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Welcome to College Success Studies!

CSS 225/CRN73390

Instructor: Rosemary Wrenn (she/her)

Contact information

Email Address: rosemary_wrenn@cuesta.edu

Phone Number: (805) 316-1538

Office Location/ Hours: Wednesdays 11am-12pm via Zoom: Online Meeting RoomLinks to an external site.

Instructor Contact Expectations: 

The best and fastest way to contact me is email between 6am and 8pm.  I will generally respond to your emails within 24 hours during weekdays only.  During busy times of the semester, the response time may increase to 48 hours.  On weekends, I will do my best to get back to you ASAP but I cannot guarantee an expeditious response. 

Course Environment:

This online course uses the Web-based Learning Management System Canvas as the method to disseminate information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including slide and video presentations, student data files, the tools to receive and send course materials, and a grade book. Using the communication tools, you can communicate using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.

  • This class will be delivered fully online with all activities and elements available to you asynchronously.
  • This is NOT a self-paced course. Modules will open each Monday morning at 12:01am. Most work is due the following Sunday at 11:59pm. 
  • Late work is not accepted. Assignments remain open for one week after the due date to allow for re-submissions. 
  • There will be weekly guest speakers at a time TBD on Zoom and you have the option to either join in at that time or to watch the recorded session later in the week. All students will have the opportunity to submit questions to the speakers prior to or during each recorded session. You will be responsible for learning the information each week, however, you have autonomy over when in the week you learn it.
  • I will also offer a totally optional ‘Online Study Hall’ where you can sign on via Zoom for music, collaboration and a bit of homework (you can work on any topic). This is a great way to build community and get to know your peers. Day and time of this component will be determined based on our class survey for availability
  • In addition to viewing lecture content, you will be expected to show your learning through assignments, observations, discussions, and projects.

Class opens / Accessing Canvas:

Prior to the Monday classes start you will receive an email to your my.Cuesta.edu address providing you with a reminder that class will be starting and log in procedures for Canvas, the learning management system (LMS) used to deliver course content. Access Canvas by logging into MyCuesta, then clicking on the Resources Tab, then clicking on Canvas in the Online Learning Channel, or by typing the Canvas address (https://cuesta.instructure.com/) into your browser address bar. Do not bookmark / favorite the canvas site after your login, or you will get an error message next time you try to log in. You must access the canvas log in directly.

If you are not familiar with logging into Canvas, please refer to the Canvas Quick Reference Guide.Once logged into Canvas you will be directed on where to get started. Be sure to read all the direction on the course home page.  

If you are having difficulty logging into Canvas after this course begins and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address: support@my.cuesta.edu

Online Learning: 

The Basics

In order to ensure you are ready for working in Canvas, before our first class meeting, you need to complete this Online Success Tutorial. It will take a few hours, but will give you a thorough introduction to getting through a course on Canvas. You will get a certificate at the end of the training that you will turn in as your first assignment in this class.

Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least 6-9 hours per week on coursework for this class, including viewing instructional videos and other content. This is about as much time as you would spend in a face to face course. Most of your time will be self-directed in order to complete the reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. All coursework (discussions, assignments, quizzes) is submitted online via Canvas.

Regular Effective Contact policy:

Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly synchronous class sessions, instructor-initiated threaded discussion forums; weekly announcements to students; timely and effective feedback on student assignments; email, phone or messaging to individuals; and virtual office hours. Students need to sign on to the course daily for announcements and assignment updates.

Course Description

College Success Studies integrates personal growth and values, academic study strategies, and critical and creative thinking proficiency. It focuses on life management, learning styles, personal and educational values, time management, instructor-student relations, maintaining health, memory and concentration, lecture note-taking, textbook studying, subject-specific studying, test taking, using the library, critical analysis, problem solving, and creative thinking. The emphasis is on attainment of life-long success in academic, professional and personal development.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply effective and specific study strategies to academic coursework.
  2. Identify and describe campus resources that will help students succeed.
  3. Utilize technology strategically to find and evaluate information and utilize research to set achievable academic, professional, and personal goals.

Texts and Materials

There are no textbooks to purchase for this course – all materials will be available through Canvas.

