Student OrientationBIOL 2306 Living Planet

Spring 201216-week Semester

2306-004, 43688

BIOL 2306 Living Planet

• Hello and welcome to the class. • This course is based upon Living Planet, an

amazing nature series consisting of 12 videotapes.

• The series is narrated by Sir David Attenborough and produced by the BBC.

BIOL 2306 Living Planet

• This is an ecology course, designed primarily for non-science majors, although many science majors also take it for transfer credit.

Living Planet Overview

• This series looks at various ecosystems, such as deserts, forests and grasslands.

• Attenborough takes us through each ecosystem, looking at characteristics of each ecosystem and the types of plants and animals that live there.

• Amazing photography and an excellent narrator.

Deserts: An Example of an Ecosystem

• Let’s look at a specific example of an ecosystem.• Deserts are covered in episode 6.• As Attenborough discusses deserts, he will cover

certain concepts about deserts. These include:– What makes a desert a desert? – Where do you find deserts on our planet? – What conditions cause deserts to form? – How do plants manage to live in desert conditions? – How do animals manage to live in these conditions?

Course Overview: Ecosystems

• As the course progresses, we will be looking at several ecosystems with these types of questions in mind, such as: – Grasslands– Temperate Forests– Tropical Rain Forests– Rivers and Lakes– Oceans

ONL Section

• This section is designed as an online distance learning course and requires the regular use of a computer.

• ONL = Online

Distance Learning

• “Distance learning” means that students do not attend traditional lectures at specific campus locations.

• “Distance learning” courses are designed to be taught through the use of videos, reading and activities (web-based or group discussion).

Distance Learning

• “Distance learning” does not mean that you are taking a class without deadlines.

• There are exam deadlines that you will be expected to meet.

• Exams are given only in the ACC Testing Centers.

Distance Learning

• “Distance learning” does not mean that the course is self-paced.

• You will be expected to regularly participate in online discussion groups every week.

Distance Learning

• Additional lecture material may be posted on Blackboard and you will be expected to read this material.– For example, there is a PowerPoint lecture in the

first section (Introduction) that expands the information in your study guide on pages 16-17.

– You will be expected to go through the Species PowerPoint as part of your study materials. This is available as a print-based PowerPoint or as a narrated PowerPoint lecture.

Distance Learning

• You will be expected to participate in any web-based activities that are assigned.

• Many of the weekly discussion topics will have web-based components.

Time Commitments

• Distance learning courses provide opportunities for students to take classes in an alternate format.

• However, the typical distance learning student spends more time studying than traditional students and works more independently to learn the materials.

Time Commitments

• It’s a great way to learn if you are self-motivated.

• However, it does take more time and self-discipline.

• You will need to manage your time wisely, in order to successfully complete the course.

Syllabus

• Before you go any farther with this orientation, you will need to print out a copy of the syllabus.

• Make sure you have the syllabus for this semester.

Syllabus

• If you do not have a copy of the syllabus, you will find the syllabus:– On Blackboard at http://acconline.austincc.edu/ – Or my web page at www.austincc.edu/bspeer

• I can also send you the syllabus by e-mail (bspeer@austincc.edu)

Syllabus

• Read the syllabus carefully.

• This presentation will only cover parts of the syllabus, especially the materials you need to get quickly started in the course.

• All course policies are explained in the syllabus.

Blackboard

• As explained on page 3 of the syllabus, we will be using Blackboard extensively in this class for:

(1) Weekly online small discussion groups

(2) Supplemental course materials

(3) For posting grades & announcements

(4) Sending e-mails

Blackboard Login

• The Blackboard login page is at: http://acconline.austincc.edu/

• If you have not used Blackboard before, click on the link “Student Guide – Getting Started with Blackboard”

• If you have problems, use the link for “Blackboard Support Site”

ACCeID

• You will need your ACCeID to use Blackboard and access ACC Online.

• If you don’t already have your ACCeID, go to the ACCeID Manager Login at: https://acceid.austincc.edu/idm/user/login.jsp

• Click on “First Time Login” and follow the instructions.

Using Blackboard• Update your personal information in

ACC Online as soon as possible.

• Blackboard automatically uses your ACC e-mail address.

• Any message sent out via Blackboard will only go to your ACCmail account.

