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First Year Seminar - Learning Framework Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Instructor Information

Instructor

Susan Burks (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

Current students should email me through Messages your course in Blackboard. All others can email sgburks@actx.edu.

Phone

<p>sgburks@actx.edu.<br /> Email is the most effective way to contact me.</p>

Office Location

R. E. Byrd Business Building 332

Office Hours

Professor Susan Burks
  
Spring 2026 Office Hours

Office:  BYRD 332

Office Hours:
In person walk-in hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:30 a.m. - 8:45 a.m. No appointment needed.

Virtual office hours are available for all students in online and hybrid classes.  These are very flexible and I am available whenever you need me as I know your class, work, and family obligations vary.  You can email me 24/7.  If we need to visit over the phone, via Google Meet, or in person we can schedule a mutually convenient time. I will provide a Google Meet link in your class in Blackboard to meet virtually.
 

Email:
Current students are expected to email me through your course messages in Blackboard.  Make sure you are in your course and click the envelope next to my name on the right side menu of your course.  IF Blackboard is down, you can email me directly.

All others can email sgburks@actx.edu.

If you email me directly, always provide your first and last name, class and section number if currently enrolled or student id if not currently enrolled.  Unless Blackboard is down, currently enrolled students are expected to email me from the course.

You can address me as Professor Burks or Mrs. Burks in your email.

 

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

Privacy Statement

The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

EDUC-1300-012 First Year Seminar - Learning Framework

Prerequisites

Course Description

A study of the: research and theory in the psychology of learning, cognition and motivation; factors that impact learning; and application of learning strategies. Theoretical models of strategic learning, cognition and motivation serve as the conceptual basis for the introduction of college-level student academic strategies. Students use assessment instruments (e.g., learning inventories) to help them identify their own strengths and weaknesses as strategic learners. Students are ultimately expected to integrate and apply the learning skills discussed across their own academic programs and become effective and efficient learners. Students developing these skills should be able to continually draw from the theoretical models they have learned.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Lessons are accessible for printing via Blackboard course. Students are encouraged to print lessons and create their own "textbook" by placing copies of lessons in 3-ring binder.

Supplies

• Thumb drive
\ • Notetaking materials
\ • Internet access
\ • 2" 3 ring-binder
\ • 5 tab dividers

Student Performance

          1. Increase self-awareness.

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2. Take charge of your life.

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3. Identify and interact within your communities.

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4. Manage your money.

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5. Communicate effectively using a variety of formats.

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6. Demonstrate information literacy skills.

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7. Demonstrate effective study skills.

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8. Demonstrate creative and critical thinking skills.

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9. Develop an integrated educational and career pathway.

Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

 

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  • Students are expected to behave in the online classroom in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment. Behaviors that are not supportive include, but are not limited to, offensive or disrespectful behavior/language in e-mails or discussion boards, inappropriate postings which are not relevant to the topic, etc. 
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  • E-mails sent to your instructor must be addressed and signed. E-mails, like all academic work, should be proofread, should not include slang or abbreviations, and should not resemble text messages. 
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  • Consider the topic you are discussing and your audience. If you need to communicate privately with an individual, use the course e-mail. Content posted to the discussion board is public; be cautious of sharing private information in the public forum.
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  • Any student caught plagiarizing or cheating will receive a failing grade.  According to the Amarillo College Student Code of Conduct, plagiarism is the appropriating, buying, receiving as a gift, or obtaining by any means another's work and the acknowledged submission or incorporation of it in one's own written work. Submit only your original work for course credit.
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Grading Criteria

   
20% Participation: Lecture Response Worksheets
20% Daily Work / Homework
  Includes discussion postings and drop box assignments  - except for Career Project
20% AC Online quizzes completed by deadline
10% Enrichment Activities
  You must attend/participate in 3 Enrichment Activities and complete a short worksheet each experience. These activities are scheduled outside of regular class time.
30% Career Project
 
The Career Project will be completed in three parts: a job shadow, an annotated bibliography identifying key research about your chosen career, and a paper/in-class presentation.
 
Final letter grades will be assigned as follows:
A = 90-100
B = 80-89
C = 70-79
D = 60-69
F = below 60

Grades are not given; grades are earned based on student performance. Please note the requirements for earning the grade you desire and act accordingly throughout the semester. If you complete the coursework in a timely fashion with quality submissions, you should successfully complete this course. You are encouraged to read and apply, as necessary, all feedback from the instructor in order to improve the quality of future assignment submissions. Assignments and exams are due on the dates stated in the course calendar.

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement in college courses. It is the responsibility of the student to attend each class and/or lab meeting. Students are also expected to log in to the online course and complete all assignments according to the class calendar. (See Student Attendance policy above.)

