COL 101
 Orientation Course
The College Experience: Online
3 credit hours

Course Information
Course Description: In this course, we will study the best practices for success in college and learning on line by using technology smartly,
succeeding in workplace situations skillfully, using interpersonal communications respectfully, and
developing self-management practices expertly.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the student will have the skills to be able to:

1. Earn good grades, do work and follow college regulations with smart timing

2. Handle time, commitments, goals and stress using plans

3. Identify "learning and thinking styles" in self and others

4. Build listening practices

5. Take effective notes

6. Expand memory, study and test-taking skills

7. Learn to handle criticism and make an apology professionally

8. Use campus resources

9. Prepare for assignments in courses

10. Solve problems with critical thinking and ethics

11. Choose and work with an appropriate advisor, mentor and major for career success

12. Discuss diversity and civility using the insight of a team worker and leader

13. Mediate for self and others during conflict

14. Make smart decisions for health, wellness, teamwork, leadership and follower-ship
 
Prerequisites and Co-requisites:  This course is for  first time on-line learners who are willing to learn. If in doubt, lets talk on-line..
Course Topics: We will draw on the best thinking about how to: 
  • Explaining online learning & Assessing online readiness
  • An online course in a nutshell: Using online course materials and processes
  • Technology requirements for an online course
  • How online courses work
  • Tips for online success (How to stay on track without a structured classroom & Getting help when it is needed)
  • How to communicate with the instructor and fellow students
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Maximizing online resources for career development (IE. American Job Bank)
  • Assessing your learning style
  • Identifying your problem solving style and personality
  • Using your college or university resources
  • Setting goals and projecting progress
  • Note taking and test taking skills
  • Memory enhancement
  • Prioritizing time and tasks
  •  Managing stress
  •  Incorporating values, ethics and civility into actions
  •  Resolving conflicts effectively 
  • Gaining netiquette
  • Team work: Using critical and creative thinking for decision making
  •  Effective communication and listening skills including giving constructive feedback
  •  Working with diversity
  •  Integrating best practices based on Stephen R. Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

Specific Course Requirements:

Access to a computer and a desire to learn!
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Required Textbooks: Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course: 

http://rodp.bkstr.com

Supplementary Materials: Covey, Stephen R. One Audio Cassette of The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1989. (ISBN #68796-4)
Hardware Requirements: Go to www.rodp.org/faqs/equipment.htm for this information
Software Requirements: Go to www.rodp.org/faqs/equipment.htm for this information
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures: All work for this course can be done online. Online work for this course includes lessons, quizzes, discussion board questions, emails and emails with attachments
Grading Procedure: COL 101 Online System of Point Values and Grading

 Points are earned as follows:  

  • Lessons 1-8:                                31 points per lesson
  • Lessons 9-11(Midterm):            200 points
  • Lessons 12-21:                            31 points per lesson
  • Lessons 22-24(Final):                 242 points
  • Discussion board questions:   11 points a piece

    Point Value Chart by Lesson

                         (Note:  ---- indicates activity not required for that lesson)

    Lesson Number

    Assignment

    Point Value

    Quiz

    Point Value

    Discussion Board

    Point Value

    1

    ----

    20 points

    11 points

    2

    ----

    31 points

    ----

    3

    31 points

    ----

    ----

    4

    31 points

    ----

    ----

    5

    31 points

    ----

    ----

    6

    16 points

    15 points

    ----

    7

    20 points

    ----

    11 points

    8

    16 points

    15 points

    ----

    9

    ----

    69 points

    11 points

    10

    ----

    ----

    ----

    11

    120 points

    ----

    ----

    12

    20 points

    ----

    11 points

    13

    16 points

    15 points

    ----

    14

    16 points

    15 points

    ----

    15

    ----

    31 points

    ----

    16

    ----

    20 points

    11 points

    17

    31 points

    ----

    ----

    18

    ----

    31 points

    ----

    19

    ----

    31 points

    ----

    20

    ----

    31 points

    ----

    21

    ----

    31 points

    ----

    22

    50 points

    42 points

    ----

    23

    50 points

    ----

    ----

    24

    100 points

    ----

    ----

Grading Scale: A = 900-1000 points earned

B = 800-899 points earned

C = 700-799 points earned

D = 600-699 points earned

F = less than 600 points earned (We hope that won't happen!)


