Welcome Letter for CSS 758

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CSS 758 Grammar Strategies / CRN 34342

Instructor: Rachel Pass

Contact information

Email Address: rachel_pass@cuesta.edu

Phone Number, call or text: 805-380-5283

Office Location & Student Drop-in Hours: My office is currently on Zoom and student drop-in hours are Thursdays, 6:20 to 6:50 p.m. via ZoomLinks to an external site.

Virtual Class Meetings: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5:30 to 6:20 p.m.Links to an external site.

If you have trouble with the link above, please copy and paste the following URL into your browser:

https://cuesta-edu.zoom.us/j/95785482067?pwd=R2dmeDFqakh4RmNPK2pjQ0JvRGU3dz09Links to an external site.

If you are asked for a password to join the meeting, please enter: CSSMeet

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. 

Course Environment

This online course will be using a Web-based Learning Management System Canvas as the method to share information. Canvas provides the framework for the course including PowerPoint presentations, reading materials, the tools to receive and send course materials and assignments, and a grade book. You can communicate with me and with fellow students using e-mail, and you can share materials and ideas with other course participants via the discussion forums and groups.

Class opens / Accessing Canvas

Prior to the Monday classes start, Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 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 [Enter Date] and need assistance please email me or technical support at this email address support@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 (though you may join the office hour as explained above). Please be prepared to spend 8–12 hours per week on coursework for this class

Is an online class for you?

  • First, go to the Cuesta College Canvas Tutorial (self paced)Links to an external site., 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.

Timeline for assignment feedback

Quizzes are automatically graded and available for viewing in Canvas the Monday after they close. I grade writing assignments and discussion posts manually and they will be completed within 72 hours after the submission deadline. I will provide feedback for your discussion contributions by using the

Course Description

Noncredit Non-Credit Gradeable Course/SP

Focuses on sentence structure, punctuation, and common errors in writing. Provides extensive practice in grammar usage to improve writing effectiveness and reading comprehension. Instruction is contextualized through student reading and writing assignments.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Use college level grammatical structures accurately in writing.
  2. Identify and correct common grammatical and mechanical errors in writing at the sentence and paragraph level.

Textbook and Materials

  • All required reading materials will be provided to you for free through our Canvas course. You do not need to purchase a textbook for this course.
  • To complete the course, you will need to use a word processing program. You may choose from one of the following options or use another open-source program:
  • You will also need to use Adobe ReaderLinks to an external site., which you can download for free, or a paid version of Adobe Acrobat to read digital documents.
  • We will use FlipgridLinks to an external site. to share video and audio responses with our class. You will be able to access Flipgrid through Canvas using a link at the bottom of assignment pages as needed. To use Flipgrid, you will need a microphone and webcam that are hooked up to your desktop computer or laptop or a smart phone device. If you do not have any of these items, please let me know right away and we will find a solution.

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 email support@instructure.com.

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 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. or at 805-546-3148.

College & Course Policies

Academic Honesty Policy: I expect all students to complete the coursework assigned to the best of their ability. This means turning in your own work, using your own words, and citing your sources to avoid plagiarism. Violating these policies will lead to a discussion with me and you may end up with a 0 for the 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: It is best to join online classes when they begin. However, if there is still space in the course, I will be happy to have you join us later in the term. Please contact me as soon as possible if you add the class after the first day so that I can help you get up to speed.

If you are registered for the course and you do not log in for 7 consecutive days, you may be dropped from the course. Please contact me right away if you are having trouble logging in or if you are experiencing other challenges that make it difficult for you to participate in class. I will work to help you overcome those obstacles and succeed in class.

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

Waitlist Policy: Please review Cuesta’s waitlist procedure and instructionsLinks to an external site..

 

I look forward to meeting you soon! Please feel free to reach out with any questions you have before our first meeting on Tuesday, January 18, at 5:30 p.m. 

 

Thank you! 

Rachel Pass

College Success Instructor

Pronouns: she/they

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