• I regularly send out messages to students through Blackboard.

Using Blackboard

• You can forward your ACC e-mail to another e-mail address, if you prefer. You can find more info at: http://www.austincc.edu/google/faq.php

• Click on “Can I use other email programs to access my ACCmail email”

• Please note: After orientation, I cannot respond to your e-mail unless it is sent from your ACCmail account.

Using Blackboard

• Check Blackboard regularly throughout the semester, at least 2-3 times per week.

• You should check “Announcements” frequently. I often post announcements to the class, especially if something needs to be corrected or if there is a problem at any ACC campus.

Checking Blackboard

• You should also check postings on your “Group Discussions” board.

• This discussion board will be used by members of your group to discuss weekly topics.

Using Blackboard

• You should also check postings on the “Class Discussions” board.

• This discussion board can be used by any student to post questions about the study guide and video episodes. It can also be used to ask questions about the syllabus.

Use of ACC E-Mail

• All e-mails to students must be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account.

• Students should use their ACCmail account to communicate with their instructor.

• Please note: After orientation, I cannot respond to your e-mail unless it is sent from your ACC e-mail account.

Required Course Materials

• Living Planet Concepts and Questions, 10th edition by Speer, Maxim and Strong. This study guide is available at the ACC bookstores in the fall or you can print it from this web site:

• http://www.austincc.edu/biology/labmanuals/23069th/ind23069th.html

Required Course Materials

• Living Planet video episodes (12 total).

• These video episodes are available:– As streaming videos on Blackboard

(syllabus, page 7)– Available for watching or checking out at

the ACC libraries (syllabus, page 7) – Available for purchase (syllabus, page 7)

Required Course Materials

• Weekly discussion topics• The weekly topics for online discussion

groups will be posted in the Course Documents area of Blackboard, under a folder labeled “Weekly Discussion Topics”

Online Discussion Groups

• Read the general guidelines for discussion groups on pages 5-6.

• Make sure you understand the policies for the online discussion groups.

• If you have questions, please ask me.

Online Discussion Groups

• You will be assigned to a small group discussion forum by the instructor.

• I will post a different set of questions every week for your group to discuss.

Online Discussion Groups

• Group discussions begin the first week of class.

• Read the questions for Week 1 Discussion Topics. You will find this on the Blackboard site, in “Course Documents”.

• Follow the instructions and prepare your answers.

Online Discussion Groups

• When you are ready your answers, click on “Group Discussions” and go to your group.

• Only your group will be highlighted.• Post to the group discussion board by the

stated deadline.

Online Discussion Groups

• Topics will be posted for weeks 1-14. • Each topic will have deadlines for

posting. These are usually Monday (12:00 am) through Sunday (11:59 pm)

Online Discussion Groups

• You can also use your group discussion forum to introduce any new materials that you want to share with your group members.

Online Discussion Groups

• You will be graded on participation in your group.

• There will be 14 weeks of online group activities.

• Your participation in the group will earn up to 10 points per week.

Exams

• See pages 8-13 in the syllabus.

• All exams are given in the ACC testing centers.

• Locations of ACC testing centers: Cypress Creek, Eastview, Fredericksburg, Northridge, Pinnacle, Rio Grande, Riverside, Round Rock, San Marcos and South Austin.

Exams

• There are seven required exams in this course.

• There are mandatory deadlines for each exam.

Exams

• There are no retests but there is an optional final.

• You cannot skip an exam and replace it with the final.

• You must take all seven required exams in order to receive any grade other than “F”.

Mandatory Exam Deadlines

• Information about exam formats and mandatory exam deadlines are on page 13 of the syllabus.

• I suggest that you print this page separately and keep it where you can easily refer to it throughout the semester.

Grace Period for Exams 1-7

• Test deadlines are shown on page 13.• Please note that you have an automatic

24-hour grace period for exams 1-7. • You do not have to ask permission to use the

grace period. • The grace period will not be extended for any

reason.

Check page 13 to see what each exam covers.

• The table on page 13 explains what each exam covers.

• Exam 1, for example, covers the introduction.• Exam 2 covers the first two video episodes

and corresponding material in the study guide.

Check page 13 to see the format for each exam

• The table also explains the specific format for each exam.

• Exam 1, for example, has 41 multiple choice questions and two short answer questions.

