus for the course as well as the instructions necessary to complete the course on your own. The handbook may provide different instructions from the textbook, and your assignments must be done according to the handbook in order to receive credit. The handbook also contains instructions for downloading assignment files, disk care, Clark State general policies, lab hours, materials required for each course, the on-site orientation schedule, exam information, a handbook quiz for bonus points, the course requirement and deadline, and contact information for the self-paced lab coordinator.

Evaluation of Coursework
Within the first few pages of the intermediate course handbooks and at the back of the rest of the handbooks is an Evaluation of Coursework page (grade sheet) that you need to tear out and submit to one of the lab instructors. This is what the instructors will keep your grade on as you progress through the course. Students are encouraged to ask to see their grade sheet and record their point totals on their copy of the grade sheet.

Use the grade sheet located in the back of your handbook to record your grades as you progress through the course. This way you'll always know exactly where you stand in the course, and your final grade will never be a surprise. Make sure your point totals match those on your official grade sheet kept by the instructors so that any errors can be corrected before grades are posted.

Tracking Assignments
It's a good idea to keep track of what assignments you have already done by checking them off on your copy of the grade sheet located in the course handbook. This way if you leave a long period of time between doing assignments, you'll know right where to pick back up again. Always check with the self-paced lab instructor to make sure you have received credit for the work you have submitted. You will have the opportunity to redo any assignments in order to receive full credit as long as you do so before taking the exam pertaining to those assignments.

Schedule of Activities
Included in the handbook is a section entitled Schedule of Activities which contains a 10-week schedule for completing the course in one quarter. It suggests how you should plan each week and what assignments should be completed. Do not use this guide, though, for determining exactly what assignments to do. This section is just a general reference tool.

Coursework Instructions
For specific assignment instructions which may include revisions to some assignments, look toward the back of the handbook where you will see enumerated items and text enclosed in gray shaded boxes with point values. This is the most important section of the handbook because it guides you step-by-step through the coursework.

The handbook will suggest you do all of the assignments in the textbook, but if you feel you understand the material after having read and worked through the unit, then you only need to do the required assignments. Many students want to do all of the activities simply because it prepares them better for the exams. You only need to submit the required assignments for credit, though. You'll be able to determine what assignments are required in one of several different ways:

• text in a shaded box with a point value
• on the Grade Sheet
• and in the Schedule of Activities area

Download and take the orientation quiz (PDF) for an additional 10 points added to your final grade for the course. Submit the quiz to a lab instructor before taking your first test.

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