Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is Computer Keyboarding Online and how do I get started?

2. How can I communicate with my instructor?

3. What is an online class? 

This course is delivered to you electronically via this Web site, e-mail, and special keyboarding course software (GDP). If you have your own computer, you can complete your work at your convenience anytime, day or night as long as you follow deadlines. If you don't have your own computer, you can use the computers in the Computer Applications and Office Technologies labs in Da Vinci Hall 202, 203, 204, and 205 during open lab hours or in the All-College Computer Lab. You will be required to come on campus about five times during the semester for testing.

Do you believe any of the "10 Myths About Online Education" you see listed below?  If so, click a video or text hyperlink below so that you will be realistic about what to expect in an online course.

10 Myths About Online Education

4. Will I be successful in an online class?

If you can answer "yes" to all of these questions, you have an excellent chance at being successful in an online class. Click here to take a quick test "Are You Likely to Succeed in an Online Course."

If you believe one or more of of The 10 Myths About Online Education and have unrealistic expectations about online courses, you are NOT likely to complete Computer Keyboarding Online successfully. The most common reasons for students NOT completing the course are:
 

5. Do I need my own computer and software, and if so, what kind?

System Requirements: Your computer must meet these minimum specifications:

Software: You must have the software listed here installed on your computer.

6. Do I need Microsoft Word 2007 to take this course and when will I need it?

Yes—you will either need to have Word 2007 on your home computer or complete your documents at a second location (work, for example) that has Word 2007 and GDP. Both Word 2007 and the GDP program must be installed on the same computer.  You will need it when you begin typing practice exercises and documents when you reach Lesson 21.

If you don't have Word 2007 at home:

7. What supplies do I need?

Click here to see what supplies you need.

8. What is the difference between Computer Keyboarding 1 and 2?

Computer Keyboarding 1 Online is a full-semester, 3-unit course delivered online via the Internet, e-mail, and special course software. You will learn to type by touch and will also learn the basic features of Word 2007 in order to produce mailable documents such as letters, tables, reports, and memos.

Computer Keyboarding 2 is a full-semester, 3-unit course delivered traditionally on campus. To enter the course, you should have the ability to type 30 w.p.m. If you are successful, your minimum speed at end of course should be 40 w.p.m. accurately by touch. You will build keyboarding speed and accuracy; and you will produce mailable advanced letters, tables, reports, memos, and desktop published documents using Microsoft Word 2007.

If you do not type at all or do not type by touch, you should enroll in CAOT 1. If you type 20 w.p.m. and want only to improve speed and accuracy, you may enroll in CAOT 9, Computer Keyboarding Improvement, which has no document processing. Students who type accurately at 30 w.p.m. may enroll in CAOT 2, Computer Keyboarding 2.

9. How do I enroll and how much does it cost?

There are several convenient ways to enroll—telephone registration (STEP—Student Telephone Enrollment Program), online, or in person. Go to the LACC home page at http://www.lacitycollege.edu/ and click on links for how to enroll or click here.

LACC charges low enrollment fees. Fees change, so check with Admissions for fees for California residents. Foreign students with F-1 visas or out-of-state students pay additional non-resident fees.

Any LACC faculty or staff members who enroll in Computer Keyboarding Online are eligible to receive full reimbursement for both tuition and books. Forms are available in the President's office for a portion of the reimbursement. The remaining fees will be reimbursed through Staff Development. Contact Staff Development for details.

10. May I enroll late, and what are the deadlines to add and drop?

You may add after the first day of class with my approval as long as you are willing to put in extra time to stay on schedule with the lessons and tests as assigned. 

Drop Policy, LACC Schedule of Classes: "It is the student's responsibility to drop a class no longer being attended. Failure to drop a class in a timely manner may result in a "W" or an "F" on your academic record." "The student agrees to be familiar with the information in the college catalog and schedule of classes, and know and observe all policies and procedures related to the program of study being pursued."

11. Must I take Computer Keyboarding 1 before Computer Keyboarding 2?

No. If you can type at least 30 wpm with accuracy and are experienced in operating a computer, you may go on to Computer Keyboarding 2. It is, however, highly recommended that you take Computer Keyboarding 1 before Computer Keyboarding 2 in order to learn the basics of formatting letters, tables, reports, and memos using Word 2007.

