First Year Seminar - Learning Framework Syllabus for 2019-2020
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Student Service Center office 112. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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:

The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.

Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are attending Texas institutions of higher education, for the first time fall 2007 and later, may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-1100-006 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

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(1 sem hr; 1 lec, 1 lab)

Class Type

Online Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

Cengage Learning 1st ©2017

LMS Integrated for MindTap® College Success Toolkit, 1 term (6 months) MindTap  

 

 

Supplies

All students enrolling in this class must have access to a working computer, active and functioning internet service, some type of word processing program, Adobe Acrobat Reader and exhibit computer competency.

Adobe Acrobat Reader may be downloaded FREE from https://get.adobe.com/reader/.

Students should utilize their Google Apps for completing course assignments. To access your Google Apps follow the steps listed below:

Step 1| Log onto AC Connect.

Step 2| Click on the Google Apps Email link in the top right of the page.

Step 3| Once on your student email page, you will see an icon in the upper right corner that has 9 little boxes in a group. Click on that icon and it will take you to your Google Apps.

Step 4| Choose the appropriate app needed. As a helpful hint, you’ll use “Docs” to write your discussion posts and other written assignments and “Slides” for your introduction assignment as well as your class project presentations (if applicable).   

Assistance with Computer Access

If you don’t have a computer, you may access the computers at the AC Library on the 4^th floor of the WARE Building. Click on the link below to access phone numbers, hours of operation and locations for all Amarillo College libraries and computing centers:

https://www.actx.edu/library/

The Amarillo College Bookstore has a laptop rental program as well. You may contact them to find out more information about the requirements and terms of the program.

Amarillo College Writer’s Corner

The Writer’s Corner is an excellent resource available to you for assistance in the writing needs of the course. You can access additional information at https://www.actx.edu/english/writerscorner.

EMAIL ADDRESS:  writerscorner@actx.edu    Phone: 345-5580    LOCATION:  Ordway Hall, Room 102

Fall & Spring Semesters

Monday – Thursday

8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Summer Sessions

Monday - Thursday

8:00 am to 1:00 pm

Closed on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Student Performance

1. Students will identify their academic strengths and weaknesses.

2. Students will apply practical skills such as organization and time management, and stress and conflict management.

3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of, and interact with, college resources.

4. Students will experiment with a variety of academic strategies.

5. Students will identify an academic community that aligns with their long-term goals.

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 should have a mindset wherein they are ready to learn. You must participate to earn a passing grade in this course.

Log into the class on a regular basis (at least 3-4 times per week) to check for class announcements/emails and ensure understanding of all applicable requirements. *All emails from your instructor will go directly to your AC GMAIL account.

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

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

Grades in this course are not given, they are earned.  As a student you will be required to complete the necessary work to earn your grade.

Your grade for this course will be comprised of the following percentages:

Written / Classroom assignments [40%]

MindTap [25%]

Resume & Scholarship Essay [10%]

Journal & Discussion Boards [15%]

Quizzes & Culmination Case Study [10%]

There is no final exam for this course.

Assignment Deadlines

It’s imperative for students in an educational setting to learn how to manage their course workload, assignments and time for future success in a real-world environment. Due dates for the entire semester will be listed on the course calendar from the first day of class.  I reserve the right to make determinations regarding acceptance of late assignments on a case-by-case basis. The following point deductions will be applied when late assignments/quizzes/exams are accepted: 30 minutes to 1 day late – 15 points; 2 days late – 30 points; 3 days late – 45 points. Students may be referred to the FYS Peer Mentor Tutors (located in WARE 205K) due to submitting late work.

Unless otherwise noted, all assignments will be due no later than 11:59 p.m. on the specified date, as referenced on the calendar.

You will have more than enough time to complete your assignments for each module and ample notice of what the assignments entail and when they are due. If there is a valid emergency or circumstance beyond your control, you may contact me well before the due date of the assignment(s) to discuss your options and any potential late penalties that may be applied. 

It’s your responsibility to ensure you have access to a working computer and functioning internet service to access the course and submit your assignments. DO NOT wait until the last minute to complete your assignments. Forgetting to do an assignment or having an internet malfunction at the last minute are NOT sufficient excuses for submitting an assignment late. Please understand this policy is present and adhered to in the interest of fairness to all students in the class.

