Important Note:  The introductory email message, when sent to the course instructor, constitutes your first day of class in this course.  Thus, you become a fully registered member of the course, eligible for UD privileges which include access and use of all computer labs and the Department of Education Media Center and help from the course lab assistant.  In addition, it acknowledges your responsibility for attending class and achieving course objectives.

Please introduce yourself to the course instructor.  The contents of this email must include two or three paragraphs.  The first paragraph will be copied and pasted into a class profile that will be published online in an effort to establish the "social context" in which learning occurs.  Such a connection can be quite useful for collaborating on course/class projects.  The second/third paragraph(s) will not be published for the other students in the class to see.  Instead, it will be a private paragraph that describes your current knowledge and use of technology as well as information about the time(s) when you prefer assistance on campus. This information will help the lab assistant and me to be more sensitive to your individual needs in this course!

In the first paragragh, write a brief biographical sketch of yourself.  Include information such as the following; however, please do not feel that you must offer any information that you prefer to keep private.  And, please feel free to use a "creative" style!!  Become a real persona!  Here are some ideas for developing paragraph one.

• Discuss your hometown.  Where is it...for what is it noted?  Was it a good place to grow up?

• Describe your education thus far.  What schools and colleges have you attended? What brought you to UD? What is your major?  What do you want to be when you grow up?  (Personally, I'm still trying to figure this out!)

• Describe your family and any "special" or "quirky" traditions that distinguish you as family. Or, write about your mother, father, siblings, children, grandparents...or an eccentric uncle.

• What are your hobbies and/or special interests?  Do you have a secret life???

• Why you are taking this course - and, what is your attitude toward technology in education/society?

In the second paragraph, write a brief description of your knowledge, experience, and attitude toward technology.  Include the following information:

1. Tell me about the computer and Internet connection (high speed or dial-up) that you will use for this class.  And, are you planning to do significant work in the labs at UD or on your own computer? 

2. Check the software listed below, create a list of the software and version that is on the computer that you will be using. Then, explain your skill with the given software as either novice (no experience), beginner (some experience but need help), experienced (comfortable user with only occasional help needed), or expert (master who can figure out anything).

   • Operating System (Windows 95, 98, 2000, NT, ME, XP...or Mac OS )

   • Microsoft Word (version? 97, 98, 2000, XP?) - part of the Microsoft Office Teacher and Student version, which can be obtained for $149 - for more information, click here.

   • Microsoft Excel (version? 97, 98, 2000, XP?) - part of the Microsoft Office Teacher and Student version, which can be obtained for $149 - for more information, click here.

   • Microsoft PowerPoint (version? 97, 98, 2000, XP?) - part of the Microsoft Office Teacher and Student version, which can be obtained for $149 - for more information, click here.

   • Microsoft Expression Web 3 - can be obtained for less than $100 (academic pricing from Microsoft) - for more information about a 60-day free trial, click here.

   • Internet Explorer (version 5.0 or higher?) - can be obtained free - for more information, click here.

   • Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 4.0 or higher) - can be obtained free - for more information, click here.

   • email software (hotmail, yahoo, Outlook, something else?) - can be obtained free - for more information, click here.

   • Inspiration - 30-day trial version can be obtained free - for more information, click here.

3. Explain the things you feel that you do well with a computer (email, word processing, reporting grades, whatever), and explain the skills that you hope to gain by taking this course.

4. List the days and times when you would most likely seek help from a lab assistant.

When you are finished with the introductory email, sent it to the course instructor at bkhirall@udallas.edu.