COURSE GUIDE
FOR STD 100 ORIENTATION - Section 91
Julia
Brown, Instructor
This guide explains week-by-week the assignments that are required to complete this course. If you have not read theSyllabus, you should do so first. The Syllabus contains important information about the textbook, grading, add/drop and withdrawal dates, and other Extended Learning Institute (ELI) policies and procedures.
The following is a site map of this Course Guide's
assignments. You should plan to schedule your work on a weekly basis.
Use the BACK
button on your toolbar to return to this location, or simply scroll up/down
the page to view information.
"Every man is the architect of his own fortune."
ENGLISH PROVERB
OPEN: Your Northern Virginia Community College (NVCC) E- Mail Account
By enrolling in an NVCC course you
have access to an NVCC e-mail account and space for a web page. Click
here to begin to access your e-mail and
your personal web space on NVCC's LAN (Local Area Network).
(Be sure to use your BACK
button to return to this page.)
You will be expected to use your NVCC student e-mail during this course and to check it from time-to-time for updated information, feedback from instructor and other announcements.
SEND: An e-mail message to me, jubrown@nvcc.edu, to verify that your account is open.
VIEW: Video "Course Overview - What's In It For
You"
You must view this program before
you complete any further assignments. Plan to view this video on cable
or in the campus LRC as soon as possible. See the information
about videotapes in the Syllabus.
Directions
The author of your text does a great
job on the videotapes of introducing the course and describing several
of the important topics. By watching these videotapes you can better
understand how to put the ideas to work for you. The Syllabus has
some general information about the videos and you should have received
a broadcast schedule with your Quick-Start Syllabus.
Decide whether you will watch the videotapes as they are broadcast, record them for later use, or view them in the LRC. As the broadcast schedule may change from semester to semester, if you need to view a tape in a succeeding semester, either check the ELI section in the Schedule of Classes or call ELI for the updated schedule. Each tape is approximately 25 minutes.
Grading
Include a summary of the "Course Overview"
video in the Introductory Letter. A satisfactory grade will be given if
the summary is complete.
Read Text: Introduction, pp. 1-5.
Complete: Exercises in Introduction
Submit: Introductory Letter by NVCC’s student voice-mail
Directions:
The purpose of this letter is to introduce
yourself so that your instructor can get to know you individually. Also,
this will introduce you to ELI's student voice-mail
system, which is used in all courses. In
order for you to become familiar with ELI’s voice mail system, all students
are to use voice mail for the introductory letter unless unable to do so.
Exceptions include incarceration, being out of the country, not having
a touch phone, or physical problem that makes conventional phones unusable.
If you qualify for an exception, you may either use e-mail or you may mail
your introductory letter to ELI. Refer to the Voice Mail Directions
you received with your Quick-Start Syllabus for dial-in directions.
Please follow these instructions for submitting
your introductory voice-mail letter:
1. Make a rough draft of your letter on paper being sure to include
all 6 items in the box that follows.
2. Choose a quiet time to make your phone call when background noises
will be at a minimum.
3. Call your instructor's voice mail box, (703-323-3713, box 0808).
State your name, (spelling the last name) and course number.
4. Read your letter over the phone. You will have 5 minutes to record
your letter. If you need more time, redial your instructor's number and
finish you letter. (Make sure you state your name the second time
too.) NOTE: Pausing for long periods of time may disconnect
the system. If this occurs, dial up a second time and begin where
you left off, or delete what you have recorded and begin again.
5. You will know your instructor has received the assignment when
you receive feedback with a grade in your ELI student voice-mail box. (Again,
refer to the ELI Voice Mail Directions to open your Voice Mail Box.)
If you use e-mail, your confirmation will be by e-mail. If you mail in
your introductory letter, you will receive written confirmation.
6. Keep a record, including dates of all transactions, for all assignments
in your course guide.
7. If your voice-mail introductory letter is unclear or incomplete,
you will be asked to redo it.
| Items to include in your
letter besides your name and your Voice Mail Box number:
2. The level of commitment (Exercise #2 in the text) you chose. 3. The grade for which you are contracting. (see the SYLLABUS) 4. A short summary, including your impressions of the videotape, "Course Overview." 5. A statement about yourself that will help your instructor remember you from among the many other students in the course. (The statement should focus on what is unique about you.) 6. The best time and phone number for your instructor to reach you or if you prefer e-mail messages. |
E-mailed Introductory Letter
- If you must type your letter due to one of the exceptions listed above,
follow instructions exactly including all 6 items in the box. Please
include the reason you cannot do the letter on the telephone; then mail
your letter to the instructor.