The grading scale emphasizes assignments, projects, and student participation in the learning community as well as timed quizzes and periodic examinations.
Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects: Lesson 1: Explaining online learning & Assessing online readiness - Frequently asked questions - An online course in a nutshell: Using online course materials and processes

Lesson 2: Technology requirements for an online course - How online courses work- Tips for online success (How to stay on track without a structured classroom & Getting help when it is needed) - Legal aspects of communication online -How to protect your privacy online - How to communicate with the instructor and fellow students

Lesson 3: Assessing your learning style

Lesson 4: Identifying your problem solving style and personality

Lesson 5: Using your college or university resources - Virtual online tour of Libraries and other Learning Resource Centers

Lesson 6: Note taking and test taking skills

Lesson 7: Memory enhancement

Lesson 8: Gaining netiquette - Effective communication and listening skills including giving constructive feedback

Midterm Project (Lessons 9, 10, 11)
Lesson 9: Integrating best practices based on Stephen R. Covey's First & Second Habits
Lesson 10: Integrating best practices based on Stephen R. Covey's Third & Fourth Habits
Lesson 11: Integrating best practices based on Stephen R. Covey's Fifth, Sixth, & Seventh Habits

Lesson 12: Resolving conflicts effectively

Lesson 13: Team work: Using critical and creative thinking for decision making

Lesson 14: Prioritizing time and tasks

Lesson 15: Setting goals and projecting progress

Lesson 16: Incorporating values and ethics

Lesson 17: Managing stress and health

Lesson 18: Working with diversity

Lesson 19: Balancing school, family and personal life

Lesson 20: Smart consumerism for college success

Lesson 21: Avoiding addictions: How can you be part of the solution, not the problem?


Final Project (Lessons 22, 23, 24)
Lesson 22: Maximizing online resources for career development (IE. Choosing a Career from the American Job Bank)
Lesson 23: Choosing a college major for your career goals
Lesson 24: Creating a Resume

 
Class Participation: Class Participation:
Students must participate in all interactive aspects of the course design. Students must communicate
with other students on the discussion board, students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a
learning resource, students must check the course bulletin board and calendar frequently for announcements, and
students must actively participate in threaded discussion events.
 
Punctuality: Punctuality:
The course lasts 12 weeks. There will be 24 assignments. If you do two assignments a week, you will keep on track. You must follow the calendar and meet the deadlines for due assignments and quizzes. Note the following schedule of due dates:

* Midterm Project: 20% of your grade

** Final Project: 24% of your grade

Late Work: Assignments lose 10 points for everyday late

Quizzes have windows of availability that will close on 12:00 midnight on the dates shown above.
Course Ground Rules
Participation is required at least two times a week. Participants are expected to communicate with other
students, learn how to navigate in WebCT, keep abreast of course announcements, and use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed a personal e-mail address. Participants are expected to address technical problems locally. All people will observe course netiquette at all times--- no exceptions. Zero tolerance exists for failing to use netiquette.
Guidelines for Communications
Guidelines for Communications
Email: Participants will follow these standards without exception in all communications:

Always include a subject line.

Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of "emoticons" (IE. :) is the smiley face) might be helpful in some cases.

Use standard fonts in 12 point size.

Do not send large attachments without permission.

Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.

Respect the privacy of other class members.
Discussion Groups: Follow these standards:

Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.

Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.

Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas. If you cannot think of a way to diplomatically say what you want to communicate, do not say anything at all.

Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.

Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.

Be positive and constructive in group discussions.

Chat: Introduce yourself to the other learners in the chat session.

Be polite. Choose your words carefully. Do not use derogatory statements. Criticize ideas without making insulting remarks.

Be concise in responding to others in the chat session.

Be prepared to open the chat session at the scheduled time.

Be constructive in your comments and suggestions.
Web Resources: Do you need some help online? Try these sites:
 
http://www.pbs.org/uti/begin.html

You can also ask a librarian at www.dscc.cc.tn.us/lrc/askque.htm

There is also support for you at www.rodp.org/help.htm

Library

The Tennessee Board of Regents Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes in the syllabus if necessary due to time constraints or other unforeseen events.   If this is necessary, members of the class will be notified as soon as possible BY E-MAIL and posted on the BULLETIN BOARD.

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