First Year Seminar - Learning Framework Syllabus for 2014-2015
Return to Syllabus List

Instructor Information

Instructor

Patricia McGuire (Curriculum Vitae)

E-Mail

plmcguire@actx.edu

Phone

Office Location

Carter Fitness Center 119-C

Office Hours

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-1300-003 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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(3 sem hrs; 3 lec)

Class Type

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Lessons and supplemental materials are accessible for printing via the Blackboard course. You are encouraged to print lessons and create your own "textbook" by placing copies of lessons in a 3-ring binder.

Supplies

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

Student Performance

1. Increase self-awareness.

\ \

2. Take charge of your life.

\ \

3. Identify and interact within your communities.

\ \

4. Manage your money.

\ \

5. Communicate effectively using a variety of formats.

\ \

6. Demonstrate information literacy skills.

\ \

7. Demonstrate effective study skills.

\ \

8. Demonstrate creative and critical thinking skills.

\ \

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

You are expected to behave in the classroom in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment. Behaviors that are not supportive include, but are not limited to: tardiness/leaving early; electronic device noises; talking during lectures; abusive, offensive or disrespectful behavior/language.
You should address and sign all e-mails sent to your instructor and classmates. E-mails, like all academic work, should be proofread, should not include slang or abbreviations, and should not resemble text messages.
You should turn off your cell phone or silence it during class.
If you are caught plagiarizing or cheating, you will receive a failing grade for the assignment. 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. If you are caught plagiarizing or cheating more than once, the instructor has the right to take appropriate actions as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. Please review the Student Code of Conduct for a complete understanding of rules and policies.

Grading Criteria

\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

15%

Participation: Lecture Response Worksheets

20%

Attendance (class meetings and lab sessions)

15%

Daily Work / Homework

Includes discussion postings and assignment uploads in AC Connect course

10%

AC Online quizzes completed by deadline

10%

Enrichment Activities

You must attend/participate in 2 Enrichment Activities and complete a short worksheet for each experience. These activities are scheduled outside of regular class time.

30%

Career Project

\ \ \ \ \ \ \

The Career Project will be completed in three parts: an interview with a professional mentor, an annotated bibliography identifying key research about your chosen career, and a PowerPoint presentation of your total experience.

\ \ \ \ \ \ \

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; you earn grades based upon your 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 all college courses. It is your responsibility to attend each class and/or lab meeting. You 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 you from submitting an assignment on time, it is your 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. For a 16-week FYS class, late assignments will not be accepted beyond 2 weeks late and penalty points will apply per grading rubrics. No late assignments will be accepted after April 25.

\ \

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. A user-friendly, color-coded course calendar is available through the Blackboard course in the "Start Here" folder.

\ \

While the online portion of the class is available 24/7, you must 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. Check off assignments as you complete them.

\ \

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory completion of this course. Daily attendance will be recorded. You must attend class AND lab for the first four weeks of the semester.

Lab sessions are on Tuesday mornings from 9-10:15 a.m. in Library, room 212. Beginning with Week 5, you will receive attendance credit or a "walk" in place of lab attendance for maintaining an 80 or above in the course. However, if, at any time, your course grade drops below an 80, you will be required to attend the weekly lab session until the course grade is an 80 or above. Regardless of your course grade average, you are invited and encouraged to participate in the lab sessions throughout the semester.

Class meetings are on Thursday mornings from 9-10:15 a.m. in Library, room 212. You must attend all classes throughout the course for attendance credit.

Leaving class or lab more than 5 minutes prior to dismissal time or arriving more than 10 minutes late to class or lab will be counted as an absence.

If you must stop attending, withdraw officially by April 23. No administrative withdrawals will be initiated by the instructor.

