First Year Seminar - Learning Framework Syllabus for 2021-2022
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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-1100-020 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

All content is within Blackboard; no textbook or access code is required. A USB key/flash drive is suggest. Google applications are used.

Supplies

Student must have the following items for this class each day:

• Computer/internet access
• Suggested to have an active computer camera and good audio either through computer, headset or other listening device.

All students enrolling in this class must have access to a working computer, active and functioning internet service, Microsoft Word or some other type of word processing program, Adobe Acrobat Reader and exhibit computer competency. Google applications are used.

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

Assistance with Computer Access

If you do not have a computer, you may access the computers at the AC Library or AC Library Academic Computing Center. 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/

Student Performance

Learning Outcomes

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

 

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. Participation in this Online course will include either discussion boards, Padlets with discussions, or other online discussion/video participation. These will be found in the Weekly Content participation grades. If you do not participate during that week you cannot make it up and you will not receive the participation points for that week.

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	50%
Annotated Bibliography	20%
Portfolio	30%

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.

Grading Policy for Weekly Assignments:

All Work Present	100
Work missing/late	Points deducted – instructor discretion
Instructor cannot access work	60 points (max) on weekly assignment
Nothing turned in at all	0

 

Note: The Annotated Bibliography (week 4)  and the Final E-Portfolio (week 8) will each have a different rubric for grading.  See the assignment for the rubric. 

 

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.

Tutoring Policy

Any student who scores below a 60 on any assignment, will be required to attend mandatory tutoring – either with the instructor or a peer mentor. Additionally, students will be required to meet with their instructor during week 4 for a mandatory “check-in” to determine the progress in the course and if tutoring is required. Any student who has not submitted the annotated bibliography by week 6 will be required to attend mandatory tutoring with either the instructor or a peer mentor.  Failure to meet with tutors (either the instructor or a peer mentor) may result in denied submission of late work.

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory completion of this course. Attendance is a portion of the classroom assignments course grades. 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.

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: Sebastian Urena

Email address: 

surena@actx.edu

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

Your participation online helps you learn more and makes the class more interesting and meaningful. 

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 in the Ware building, suite 205 or first floor desk, tutoring sessions both in person or virtual to assist students with homework and navigating Blackboard and Google applications.