Course
Description
Reading
0303 - 3 credit hours
This
course is designed for students who read between 10.6 and
12.9
on a reading placement test. Critical reading and study skills
are
emphasized.
Prerequisite
Achievement
of a "C" or better in Reading 0302, score of 10.6 on
the entrance
exam, teacher
recommendation or equivalent. Please
make sure you meet this prerequisite.
Method
of Instruction
1.
Online lectures & presentations
2.
Collaborative learning & discussion with class members
3.
Application of effective reading & study skills
4.
Readings & quizzes
5.
Computer-assisted learning practice
6.
Access & use of on-line resources
7. This course may differ
in format and method from other
Internet courses.
As with courses taught on campus, each
instructor chooses materials and methods based
on their
personal
preferences and instructional style.
It
is important that you read ALL directions for each assignment
carefully and NOT assume that
they are the same as those in
other courses or by other instructors.
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Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student should be
able to demonstrate the following competencies on reading materials
written at the 11.0 - 12.9 grade level at minimum of 70% accuracy.
1. The student will be able to determine meanings of words and
phrases by using context clues and knowledge of word parts
* Using the context of a passage to determine the meaning
of words with multiple meanings
* Determining the meaning of unfamiliar and uncommon
words and phrases.
* Interpreting figurative expressions
2.The student will be able to understand the main idea and
supporting details
* Identifying explicit and implicit main ideas
* Recognizing ideas that Include identifying explicit
and implicit main ideas
* Recognizing ideas that support, illustrate, or elaborate
on the main idea of a passage
3. The student will be able to identify a writer's purpose, viewpoint,
and meaning
* Recognizing a writer's expressed or implied purpose for writing
* Evaluating appropriateness of written material for various
purposes or audiences
* Recognizing likely effect on an audience of a writer's choice of
words
* Using the content, word choice, and phrasing to determine a
writer's opinion or point of view
4. The student will be able to recognize common patterns of
organization and draw conclusions
* Identifying the sequence of events or steps
* Identifying cause effect relationships between ideas in
opposition
* Identifying solutions to problems, and draw conclusions
inductively and deductively from information stated or implied
in a passage
5. The student will be able to use critical reasoning skills to evaluate
reading materials:
* Evaluating the stated or implied assumptions on which
the validity of a writer's argument depends
* Judging the relevance or importance of facts, example,
or graphic data to a writer's argument
* Evaluating the logic of a writer's argument
* Evaluating the validity of analogies
* Distinguishing between fact and opinion
* Assessing the credibility or objectivity of the writer or
source of written material
6. The student will be able to organize textbook information
* Organizing and summarizing information for study purposes
* Following written instructions or directions.
7. The student will be able to interpret graphic illustrations
* Interpreting information presented in charts, graphs, maps,
or tables.
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Skills
Needed to Take this Online Course
To complete this course successfully
you must be
1.
Motivated to study, complete assignments, and submit them
without someone reminding you.
2.
Able to read assignments from the textbook, online reading lab
software, and the Internet.
3.
Able to write answers to questions related to study materials.
4.
Able to use a word processing program such as Microsoft
Word, WordPerfect, Microsoft Works, etc.
5.
Able to use an email program to send and receive email
messages and open attachments.
6.
Able to attach a word processing document to an email
message.
7.
Able to use Web sites to access course materials, gain
additional information, and take online exams.
8.
Able to access PowerPoint lectures and presentations
which are available online.
9.
Able to organize computer files, save them and retrieve
them as needed.
10.
Willing to interact with other students online to discuss
topics and complete lessons.
11.
Willing to ask the instructor and/or other students in the
class when you need help.
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Books,
Supplies, Software, Hardware, & Services Required
IMPORTANT - The Required Book MUST be EXACTLY as in "a" below:
a. "Bridging the Gap," (NEW & Shrink-Wrapped in Plastic)
- 9th. Edition
- WITH - Access Code Card for the online "MyReadingLab"
b. This book MUST be NEW!!!!!
