First Year Seminar - Learning Framework Syllabus for 2015-2016
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Instructor Information

Instructor

E-Mail

pjmadden@actx.edu or pjmadden@amarillocollege.com

Phone

<p>(806)371-5087 Office</p> <table border="" cellpadding="" cellspacing="" class="table table-bordered table-striped"> <tbody> </tbody> </table>

Office Location

Ware Student Commons 205J

Office Hours

You are welcome to come by my office to see if I am available anytime or through Text (806)626-6984

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-1100-003 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

(1 sem hr; 1 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

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. Demonstrate effective study skills.

5. Demonstrate creative and critical thinking skills

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

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.
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.
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.
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.

Grading Criteria

15%

Self-reflection Narratives

15%

Daily Work / Homework

Includes discussion postings and assignment uploads in AC Connect course

25%

Quizzes completed by deadline

25%

Connections + Career Research Worksheet + Education Plan

You must attend/participate in 2 Connections activities and complete a short worksheet for each experience. You may attend workshops in the following locations to fulfill your Resource Exploration assignment: Career & Employment Center or Student Money Management Center. You may also complete the following: attend 3 club meetings (club of your choice) or the Fall SGA Leadership Retreat. These activities must scheduled outside of regular class time.

20%

e-Portfolio

The digital e-Portfolio will originate in this class and will be used by you throughout your time at AC to generate a digital presence representative of your collegiate and professional work. Upon graduation, you will transfer the e-Portfolio to your gmail account for continued development.

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. Points are deducted for late assignments up to 2 weeks. The decision to amend a due date or accept a late assignment beyond 2 weeks 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. 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

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 ALL assignments

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!

Calendar

A color-coded course calendar will be available in your Blackboard class.