• Exams 2-7 have 45 multiple choice questions and one short answer question.

Review Page 13 before taking an exam at the Testing Center

• Before taking an exam, check to make sure that you know which exam to ask for!

• Don’t make the mistake of studying the materials for Exam 2 (episodes 1 and 2) and then taking Exam 1.

• You will have studied the wrong materials for that exam! This is the most common mistake made by students.

Optional Comprehensive Final

• See page 11 of the syllabus.• There is an optional comprehensive final that

can be taken to replace your lowest (non-zero) exam grade.

• The final cannot substitute for an exam that you did not take.

Optional Comprehensive Final

• The final cannot hurt your grade in the course.

• If it is your lowest exam grade, it will not count.

• If higher, the final grade can be used to replace your lowest exam grade.

Deadline for Optional Final

• There is no grace period for the final.

• You may take the final at any testing center.

Extra Credit

• See pages 12 of the syllabus.

• Each exam has one extra question for extra credit.

• Exam 1 has one extra multiple choice question for extra credit.

• Exams 2-7 have a written short-answer extra credit question.

Extra Credit

• Exams 2-7 will also have an optional map quiz over the geographical locations covered in each unit.

• See page 12 of the syllabus for more information about the map quiz.

Extra Credit

• You will find a blank world map in the study guide.

• You can find a list of possible geographic locations for each unit in Blackboard. (See Course Documents).

Extra Credit

• You can earn up to 44 points of extra credit on the exams.

• This is the only way to earn extra credit in this course.

• There are no extra credit papers or extra credit projects.

Exams in Testing Center

• Exams are computer-based exams.

• You will take your exam on Blackboard on a computer in the Testing Center.

• You will be allowed to use scratch paper at the testing center.

• Only the materials submitted online will be graded.

Exams in Testing Center

• Each computer-based exam will have questions taken from instructor-generated question pools.

• Each exam is randomly generated.

• Each student will have a different group of questions from the question pool.

Exams in Testing Center

• Each exam will have two sections: – Part A: Multiple choice questions– Part B: Short answer questions, any

written extra credit questions, and extra credit map quizzes on exams 2-7

– See the table on page 13 for the format of each exam.

Exams in Testing Center

• Part A will have multiple choice objective questions.

• You will receive your score as soon as you submit the test for Part A.

• Your score on Part A automatically goes to the gradebook in Blackboard.

Exams in Testing Center

• Part B will have the written questions for the exam.

• This will include short answer questions, short answer extra credit questions, and extra credit map quizzes for Exams 2-7.

Exams in Testing Center

• You will submit Part B of the test.

• I will receive an electronic copy of your answers. I will then grade Part B of your exam.

• Once graded, your score for Part B will be posted to Blackboard.

Exams in Testing Center

• Exams are graded on a first-in, first-out basis.

• I will try to post your grade for Part B within 2 days after you take the exam.

Exams in Testing Center

• Your total grade for each exam will consist of your score for Part A plus your score for Part B.

• An example:– Your score on Part A is 78 points– Your score on Part B is 14 points– Your total grade on this exam is 92

Exams in Testing Center

• Keep the yellow copies of your test request form until you receive your course grade.

• They are the only proof that you completed an exam if the online exam is lost due to a computer problem.

• It is your responsibility to keep the paperwork.

Exams in OSD Office

• Students with disabilities can take their exams in an OSD office, based on the letter of accommodation.

• You will take paper-based exams instead of computer-based exams.

• The exam format will be the same. (See the table on page 13.)

Exams in OSD Office

• Once I receive your exam, I will grade it and post the results in Blackboard.

• It may take longer to grade your exam, depending on how quickly I receive it.

Exams in OSD Office

• You can request your OSD office make a photocopy of your exam answers, just in case your exam gets mislaid or lost in campus mail.

• See page 10 for more information.

Course Grades

• See page 14 of the syllabus.

• Your grade for the course will be based on:

7exams at 100 points each = 700 points

Participation in your discussion

group (14 topics @ 10 pts) = 140 points

Total points for course = 840 points

Course Grades

• Course grades will be based on percentages:

– A = 90-100%

– B = 80- 89%

– C = 70- 79%

– D = 60- 69%

– F = below 60%

Withdrawals

• Withdrawal policies are discussed on page 15.