- Do NOT buy a USED Book
- Do NOT buy a book with different specifications than in "a." above.
- Only CERTAIN NEW books have the FREE access code card to get
you into the Online "MyReading
," which is required course work.
- You will spend far more money if you DO NOT follow these directions.
d. When opening the plastic cover of your NEW "Bridging the Gap," Version 9,
workbook, carefully preserve the cards found inside your book.
e. Get your book as soon as possible! If you do not have your book by the Week #2
assignment, you will get behind in the class and quickly earn a low grade.
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Title:
Bridging the Gap, 9th edition
With MyReadingLab code
Author:
Brenda D. Smith, Ph.D.
Publisher:
Addison Wessley Longman |
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Software & Services
1. "My Reading Lab " Software:
This software is FREE with the purchase of a CERTAIN NEW "Bridging the Gap,"
workbooks.
2. Internet Service Provider(ISP):
High speed Internet, such as Roadrunner or DSL, will make
the possible to easily access the Blackboard course platform.
With a dial up Internet connection, such as Texas Net, Earthlink, etc.
you will be constantly frustration by waiting for each page to load.
Any Dial up system will be FAR TOO SLOW to be productive.
Some students have found that using the AOL Browser causes
problems! If you use AOL as your ISP, download Internet Explorer
Browser to use for the course. Ask me if you need help with this.
3. Word processing Program:
e.g., Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Microsoft
Works, etc. and know how to use it.
4. Use a Current Web Browser. It can be downloaded FREE.
The best Browser for this class is Microsoft Internet Explorer
6.0.2 or higher, from the Microsoft Corporation, which is FREE
from http://www.microsoft.com
Please use Internet Explorer as the browser for this class.
Many of the lessons I have prepared will present BETTER
in this WebBrowser.
5. When the semester begins, I will ask that you download and
install other FREE software.
Hardware
1.
You must have ready access to a reliable computer
including ONE of the following kinds of computer:
a. PC
or compatible computer with at least:
486 50 MHz
processor; current Windows
operating system; 32
MB RAM; 3.5 MB hard
disk space; CD ROM drive;16-bit sound card;
speakers;
microphone; 256 color monitor,
keyboard; mouse, and if you do not have a
high speed Internet connection, at least
a
56K modem.
b. Macintosh computer with at least:
33 MHz 680X0 processor; current operating
System, 32 6MB RAM;
3.5 MB hard
disk space;
CD ROM drive; 256 color monitor, keyboard;
mouse, and if you do not have a high speed
Internet connection, at least
a 56K modem; .
2. You should
have access to a reliable printer
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Grades
Grade
Categories & Percentage Weights
1.
Daily Grades ------------------------------------- 50%
(Includes attendance, participation,
daily
assignments, quizzes, and lab.
2.
Six Major & Mid-term Exams ------------- 25%
3.
Final Exam --------------------------------------- 25%
(You
MUST pass the final exa, in order to pass this course.
It is an exit competency.)
Grade
Scale
A = 90 -
100
B = 80 - 89
C = 70 - 79
D = 60 - 69
F
= 00 - 59
I = An "Incomplete" Grade Requires Permission
As stated in the San Antonio College Bulletin, “The grade of ‘I' is
assigned only when the student has a passing average on all
completed work, but for a justified reason (such as illness or
death in the family) has failed to take the final examination or
to complete other required work.
This ‘I' becomes an ‘F' in 120 calendar days unless certain
conditions are met. To resolve an ‘I,' the student must complete
the work within those 120 days after the end of the term in which
the ‘I' is issued. Re-enrollment in the course will not resolve the ‘I'.”
1.
You may inquire about the grades I have recorded for you at
any time. However you will be able to view most grades from
quizzes, daily work,and exams by clicking on "My Grades"
on the Course Tools menu in Blackboard
Grades for class discussions may be input manually into \
Blackboard and posted at a later date.
