Texas
A&M University-Commerce
Department
of Secondary and Higher Education
| Q: | How do I access the on-line text from off campus? |
| A: | 1. Go to A&M
Commerce website 2. Click on Library 3. Click on Library Databases - Proxy Server 4. Enter login credentials: username - libproxy password - java (...Fall 2005 only) Click Submit Query 5. Click on LION Online catalog (to the left) 6. Under "Search for", select title and enter "Managing Media Services" 7. Scroll down where it says HTTP (near the bottom) and click where it says - An electronic book accessible through the World Wide Web 8. Click on View this eBook |
| Q: | What's the best way to view the on-line text? |
| A: | Be sure that
you "View this eBook" rather than "Checkout for 3 days.". Checking out
locks a virtual copy the book for up to three days. I believe we only
have two virtual copies so we can't afford to have them inaccessible for
extended periods. It also appears that viewing the book decrements the number of available copies, but only while the text is being accessed. So, be sure to click "Close item" as soon as you are finished accessing the eBook to ensure that it will be available for others as soon as possible. If you attempt to access the book and it is "not available," wait a few minutes and try again. It most likely means that all available copies are currently being accessed. This is a larger 579 group than usual, so the likelihood of this situation is greater this semester. Please be patient, but DO NOT wait 'til the last minute to try to access the book if you need it for completion of your quiz. Announced deadlines will be observed. |
| Q: | I have looked at several tech plans from educational sources. They all sound very similar. Do we need to document information that is similar to another plan or is the similarity just part of the format. For example they are all "enhancing the quality of instruction...." In other words, if I have written something that sounds like, or contains information that is similar to, other technology plans when do I document and when don't I. Everything I had written sounds like things that have already been created. |
| A: | This is a question an author must answer with any writing. This is not an issue unique to Tech Plans, Grant Proposals, or any other type of writing. When you are writing a type of document which is commonly written there is expected to be some parallels in format and possible content. In the case of a Tech Plan, or Grant Proposal, It is likely that similar documents will contain similar language by virtue of the document's focus. This is understood within the profession and APA style generally dictates how this is handled. Anytime you directly quote another document, correct credit of citation must be provided. Paraphrasing work of others also calls for a reference. If work is obviously an original thought, rather than something that shows up in every similar document you run across, it must be credited appropriately. |
| Q: | When listing
numbers on items, what is appropriate for the tech plan--to spell out
the number or use the digit? For example: the library currently has 4 computers or the library currently has four computers? Or does it makes a difference if used in a paragraph or listed as part of purchases? |
| A: | Generally,
numbers less than 10 are spelled out with words while numbers ten or
greater are shown in figure form. There are a variety of specific
exceptions in APA, but four is to be spelled out in your example. Anytime a number is used to start a sentence, it should be spelled out. Numerals may be used for values less than 10 if it is used to directly compare to something with a value greater than 10. APA (5th ed.) sections 3.42-3.49 beginning on pg. 122 identify the specifics of number usage. If the number four is used in a statistical application, or part of list of items, the numeral 4 is used. |
| Q: | Do we need a fair use statement in our technology plan? |
| A: | You wouldn't necessarily need to include one in your tech plan, if you're referring to fair use as related to copyright. Fair use must be addressed and compliance assured on a case by case basis as materials are considered for use. If you foresee the use of a particular media content item far enough in advance to include it in a technology plan the implication is that you have time to secure appropriate permission and/or licensing and fair use principles are not applicable. |
| Q: | In reading the APA rules on headings, I am still not clear how to do them. Should all the headings (Justification, Target, etc.) be centered or aligned with the left-side margin? All caps or bold? |
| A: | Heading are
somewhat confusing in APA. The formatting of headings varies with the
number of heading levels you are using. APA has specific formats for 1
thru 5 levels of heading. Most proposal documents use only two or three
levels of heading. For two levels of heading, APA level 1 and level 3 are used. Thus the main heading (APA level 1) is centered and uses upper- and lower-case letters. The second level (APA level 3) is left justified, italicized, and uses upper- and lower case letters. If a third level is used, it is identified as APA level 4 and is indented from the left margin, italicized, and uses upper- and lower-case letters. In accordance with these rules, the title is the main heading for the proposal and would be centered. Sub-headings such as 'Justification,' Target,' etc. would be APA level 3 headings and left justified as described above. Reference: Publication Manual of the APA 5th ed., pp. 114-115. |
| Q: | Are we there yet? |
| A: | No, We'll be there December 13. |
| ... more to come. |
rev. September 08, 2005