We will use many basic digital tools in this course. You will need access to and familiarity with 

  • Google Drive (We use this as a collaborative and assessment tool.)
    • Docs
    • Slides
    • Sheets
  • You will need access to:   
    • a device that includes a mic and a webcam for some assignments
    • a printer for some of the paperwork in this course. Please check each week's assignments carefully and plan ahead if you need to go somewhere to print - such as the Cuesta Library.  (I will do my best to avoid assignments that require this step, but there are some documents that are still hard copy.)
    • a scanner. There are many apps that are available for your phone - many are free to students. Check the app store for your phone. Practice using the app, so that you are not trying to figure things out at the last minute. 
  • Assignments in this course involve weekly reflections (written), some  slide shows and videos. These are most reasonably completed using a laptop or desktop computer. If you do not have access to a ‘chrome book’ or more advanced type of device, please contact me or the Cuesta College Library circulation@cuesta.edu to arrange to borrow one from the library.
  • Nice but not necessary:

 

DUE BY FIRST CLASS MEETING

  • Online Success Tutorial Complete this tutorial. Once the course is open you will need to upload a copy of the certificate.

Technical Support

Direct all technical support inquiries to  support@my.cuesta.edu. If you are having issues with Canvas, you should contact the Canvas Support Hotline at (877) 921-7680, or click on the help button on the Canvas Navigation to report a problem.

If you are having difficulty viewing the course or logging in, it may be because you are not using the correct url: https://cuesta.instructure.com/ or you are using your phone or using an unsupported browser.

The online learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specificationsLinks to an external site..

Accommodations

This course is designed using an accessible Learning Management System, and course materials have been created with ADA compliance in mind. If you have a disability and might need accommodations in this class such as extended time on exams or other resources. Please contact the instructor as soon as possible so that you can receive appropriate accommodations in a timely manner. You should also contact DSPS (Disabled Student Programs & Services)Links to an external site. at 805-546-3148.

Statement on Diversity and Inclusion

It is my intent that students from all diverse backgrounds and perspectives are welcome and well-served by this course; that students' learning needs be addressed both in and out of class; that all voices are heard; and that the diversity of culture students bring here be viewed as a resource, strength and benefit. It is my intent to present materials and activities that are respectful of diversity: gender identity, sexuality, ability, age, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, race, nationality, religion, and culture. It is my expectation that all communication in relation to this course, both online and off is respectful to all. Words matter and I will monitor discussions for appropriate interaction.

I seek to make this course a meaningful learning experience and ask that you share your perspective on how I can make it so for you personally, or for other students or student groups. Each semester I strive to address the issues facing our community in the context of this course. Your suggestions are encouraged and appreciated. 

Respect for you and for your identity are my primary goal. There will be activities throughout this course where I ask you to share personal perspectives and insights. The degree to which you choose to share this information is up to you and you may always contact me individually via Canvas if you feel uncomfortable with what is being asked. I respect your privacy and am usually able to offer a modification. Also, in relation to identity, please let me know your pronouns and if you have a preferred name that is not consistent with what is showing up in Canvas. Finally, If any of our class meetings conflict with your religious practice, please let me know ahead of the date and I will make reasonable accommodations for you.

College & Course Policies:

Academic Honesty Policy: You are expected to turn in your own work with properly cited sources. I use Turnitin and if your submission is tagged with significant uncited material from another source, you will not receive credit for that assignment. In addition to my course policy, please note all students attending San Luis Obispo County Community College District at any district site and when representing Cuesta College in any off-campus activity, assume an obligation to conduct themselves in an acceptable manner compatible with the Student Code of conduct. Please review the Cuesta College Student Code of conductLinks to an external site..

Add / Drop Policy: Plan to sign into this course daily. You must sign in by the Friday of the first week of class, or you will be dropped. Students who do not sign in for 7 consecutive days will be dropped.

In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for drops

Important Dates

  • Last day to drop with refund:   Sunday prior to week 3 of class
  • Last day to add with add code: Sunday prior to week 3 of class
  • Last day to drop without a “W”: Sunday prior to week 3 of class
  • Last Day to drop with a “W”: Sunday prior to week 13 of class 

Cuesta College Add and Drop Policies are linked below:

Waitlist Policy: I am excited to welcome all students up to the class cap. Please contact me directly if you are interested in adding this course. If you add this class after the first week, be aware that you need to complete your volunteer paperwork immediately and arrange for your fieldwork observations ASAP.

In addition to my course specific procedures, please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructionsLinks to an external site..

Please write back!

I look forward to meeting you very soon! Please let me know you have read this message by sending me a brief email at rosemary_wrenn@cuesta.edu.  Introducing yourself by including:

  • Your name and pronouns
  • General reason you are taking this course
  • A fun fact about yourself
  • A question (or several) you have about this course

 

I look forward to working and learning with you!

 

Rosemary Wrenn, M.Ed.

she/her

Faculty, College Success Studies/Teacher Education

Cuesta College

(805) 316-1538

 

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