2.
You should record each grade on your personal grade sheet
at the time you receive your score for each assignment. I will
send you a copy of this grade sheet, in Blackboard email, after
the semester begins.
3.
I will email your grades and average to you at least four times
during the semester
and after the final exam.
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Six Major Exams, Mid-term Exam, & Final Exam
Six Major Exams
1. There will be six
major exams during the semester.
2.
Each exam will cover approximately two chapters each.
3.
These exams will be take on-line at your convenience at any
location you like.
5. Exams will be timed and you may NOT stop and restart an
exam.
6.
I will drop (throw away) the one (1) lowest of your six Major
Exam grades at the END of the semester.
Mid-term Exam
1.
The Mid-term Exam will cover skills from all chapters up
through the material for the exam. In other words, you
may be asked about information in any previous chapter.
3.
The Mid-term Exam may NOT be dropped.
Final Exam
1. The final exam is an exit competency test, which is a r
requirement for passing Reading 0303, and it must be
taken during the week scheduled for Final Exams.
2.
In order to pass the course, a student must pass the final
exam. This s a policy
of the Reading and Education
Department.
3.
The Final Exam may NOT be dropped.
Time-line & Values for Major & Mid-term Exams:
a. Exams taken during the week they are due
- Version "A"
- Five extra bonus points will be added (+5).
b. Exams taken one week or more late
- Version "B" (More difficult)
- No extra credit points will be given
c. There is no penalty for taking an exam early, so
plan ahead.
Mid-term and Final Exam Location Requirements
a. Exams may last from one to two hours.
b. You may take your exam on any computer connected
to the Internet.
c. Exams will be timed so be sure you have studied
WELL in order to finish in time.
d. You may NOT stop and restart an exam.
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Daily
Work & Attendance
Due
Dates
a. Each assignment should be submitted by 12:00
midnight on the date it is due.
b. Most assignments will be submitted electronically.
Refer to the Daily Assignments for specifics.
c. I will drop (throw away) your TWO lowest grades in
the category of "Daily Work." Lab
grades may NOT
be dropped.
Attendance
1.
Certain scheduled "class discussions" and "Daily
Assignment" submitted on time
will equal three
(3) attendance points each. Each week
there will be
an opportunity to earn nine
(9) attendance points or more.
Carefully read each Daily Assignments to see which
is for a grade and which is
for attendance points.
Earning
all of these attendance points, about 144
possible
for
the semester, which may be enough to make the
difference
in getting one letter grade higher on
your
Daily Grade category for the semester. This interaction
is an
important part of your grade.
2. IMPORTANT: Class attendance also will
be based on satisfactory
online interaction with assignments and with the class. If
you do
NOT fulfill
the requirement forclass attendance each week, you
may be dropped from the course after
the equivalent of six (6) hours
of absences which is equal to not submitting two weeks of online
assignments.
San Antonio College Attendance Policy - IMPORTANT |
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Effective Spring Term 2010, student absences will be recorded from
the first day the class meets. Regular and punctual attendance in all
classes and laboratories, day and evening, is required. Students who
are absent for any reason should always consult with their instructors.
Course syllabi must provide specific information regarding attendance,
including, for courses involving the internet, online activity that constitutes
“attendance.” Also, both tardiness and early departure from class may
be considered forms of absenteeism. In all cases, students will be held
responsible for completion of course requirements covered in their
absence. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to drop a course
for nonattendance.
Course instructors establish policy with regard to attendance in their
respective syllabi and may drop a student for excessive absences.
Absences are considered excessive when more than 12.5 percent of
the total contact hours of instruction in a semester, including lecture
and lab, are missed. For example, in a THREE-credit-hour lecture class,
students may be dropped after more than six contact hours of absences.
