LibGuides: LASI 170BA Library Research Badge: Introduction to Research: Badge Basics

University Expectations

graduating student Degree-bound WSU students are held to the cumulative graduate grade point average policies of the degree for which they are seeking. Students completing badges will receive “badge” credit that will not be factored into their overall GPA. It is allowable for students in non-degree status and pursuing a badge to do so without adhering to defined time limits (i.e., satisfactory academic progress) as long as they have no Federal Financial Aid. Each alternative credential pathway should offer a sequence of courses that allows completion of the program requirements..

email vector image Online students are required to have access to a functioning laptop or PC with internet capabilities. This laptop or computer must have Microsoft Word or a compatible word processing program. Written assignments uploaded into Blackboard must be completed with MS Word or compatible software. If you do not have Microsoft Word on your PC or Laptop, Wichita State provides free access to Microsoft Office 365 for students. Follow the instructions below to get Microsoft Office:

Log in to MyWSU
Click on Office 365 located on the “Home” tab
Follow the Office 365 wizard instructions

As stated in the “assignments” section, be sure to save your logs and final project so they may be retrieved later.

You are required to use only your assigned WSU email for this class. Because online classes are conducted through Blackboard and email, there are no exceptions to this rule.

You are also required to monitor Blackboard and student WSU e-mail account regularly for announcements, course material, and returned/graded assignments.

Antique Clock Students in this class should expect to spend up to 7.5 hours on instruction (readings, tutorials, etc.) and an additional 15 hours on assignments (discussion board forums, quizzes, etc.). This may be less, depending on your personal experience doing research and reading ability. Please ask for help if you are spending more time than this on instruction and assignments.

You are required to monitor Blackboard and student WSU e-mail account regularly for announcements, course material, and returned/graded assignments. As stated in the “assignments” section, be sure to save your Log assignment so it can be retrieved later.

The Discussion Board is an important part of the course work. These online conversations require a different set of etiquette rules than other social media forums. According to The Core Rules of Netiquette by Virginia Shea, Netiquette (known as "Internet etiquette") is a catch-all term for the conventions of politeness and respect recognized in live chats, discussions, and emails. In online learning, Netiquette includes a set of guidelines that everyone should follow to promote appropriate online communication. Here are a few guidelines to follow when posting in online chats, discussions, and emails:

Maintain a positive tone. When communicating online, we often forget that we are communicating with other human beings because we only see a computer screen. You do not see facial expressions, body language, or hear the tone of voice when you read messages. It's easy to misinterpret your correspondent's meaning, so always stop and think about your response before hitting submit. Always ask yourself, "Would I say that to a person’s face?"

Use appropriate grammar and structure. In other words, avoid using "R U" instead of "are you." There are some students in class that may not understand this type of communication and it does not enhance anyone’s writing or vocabulary skills. Emoticons are fine as long as they are appropriate. A smile :) is welcome, anything offensive is not.

Never use all CAPS. In online communication, caps are known as shouting, so refrain from using them.

Avoid personal attacks and flames. Do not respond to personal attacks or flames when responding online. If you believe that you are being attacked, please email your instructor.

Avoid Offensive language. Cursing, racial slurs, and other types of language that would not be appropriate in a face-to-face class are also inappropriate online.

Be respectful. Always be polite and respectful in your discussions. Discussions are constructed so that they will allow you to think critically and offer theory plus opinion. There will be differences in opinions. There will be many viewpoints. Remember: Students taking online courses come from different parts of the country or even other countries. Cultural differences allow us to appreciate different perspectives.

Adapted from the following website: Albion.com & Ross, S. T. (2011). The Core Rules of Netiquette. Retrieved on July 11, 2013.

Getting Started

To locate the myWSU portal, go to the WSU homepage. Go to "Quick Links" in the top right corner to find myWSU on the list.

Use the myWSU portal to check your WSU email, register for classes, pay tuition and fees, check the status of your financial aid, and much more. It is a helpful tool for navigation. New WSU students need to locate your myWSU ID to setup your myWSU account. Your myWSU ID can be found in the email account you provided the University when you registered. Once you have your ID, you can setup your initial password here.

Additional information on setting up your myWSU account can be located here.

After logging into your myWSU, you will notice a toolbar on the top-right side of the screen. Find the email icon on this toolbar. Remember, your email username is your myWSUID@wichita.edu not your email address. Your email password is the same as your myWSU password.

check email/email account example

Instructors regularly send out course announcements and information via email. You must check your WSU email account at least three times per week when you are enrolled in any WSU class.

This email account will remain active and available for students to use for a minimum of six months after graduation from the University. If a student is not enrolled in classes at WSU for an extended period of time, the account is subject to removal. Find additional information about student email here.

While in your myWSU, you can easily access your Blackboard account. Your myWSU and Blackboard account are linked, so simply click the Blackboard icon . To find your LASI 170 course, click the 'My Courses' tab. From this tab you can see all of the Blackboard courses in which you are enrolled. Along with the name and section of each course, the instructor(s) and recent announcements are listed.

For example:

Upon selecting the course, you will see a menu on the left side. This menu allows you to easily navigate your BlackBoard course.

For more information on operating Blackboard , click here.