Grading
There are no right or wrong answers
for these questions. You will receive full credit when you submit
a letter. (S) Satisfactory or (U) Unsatisfactory.
Remember to keep a copy of everything you send. Also, wait at least 2 weeks before calling to see if your assignment has been received.
"For they conquer who believe they can."
VIRGIL
Read Text: Chapter 1, First Step
Complete: All written work in Chapter 1
Directions
As your text explains, the more actively
involved with it you become, the more you will accomplish. Some of the
techniques described will work for you, some won't. But without trying
them you won't know which is which.
Read each assigned chapter and complete the corresponding exercises. There are two basic kinds of activities; one, the exercises, is identified by a tennis shoe. The other, the journal entry, is identified by a pencil in the shape of a figure eight. The exercises will give you the techniques needed to become a successful student, while the journal entries help you internalize what it is you gained from the exercises. BOTH ARE IMPORTANT.
The power processes, usually at the end of the chapter, are techniques that can be applied not only to your role as a student, but also to most every role in life. They are not pencil and paper techniques, but more "state of mind" techniques. Try them out.
Submit: Discovery Wheel, Learning Style Inventory, and Journal Entries 5, 6, and 7
Directions
The purpose of these activities is
to give you a starting point from which to work in this course. The Discovery
Wheel will allow you to systematically assess your study and related skills
and identify which approaches to learning are best for you.
The Discovery Wheel is Exercise #5
in your text. You have two options for completing the wheel.
(1) you may complete the wheel in
your text, make a copy of it and a copy of your
Journal Entry #5 (on separate paper), and Journal Entry #6. It is important
to send a copy because you will need your wheel for comparison at the end
of the course, OR
(2) you may complete the
wheel online, capture a picture of it by following the directions at
the end of the online exercise, complete the journal entries as word processing
documents and send them all as attachments via email. Be sure to
print out a copy of the wheel for you to keep for future reference.
The directions for doing all of this
online may be confusing. As you come to the end of the wheel exercise,
there are directions for printing your wheel. When you are in the
program to print your wheel, (example, Paint) use the File menu to "Save
As". Call it ______'s Discovery Wheel using your name in the blank.
Complete the journal entries as word processing documents and save them
as a Word Perfect 5.1 for DOS file called _______'s (your name) Journal
Entries.
Go to your email account and address a message to your instructor.
Add the two attachments (Discovery Wheel and Journal Entries) in the body
of your message and send it.
The Learning Style Inventory begins on p. 22. Take the LSI and mail it along with Journal Entry #7 on p. LSI-7. At this time the inventory is not available online. Attach a cover sheet, a self-addressed envelope, and mail as described previously.
Grading
You will be graded on the completeness of the Discovery
Wheel and the Journal Entries. Full credit (S) will be awarded if
satisfactory.
View: "Be Here Now" - Power Process #2
Complete:
Video
Report Form
Directions
View the videotape, as it is broadcast,
or record it for future viewing. The cable broadcast begins with "Overview"
during Week 1 of the new semester and continues through Week 7. Broadcast
will then begin again with "Overview" and will repeat the sequence. You
may also view the videotape in the campus LRCs. Taking notes is recommended,
as the final exam will contain questions pertaining to the videos.
After viewing each videotape, fill out the Video Report Form. Do not submit the form until all 6 videotapes have been viewed and critiqued. The Video Report Form should be submitted no later than Week 14.
Grading
Grade will be Satisfactory (S) or
Unsatisfactory (U). Critiques of 6 videotapes are needed for (S).
S grade is required for the B or A contract.
TIME
MANAGEMENT
WEEK 3
"Dost thou love life, then do not squander time,
for that's the stuff life is made of."
Benjamin Franklin
Read: Chapter 2, Time
Complete: All written work in Chapter 2
View: "Time Management"
Complete: Video Report Form
See directions for viewing videos in Week 2
Assignment: Participation in Student Study Skills Discussion Forum
Directions:
By Week 9, all students are required to participate
in a Study Skills
Discussion. For this assignment, you will need to have access
to the ELI Computer Conferencing: How to Use Allaire Forums directions
that were sent to you with your Quick-Start Syllabus. (When you are at
the Discussion page, use the Back button
on your toolbar to return to this page.) If you still have questions after
reading the directions, call the ELI Hotline at (703) 323-3347 and ask for help
with Allaire Forums.