12. Will I need to come to LACC to complete any part of this course? 

You will be required to come to campus for an orientation meeting during the first week of the semester, a technique check, and testing (3-4 times) and must work your schedule around your instructor's available hours and those of the CAOT instructional assistants. (Out-of-town students will need to make arrangements for a proctor to supervise all exams. Click here to see the Student/Proctor Agreement Form for details.) 

Orientation: We will meet on campus for a mandatory in-person orientation session during the first or second week of the semester; check the Schedule of Classes for the specific date.  I normally send a reminder email with details when you submit the Questionnaire.  If you wish to preview a part of the presentation, click here to view "Orientation to Keyboarding Online."

Technique Check: You will need to see me in person to take a test called a technique check about Week 3 of the semester.

Testing: You will also need to come three times beginning about Week 8 and the final week of the semester for testing on campus with one of the Instructional Assistants or your instructor.  See the Assignments pages for details. E-mail or call one of these instructional assistants to schedule a testing appointment Monday through Friday:
 

13. What do former students say about this course?

I want to thank you for your help and support throughout the semester and for teaching a wonderful class. I hated the embarrassment that not being able to type by touch used to cause for me. Now I can do it and feel SO much better about myself. Also, I got a chance to learn some neat shortcuts on Word and learn new features that have made me more efficient at work and when doing my homework. Thank you very much!! I would highly recommend your course to everyone. The time put in was completely worth it.

Thank you for wonderful class. I really enjoyed it. Since I learned how to type, my life got better because I can spend half of the time [I used to] on my homework and have a beautiful typed paper to hand in.

I am interested in enrolling in your beginning keyboarding class . . . I realize I am a few days behind everyone that started earlier this week, but I am willing to work extra hard to make up anything I have missed . . . I am a flight attendant . . . working on my bachelor's and it is challenging for me to find classes that I am interested in that also work with my active schedule.

I thought taking an online course would be an easy way for me to get back into the groove of going to school without being overwhelmed by the actual classroom setting. I feel that I got more out of this class because I was able to have the one-on-one contact with you. If there was a problem or question, you were very quick at responding, which helped a lot. Thank you for making this new transition a smooth one.

I have successfully loaded the software and also printed the assignment sheet. I have been navigating through the program and played [the] tennis [game] too . . . For now I want to work on this week's goals . . . Thank you, this is really fun for me.

This was one of the most practical courses that I have ever taken. It builds confidence, speed, and eye hand coordination. I am amazed at my speed. Before I could only type 15 wpm. Now it's almost 40. This course has taken me from writing a report from days to just hours. It was really nice to have a teacher like Ms. [Zimmerly] who was always ready to answer my questions at any time. Thank you.

I feel that this course really helped me overcome my lack of keyboard confidence. I can now type without looking at the keys.

Thanks for your time and energy in teaching this class. I really enjoyed the class and it [fit] my schedule perfectly. [If an online course had not been available, I would not [have been] able to [take a keyboarding course]. Thanks again.

Thank you so much for making my first semester in college so enjoyable.

Thank you for your help. You were always there to help me when a problem arose. It was a very interesting and helpful course. I gained a lot from this course which
I will always use.

Thank you for teaching me. I really enjoyed this class. I used to work with a computer for a long time, but I realized that I had a bad habit using incorrect fingers through this class. Now I can type with correct fingers. Again, thank you for supporting me. I'm looking forward to seeing you in another class.

Taking this class was one of my best choices this year. I learned a lot. Thank you. It's sad to know that such a terrific online class [Keyboarding 2 Online] is cancelled due to budget cuts.

I really enjoyed this class. I was comfortable about doing work smoothly because I could get [a] response quickly from you. Even though I couldn't meet you like [in] a regular class, I could feel you were here and supporting me. I could finish this course without any inconvenience . . . Thank you.

Here are some common misconceptions from former students about Computer Keyboarding Online:

I had taken a distance education class before so I knew what to expect. An online course is not an easy extra credit course. It demands more self-discipline and time than regular on-campus classes. There is more contact with the professor, [and it is] easier to ask questions. Feedback [is] quick. However, one thing I didn't expect much from is the Keyboarding Talk and I was wrong. It was a good way of knowing who my classmates were and how they were doing and what they think and know about this course. I didn't feel like I was alone.

The biggest misconception [I had] about taking an online course was the kind of help I thought I would be receiving when I needed immediate assistance on a particular assignment. I thought that I would not get that help or assistance in a timely manner, but with the help of [Professor] Zimmerly, I did.