If an extenuating circumstance prevents a student from submitting an assignment on time, it is the student's responsibility to let the instructor know immediately. The decision to amend a due date or accept a late assignment will be left up to the instructor and will only be considered in extreme cases.

Discussion forums will not be available for postings after the date/time deadline. Please read the Course Calendar (below) carefully and be aware of when things are due.

While the online portion of the class is available 24/7, pay attention to due dates...typically Thursday and Saturday evenings at 11:55 p.m. Due dates for assignments are detailed on the Course Calendar. Print out the color-coded calendar available in the Blackboard course.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attendance

In order to be successful in an online course, you must login or "attend" the online course at least twice times a week. For this course, It is advised that you login to the online class according to the following schedule:
  • Monday to read the lecture and submit assignments
  • Thursday to respond to classmates and submit assignments
  • Saturday to ensure you have met all deadlines: submitted assignments responded to classmates

You should note this class in your weekly Badger Planner / calendar as a required "attendance" at least twice each week. Set aside the time from the beginning....You will find many reasons to put it off; and procrastination will result in poor grades.

You may even choose to login more frequently than the above schedule!

If you must stop attending, withdraw officially by Tuesday, November 18. No administrative withdrawals will be initiated by the instructor.

 

 

Calendar

Calendar

Reading

X

Assignments

Week 1

Aug. 25-30

Online Lectures:

 

You’re in College Now

 

Technology Tips

 

Email contact Information to Instructor (due Thurs., Aug. 28).

 

Mark important dates in Badger Planner, phone or online calendar.

 

Initial and sign the Course Contract and return it to your instructor.

 

Discussion: “About Me.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Aug. 28. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Aug. 30)

 

Discussion: “Best Online Class/Worst Online Class Experience.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Aug. 28. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Aug. 30.)

Sept. 1, Mon.

LABOR DAY – College Closed

Week 2

Sept. 2-6

 

Online Lecture:

 

Achieving Your Dream

 

 

Complete pre-survey on College Readiness

 

MEET YOUR PROFESSOR – Private or small group meeting with

professor. Meetings will be arranged through the class.

 

Complete the “Achieve Your Dream – No Excuses” Commitment Pledge and upload a scanned copy to the assignment box (due Thurs., Sept. 4).

 

Discussion: “My Support System.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Sept. 4. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Sept. 6.)

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 1 (due Thurs., Sept. 4).

Week 3

Sept. 8-13

Online Lectures:

 

Defining Yourself

 

Managing Your Time and Energy

 

Discussion: “Self-Awareness and Time Management.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Sept. 11.  Reply to two classmates by Sat., Sept. 13.)

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 2 (due Thurs., Sept. 11).

 

QUIZ 1: Multiple Choice format (Quiz opens Mon., Sept. 8, and closes Sat., Sept. 13, at midnight.)

Week 4

Sept. 15-20

Online Lecture:

 

College Communication, Part I and II

 

Enrichment Activity #1 (due Sat., Sept. 20).

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 3 (due Thurs, Sept. 18).

 

Discussion: “Communication.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Sept. 18.  Reply to two classmates by Sat., Sept. 20.)

Week 5

Sept. 22-27

Online Lectures:

 

Learning to Learn

 

Maximize Your Learning

 

Complete the VARK questionnaire - Learning Styles (due Thurs., Sept. 25).

 

Download Cornell Notes Template. Use template to take notes in another course. Turn in copy of notes to instructor at class meeting in Week 6.

 

QUIZ 2: Matching format (Quiz opens Mon., Sept. 22, and closes Sat., Sept. 27, at midnight.)

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 4 (due Thurs., Sept. 25).

 

Discussion: “My Personal Learning Style & Strategies.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Sept. 25.  Reply to two classmates by Sat., Sept. 27.)

Week 6

Sept. 29-Oct. 4

Online Lectures:

 

Your Hidden Agenda

 

Choosing a College Major and Career

 

Complete MyPlan - Career Inventory and upload it to the assignment box (due Thurs., Oct. 2).

 

Discussion: “MyPlan and My Future.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Oct. 2. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Oct. 4.)

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 5 (due Thurs., Oct. 2).

Blackboard Collaborate session with Renee Burnam, Career Center Director, TBD

Week 7

Oct. 6-11

Online Lecture:

 

An Overview of the Career Project

 

 

Identify professional mentor for Job Shadow or Interview. Clear selection with your instructor

 

RESEARCH: Begin researching Career Project; Download Annotated Bibliography sample.

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 6 (due Thurs., Oct. 9).

 

Discussion: “Job Shadow/Interview Plans.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Oct. 9. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Oct. 11.)

 

Blackboard Collaborate session with Emily Gilbert, Librarian, TBD

Week 8

Oct. 13-18

Online Lecture:

 

Create Your Educational Pathway

 

 

Work on your unique Educational Pathway Plan.