Calendar

\ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \

\ Calendar \	\ Online Lectures \	\ In-Class \ \ Activities \	\ Assignments \
\ Week 1 \ \ Jan. 20-24 \	\ You’re in College Now \ \ \ \ Technology Tips \	\ Introduction to the course \ \ \ \ Icebreakers \ \ \ \ AC Scavenger Hunt \ \ \	\ Email contact Information to Instructor (due Thurs., Jan. 22). \
			\ Mark important dates in Badger Planner, phone or online calendar. \
			\ Initial and sign the Course Contract and e-mail it to your instructor. \
			\ Discussion: “About Me.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Jan. 22. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Jan. 24.) \
\ Week 2 \ \ Jan. 26-31 \ \ \	\ Achieving Your Dream \ \ \	\ Organization Lecture \ \ \ \ Discuss Commitment Pledge and building a support structure \	\ Complete pre-survey on College Readiness. Check your college, g-mail account. Your class ID number is located at the top of the Welcome page of your online class. \
			\ Complete the “Achieve Your Dream – No Excuses” Commitment Pledge and upload a scanned copy to the assignment box (due Thurs., Jan. 29). \
			\ Lecture Response Worksheet Week 2 (due Thurs., Jan. 29). \
\ Week 3 \ \ Feb. 2-7 \	\ Defining Yourself \ \ \ \ Managing Your Time and Energy \	\ Time Management Lecture \	\ Discussion: “Self-Awareness, Time Management, and My Support System.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Feb. 5. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Feb. 7.) \
\ Week 3 \ \ Feb. 2-7 \		\ Time Management Lecture \	\ QUIZ 1: Multiple Choice format (Quiz opens Mon., Feb. 2, and closes Sat., Feb. 7, at midnight.) \
\ Week 4 \ \ Feb. 9-14 \	\ College Communication \	\ Ethics and Academic Integrity Lecture \	\ Enrichment Activity #1 (due Sat., Feb. 14). \
\ Week 4 \ \ Feb. 9-14 \	\ College Communication \	\ Ethics and Academic Integrity Lecture \	\ Lecture Response Worksheet Week 4 (due Thurs., Feb. 12). \
\ Week 5 \ \ Feb. 16-21 \	\ Learning to Learn \ \ \ \ Maximize Your Learning \	\ Cornell Note taking \ \ \ \ Learning Theory Lecture \ \ \ \ Applying Learning Theory \	\ Complete the VARK questionnaire - Learning Styles (due Thurs., Feb. 19). \
			\ 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., Feb. 16, and closes Sat., Feb. 21, at midnight.) \
\ Week 6 \ \ Feb. 23-28 \	\ Your Hidden Agenda \ \ \ \ Choosing a College Major and Career \	\ Learning Styles & Memory Lecture \ \ \ \ Memory Techniques Exercises \	\ Complete MyPlan - Career Inventory and upload your results to the assignment box (due Thurs., Feb. 26). \
\ Week 6 \ \ Feb. 23-28 \			\ Discussion: “Learning to Learn, MyPlan and My Future.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Feb. 26. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Feb. 28.) \
\ Week 7 \ \ March 2-7 \	\ An Overview of the Career Project \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \ \	\ Career Center presentation \ \ \ \ \	\ Identify professional mentor for Job Interview. Clear selection with your instructor. \
			\ RESEARCH: Begin researching Career Project; Download Annotated Bibliography sample. \
			\ Lecture Response Worksheet Week 7 (due Thurs., March 5). \
\ Week 8 \ \ March 9-14 \	\ Create Your Educational Pathway \ \ \	\ Goal Setting Lecture \ \ \	\ Work on your unique Educational Pathway Plan. \
			\ Schedule interview with professional mentor. \
			\ MID-TERM ESSAY QUIZ: Essay format (Quiz opens Mon., March 9, and closes Sat., March 14, at midnight.) \
\ March 16-21, Mon.-Sat. \		\ SPRING BREAK – College Closed \
\ Week 9 \ \ March \ \ 23-28 \	\ College Reading Techniques \ \ \ \ College Writing Techniques \	\ Library Presentation \ \ (Information Literacy and Research Techniques) \ \ \ \ Reading/Writing Exercises \ \ \	\ Continue to work on interview with professional mentor. If you have not scheduled the interview, see your instructor this week. \
			\ RESEARCH: Continue to work on Career Project. \
