Managerial Accounting (ACCT 201B CRN 74797)
Instructor: Dr. Grant Trexler
Welcome to distance education at Cuesta College!
My name is Dr. Grant Trexler, and I will be your instructor for the online version of Managerial Accounting. This letter is to inform you of some important details prior to the start of the Fall online class. Please read this page very carefully! This course will start on August 17, 2020 and you will gain access to your course on the first day of classes! This class is fully online with no mandatory in person meetings and an online proctored final.
Contact information
E-mail: grant_trexler@cuesta.edu
Office Location/ Hours: Students can meet me virtually through zoom.us - an account is free, sign-up here https://www.zoom.us/pricing (links to an external site)
Instructor Contact Expectations:
The best and fastest way to contact me is email. 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.
My suggestion is to add my name (Grant Trexler) and email address grant_trexler@cuesta.edu to your contact list to ensure that my emails are not blocked, and you are able to continue in the class without missed deadlines or being dropped from the course. Once you add me to your contact list, please do not forward me any of your fun or junk mail, as this is my email for work, and I cannot nor do I want to be bombarded with junk email; managing this class, and a full time job will be more than enough. At the completion of the course, please remove me from your contact list. Thank you.
Course Environment:
This online course will be using a Web-based Learning Management System Canvas as the method to disseminate information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including PowerPoint 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.
- You must have access to a computer with a camera
- Email account
- Reliable Internet connection. You will also need to have a backup plan in case your internet provider or computer goes down. We will also be using a link directly to the McGraw Hill website where you will complete key assignments.
- It is also essential that you understand the basic concepts of email, web navigation and online communication to succeed in this course.
- You will obtain access to the following textbooks on the first day of class.
Class opens / Accessing Canvas:
Prior to the Monday classes start, August 17, 2020, 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. You can 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. (links to an external site). 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 August 17, 2020 and need assistance please email technical support at this email address: support@my.cuesta.edu.
Online Learning:
If you have never taken an online class or this is your first experience with Canvas, please be patient with yourself. Online classes are not inherently easier, although they may be much more convenient for many students. You should expect to spend at least as much time, if not more on this course as you would on a course that meets face to face. Since there is no lecture component, much of this time will be self-directed and there will be a substantial amount of reading, viewing, studying, and writing required. This course is completely online using Canvas; all coursework (discussions, assignments, quizzes) is submitted online. There are no face-to-face meetings. Please be prepared to spend 8 - 10 hours per week on coursework for this class
IS an ONLINE CLASS FOR YOU?
- First, go to the Online Readiness Resources Links to an external site. to take a "self-assessment”. There are many resources that were designed to help you understand the basis for an online class and the skills necessary for success. (If the tutorials do NOT describe you, then taking this class online is NOT for you and I strongly suggest that you drop the online class and enroll in a traditional classroom section.)
Regular Effective Contact policy:
Regular and Effective Instructor Contact will be met through weekly 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.
Note that once class starts all communication will take place within the campus learning management environment. Additionally, if you are using a web access email account or any email account with high spam settings, it is likely that you might not receive some initial emails that detail important class information.
Course Description and Student Learning Outcomes
What's This Class About? This class is a 4 unit college level Managerial Accounting course. This course looks at the applications of accounting for making business decisions. Content includes planning and control issues including cost behavior, budget preparation, performance reporting; addresses social responsibility and employee motivational and behavioral considerations. Preparation of spreadsheet applications useful for decision-making. More specifically, you will be able to:
-
Demonstrate understanding of accounting terminology, procedures & functions within a business.
- Prepare accounting information for internal and external users using various
costing models.
- Analyze financial data to form business decisions for planning, directing and
controlling a business.
- Demonstrate effective written and oral communication. This includes demonstrating professional and ethical behaviors and using technology effectively.
Text Book and Materials
Wild Financial and Managerial Accounting National LL 8/E with Connect Access Code.
If you took Financial Accounting at Cuesta in Fall 2019 or Spring/Summer 2020, your Access code should work for this course. If you are just now purchasing the text, use this link https://cuesta.bncollege.com/shop/cuesta/home to purchase the textbook.
- Technology tools outside the LMS:
- McGraw Hill Account (established through Canvas) – all homework, midterms, LearnSmart exercises and quizzes are done in Connect
us (for instructor conference requests - an account is free, sign-up here https://www.zoom.us/pricing (links to an external site)
- Technical Support
Cuesta students are encouraged to 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.
Your learning environment is best accessed from a desktop or laptop computer, using Firefox or Chrome. This may solve your problem! Please review the browser requirements and minimum computer specifications
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) at 805-546-3148.
College & Course Policies:
Participation
Online classes are available and make your education experience more convenient. However, this is not a self paced, learn on your own class. This is a 4 unit college level course which translate to roughly 8 - 10 hours a week in lecture and homework. I have structured weeks with material for you to read, watch and interact with. I ask my students to find time in their busy schedules to log into the online classroom a minimum of three out of seven days a week to discuss topics related to the material being learned. This helps to answer questions, clear up confusion, and we have a chance to learn form other students experiences. The days in which you log on are up to the students and can be weekdays or weekends whichever works best for your situation.
Academic Honesty Policy:
You are expected to complete your own assignments and exams. If you are caught cheating, both you and the other students involved will receive an F. I have caught a student cheating.
What do we mean by “cheating?”
- Sharing answers with another student to complete assignments or exams
- Submitting someone else files as your own
- Submitting either your assignments or another student’s files from a previous semester
- Helping someone or receiving help on an exam
- Getting someone else to take your exams
What happens if you cheat?
Both you and the other students involved will receive an F on the assignment, exam, and/or for the entire course.
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 conduct ((links to an external site)
Mandatory Online Orientation
You must complete the mandatory online orientation to stay enrolled in this course:
- You will log into Canvas on the first day of the course, and complete the required orientation exercise that will include: watching an orientation video, composing an email, posting in the forum, locating your homework site and submitting your first assignment. Failure to complete these exercises will result in confusion and inability to find the necessary course links for a successful semester, and you may be immediately dropped from the course.
Add/Drop Policy
The quality of your contributions determines your grade for this class. Contribution of quality thoughts and analysis are imperative to succeed. As stated in the Class Schedule: “Normal progress and successful completion of scholastic work depends upon regular attendance. Students are expected to attend all classes and laboratories for which they are registered. Instructors set an attendance policy for each class and it is the student’s responsibility to know and comply with each one.”
If you cannot participate in class, my expectation is you will communicate with me via e-mail, complete with reason for missing class. This may not excuse an absence but it does provide a context for your absence when I complete the evaluation of this portion of the course. In addition to points earned for contribution in class discussions, any absence from the course with failure to notification the instructor by email will be dropped from the class after two weeks of absence / non-participation.
In addition, students that fail to complete the required orientation exercises may be dropped by the orientation deadline in the first week of class.
In addition to my policy, please review the Cuesta policy for adds/drops:
Waitlist Policy: Please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructions:
Proctored Final Exam
Final exam: The final exam is mandatory and proctored; and worth 15% of your course grade. It will be Multiple Choice, 50 questions, plus 4-6 problems that you need to work out with multiple choice answers to choose from. The Final is a cumulative, electronic exam similar to the quizzes and midterms. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam and some questions will require you to make small calculations, etc. The Proctoring is done via an online proctoring service where a camera on your computer IS REQUIRED. Note: you will be required to present our ID for verification. If you fail to take the mandatory final exam you will receive an automatic “F” in the course, even if you have earned a passing grade through completion of all other assignments and exams in the course.
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