First Year Seminar - Learning Framework Syllabus for 2023-2024
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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 Enrollment Center, Suite 700. 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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

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-1100-024 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

None; Content is Blackboard, and Google applications are used.

Supplies

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

• Computer/internet access
• Requested to have an active computer camera and good audio either through computer, headset or other listening device for tech-supported sections
• iPads or IPhones cannot be used to do assignments in this class. 

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/.

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 strategies to successfully navigate college and overcome personal and academic challenges, including identifying campus wrap-around resources.

3 - Students will develop a plan that includes their academic coursework, information for transfer and/or career job attainment, connection with their Academic Community, and participation in career pathway activities.

4 - Students will develop an electronic portfolio that describes and illustrates their personality, interests, values, career choice, career information, academic and career plans, and vision for the future. This electronic portfolio will provide a vehicle for students to show-case their coursework in future classes.

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. The benefit from this course is what you, the student, are willing to put into this course, both in time and content connection. You will learn a lot about yourself, including tips on how to be successful in college and life.
• 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 appropriately 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 they should not resemble text messages. 
• Whether in-person or tech-supported delivery mode, you should put your cell phone on vibrate or silence during class.
• You should expect to have all homework completed by the due date 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	40%
Annotated Bibliography	20%
Class Participation/Attendance	10%
E-Portfolio (final)	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. 

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

Grading Policy 

All Work Present	Up to 100%
Work missing/late	Points deducted – 10 points per week
Instructor cannot access work	60 points (max) on weekly assignment;  must resubmit for a grade or 0 not resubmitting your work.
Nothing turned in at all	0

Note: The Annotated Bibliography will  have a different rubric for grading. See the week's assignment for the rubric.

Overall Course Grades, scale as listed below:

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 will be subject to point or percentage deductions. 

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

Tutoring Policy

Any student who scores below a 75 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 or grading of late work.

NOTE: Week 1 Assignments:

In order to be counted present in the course, you MUST complete the following assignments in Week 1 by the end of Week 1. If any of these assignments are NOT completed, you will be administratively dropped from the class:

1. Syllabus Affirmation

2. Create/share your E-Portfolio link. 

3. Create the Landing page that includes an introduction and a picture of you for your E-Portfolio and PUBLISH it.

4. Turn the E-Portfolio line into the Module 1 Assignments. 

Attendance

Regular attendance is essential for satisfactory completion of this course. Participation grades are a portion of the classroom assignments grades and cannot be made if absent. Daily attendance in any hybrid course is actively logging in, attending in-person classes, and completing assignments on-time. It is recommended that you check your email (AC) several times a week. 

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.

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 1100), 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:  Art Flores

Email address:  ajflores41@actx.edu

Course Success

Your participation in class and online helps you learn more and makes the class more interesting and meaningful. Manage your class time and homework/study time by marking your calendar today with class meetings and deadlines for weekly assignments. It is important to plan, stay committed, and not procrastinate.

Make connections with classmates and your instructor; it is key to making a meaningful experience. Challenge yourself to communicate and network.

Honesty, integrity, and respect will guide this course. You are expected to treat every individual with respect at all times. In any class discussion, it is important that students feel comfortable expressing their opinion, yet it is imperative that students refrain from using derogatory or offensive language.

Ask questions, seek assistance when you need help; don't allow yourself to struggle because your instructor and the peer mentors are available. Start the course off strong by seeking any help needed.

Peer Tutoring

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