College students throughout history have been interested in techniques to improve their study, reading and writing skills. I've learned that students are one of the best resources we have for techniques that work for students. This is an opportunity to simulate an in-class experience of sharing and learning from one another through discussions. Topics include, but are not limited to: note taking, test preparation, test-taking, time management, how to get the most out of reading time, organization skills, how to succeed in distance learning, etc.
Additionally, we've provided an Announcements section. (When you are at the Announcements section, use the Back button on your toolbar to return to this page.) This thread will be used to provide students with current course information, college information updates and announce new links.
Both threads will be closed when all
students have completed the course, usually at the end of the semester.
I expect all students to have made their Study Skills comments by Week
9.
"The art of true memory is the art of attention."
Samuel Johnson
Read: Chapter 3, Memory
Complete: All written work in Chapter 3
View: "Stress Management"
Complete: Video Report Form
See directions
in Week 2.
"...in every free moment I had, if I was not reading
in the library, I was reading on my bunk... An English writer telephoned
me from London, asking questions. One was, `What's your alma mater?' I
told him, Books!"
Malcolm X
Read: Chapter 4, Reading
Complete: All written work in Chapter 4
Plan: Project
If you are working for the `A' grade,
you should begin to plan your project. (See week 15)
You may submit your project earlier
than week 15, if desired.
View: "Love Your Problems"
Complete: Video Report
Form
"No one can make you feel inferior without your
consent."
Eleanor Roosevelt
Read: Chapter 5, Notes
Complete: All written work in Chapter 5
View: "I Create It All"
Complete: Video Report
Form
"You either change things or you don't.
Excuses rob you of power and induce apathy."
Agnes Whistling Elk
Read: Chapter 6, Test-Taking
Complete: All written work in Chapter 6
View: "Test-Taking Strategies"
Complete: Video Report Form
Fill out Video Report Form. Submit
only when all 6 videos are viewed and form entirely filled in.
"We don't see things as they are, we see things
as we are."
Anais Nin
Read: Chapter 7, Diversity
Complete: All written work in Chapter 7
Acquire: NOVA Catalog and Student Handbook. The Catalog is online or available at each campus Bookstore. The Student Handbook is online as well or available from any Counseling Office at the college.
Directions
The purpose of skimming both the College
Catalog and the Student Handbook is to gain awareness of all the resources
available at NVCC. Both booklets are valuable sources of information concerning
College policies and procedures. Most questions concerning the College
can be answered by information in one or the other.
Start with the College Catalog and skim through the Table of Contents. Find and skim the sections on:
"Every problem has a gift for you in its hands."
Richard Bach
Submit: Campus Visitation Form
The College offers many resources. The counseling office alone provides academic planning, career planning, resume writing advice, tutors, and transfer information. Many students go through their entire college career without ever entering the counseling office.
Other offices can provide a wealth of information about cooperative education, financial aid, etc. Making contact with a person on your home campus is especially important for ELI students who may not visit the campus very often. For these reasons, it is recommended that you go to your home campus to complete this activity. Be sure to read through all three (3) parts of this activity before your go to the campus so that you can schedule your time appropriately.
Directions
PART 1
Visit your home campus to learn about
the services provided students enrolled in courses at NVCC. Offices
you should visit are:
Admissions and Records
Counseling Center
Computer Labs
Writing Center
Learning Resource Center
Financial Aid
Student Activities
Your faculty advisor (If you are a degree-seeking student and have not
yet met that individual)
College Bookstore
Continuing Education
Review the NVCC College Catalog and Student Handbook for academic and general information as well as services offered by Student Services. Take particular note of the sections on Registration, Financial Aid, Academic Information and Graduation Requirements.
You may also want to visit NVCC's Home Page. Browse around the locate the information you want.
PART 2
Visit the Library Home Page. (If you are at home, you will have to initiate the "set up access from off-campus" to complete the Virtual Library Tutorial. Click on "set up access" and follow the directions.) Then take the Virtual Library Tutorial. There is an answer sheet that you will need to submit via e-mail or regular mail.
PART 3
Now download the Campus Visitation Questions and Answer sheet. E-mail your completed answer sheet to me at: jubrown@nvcc.edu
Grading
You will be graded on the completeness
and accuracy of the answer to your questions. Fill in all questions.
Full credit will be given for satisfactory completion. (S) Satisfactory,
(U) Unsatisfactory - Re-write.
REMINDER:
Be
sure to have submitted your contribution to the Study
Skills Discussion Forum this week.
Complete: All written work in Chapter 8
"I write to understand as much as to be understood."
Elie Wiesel
Read: Chapter 9, Writing
Complete: All written work in Chapter 9
Study: For Final Exam (Chapters 1-9, and Videos)
RELATIONSHIPS
WEEK 12
AND HEALTH
"Your attitudes can be the lock on, or the key
to your door of success."
Denis Waitley
Read: Chapters 10, Relationships & 11, Health
Complete: All written work in Chapters 10 & 11
Study: For Final Exam (Ch. 1-9 and Videos)
"The pen is the tongue of the mind."
Cervantes - Don Quixote
Complete: Final Exam
The ELI Policy and Procedures for examinations
is listed in the SYLLABUS and the following is a summary:
Prepare for Exam
Call Testing Lab for its hours
Take Photo ID and Exam Pass to Testing Lab
Take Exam
If you are outside metropolitan Washington, incarcerated or disabled, see the information and the Proctor Request form in the SYLLABUS.
Please do not let the exam stop you from completing the course. If you have great difficulty getting to a learning lab or are very concerned about taking exams, please call your instructor instead of giving up!
WHAT TO EXPECT: The Final Exam will cover the Introduction and Chapters 1-9, and the 7 videos. There will be several short answer questions and short essays. This exam requires you to remember specific information so study accordingly. Use chapter headings as study guides. YOU CANNOT USE YOUR TEXT OR NOTES TO HELP YOU. For additional information on the final exam, you may phone ELI's information voice mail and choose the box for final exam information -- 323-3713, choose option 2, choose mailbox #3201.
Allow at least 1-1/2 hours to complete the exam. Remember to take your exam pass.
Grading. Satisfactory completion is at least 70%.
NOTE: You must pass
the final exam to pass the course as stated in the syllabus.
"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get
run over if you just sit there."
Will Rogers
Submit: Video Report
Form
Directions
When you have finished the 6 videos,
enclose a self-addressed envelope and mail the Video Report Form as described
in Week 1. (Do not include Course Overview among these 6 as that video
was critiqued in your introductory voice mail letter.)
Grading
For satisfactory completion of "C" grade - 6 videos must be viewed.
For satisfactory completion of "B" and/or "A" grade - 6 videos must be reviewed and critiqued.
Grade will be (S) Satisfactory if chart
is accurate, neatly done, and complete.
"So much is a man worth as he esteems himself."
Francois Rabelais
Read: Chapter 12, What Next?
Complete: All written work in Chapter 12
Submit: Project (For grade A only)
Purpose
The purpose of this activity is to provide an opportunity for you to focus on a topic that will help you to become a master student. The projects below are suggestions. If you have something else you would particularly like to do, contact your instructor at nvbrowj@nvcc.edu
Directions
Choose ONE of the following projects, A through G. Some will require you to go to a campus or community resource in order to complete them. When you have completed your research, write at least a 2-page paper describing your experience.
A. Transfer to another school following NVCC: If you are planning to transfer to a 4-year college after attending NVCC, go to the counseling center and research the colleges which match your requirements. All have extensive libraries of college catalogs, transfer information and guides which will tell you exactly which courses transfer to which colleges. When you have identified two potential colleges, describe why they are appropriate for your needs. List the resources that you consulted. Resources are available for some colleges on the Internet. You may use either Internet technology or the counseling centers. Directions for exploring colleges on Internet are under Project B.
B. Explore College Catalogs on the Internet. Does IST 117 transfer to Va. Tech? Does Mason have a degree in Physical Therapy? What is the application deadline for Fall semester at Elon College? Explore the Internet and find the answers!!
You can explore college catalogs from community colleges, colleges and universities through the Internet. Many of Virginia's four-year institutions have their transfer guides on the Internet as well. Access any of the catalogs or transfer guides you wish following the directions listed below. Write two-page paper describing your experience using this new resource. Some topics that might be included are: visual appearance of catalog, ease of locating information you needed, transfer guide availability and ease of use, was the information obtained helpful (phone numbers listed, application deadlines printed), did they have on-line applications available, financial aid, etc. In other words, a thoughtful evaluation of this resource.
Some useful links to get you started on this project are:
Virginia state colleges' transfer guides
U. S. News and World Report's College Guide
C. Workshops - All the counseling centers offer periodic workshops dealing with a variety of study or life skills. Attend one of these workshops and critique your findings. Include name of workshop, instructor, number of participants, summary and your opinion of the class. What knowledge did you gain from the workshop? Would you recommend it to another student?
D. Videos: In addition to workshops, counseling centers have various tapes on study, life skills and careers. ("Where There's a Will There's an A" (the most popular video among former students), "Careers for the 21st Century" (AL), etc.) If you view a videotape, write a 2-page critique of same. A critique includes a one page summary of the video and one page of your opinion with detailed reasons for your like or dislike of the video.
E. Career Investigation -- Explore careers using option A (software on campus) or option B (Internet)
Option A - Using software on campus
Deciding on a possible career or career change often provides motivation and focus for college coursework. Make an appointment at your career counseling center and use one of the computer programs available to you. Most campuses have Virginia View, an interest inventory identifying possible careers which are common to this state. Sigi Plus and Discover are more in depth career interest inventories and are very user friendly. When you have printed out the material from your search, critique the information. (You may do this neatly on the printout.)
Option B - Using Internet
Using the Internet either with some of the addresses suggested or finding your own career exploration web site, explore a career in depth (salary, educational requirements, qualifications, future outlook, advantages, disadvantages, etc.) or obtain general information on resumes, interviewing techniques, networking hints. Print out your findings and critique information neatly on the printout. This summary/critique part is very important and to be very detailed on the printout.
Suggested sites:
For specific information on careers (job description, educational requirements, salaries, number of openings, and professional organizations) from a national perspective you might look at the Occupational Outlook Handbook written by the Department of Labor.
Virginia's Career Connect is a network designed to assist workers, students and individuals seeking employment with educational, employment and career related information.
Catapult is the web page of the National Association of Colleges and Employers that contains a listing of career and job-related sites.
Virginia View is a career information site for Virginians developed and maintained by Virginia Tech. It contains not only state but national information as well.
The Riley Guide is a site of employment opportunities and job resources on the Internet.
F. Community Resources: There are many resources in the community which may help you in your search toward becoming a master student. For example, local recreation centers, YMCAs and YWCAs, libraries and churches often have workshops or seminars on topics which may focus on your road to becoming successful. The Women's Reentry Center and Career Development Center for Women, Toastmasters and International Training in Communication (public speaking practice) are other possible sources. Find out what is available, participate, and describe your experience.
G. Netiquette Research - Choose this project if you would like to review on-line networking etiquette. If you do not know the rules, find them out before you start your surfing. Print out the rules and critique on the printout.
On-Line Networking Etiquette: Netiquette
The Basic Rule: Do not go boldly where you have never gone before!
1. Stop and learn the rules of netiquette
2. Look for a list of Frequently Asked Questions (the FAQ)
3. Listen patiently to the lists or newsgroups you have joined
Resources: Netiquette and On-Line Networking Information
The Net: User Guidelines and Netiquette by Arlene H. Rinaldi
Address contributed by Margaret Riley, "The Riley Guide"
Grading
Successful completion will be based
on the following criteria: clear writing style, grammatically correct,
neatly typed, adequate research, strong introduction and conclusion. (The
Writing Center on each campus can assist you if you need help on this assignment.)
Satisfactory (S). Unsatisfactory (U).
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as
if you were to live forever."
Gandhi
Submit: PART 1 - Discovery Wheel and Journal
Entry #63
PART 2 - Course Evaluation form
Part 1 is Exercise #43 on page 372 from your text. Be sure to answer all the questions and fill out the Discovery Wheel. Compare this wheel to your first Discovery Wheel. Using Journal Entry #63, explain what you learned, where changes were made, where some progress still needs to be made, etc. Send a copy of both the second wheel and your journal entry.
Part 2 is a Course Evaluation. Answer each question on the form which follows. In addition, make any suggestions which you think will improve the course. You do not need to use your name on the evaluation, as it will not be graded
Grading
This activity is required to pass
the course. Satisfactory completion will be awarded full credit.
Congratulations! You official
final grade will be sent to you by the College in a few weeks or you may
check NOVANET (703) 323-3770; for Prince William county (703) 330-3770.
You will find the new skills you have learned here very transferable to
home, work or further schooling. Best wishes for continued success!
Again, congratulations for a job well done.