I will be your instructor for the online section of Health 21, "Contemporary Health". I have been teaching health/nutrition at De Anza College for approximately 25 years, and have taught through the Distance Learning Center for approximately 15 years. I am a strong advocate of online learning and am pleased with the success students have who employ sound time management, discipline in their studies, and follow the structure of the class.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself. I have a Master in Public Health (MPH) from San Jose State University and a Bachelor of Science (BS) from Arizona State University, both degrees in public and community health. In addition to currently teaching online at De Anza College and Kapi`olani Community College, I have worked in a variety of other academic and public health related environments: directed numerous health, fitness, nutrition, and drug and alcohol programs; conducted research for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA; served as administrator for the smoke- free CA campaign; directed a state-wide, four-county program dealing with health education curriculum for elementary schools and students; contracted as a health professions instructor at SJSU and adjunct faculty at UCSC; directed the SJSU Gerontology Program; provided health care and education for migrant farm workers and Native Americans.

This section of Health 21 is an online course administered using Catalyst. There is no first day, on-campus meeting and there will be no on-campus instructional meetings for this class. Catalyst will be used for all course functions. Health 21 requires that all enrolled students have easy, reliable access to an up-to-date computer and high speed internet that will allow access to Catalyst.

Minimum System Requirements Include:
current version of MS Word
Windows XP, OS X, or Vista
latest version of Firefox, Internet Exployer, or Safari
latest Shockwave, Flash, and QuickTime

A course syllabus with textbook information can be printed from the instructor's website . The required text can be purchased at the College Bookstore or online.

There are advantages to taking this online course. One is that the class does not require you to be on campus. Another is that you can study at your own pace and study on your own schedule. But, there are also challenges when taking this or any online course. In order to successfully complete this class, students must be extremely disciplined and motivated and possess study skills that enable them to work and learn independently. This class requires students to be capable of following detailed printed instructions, learning from extensive reading assignments, and being able to apply that learning when completing homework or participating in class activities.

This means you will be responsible for learning independently: meeting the course objectives, completing material on time, taking the exams, and participating in the class as appropriate. It is also your responsibility to contact me if you have questions about course content or personal issues during the class.

Keep in mind that distance learning courses are not a "lite" version of the equivalent classroom section of the course. Distance Learning classes must be equivalent to in-class sections of the same course, both in terms of content and rigor. Distance Learning classes can be more convenient but not any easier or less time-consuming than their classroom equivalents. So, take advantage of the convenience, but do prepare for the required work.

CLASS MECHANICS
The course will be conducted in Catalyst, so log on frequently and routinely. All information to be successful in the class is located in Catalyst. At the beginning of the course, review all the materials on the Catalyst site. Specific procedural instructions are given in these documents. You are expected to follow these directions. Note the exam dates and due date for the written assignment and all other work.

You will be addressing the course by reading the textbook, working with the study tools, completing a written assignment, participating as appropriate, and taking exams.

There will be three 50-point true/false, matching, multiple-choice exams. The written assignment is worth 40 points. Participation in the class will account for 20 points.

Catalyst will be used for all class functions. Enrolled students, who do not need special testing accommodations, will be able to take the three required exams from any location/from any computer that will allow access to Catalyst.

SUMMARY
It is important to build the class into your daily and weekly schedule. It is important to stay current in the class, maintain a regular study schedule, participate as appropriate, complete assigned work on time, and take the three exams.

I look forward to having you in class. Welcome to Health 21!

• Apply for admission to De Anza College and register for this class, if you have not already done so. Completing this orientation DOES NOT enroll you in the course.
  
• Go to the instructor's website and review the front page, course syllabus, and links under General Information.
  
• Obtain the required textbook (see course syllabus). You can order the textbook online at http://books.fhda.edu.
  
• This course is offered in Catalyst. Go to https://catalyst.deanza.edu/ and bookmark this page. Instructions for logging in can be found on the instructor's website. NOTE: You will not be able to log in to Catalyst until the first day of class. You will not have access to the class until the first day of class.
  
• Once logged on to Catalyst, consult the course Calendar and start your Weeks 1 and 2 readings and assignments.