Welcome to SDV 100 and NOVA’s first online learning community of SDV 100 and BUS 100. What we have discovered about learning communities is that those involved feel a special connection to their classmates and to their instructors. One of the reasons for this is that the same students are enrolled in both courses and work together. One of our goals is to create a “community” where the students and instructors learn from each other. As you get to know each other better, you will feel a greater connection to the course and help each other remain motivated throughout the semester. Another exciting component to the learning community is that the success skills you learn in SDV 100 will apply directly to your BUS 100 course. You will find that quite a few of our activities will assist you directly with what you are doing in BUS 100.

In addition to reading the text we will view videos, review PowerPoint lessons, and communicate with each other in the discussion forums. You will begin with learning more about your study skills strengths and weaknesses. This will let you know in what areas you really need to focus. You will then discover your own learning style and how to study best based on your particular style. Other topics will include creating personal strategies to better manage your time, learning how to comprehend difficult reading content more easily, creating a note-taking format that works for you, knowing how to prepare for your exams and some career exploration.

If you do well in this course, you will be able to:

• apply techniques to your study habits which will help you to be successful in college.
• find the appropriate college resources for information you need.
• understand that you are ultimately responsible for your success in college.
• use several of the techniques for improving life skills.

The required textbook for this course is:

• Becoming a Master Student with Success Space Web Booklet, 12th Edition by Ellis, Cengage, 2009 . 
• Northern Virginia Community College Catalog (available on-line) 
• Northern Virginia Community College Student Handbook (available on-line) 

For information on how to order your textbooks, go to http://eli.nvcc.edu/books/

Additional Materials:

This course includes viewing of a series of video programs, which may be accessed in several ways.  For details, see the TV Schedule for details.

Grading is on a contractual basis where you determine the grade for which you will work.  You will notify me of your grade contract in your first assignment, the Introductory Letter. 

For a minimum "C" grade: complete #1-5 

For an average "B" grade: complete #1-6 

For a superior "A" grade: complete #1-7 

1. Introduction on Discussion Forum, Open E-mail Account
2. Discovery Wheel and Learning Style Inventory
3. Campus Exploration, Library Module, participation in Discussion Forum
4. Final Exam 
5. Discovery Wheel/Comparison/Course Evaluation
6. Project 
7. Second Project

There is 1 proctored exam in this course. You are expected to take your examinations at one of the NVCC campus Testing Centers. Be sure to allow enough time to complete your exam before the Testing Center closes; Testing Centers have specific policies relating to the administration of ELI exams. You will need to take a photo ID, your NovaConnect empl ID number, and the appropriate Exam Pass when you go to the Testing Center.  

For Testing Center locations, hours of operation and policies, click here.

For information on taking exams outside of the metropolitan area, click here.

I am here to help you succeed in this course. Occasionally questions or problems may arise. Here is how to contact me when they do:

E-mail : lojohnson@nvcc.edu
Telephone: (703) 323-3712

1. Use your web browser to connect to http://www.nvcc.edu/bbstart. Follow the directions to determine your email, Blackboard and VIVA account user names and passwords.
2. Access your email account and make sure you know how to use it; you will be required to use this account for all course-related email.
3. Log on to Blackboard at http://learn.vccs.edu.
4. Click on this course under "My Courses." Review the entire course to make sure you understand what will be required of you. Then start completing the assignments.

Please note that account generation takes approximately one week from the time of your paid registration. If you cannot log on after one week, contact the IT Help Desk. If you can log on to Blackboard, but your course isn't listed, please contact ELI or your instructor.