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 7 (due Thurs., Oct. 16).

 

Discussion: “My Goals.”  Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Oct. 16. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Oct. 18.)

 

Schedule Job Shadow or Interview.

 

MID-TERM ESSAY QUIZ: Essay format (Quiz opens Mon., Oct. 13, and closes Sat., Oct. 18, at midnight.)

Week 9

Oct. 20-25

Online Lectures:

 

College Reading Techniques

 

College Writing Techniques

 

Continue to work on Job Shadow or Interview. If you have not scheduled your Job Shadow or Interview, see your instructor this week.

 

RESEARCH: Continue to work on Career Project.

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 8 (due Thurs., Oct. 23).

 

Enrichment Activity #2 (due Sat., Oct. 25).

Week 10

Oct. 27-Nov. 1

Online Lectures:

 

Stress and Wellness

 

Tests and Test Anxiety

 

Complete Wellness Plan and upload it to the assignment box (due Thurs., Oct. 30).

 

QUIZ 3: Multiple Choice, True-False, Multiple Answer, Matching format (Quiz opens Mon., Oct. 27, and closes Sat., Nov. 1.)

 

RESEARCH: Continue to work on Career Project.

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 9 (due Thursday, Oct. 30).

 

Discussion: “Stress & Tests.”  Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Oct. 30. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Nov. 1.)

Week 11

Nov. 3-8

Online Lectures:

 

Critical Thinking

 

Creativity

 

Continue to work on Job Shadow or Interview.

 

Complete the Multiple Intelligences Inventory

 

Educational Pathway Plan must be uploaded to the assignment box (Thurs., Nov. 6).

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 10 (due Thursday, Nov. 6).

 

Discussion: “Critical Thinking & Creativity.”  Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Nov. 6. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Nov. 8.)

Week 12

Nov. 10-15

Online Lecture:

 

Manage Your Money, Part I and II

 

Complete reality check survey

 

QUIZ 4:  Multiple Choice, True-False, Matching format (Quiz opens Mon., Nov. 10, and closes Sat., Nov. 15, at midnight.)

 

Continue to work on Job Shadow or Interview.

 

Career Project Annotated Bibliography must be uploaded to the assignment box (due Sat., Nov. 15).

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 11 (due Thurs., Nov. 13).

 

Discussion: “Money Management.”  Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Nov. 13. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Nov 15.)

Week 13

Nov. 17-22

 

Online Lecture:

 

Listening

 

 

 

Continue to work on Job Shadow.

 

QUIZ 5: Short Answer format (Quiz opens Mon., Nov. 17, and closes Sat., Nov. 22, at midnight).

 

Discussion: “Listening.”  Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Nov. 20. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Nov. 22.)

Enrichment Activity #3 (due Sat., Nov. 22).

 

Last Day to Withdraw – Nov. 18

Week 14

Nov. 24-26

Online Lectures:

 

Conflict

 

Emotional Intelligence

 

Discussion: “Conflict.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Tues., Nov. 25. Reply to two classmates by Wed., Nov. 26).

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 12 (due Wed., Nov. 26).

 

Job Shadow/Interview Paper and Employer Job Shadow/Interview Form (both due by Wed., Nov. 26). Upload the paper to the assignment box; the employer should fax the feedback form to your instructor.

You may choose to complete this assignment early!!

Nov. 27-30, Thurs.-Sun.

THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY – College Closed

Week 15

Dec. 1-6

 

Online Lecture:

 

Working in the 21st Century

 

Complete post-survey on College Readiness.

 

Lecture Response Worksheet 13 (due Thurs., Dec. 4).

Week 16

Dec. 8-11

Finals Week

 

Commencement Saturday, Dec. 13

 

Discussion:  “College and Career Readiness” Discussion. Post original narrative by Mon., Dec. 8 (see online prompt).  Reply to two classmates by Wed., Dec. 10.

Career Presentations: Create Career Project Presentation in PowerPoint. Attach a PDF of your project presentation to your Discussion Board posting above on Dec. 8.

Course Grade is Determined by:

20%  Participation (lecture response worksheets)

20%  Daily Work/ Homework (discussion postings, drop boxes – except for Career Project)

20%  Quizzes

10%  Enrichment Activities

30%  Career Project (Job Shadow Paper, Annotated Bibliography, Employer Feedback Form, Presentation)

Additional Information

Your participation in class and online helps you learn more and makes the class more interesting. You need to schedule time during each week to complete your coursework as if you were attending an in-person class weekly.

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Honesty, integrity, and respect will guide this course. You are expected to treat all participants with respect at all times.  In discussing controversial issues, it is important that students feel comfortable expressing their opinion, yet it is imperative that students refrain from using derogatory or offensive language.

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Feel free to ask questions --  I’m here to help you.

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM