Course Syllabus PDC 124
Dr. Marsha Fralick
Fall 2010

Course Credit:

The course meets General Education requirements for the California State Universities, Area E and is UC transferable.

 

How to Contact the Instructor:

1.     Before the class starts, you may contact me at my regular e-mail at: marsha.fralick@gcccd.edu   

2.     It is my goal to attempt to answer all e-mails within 24 hours.  If I receive many e-mails on the same topic, I will send an e-mail to the entire class. 

 

Required Course Materials:

Do not purchase the printed edition of the text from the College Bookstore or purchase a used printed edition because they will not be used in this online course. 

 

The new interactive online edition of CollegeScope by Dr. Marsha Fralick will be used in the class.  The text is personalized for each student based on the personality and learning style inventory completed at the beginning of the text.  There is an access fee of $50 (if you purchase the e-text online).  This fee takes the place of paying for a textbook. 

 

Save $5 by ordering your text online at this address: 

http://www.collegescope.com/ccs/cuyamaca

 

You may also purchase an access code for this text from the Cuyamaca Bookstore at a cost of $55.  Financial aid vouchers can be used at the Bookstore to purchase the access code for CollegeScope. 

 

The first time you log in, click on the "Register Here" button.  You will use your e-mail address as your login ID and will be asked to create a password for your account.  Make sure to write down your e-mail address and password so that you can log in to your account in the future. 

 

Course Schedule
The course schedule will be available in September. 

 

Online Format:

This class is taught completely online.  No class meetings are required.  My goal is to help all students to be successful. 

 

 

Required Computer Skills and Equipment:

You will need access to a computer with an Internet connection and Microsoft Office software.  You must be able to save your files in a .doc, .docx or .rtf format.  It is more convenient to have your own computer with Internet connection at home; however open computer labs are available on campus.  Required computer skills include: basic keyboarding, accessing the Internet, searching the Internet for information, uploading documents, sending e-mails with attachments, creating word documents, and using cut and paste.  You must also be able to work independently, be self-motivated and ask questions if needed. 

If you do not have Microsoft Word, you can download Open Office Writer for free at:

http://www.openoffice.org/

Using Open Office Writer, save your document as Microsoft Office XP with .doc as the format. 

Are you ready for online learning?  Take this free assessment to find out if you have the skills to be successful:

 

Click here to take the E-Learning Quiz.

 

How to be Successful in an Online Course

  Enroll in the course and complete the online orientation which will be available beginning February 22, 2010.  Please complete the orientation during the first week of class. 

Contact the instructor if you have any questions, especially in the first week.

Familiarize yourself with Blackboard. . 

Click on each button on the home page to find out how the course works.

Set a time to work on your online classes and work steadily to complete some work each week.  Don't wait until the last minute to get started.  Assignments are due before 11:55 pm on Sunday of each week. 

Balance freedom and responsibility.  You are free to work on the course on your own schedule.  You are responsible for your own learning. 

Having basic computer skills and access to a computer

 

How to Log into Blackboard

 

The course is taught with Blackboard, a popular course management system used in many college courses.  You will be added to Blackboard by the first day of class, September 20, 2010.  You cannot log in until the first day of class.  When you register in my section of PDC 124, you are automatically downloaded into my course and a Blackboard account is created for you. 

If you cannot log in, send me an e-mail at marsha.fralick@gcccd.edu.   Include the phrase "online class" in your subject heading so that I do not confuse your e-mail with junk e-mail. 

 

 

After the instructor has added you to Blackboard, you can find your account by going to the college web site: www.cuyamaca.edu

 

·         Under the title, “Online Services”, click on Blackboard

·         Click on User Login

·         Bookmark this site by adding it to your favorite sites 

·         Your Username is your firstname.lastname in lowercase with no spaces

·         For example, Joe Smith would have a Username of joe.smith

·         Your password is your birth date in 6 digits.

·         For example, if Joe Smith were born on January 1, 1990, his password would be 010190

.       When you arrive at the Welcome page, look for the box that says "My Courses" and click on PDC 124


If you have an older Blackboard account, your login and password have been changed to the above described format.  

 

  

Technical Support

 

For assistance with Blackboard, you may call the Student Help Desk at 619-660-4395. The Student Help Desk is open:
               Monday 8-5
               TTH 7 am-7:30 pm
               WF 7 am-5 pm
               Sat 7 am-3 pm
 

College Success Web Site:

The College Success Web Site is used to supplement class materials and to do research on careers.  It is located at http://www.collegesuccess1.com   

 

Assignments

 

There are four types of assignments for each chapter: 

1.  Online discussions

2.  Interactive exercises, quizzes and journal writings in CollegeScope. 

3.  Short quizzes (10 questions).  You may use your online text for the quiz, but you have only 10 minutes to complete it.  You will need to read and study each chapter before you take the quiz in order to complete the quiz within the 10 minutes allowed. 

4.  Written assignments that help you to apply material learned in class. 

 

Since this is a short term class, one to two chapters in CollegeScope are completed each week.  All assignments for the week are due before Sunday at 11:55 p.m. You may turn in assignments up to 2 weeks late for 50% credit.  Please let me know if you have any extenuating circumstances that prevent you from getting your assignments in on time.  Contact me by email if you have any problems or questions.  The biggest reason for failure in an online class is procrastination.  It is important to get started early and work steadily toward completing the assignments for each chapter. 

 

Read Comments on Your Assignments

Click on the assignment to view my comments on your assignments. 

 

Grading

Access your grades at any time by logging into Blackboard and clicking on the My Grades button.  Grading is based on points received on assignments:

            A         900-1000

            B         800-899

            C         700-799

            D         600-699

            F         Below 600

Note that quiz grades are graded automatically and posted upon completion of the quiz.  For discussions and assignments, please allow time for me to grade them and post the grades. 
 

 

 

Grading Discussion Participation

 

 

 

Click on the discussion button on the home page of Blackboard to find your discussion question for the week.    

 

Your answers to discussion questions take the place of classroom discussion.  Students are required to answer the discussion questions that accompany each chapter in the text.  Note that the class has been divided into discussion groups so that you can engage in some meaningful discussion with other students who you will begin to know in the online class.  You will only be able to view the discussion questions for your assigned group.  You may earn a total of 15 points for the discussions consisting of 10 points for your discussion and 5 points for a meaningful response to the discussions of others. 

 

 

Sample Question:  I have been told that the drop out rate

in online classes is 50%!  That is way too high.  My goal is

to help all of you to be successful.  Let's beat the statistics in

this class. Remember in Chapter 1, I told you about my

freshman orientation in which the professor said to look to

the left and to the right and one student would not be here

next semester.  I decided that I would be the one to survive. 

Make that decision now that you are the survivor.  "How can

this class beat the 50% drop out rate for online classes?" 

Are there some motivational techniques in Chapter 1 that you

can use to be successful in this class?

 

Sample Answer for full 10 points: 

This class can beat the drop out rate of 50% by staying motivated throughout the semester.  There are numerous ways you can motivate yourself to higher achievement, not just in this class but in many areas of your life.  I am inspired to succeed by the "locus of control" idea of motivation. I know that I can find time to complete assignments on line because I am in control of my life. I have made time at my convenience for this study. I have chosen to take classes online because I prefer to work at home over the regular classroom setting. This format works for me because I am motivated to succeed because I owe it to myself. To be successful, you need to set goals and know what specifically you are trying to achieve.  With that in mind you can offer yourself some positive reinforcement such as if you study as you had intended, afterwards you can meet some friends or go for a walk.  Keeping motivated is easier if you can keep your distractions to a minimum.  Turn off the TV and keep your mind on your work.  If you become aware of your mind drifting or being distracted, pull yourself back to the task at hand.  Joining a study group or talking with friends about what you are studying in class can be helpful in reviewing course work as well as making new friends.  Using these techniques should cut the drop out rate of this class.  Any of you have more ideas on this topic?

 

Rationale:  This is a thorough and thoughtful answer and references several ideas in the text.  It also invites others to share ideas. 

 

Sample Answer for 8 points:

I also like the idea of each student making a point to set aside

a specific time for this class each week.  This time needs to be

set aside just as though you were attending a traditional class

on campus.  During this time that the student has set aside,

they should not answer the door or the phone just as though they

were in class on campus.  Make sure the television and radio are

all turned off.  They should also set up a 'study area' like chapter

one suggests so they do not have any external distractions. 

 

An idea of a way to make this work for anyone would be for the

student to set up their study time for two hours before their

favorite movie or television show.  Once they have completed

their studies for that study session, then they can reward

themselves by watching their show or going out to see a movie

that is in the theater that they have wanted to see.

 

Rational for grading:  This is a good answer, but not as

 complete as the first answer.  This answer focuses on only

one idea: setting up a time and place for study.   

 

Sample Answer for 6 points:

This class can beat that 50% drop out rate by staying focused. 

Like the book says find somewhere to study or do the

assigned work at where you know you will have less interruptions.

I am doing this at the computer desk.  Another way we can beat

this is to tell yourself the work is easy and just get it over with.  If

we put off doing the work we will start to complain and say the work

is too hard or we are too busy for this class.

 

Rationale for grading: This is a minimal answer that gets off

track at the end.  This answer connects to the previous discussion

but does not add any new ideas.

 

Sample Answer for 4 points:

This was a perfect chapter for me.  I am fully aware of my poor study habits, I just need to implement a better system.  Question #1- drop out

rate-  I love online classes, due to the independence it gives you, the problem is that you have to have discipline.  You get to work on your own time, but you better make that time.  If you are a self-starter and have discipline, you will do fine with an online class.

 

Rationale for grading:  I wonder if this student even read the chapter.  No reference is made to concepts presented in the text. 

 

Sample Answer for 2 points:

First everyone can be sure not to drop out. As classmates we

should encourage each other to his or her best. When you see

someone slipping, help them up. Our efforts (if positive) can

motivate a fellow classmate to keep pushing.

 

Rationale for grading:  I like the idea of being supportive. 

Again the answer is minimal and I wonder if this student read

the chapter.  Remember that your answer substitutes for

attending class for about 3 hours. 

 

Sample Answer for 1 point:

I think that the drop out rate is so high because the

online classes system is too complicated for most people.

I barley get it and if it weren't for my gf I would have dropped too.

 

Rationale for grading:  I’m giving this student one point for at

least attempting to participate, but the discussion question is

not answered.   It is highly doubtful that this student read the text. 

 

Discussion responses:  You may receive up to 5 points for responding to the postings of others.  These common responses earn only one point.

 

               I agree with you.

               Good discussion.

              

Student Learning Outcomes

 

Motivation

Personality

Learning Style and Intelligence

Managing Time and Money

Memory and Reading

Test Taking

Taking Notes, Writing and Speaking

Interests and Values

Career and Education

Communication and Relationships

·  Describe how personality type affects communication style

·    Practice effective communication techniques

·    Discuss ways to improve relationships

·   Keys to Success: Explore ways deal in a positive way with failures and mistakes 

Critical and Creative Thinking

Keys to Success: Use humor to deal with difficulties in life

Health

Diversity

The Future