Why do we bother with Internet classes? We hear repeatedly that Internet is the future, and indeed it seems it is an important part of our future. Advantages include accessibility, regardless of geographic distance or schedules. You may work on this course weekends, early in the morning before everyone wakes up, late at night, or from your workplace during a break. You can creatively schedule your class and study time around your life commitments rather than make the class another rigid time commitment. This flexibility, coupled with employer demands for continuing education, is probably reason enough to learn how to take college classes on the Internet.

What equipment do I need to take an Internet class? You may work from home, work, or the computer lab at Mesa Community College.

Are there tips for using the Internet more effectively? It is best to avoid heavy Internet traffic, because it may be hard to get through and you may be disconnected. The heaviest traffic is usually between 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on weekdays. You will probably want to download, print or copy/paste lengthy passages to read at a later, more convenient and less costly time (unless you have unlimited time, your free time will be limited to a certain number of hours per month and cost a fee for Internet usage after the time period per month)

Is everything on the class site on the Internet, or will I need to purchase textbooks and other materials?

For the Microeconomics 112 class, you will need to purchase a textbook, "Foundations of Microeconomics" by Bade and Parkin. Additional reading component of the class is optional by . "The Road Ahead" by Bill Gates. Of course you can buy the book, or check it out of the MCC library or your neighborhood library.

My site for Microeconomics 112 and Macroeconomics 111 contains a detailed syllabus, concise notes from the textbook and five modules. Instructions for the modules will be explained on the Internet class site.

How are assignments handled? It is most efficient to e-mail your assignments (hashimi@mail.mc.maricopa.edu).

Will the same material be covered in the Internet class as in a "regular" class? Yes, course content and final exam are identical.

Will I have deadlines? Yes, each module has a deadline. You will lose points every day the assignment is late as explained in the syllabus. If you have an unforeseen difficulty, please contact me so that we can discuss your time needs.

Of course, you can complete modules early. In fact, this may be a good way to get a course done in advance of your other courses before the end of the semester crunch (except for the final exam).

For many reasons, we have decided not to offer "incomplete" for Internet courses. The final date for the module will not be extended.

How will I take the exams? We've decided to offer only one exam, the final exam. We require you to come in person to Mesa Community College for this exam. Times the exam will be offered will be posted at the Internet class site as the semester gets underway.

How do I communicate with the teacher? You will be using the e-mail address on the Internet class site and my office phone (480)654-7715.

We are in the process of setting up an on-line chat session to make it possible for you to initiate chat sessions with other students.

Sounds good. How do I begin? First, connect your computer with the Internet. To do this you need a modem and an Internet Service Provider, as described previously. You need to have a web browser, i.e. Netscape, installed so that you can access the class site. Once you find it, bookmark for ease of access.

When you are ready to begin, please select the appropriate course in which you registered from the menu and let's get started!

Basil Al Hashimi

Please contact Basil Al Hashimi for comments or corrections   email   Red Mountain Campus   phone: 480-654-7715   see a map

PHONE: 480 461 7000 (main) |  1833 West Southern Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85202 USA

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