In a FOUR-credit-hour lecture/lab class, students may be dropped after
more than EIGHT contact hours of absences. Absences are counted
regardless of whether they occur consecutively. In special programs
with additional accreditation or certification standards, additional
attendance requirements may be enforced but faculty must clearly
explain these policies in their syllabi.
Students who stop attending class for any reason should contact the
instructor and the college registrar to officially withdraw from the class.
Students may be required to consult with an advisor or designee before
dropping. Failure to officially withdraw may result in a failing grade for
the course. It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw officially from a
class by submitting a completed Withdrawal Form to the Admissions and
Records Office
* San Antonio College policies The link loads very slowly.
This table shows the number of missed class meetings that make up 12.5% Absence:
Meeting pattern |
Absences equal to 12.5% |
| |
|
This Online Class |
|
| 1 week's work |
2 week's worth of work |
Regular Semester |
|
3 meetings/week |
6 |
| 2 meetings/week |
4 |
1 meeting/week |
2 |
Flex term, Summer 8-week |
|
4 meetings/week |
4 |
| 3 meetings/week |
3 |
2 meetings/week |
2 |
Summer 5/6 week term |
|
5 meetings/week |
3 |
4 meetings/week |
2.5 |
Maymester |
|
4 meetings/week |
1 |
Retention
Retention Statement
The faculty in the Reading & Education Department are committed
to your successful completion of our courses without lowering the
college's academic standards. As a department, we have set a goal
to increase the number of students who finish our courses with a
performance grade of (A, B, C, or D).
As faculty (and former college students) we are aware of the many
responsibilities (work, financial, family) that our students face while
pressured to balance all of these responsibilities simultaneously.
there may be something that can be done that would make the
difference in whether you complete my course.
If I am made aware of circumstances that impact your participation in
my class, I can be of assistance. Although the syllabus outlines
requirements and policies, I can be flexible if there are extenuating
circumstances. Please do not drop this course or stop responding to
my class without first contacting me. Dropping the course should be
your LAST step.
Be aware that dropping a course may impact your grade point average,
financial aid, and health insurance policies (some require you to be a
full time student (12 hours). You may be required to pay the tuition in
full to your employer if you are on a tuition reimbursement plan at work.
to you.
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NOTICE: This is REALLY IMPORTANT TO YOU!
If you are a FIRST-TIME STUDENT IN COLLEGE
this semester.
The 80th Texas Legislature in the 2007 Legislative
session passed SB1231 that limits the number of
classes students can drop throughout their entire
undergraduate career to six (6). Click on the link
below for complete information:
http://alamo.edu/sac/admrec/drops.htm
I am here to help you, but you must be willing to help yourself. Do not
wait until the end of the semester to ask for advice. When you
successfully complete this course, I too, have been successful as
your instructor!
Extra
Credit
Occasional
Extra Credit Points
1.
There will be many extra credit opportunities during the
semester. Be watching for announcements in your weekly
assignment details.
2.
These extra credit points will be added to your "Daily Work"
total
points.
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Reading
Lab Requirements
Online Lab
1.
When you purchase your book for this class, be sure it is NEW and
EXACTLY AS SPECIFIED ABOVE, in order to get the free
access code card for "My Reading Lab" that is accessed through another
web site.
NOTICE: USED books and books with OTHER specifications DO NOT
have this essential "MyReadingLab" Online Lab Access Code Card!
WITHOUT this ESSENTIAL software, you will be UNLIKELY TO PASS THIS
CLASS.
2.
The16 lab units relate to chapters in the"Bridging the Gap"
workbook
and introduce skills and strategies which are emphasized in the text
and in Daily Assignments. The
online software may help generate
interest in the the chapter lessons and help you acquire
a better
understanding of the skills.
3. Click here to
read the Complete MyReadingLab, Online Lab directions.
Academic
Dishonesty Policy
See "Student Code of Conduct" in
the SAC Bulletin. Return
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1. Reading 0303 online students are expected
to practice
scholastic honesty.