I think the [biggest] misconception is that [students don't] learn enough from an online course. I think not. I did learn a lot and received plenty of help when I asked for it.

I thought it was just typing, but it's more than that. It's not just learning the keyboard but all the documents and language skills that you need to process.

I learned more than keyboarding. Definitely know your computer basics. I remember it was one of the things mentioned in the orientation in class. Be ready to work at a fast pace and don't lag behind and try to play catch-up.

My advice is to be prepared to work on a daily basis. This class has a lot of assignments.

I think that the book, the lessons, the pace, the information was very well paced. Directions were always clear. If you had questions or problems, you were given help. It was a comprehensive and very important class for anyone who has a computer and lives in this world today—basic but important. There was a lot of flexibility in taking the tests which was very important with my work schedule.

Keyboarding is very important in every occupation. The textbook has clear directions, and the reference manual is very helpful. Personally, the Language Arts lessons help me to improve my English.

My biggest misconception was the amount of time it would require. I had no idea how long it would take to do it all. Pace yourself. Make time for the course and do not leave all the work to do at the last minute. It is a lot of work and if you do not have the time or the patience, don't bother.

Here is some advice from former students about Computer Keyboarding Online:

The most important thing is to stay on schedule. Once you're behind, it's hard to catch up and then you end up giving up . . .  [Also,] distribute your time evenly throughout the week. I could [see] a big difference in typing skill improvement when I [jammed] all the skillbuilding into one day [instead of taking] several days to practice.

First, [you] must be serious about the course, and if [you] work well without supervision, this course is great. If [you] need [constant guidance] and to be pushed to work, this course isn't for [you]. Also, if you're very busy and unable to find a class [that fits your] schedule, an online course is perfect. I am a night owl so this was great for me. I could work late late hours and at my own pace.

Here are some general comments about online courses:

I learned something about myself with this online course. It was convenient [and I could] work at my own pace. I learned to be more organized and to motivate myself to work. We need more courses offered online. There are so many students who are working or are parents and [have a scheduling conflict]. [An] online course [is always] available to the busy student [so that] they can keep up with their requirements.

14. How do I get technical help with the GDP software?

If you need technical support, contact the software hotline at  800-331-5094 (new number) from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. Their e-mail address is techsup@mcgraw-hill.com. For basic information or answers to frequently asked questions, visit their Web site at www.epgtech.com.

15. How do I delete files from a floppy disk or my hard drive?

To delete files, do this:

1. Click File, Delete Files. In the Delete Files window, you will see the names and sizes of your files. 

2. Click the Delete Language Arts and Skillbuilding Files check box to delete all language arts and skillbuilding files, which are stored within the *.DRP files.
3. Click the Delete Word Processing Files check box to select and delete all the Word files. Each Word document is stored in a separate *.DOC file, and these Word files take up the most space on your disk. If you want to save any Word files, hold down the Ctrl key while you click on selected file name to deselect it.
4. Click the Delete button to delete the selected file(s).
5. In the Confirm dialog box, click Yes to confirm each file deletion individually or click Yes to All to delete all files at once. Click No to save the selected file from being deleted. Click Cancel to save all selected files and return to the Delete Files dialog box. Then click Cancel again to exit this function.

Note: When Delete Files is used, just your text is deleted. Scores for deleted text files will be retained on your Summary Report, but you will not be able to get Detailed Reports for deleted files. In the Student Portfolio, the * preceding the Date column is removed for all deleted exercises.

17. How do I uninstall GDP?

You will need to delete all files and directories created by GDP. Assuming you installed it with the default directories, here is what you do:

1. Open Windows Explorer—right-click the Windows Start button, and click Explore.

2. Browse to the C:\GDPHome directory (or the directory where you installed GDP), right-click the directory and click Delete.

3. To delete the data files also, browse to the C:\GDPData directory (or the directory where you store your student data), right-click the directory and click Delete.

If you want to delete any shortcuts or the program group, do this:

1. On the Windows desktop, delete any shortcut you might have copied here. Right-click the shortcut and click Delete.

2. Click the Windows Start button, Programs; right-click Irwin Keyboarding and click Delete.

18. Can I use GDP to work from two different locations?

Yes. Click here to view a presentation with complete steps and screen shots.