Online Courses
Welcome to the online course page for the English Department at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. All the information that you will need to get started, including downloads is available on this page. Simply follow the instructions and click the links for any downloads and follow the instructions for installing the software on your computer.
You must have access to a computer with These Minimum System Requirements to take the class, as we will be meeting in a virtual environment, once per week.
The course specific downloads will be available on the page for your particular class and section. Once you have completed the downloads and registration requirements on this page, you can navigate to your course page by looking for your class title and section on the left side of this page.
You will be required to complete the following tasks from this page before receiving your permission number and before the first virtual meeting of the class:
- Download and install Second Life, the virtual platform we will be meeting in.
- Download and install TeamSpeak, a free voice program we will use to communicate.
- Register on the Litspot Message Board and Post an Introduction
- Send Me a Message Verifying Completion and Providing Me With Your Information.
All of the above required class components are free. If there is any option to pay for any of the software during the installation process, decline that option. Both Second Life and TeamSpeak can be upgraded to pay accounts, but those accounts will not be required for any of my classes. If you have any problems or questions about the process, please email me at the following address:
dkarpowicz@litspot.net
1. Creating a Second Life Account
Next, register for an account with Second Life and log in. You can create an account by following the link below and clicking “Join” in the upper right hand corner of your screen:
General information about the registration process:
- Follow the prompts for setting up an account. There is no need to pay for anything or join any of their communities.
- Select a unique first name. I want you to use your name for your handle on the Message board. Doing so will streamline the grading process.
- Use a valid email address and use the same address for Second Life and Litspot. You will be sent emails every time you are contacted in either program. That means you will be notified when I have finished grading your work.
- Select whichever avatar style you like. Have fun with it!
- When you are prompted for an account type, there is no need to select a premium pay account. Just select “skip this step.”
- Don’t forget to jot down the password, along with the First and Last Name you selected. You will need them to log in.
Once you have completed the registration process, you will need to download the client software. The program is only about 35 MB in size and can be downloaded here:
The System Requirements can also be reviewed. You will need a computer that meets the minimum requirements to take the class.
When you have downloaded and installed the program, log in using the information from the account you created. My avatar’s name is Rez Shepherd. I will be contacting you in Second Life when you have completed the instructions on this page and send me a message verifying you have done so.
2. Registering on Litspot Message Board
To register on the Message Board, follow the link below and click the “Register” button which is along the top of the board on the left hand side. Follow the instructions at the prompts, and provide the same valid email address you used for your Second Life account. You will be receiving your grades via the message board and by default you will receive an email when I send you a grade.
Choosing a Handle
Please use the same name that you used for your first name in your Second Life account. It will make the grading process much easier as your identity will be the same throughout the platforms we use.
Follow the link below to register:
Introduce Yourself
Once you have registered, please post an introduction by following the link below and clicking the “New Topic” button on the upper right hand corner of the screen. Your introduction can be brief.
3. Download and Set Up TeamSpeak
In order to set up the voice communication software that we will be using this semester, you will require and internet connection and headphones (with a microphone).
TeamSpeak is free and easy to set up. First download the software. You can do this at the following web address:
Download only the client software. That is all that you will require for the class. Choose your operating system, and install the program. It should only take a minute or two.
Once your client software is installed, you will see an icon for it on your desktop. It will look like a blue circle with a figure wearing headphones.
I will send you instructions with the specific settings for our class after you send me a message (step 4 below) as I would rather not make this information public.
4. Send Me a Litspot Message
Once you have completed the three tasks above, please send me a Litspot message. You can do so by viewing my profile and selecting “send this user a personal message” at the bottom:
Include the following information in the message:
- Your Full Name
- Your Class and Section
- Your Second Life Avatar name (the full name, please).
This information is required. I need to know what name to associate with the handle that you have selected.
Once you have sent me your information, I will grant you full access to the class section of the forums. You will not be able to see our specific class board until you have sent me your information.