First Year Seminar - Learning Framework Syllabus for 2020-2021
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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

Hybrid

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

There is no assigned textbook for this course. All required course content will be provided via the class shell in Blackboard.

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/.

GOOGLE Apps

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 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. 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

Student performance addresses the knowledge/skills a student should possess upon completion of this course with a 70% or above cumulative course average.

1 - Students will evaluate strengths, abilities, values, and motivations and apply this self-knowledge to personal, educational and career goal-setting.

2 - Students will determine appropriate campus wrap around resources for assistance and engage in strategies to successfully navigate college and overcome personal and academic challenges.

3 - Students will evaluate and determine, by engaging in their Community and career pathway activities, the extent to which education and career expectations align with personal interests and 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

• As a tech-supported, synchronous delivery course, you are expected to present yourself and focus as if you are present in a traditional, face-to-face classroom setting.
• This is not a lecture-based course as a large majority of the content is derived through conversations, activities, and self-exploration.  You must participate to earn a passing grade in this course.  You get out of this course what you put into this course, you will learn a lot about yourself, including how to be successful in college.
• You are expected to behave in the classroom in a manner that is supportive of the learning environment. Behaviors that are not supported include, but are not limited to: non-participation, tardiness/leaving early, electronic device noises, talking at inappropriate times, and using 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 put your cell phone on vibrate or silence during class.
• You should expect to have all homework completed when it is assigned to be successful.  This is especially true for preparatory homework like course readings, online activities, or videos. 
• 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

Type	Percentage
Written/Classroom Assignments	60%
Annotated Bibliography	15%
Portfolio	25%

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.

Overall Course Grades are broken down in this manner:

Letter Grade	Numerical Grade
A	89.5-100
B	79.5-89.4
C	69.5-79.4
D	59.5-69.4
F	59.4 and below

All work must be turned in on time.  If work is submitted late, it is subject to point or percentage deductions.

Students need to email/call the faculty member prior to any absence to develop arrangements for classwork or homework submission.  It is at faculty discretion, to what is reasonable or acceptable absences and timeliness of absent work submission.  As soon as you know you must miss a class session, please contact your faculty member.

Attendance

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory completion of this course. Daily attendance in any online course is actively logging in, reading content, and completing assignments on-time. It is recommended that you check your email (AC) several times daily.

Leaving class more than 5 minutes prior to dismissal time or arriving more than 10 minutes late to class (without instructor permission) will be counted as an absence. Note: this applies to tech-supported class meetings held virtually.

If you are unable to attend class, please follow these guidelines to begin a conversation with your instructor.

1. Email your instructor as you as you are able.  In your email, give your instructor a timeline for returning to the classroom.
2. If a personal issue is keeping you from attending class, please let your instructor know.  S/he may have access to resources to assist you in returning to class sooner.
3. If you would prefer to call your instructor (instead of emailing), and you receive the instructor's voicemail, please leave the following information:

a. Name

b. AC ID Number

c. Course (EDUC 110), time, days of the week

d. Call back number

Calendar

Additional Information

 

Peer Mentors

In this course, you will have the support of peer mentors, in addition to your instructor.  Below you will find contact information for your course section's peer mentors.  Please reach to your mentors when you need assistance throughout the year. 

Peer Mentor: Isabelle Bruce

Email address: imbruce@amarillocollege.com

There is no final exam for this course, but you will submit a final portfolio.

Your participation in class and online helps you learn more and makes the class more interesting and meaningful. Mark your calendar today to attend each class.

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.

Peer Tutoring

Peer Mentors are available daily at the information desk in Ware,1st floor, or via virtual tutoring sessions to assist students with homework and navigating Blackboard.