Course Calendar
2016SP • EDUC 1100 First-Year Seminar • 8-week online course

Online Lessons	Assignments	Deadline (11:55 p.m.)	X
Week 1 (Jan. 19-23)
START HERE You’re in College Now Technology Tips Achieving Your Dream Defining Yourself Managing your Time and Energy	Discussion: “About Me” Post initial response by Thurs, Jan. 21. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Jan. 23.	Jan. 21
		Jan. 23
	Mark important dates in Badger Planner, phone or online calendar.
	Email contact information to Instructor.	Jan. 21
	Contact family and friends to sign Commitment Pledge
	MEET YOUR PROFESSOR – Non-mandatory meeting for course orientation, Thurs., Jan. 21, 5:30-6:30 p.m. in LIB 405.
	Initial and sign the Course Contract and upload through assignment box in Blackboard.	Jan. 21
	Complete the "Achieve your Dream - No-Excuses" Commitment Pledge and upload a PDF copy to 1.) the assignment box and 2.) your e-Portfolio (next week).	Jan. 21
	QUIZ 1: Multiple Choice (Quiz closes Sat., Jan. 23). Content covers all online lessons in Week 1 folder.	Jan. 23
Week 2 (Jan. 25-30)
Learning to Learn Maximize your Learning Your Hidden Agenda Choosing a college Major and Career	Complete pre-survey on College Readiness. Log in to your college, g-mail account for access to survey. Your class ID number is located at the top of the Welcome Page of your class in Blackboard.	Jan. 28
	Complete the VARK Questionnaire - Learning Styles. Save results as a PDF to flash drive upload into e-Portfolio.	Jan. 28
	Complete MyPlan Career Inventory: 1.) Personality Survey, and 2.) Interests Survey. Save results as PDFs to flash drive to upload into e-Portfolio.	Jan. 28
	Discussion: “My Personal Learning Style & Strategies.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Jan. 28. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Jan. 30.)	Jan. 28 Jan. 30
	Create e-Portfolio using AC template: 1) set up personal site; 2) add photo; 3) add summary statement; 4) share with & invite instructor; 5) upload PDF copy of Commitment Pledge; 6) upload PDF of VARK results; 7) upload PDF of MyPlan results from 2 surveys.	Jan. 28
	Notebook Check: Color-coded course calendar, dividers, notebook paper, print copy of e-Portfolio User Manual, print copy of online lectures as desired, Cornell Notes, flash drive.	Jan. 28
	QUIZ 2: Matching (Quiz closes Sat., Jan. 30). Content covers all online lessons in Week 2 folder.	Jan. 30
Week 3 (Feb. 1-6)
Conflict Career Exploration: MyPlan	Attend on-campus workshop or activity as listed under the Connections list in the class.
	Career Center Blackboard Collaborate Session, TBA	TBA
	Discussion: “Best Online Class/Worst Online Class Experience.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Feb. 4. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Feb. 6)	Feb. 4 Feb. 6
	RESEARCH: Begin researching career. Download Career Research Worksheet and bring to class.
	Self-Reflection: College and Me. Reflect on your first seven weeks of this class and what you have learned. Discuss a minimum of three changes or observations you have made in your life. Describe how these changes have impacted your life. (3-4 paragraph narrative.) Upload a PDF copy to 1.) the assignment box and 2.) your e-Portfolio.	Feb. 4
	Complete Connections Worksheet #1.	Feb. 4
Week 4 (Feb. 8-13)
Career Exploration: Research Create Your Educational Pathway	Library Blackboard Collaborate Session, TBA
	Continue completing Career Research Worksheet which you brought to class last week.
	Make an appointment with your Adviser; Work on your unique Educational Pathway Plan w/ Adviser.
	Complete Connections Worksheet #2, if required	Feb. 11
	e-Portfolio Check 1: (1) photo; (2) summary statement; (3) signed Commitment Pledge; (4) VARK Questionnaire Results; (5) MyPlan Results from Personality and Interests surveys; (6) College & Me narrative.	Feb. 11
Week 5 (Feb. 15-20)
Stress and Wellness Tests and Test Anxiety Managing Your Money, Part I Managing Your Money, Part II	Complete Texas Reality Check Survey. Complete Career Research Worksheet which you brought to class last week.
	Make an appointment with your Adviser; Work on your unique Educational Pathway Plan w/ Adviser.
	Upload completed Career Research Worksheet to 1.) assignment box and 2.) your e-Portfolio.	Feb. 18
	QUIZ 3: Multiple Choice, True-False, Multiple Answer, Matching format. Content covers Money Management I and II. (Quiz closes Sat., Feb. 20).	Feb. 20
Week 6 (Feb. 22-27)
Critical Thinking Creativity Emotional Intelligence Working in the 21^st Century	Work on e-Portfolio
	Discussion: “My Goals.” Read specific discussion prompt in online class. (Post initial response by Thurs., Feb. 25. Reply to two classmates by Sat., Feb. 27.)	Feb. 25 Feb. 27
	Complete the Multiple Intelligences Inventory. Save results as a PDF to flash drive upload into e-Portfolio.	Feb. 25
	Complete Educational Pathway Plan and upload to the 1.) assignment box and 2.) your e-Portfolio.	Feb. 25
Week 7 (Feb. 29-March 5)
	Self-Reflection: My World and My Future. Reflect on your relationships with friends, family, professors, and co-workers. How have they changed over the past 13 weeks? What have you deliberately done to improve or end those relationships and why? How have those changes impacted your short- and long-term goals? How will you achieve your identified educational and career goals. (3-4 paragraph narrative.) Upload a PDF copy to 1.) the assignment box and 2.) your e-Portfolio.	Feb. 29
	e-Portfolio Check 2: 1) photo; (2) summary statement; (3) signed Commitment Pledge; (4) VARK Questionnaire Results; (5) MyPlan Results; (6) College & Me narrative; (7) Educational Plan; (8) Career Research Worksheet; (9) My World & My Future; (10) Multiple Intelligences Inventory (11 items)	Mar. 1
	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.	Mar. 1
	Last Day to Withdraw – March 1	Mar. 1
	Private Meetings with Instructor, as needed
Week 8 (March 7-10)
	Private Meetings with Instructor, as needed
Course Grade is Determined by:	15% Self-Reflection 20% e-Portfolio 15% Daily Work/ Homework (discussion postings, drop boxes) 25% Quizzes 25% Connections + Career Research Worksheet + Educational Plan

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: