COL 103 College Skills
Developmental Studies
Semester:
Catalog Course Description: This course may include selected topics as career planning, study skills, stress management, tutoring, group guidance and other subjects to facilitate student success. It focuses on listening skills, note-taking strategies, time management, textbook mastery, memory techniques and test taking strategies, and research skills.
Prerequisite(s): None
Credit Hours: 3
Departmental Website: http://midlandstech.edu/dvs
WebCT Login Page: http://courses6.midlandstech.edu
Instructor:
Office: [Adjuncts may delete this]
Telephone: Office: [Adjuncts may delete this]
Departmental Assistant: Ms. Sandra Smith (smiths@midlandstech.edu)
Department Chair: Darlene Anderson (andersond@midlandstech.edu)
FAX: 738-7857
E-mail:
Campus Mailbox:
Personal Website: [Delete if none]
Class Schedule: [Section number, Day, Time, Place]
Office Hours: [Adjuncts may delete this]
Textbook(s): Essential Study Skills by Linda Wong
Pocket Keys for Writers, 2nd edition, by Ann Raimes (optional)
Public Speaking Study Card, Pearson Education Publishers (optional)
$10.00 print card from the Academic Skills Center
Additional Textbooks/Readings: There may be additional readings assigned in this course.
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:
1. Take responsibility for their college learning experiences and set realistic goals for college success.
2. Use individual learning styles and critical thinking strategies to learn in new and creative ways.
3. Use Midlands Technical College's campus services, resources, and publications as needed.
4. Use organizational and time management methods.
5. Understand learning and memory processes and utilize these principles for this course and other academic learning.
6. Analyze learning tasks and select strategies appropriate for the needs of any course.
7. Analyze the thinking and learning strategies necessary to prepare for and take tests and final exams.
8. Utilize active listening and note-taking techniques appropriate for the college classroom.
9. Follow the steps involved in research and effectively utilize library resources.
10. Utilize technology to enhance learning.
Course Outcomes and Competencies:
Intended Course Outcome: #1 Students will exhibit knowledge of learning tasks and strategies appropriate for the needs of courses.
Course Competency: Students will submit effective textbook notes from another discipline.
Measurement Instrument and Success Criteria: Students will meet this competency by scoring at least .75 on a standardized rubric (with scoring levels of 0, 25, .50, .75, and 1).
Course Attendance: The quality of your learning experience in this class is determined by your active participation in the learning process. Therefore, it is important that you make every effort to attend every class. Students are expected to attend all classes and are responsible for class work, homework, lecture notes, reading assignments, etc., whether or not you are present.
You are expected to attend all classes; there are not excused absences. You are responsible for all in-class work and assignments, even if you miss a class.
If you have extenuating circumstances, such as illness, you are allowed a certain number of absences, depending on the length of the term and the number of times the course meets per week:
· 14 week term- 6 absences if the class meets 3 times a week, 4 if it meets twice
· 10 or 12 week terms- 3 for 3 times a week, 2 for 2 times a week
· 7 or 5 week terms- 2 absences
· If you exceed the number of absences you will be withdrawn from the course.
You are considered tardy if you miss up to 10 minutes of any portion of the class. You will be counted absent if you miss more than 10 minutes of any portion of the class. 3 tardies equal 1 absence.
If you arrive in class after your instructor has taken role and marked you absent, it is your responsibility, at the end of that class meeting, to request that the absence be changed to a tardy. The instructor will not change the roll at a later date. Instructors are not obligated to repeat information or allow students to make up missed work.
If you have questions about whether the college will close during inclement weather, check the MTC web site (www.midlandstech.edu), WIS-TV, and/or call the school (803-738-8324) for information. It is possible that the college will close or reopen in the middle of a regular class time; if this occurs, and there will be at least 30 minutes of class time remaining, that class will meet as usual.
Students who are absent from class are responsible for assignments that were given during class. In addition, students who are absent when a test is given must make up that test upon return to school with an automatic 10% deduction from their test score. No makeup tests are allowed after one week from the original test date. Only one make up test will be permitted.
***Please note the following: You are responsible for all material and announcements presented, whether you are present or absent. ***
Withdrawal: Should the maximum allowable absences be exceeded prior to midterm, a "W" will be submitted to the registrar to be recorded on the student's transcript. Should the maximum allowable absences be exceeded after midterm, a "W" will be submitted to the registrar if the student was passing the course at the time of withdrawal OR a "WF" will be submitted if the student was failing the course at the time of withdrawal.
Course Requirements
Textbooks/Course Materials Textbooks/Course Materials:
Essential Study Skills, 6th edition, by Linda Wong
Pocket Keys for Writers, 2nd edition, by Ann Raimes (optional)
Public Speaking Study Card, Pearson Education Publishers (optional)
2. A three ring notebook with dividers
3. A highlighter/marker pen, small stapler, a hole punch, .05 mechanical or # 2 pencil
4. Protector for research assignment
5. MTC student or planning book showing all months of the semester
Grading Scale:
GRADING SCALE AND ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS
A = 94 -
100 B = 85 -
93 C = 75 -
84 D = 70 -
74 F = 69 and
below W= Withdrawal
WF=Withdrawal
after midterm with failing grade on the last day attended
Your grade will be
calculated as follows:
Homework and
Classwork
30%
Note taking Unit/Outside note taking project
20%
Research
10%
Tests 40%
Additional grading and academic requirements:
A. Incompletes are only awarded under extenuating circumstances, such as hospitalization, and require the permission of the instructor. All requests must be properly documented. Normally, the course work must be completed no later than the end of the following term.
B. The instructor is not required to permit makeup work after the fact and may assign a grade of “0”. Submitting makeup work for grades may be permitted at the discretion of the instructor provided you make arrangements with your instructor prior to the due date of the assignment in question.
C. You are responsible for making sure all work reaches the instructor. All assignments should be submitted directly to the instructor; if assignments are submitted in any other way, they must be clearly labeled with the instructor’s name.
Special Procedures: None
Field Trips: None
Classroom Rules/Other: Mastering skills requires regular attendance in class, consistent study of text material and class notes, and preparation of homework assignments. Students are expected to be prepared for and participate in every class meeting. Students are expected to have all assignments completed by the due date.
You are in college. You will be treated and respected as an adult. It is a violation of the MTC Student Code to interfere with the learning process in the classroom. Courteous, attentive behavior is expected at all times. Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated. Students engaged in such behavior will be dismissed from class and subject to disciplinary procedures.
It is expected that all beepers and cellular telephones will be turned off or set to the silent mode during class. You may not receive or place telephone calls during class.
No I-pods, MP3 players, etc will be permitted in class. A laptop computer is allowed only if the student uses it to take notes during class.
Be on time! It is inconsiderate to your classmates and disruptive to the class to arrive late. Students are expected to be in their seats ready to start at the beginning of the class. Leaving during class should only be in case of an emergency. If you must leave early, please let the instructor know ahead of time.
Course Topic Outline/Course Calendar with Assignments:
COURSE OUTLINE:
COURSE OUTLINE
· COL 103 will cover chapters 1,2,3,4,5, 9 and 10. All remaining are at the discretion of the individual instructor.
COL 103 - AGENDA
Week 1 Orientation to the Course
Ch. 1, Discovering and Using
Your Learning Styles
Chapter 1 Profile
Week 2 Ch. 1, cont.
Week 3 Ch. 2, Processing Information into Your Memory System
Week 4 Ch. 2, cont.
Test Ch. 1 & 2
Week 5 Ch.3 -,Memory Principles
The above chapter time frames my vary, so adjust to your individual needs.
Week 6 Ch. 4, Becoming a Time Manager and a Goal Setter
Week 7 Mid-Term - Assessment
Ch. 5 Developing Self-Management Skills
Mid-Term Date______________
Week 8 Test Ch. 3,45
Week 9 Ch 9 Developing Test Taking Skills
Pre test
Practice Lecture:
Review Notes
Post test
Week 10 Ch. Test Ch.9
Week 11 Chp. 10 Listening and Taking Lecture Notes
Pre test
Practice Lecture: _____________
Review Notes
Post test
The Research Process
Pocket Keys for Writers,
Parts 2,3,4
Outside note-taking project assigned
Week 12 Practice Lecture:
Pre test
Practice Lecture:
Review Notes
Post test Quiz
Research Project Assigned
Project Due: ___________
Ch. ______________
Outside notetaking project due
Week 13 Note Taking Post Assessment
Pre test
Practice Lecture: _____________
Review Notes
Post test
Week 14 Test Ch.10
Final Exam: _____________________________
PLEASE NOTE: Should change become necessary, the instructor reserves the right to adjust the requirements, pace, or scheduling of this course. Any change will be announced in class before it becomes effective.
College Policies
Students are expected to read the student handbook and abide by its policies. Copies of the
handbook may be obtained at various locations on campus and is located on the web: http://www.midlandstech.edu/planner/
Academic Dishonesty: The Student Code addresses what constitutes academic dishonesty. All forms of dishonesty including, but not limited to, cheating on tests, plagiarism, collusion and falsification, will call for discipline.
CHEATING ON TESTS includes:
§ Copying from another student’s paper.
§ Using materials during a test not authorized by the person giving the test.
§ Collaborating with any other person during a test without permission.
§ Knowingly obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting, or soliciting in whole or part the contents of any un-administered test.
§ Bribing any other person to obtain information about tests.
§ Substituting for another student, or permitting another student to substitute for oneself.
PLAGIARISM is the appropriation of any other person’s work and unacknowledged
incorporation of that work in one’s own work offered for credit.
Campus Emergency Protocol: Students and employees are asked to report safety concerns or suspicious activities to Campus Security at 7199 (on campus) or 738-7199 (cell phone or off campus). In the event of an emergency, employees and/or students should immediately call Campus Security or local 911. If an emergency occurs, the college will use a variety of methods to communicate additional information and instructions including the MTC Information Centers, campus loud speakers, MTC Alerts! (http://www.midlandstech.edu/Phone_Alert.
htm),voice mail, email, college Intranet, and the MTC website homepage.
Inclement Weather Policy: In the event weather conditions or other emergencies cause the closing or a delayed start of Midlands Technical College, announcements will be made over local radio and TV stations, on the MTC Web site, and on the college’s information line (803-738-8234). Notices will be sent to students via Campus Cruiser Mail when applicable. Separate announcements may be made for day and evening classes as weather conditions change during the day.
If the college closing or reopening means that there is at least 30 minutes of a class remaining, plan to attend that class. For example, if the college opens at 10:00 a.m. in TTH, classes that normally meet at 8:00 a.m. will not meet, but classes beginning at 9:30 a.m.will meet. If the college closes at 8:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. classes will meet for their regular time, but 7:35 p.m. classes will not meet since there are fewer than 30 minutes remaining in class.
Student E-Mail Accounts: All MTC students are assigned a college e-mail account upon admission to the college. This account is called “Campus Cruiser Mail.” Campus Cruiser Mail is the primary mode by which the college communicates with students. Students are responsible for checking their college e-mail on a regular basis for important information and announcements about registration, financial aid, cancelled classes, emergency announcements and other notices. Students can use their college e-mail accounts to communicate with faculty, staff, fellow students, and others, in support of their educational pursuits. In addition to e-mail, students will also have access to maintaining personal calendars and “tasks lists” through their Campus Cruiser e-mail account.
Student Evaluation of Instruction: Students have the opportunity to evaluate this course. The confidential evaluation process is conducted through MTC Online using the individual student’s username and password. Announcements will be made during the term concerning how and when to complete the online evaluation. Students are encouraged to participate in this process.
Students Requiring Special Accommodations: If special accommodations are needed for a student with a disability, the student should go to Counseling Services on Beltline or Airport Campus for assistance. Documentation regarding a specific disability is required in order for special arrangements to be made. Confidentiality of information received will be maintained.