			\ Lecture Response Worksheet Week 9 (due Thurs., March 26). \
			\ Enrichment Activity #2 (due Sat., March 28). \
\ Week 10 \ \ March 30 - April 2 \	\ Stress and Wellness \ \ \ \ Tests and Test Anxiety \	\ Coping with Stress Lecture \ \ \	\ Complete Wellness Plan and upload it to the assignment box (due Thurs., April 2). \
			\ QUIZ 3: Multiple Choice, True-False, Multiple Answer, Matching format (Quiz opens Mon., March 30, and closes Thurs., April 2.) \
			\ RESEARCH: Continue to work on Career Project. \
\ April 3-4, Fri.-Sat. \		\ EASTER HOLIDAY – College Closed \
\ Week 11 \ \ April 6-11 \	\ Critical Thinking \ \ \ \ Creativity \	\ Creativity & Critical Thinking Exercises/ Activities \	\ Continue to work on interview with professional mentor. \
			\ Complete the Multiple Intelligences Inventory \
			\ Educational Pathway Plan must be uploaded to the assignment box (Thurs., April 9). \
\ Week 12 \ \ April 13-18 \	\ Manage Your Money \	\ Financial Literacy Lecture \	\ Complete reality check survey \
			\ QUIZ 4: Multiple Choice, True-False, Matching format (Quiz opens Mon., April 13 and closes Sat., April 18, at midnight.) \
			\ Continue to work on interview with professional mentor. \
			\ Career Project Annotated Bibliography must be uploaded to the assignment box (due Sat., April 18). \
\ Week 13 \ \ April 20-25 \ \ \	\ Listening \ \ \ \ \	\ Managing Relationships Lecture \ \ \ \ Conflict & Communication Lecture \ \ \	\ Last Day to Withdraw – April 23 \
			\ Lecture Response Worksheet Week 13 (due Thurs., April 23). \
			\ Continue to work on interview with professional mentor. \
			\ QUIZ 5: Short Answer format (Quiz opens Mon., April 20, and closes Sat., April 25, at midnight). \
\ Week 14 \ \ April 27 – May 2 \	\ Conflict \ \ \ \ Emotional Intelligence \	\ Professionalism and Values Lecture \	\ Discussion: “Money Management, Conflict, Listening and Emotional Intelligence.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., April 30. Reply to two classmates by Sat., May 2). \
\ Week 14 \ \ April 27 – May 2 \	\ Conflict \ \ \ \ Emotional Intelligence \	\ Professionalism and Values Lecture \	\ Interview Paper and Professional Verification Form (both due by Thurs., April 30). Upload the paper to the assignment box; the employer should fax the feedback form to your instructor. \
\ Week 15 \ \ May 4-9 \ \ \	\ Working in the 21^st Century \	\ Teamwork, Diversity & the Modern Workplace Lecture \ \ \ \ Course summary \	\ Complete post-survey on College Readiness. Check your college, g-mail account. Your class ID number is located at the top of the Welcome page of your online class. \
\ Week 15 \ \ May 4-9 \ \ \	\ Working in the 21^st Century \		\ Lecture Response Worksheet Week 15 (due Thurs., May 7). \
\ Week 16 \ \ May 11-16 \	\ Finals Week \ \ \ \ Commencement Friday, May 15, \ \ 7 p.m. \	\ Career Project presentations uploaded by deadline, May 11 at midnight \	\ Career Presentations: Create a Career Project Presentation in PowerPoint and save it as a PDF. Post an original narrative summarizing your Career Project experience and introducing your PPT in the discussion board, “College and Career Readiness” (see online prompt). Also, attach the PDF of your project presentation to the narrative posting in the discussion board. BOTH DUE by Mon., May 11, at midnight. \
\ Course Grade is Determined by: \	\ 20% Attendance (class meetings and lab sessions) \ \ 15% Participation (lecture response worksheets) \ \ 15% Daily Work/ Homework (discussion postings, drop boxes – except for Career Project) \ \ 10% Quizzes \ \ 10% Enrichment Activities \ \ 30% Career Project (Interview Paper, Annotated Bibliography, 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 twice weekly.

\ \

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.

\ \

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

Syllabus Created on:

11/30/-1 12:00 AM

Last Edited on: