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INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION

GRADING CRITERIA

In this course, we will be using the Connect learning system for all assignments. Therefore, you must purchase access to this program. Within Canvas there is a document that shows you how to register for the Connect access. Because all assignments are in Connect, there won’t be any assignments in Canvas itself. You will use Canvas for the syllabus and to see your grades, but no work will be done there. All assignments are listed in chronological order in Connect. I would strongly urge you to gain access as soon as possible, because Chapter 1 work is due by Tuesday the 31st. There is a free option to gain access to the course for two weeks if money is a bit tight, and I wouldn’t blame you one bit for taking advantage of it! Just remember that you do have to pay for the course after that time is up.

The course will progress in a “two week, one chapter” format. That means that you will have two weeks to complete the work for each chapter, and multiple chapters will be available at any given time. We will only skip chapter 4; everything else is in order as topics build on each other and previous knowledge will be used in succeeding weeks.

There are 3 assignments per chapter – the LearnSmart adaptive technology work, homework, and the quiz. LearnSmart is a system in which you answer questions based on your confidence level of the answer. You will see choices like “sure”, “I think so”, and the like for you to learn the information in a casual, low-risk way. You will have access to the textbook and other aids to help you get the right answer. You won’t be penalized for getting the wrong answer; you will have the chance to answer the question again as the question set moves forward. I have set LearnSmart to take the average student anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to complete. Obviously, we all learn at different speeds, so the concept of time will not play a role in your learning. Basically, it takes as long as it takes. I’ve had students master material in 30 minutes while others took 4 hours. Neither is any better than the other. Just do the work and don’t worry about the clock. In essence, the LearnSmart work is a completion grade and is based more on your ability to see the assignment through and less on your actual knowledge level. Doing the reading and completing the LeartSmart portion is the same as being in a regular class listening to me drone on and on about this stuff. It’s the way to gain information, so don’t slack off this part! It’s important!

 The second assignment is the homework. This is an intermediate exercise designed to get you more confident in the material so that you can be ready for the quiz. You can take the homework assignment twice, but there is a small 5% hit in the grade if you take it twice. The goal here is to get as many questions correct as possible so that you can succeed on the quiz.

The last assignment is the chapter quiz. They range from about 20 to 45 questions. Like LearnSmart, they are untimed, but at this point in the work, you should be more confident in your answers. The quizzes are set for one attempt, with partial credit given for graphs or other types of questions that aren’t regular multiple choice. I will also drop your two lowest quiz grades. Please don’t begin the quiz until you are ready and feeling confident!

By designing the course this way, I will hopefully allow you to learn the material in a low-risk environment where you are free to try things out, and yes perhaps even guess. Then once you are comfortable with the material, you can move on to the quiz. The few number of assignments, the chronological nature of the assignments, and the knowledge-building aspect of the course I hope makes the material as easy as possible for you to master.

Lastly, no late work can be accepted. I have set the due dates and they are SET. The material should take the average student 3 to 4 hours per 168 hour week. This course should not be more than 2% of your life. However, because it’s only 2% of our life, we frequently wait until the last minute. Don’t feel bad about that; there are scientific reasons why humans usually procrastinate. It is a bad habit though, and one we must strive to break. Therefore, my STRONG advice is to not wait until the last minute to do this work. I will not reopen missed chapters for ANY reason. Time management is an important skill to learn, and by having firm due dates, you may have to juggle your priorities. I have faith in you!

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

ATTENDANCE POLICY

As this is an online class, the only attendance taking will be seen by your work product. If the work is done, you’re here!

Regular and punctual attendance is expected of all students in all classes for which they have registered.  Absence does not relieve the student of the responsibility for making up required work.  Dropping a course is the student's responsibility, but you MAY be dropped for excessive absence.  See Attendance Regulations in the North Central Texas College Catalog.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Last day to withdraw from a course with a “W” is April 6^th, 2017.

DISABILITY SERVICES (OSD)

The Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) provides accommodations for students who have a documented disability. On the Corinth Campus, go to room 170 or call 940-498-6207. On the Gainesville Campus, go to room 110 or call 940-668-4209.  Students on the Bowie, Graham, Flower Mound, and online campuses should call 940-668-4209.

North Central Texas College is on record as being committed to both the spirit and letter of federal equal opportunity legislation, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, ADA Amendments Act of 2009, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (P.L. 93-112).   http://www.nctc.edu/StudentServices/SupportServices/Disabilityservices.aspx

CORE CURRICULUM FOUNDATIONAL COMPONENT AREA______________________________

o         Communication

o         Mathematics              

o         Life and Physical Science

o         Language, Philosophy & Culture

o         Creative Arts

o         American History

o         Government/Political Science

X         Social and Behavioral Sciences

o         Component Area Option

REQUIRED CORE OBJECTIVES

X             Critical Thinking

X            Communication

X            Empirical and Quantitative

o           Teamwork

o           Personal Responsibility

X            Social Responsibility

COURSE TYPE

o           Academic General Education Course (from ACGM but not in NCTC Core)

x        Academic NCTC Core Curriculum Course

o        WECM Course

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are expected to follow all rules and regulations found in the student handbook. http://nctc.smartcatalogiq.com/en/2014-2015/Catalog/North-Central-Texas-College-Student-Handbook