• The last day to withdraw for the 16-week Spring 2011 semester is April 23, 2012.

Withdrawals

• Please note that I withdraw students only for two reasons:(1) A student does not complete orientation materials by 11:59 pm, Monday, January 23, 2012 AND send an e-mail confirmation to me.

(2) A student does not complete exams 1-5 by the mandatory deadlines.

Bloom’s Taxonomy

• See page 20 of the syllabus.• Bloom’s taxonomy is a model that tries

to place mental thinking skills into categories.

• If you look over this page, you will see that “higher level thinking skills” fall into categories 2 through 6. Memorization of facts (remembering) is category 1 in this model.

Bloom’s Taxonomy

• In this course, I write exam questions at levels 1-4.

• In Blackboard (under Course Documents), you will find a specific example of how test questions can be written at different levels over the same material.

Bloom’s Taxonomy• Several of the weekly discussion topics

will ask questions about the information covered in the video episodes or study guide, using different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy.

• These are often questions that ask you to compare two ecosystems or discuss the advantages and disadvantages of XYZ.

Bloom’s Taxonomy

• Answering these questions will help you prepare for the next exam.

• Your group should definitely try to answer these “more difficult” questions that require thought instead of just answering the “easier” questions.

Testing Center Policies

• Testing center policies are discussed on pages 19, 20 and 21 of the syllabus.

• Be sure you read and understand these policies before using the Testing Centers to take your exams.

Testing Center

• Look at the hours of operation for the different testing centers. (See page 19)

• Then look at the mandatory exam deadlines for the course on page 13.

Choose Your Testing Center

• Choose the testing center that you intend to use during the semester based on these deadlines and your schedule.

• You may take your exam at any Testing Center.

Testing Center Policies

• See pages 20-21.

• The testing center has very strict rules about testing.

• Please read their policies carefully.

• If you are banned from the Testing Centers for violating their policies, you will have no way to take the exams.

Testing Center Policies

• If you are banned from the Testing Center, you will have no option except to drop the class or take an “F” if it is past the drop deadline.

• Make sure you do NOT take your cell phone into ANY testing center. This is the major reason why students are banned from using the Testing Center.

Testing Center Policies

• If you do not have an ACC photo ID, go to the nearest Admissions & Records Office (any campus) and get your ACC photo ID.

• You will not be able to use the testing center without an ACC photo ID.

Testing Center Policies

• Admission to any Testing Center is on a “first come, first serve” basis.

• Please do not wait until the last minute to take an exam.

• If you wait to the last day (the grace period) and cannot get into the testing center to take an exam, you will have a zero grade. Don’t do this to yourself.

Problems at a Testing Center?

• If there is a problem at a testing center that cannot be resolved by the staff, please e-mail me as soon as you can.

• Include the nature of the problem and the testing center location.

Problems at a Testing Center?

• If the computers or Blackboard are not working, you can try another testing center or go back when they are working again.

Problems at a Testing Center?

• If you miss a deadline because of a computer problem, please ask the testing center staff to e-mail me and explain the problem.

• You should also send me an e-mail or leave a message on my office phone.

Potential Exam Problems at a Testing Center

• If you do not follow instructions carefully when taking an electronic exam, Blackboard may terminate the exam before you are finished.

• If this happens, the testing center staff cannot help you. Send me an e-mail.

Potential Exam Problems at a Testing Center

• Follow instructions that appear on the screen.

• Click NO if asked if your instructor has assigned a password for the exam.

Potential Exam Problems at a Testing Center

• You do not have to save each answer but you can.

• If the computer crashes during an exam, saved answers can be retrieved.

• Otherwise, you will lose all of your answers.

Potential Exam Problems at a Testing Center

• Do NOT use the enter key or press the submit button at the bottom of the exam until you have answered all of the questions.

• Once you have submitted your exam, you cannot make changes to it.

Read the syllabus carefully.• All course policies are explained in the

syllabus.• This presentation is just intended as an

overview of the syllabus.• Please refer to the syllabus for complete

details about the course and ACC policies.• If you have any questions about the syllabus

or the course, please send me an e-mail at bspeer@austincc.edu

The End

• You have now completed the Student Orientation PowerPoint Presentation.

• Complete the student information sheet, following all instructions.

• I hope you enjoy the course!