Grading of Assignments

You can access your grades at any time by clicking on the Grades link under the course menu on the left sidebar of the course.

Grades will be available as soon as. Grades will be based on format, the student’s compliance with all assignment requirements, accurateness and comprehensiveness of answers. A rubric will generally be provided for all written assignments.  

You can always check your current class average so you know where you stand. If you have any questions regarding your grades, you are encouraged to contact your professor. 

 

Final Course Grade Assignment (Grading Schema)

Final letter grades in the course will be assigned utilizing the schema listed below. Unless otherwise noted, there will be no exceptions to this schema made by the professor. Grades are not negotiable. Your final course grade will be based on your work in the course.

Letter Grade	Corresponding Numerical Value
A	90-100
B	80-89
C	70-79
D	60-69
F	59 and below

Attendance

REGULAR ATTENDANCE IS NECESSARY FOR SATISFACTORY ACHIEVEMENT. THEREFORE, IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT TO ATTEND CLASS, EVEN IN AN ONLINE SETTING.

Consistent and adequate involvement in an online class is necessary for satisfactory completion. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to check course postings and emails on a daily basis, follow the prescribed timeline for assignments and exams, etc. If a student is having difficulty with any portion of this course, they should contact me via email, phone, or in person, immediately.

If a student fails to attend class during the census period, they will be administratively dropped from the course. For purposes of this class, the student is required to log into the course and complete an assignment prior to the census date. There is a specific attendance assignment in Module 1.

Additional Information Regarding Withdrawals

Per Amarillo College guidelines, students must receive approval from the instructor to withdraw from the course after the census date. The last day to withdraw from a class is listed on the course calendar (on the class site) and on Amarillo College’s master calendar on AC Connect.

If a student wishes to withdraw from the course they must complete the following steps:

1. Print out the Administrative Withdrawal Request form and complete it. This form can be obtained from the Registrar’s office or via the link in the course syllabus. Please note the form requires your advisor’s signature in addition to the instructor’s signature.
2. Contact me PRIOR TO 12:00 PM NOON on the last day to withdraw to discuss the withdrawal. The instructor will advise a time and date where the student can call or schedule an appointment to discuss the withdrawal. Withdrawal requests will NOT be approved by this instructor without either a face-to-face visit or telephone conversation.
3. Do not assume that because you have sent an email to the instructor that you will be withdrawn from the course. Once the instructor has made a decision on the withdrawal, the student will be notified.
4. Every effort will be made to ensure student success is a priority before withdrawals are approved.

Failure to drop or withdraw the course within a timely manner will result in the student receiving a performance grade, usually an “F”.

Calendar

Additional Information

Success Team

In this course you will have several people surrounding you and helping you to achieve success.  These people are members of your success team.  Below you will find their contact information.  Please reach out to any or all of these people when you need help throughout the year.

Your Success Team members are:

Sarah Uselding, seuselding@actx.edu, 806-290-2727

 *Additional Success Team Members will be added as they are assigned.

 

Peer Tutoring

Peer Mentors are available daily in WARE 205K to assist students with homework and navigating Blackboard.  Check with your Peer Mentor for her/his tutoring session schedule.

Once you have completed this course...

You need to update your resume based on your performance in this course.

If you earned an "A"

Exemplary knowledge of personal academic strengths and weakness

Exemplary application of practical skills such as organization and time management, and stress and conflict management

Exemplary experience in learning about resources and strategies to become successful

Exemplary ability to identify communities supporting personal long-term goals

If you earned an "B"

Outstanding knowledge of personal academic strengths and weakness

Outstanding application of practical skills such as organization and time management, and stress and conflict management

Outstanding experience in learning about resources and strategies to become successful

Outstanding ability to identify communities supporting personal long-term goals

If you earned an "C"

Knowledge of personal academic strengths and weakness

Application of practical skills such as organization and time management, and stress and conflict management

Experience in learning about resources and strategies to become successful

Ability to identify communities supporting personal long-term goals