2.
Students may be subject to disciplinary proceedings
resulting in an academic penalty or disciplinary penalty for
academic dishonesty.
Read
the following information carefully and refer to the Web site below which
discusses plagiarism.
http://newark.rutgers.edu/~ehrlich/plagiarism598.html
The
following are other kinds of plagiarism which may be tempting to do on
the Internet. It
may be easier to plagiarize when using the Internet, but the
Internet makes it easier
to detect acts of plagiarism. DO
NOT take the risk!!
If you are not sure whether what you plan to do is plagiarism,
contact me
before you continue with your plans. SAC professors have
access to an
online program called "Turn-it-In," which is a plagiarism detection program.
1.
A person may plagiarize intentionally or unintentionally.
2.
Academic dishonesty may range from failure to use proper
citations to blatant cheating.
3.
All Reading 0303 assignments must be completed independently
unless you have been specifically assigned to collaborate with
4.
Using a "free term paper" web site to write the paper you
submit.
5. Copying from another Web site without including quotation
marks
or appropriate citations.
6. Purchasing a paper from a research service or term paper producer.
7. Turning
in another person's work as your own
8.
Copying a paper from a source text without proper acknowledgment.
9.
Copying materials from a source, supplying proper documentation,
but leaving out quotation marks.
10.
Paraphrasing materials from a source text without appropriate
documentation.
(References
from: Stephen Wilhoit, in "Helping Students Avoid
Plagiarism") (College Teaching, Fall 1994)
Policy
Regarding Children on the SAC Campus
If you come on campus you
should be aware of the policy regarding
children which
was designed to avoid academic disruption and to
protect children.
1. If you come on campus, you should not bring children into
campus
labs or classrooms.
2.
San Antonio College Policy states that, children should not
be left unattended at any location on campus.
Cell
Phones & Pagers in Labs Return
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If you come on campus to usa a lab, you should be aware of the policies.
1. Cell phones and pagers must be turned OFF in ALL testing and
practice
labs.
2.
Documented failure to adhere to this policy could result in you
losing the privilege of
using these facilities.
Student
Code of Conduct
1.
Students must also abide by the policies, procedures, and rules
set forth in the "Student
Code of Conduct."
2.
See the "San Antonio College Bulletin" for the full text of
the "Student
Code."
3. You are expected to use good online behavior known as
"netiquet." in this class and observe,
Special
Problems Return
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1. Special Problems
I realize that special problems may arise during the semester. If you
have a problem that
you would
like to discuss with me, please contact
me by private e-mail or ask and
we will arrange a time
to meet on
campus.
Please do not use public class interaction time for discussion
of things that do not apply
to others enrolled in the class.
Principle of Equal Opportunity & ADA for Students Requiring
Special Accommodations
San
Antonio College does not discriminate on the basis of race,
religion,
color, national origin,
sex, age, or disability with respect to
access,
employment programs, or services. Inquiries
or complaints
concerning
these matters should be brought to the attention of:
Director
Employee Services, Title IX Coordinator, at 201 West Sheridan,
Building
A, San Antonio, Texas 78204.
Regarding
Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of
1973
and the Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA) of 1990, if
accommodation is needed, students must make the request
through the Office of Disabled Student Services, CAC room 123C.
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San Antonio College - Status Regarding Closure
The Campus Status phone line is (210) 485-0189. As to the public media,
such as radio and television, they will all be informed in the event San
Antonio College is closed due to weather or other causes.
The San Antonio College Main Web Page will also provide information
if the
College is closed. http://alamo.edu/sac/sacmain/sac.htm
If you were reading this Syllabus as part of the Course,
Orientation CLICK TO RETURN TO THE ORIENTATION.
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For
questions or comments: cwolf10@alamo.edu
or 210-486-0038
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Copyright
2002 © Rights to all pages and materials in this site are reserved
by Dr. Charlotte Wolf, San Antonio College. |
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