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Instructional Organization

This course is arranged chronologically and employs a modular design. Each week, students should complete all assignments listed in that week's lesson module. These modules are available by clicking "Content" on the course navigation bar.

Specific due dates for each week's assignments will be listed within the module itself. Assignments within the modules may direct students to use many of the tools contained in Brightspace, including Assignments, Discussions, or Quizzes. These tools will be accessible from within the weekly content modules, and the Coursework drop-down menu on the course navigation bar.

Weekly Structure

• Mondays: Learning Module opens by 6am.
• Most discussion initial posts due on Wednesdays.
• Most assignments and discussion replies will be due on Sundays.

You will be alerted to any unusual due dates or early release of a weekly module.

Participation

This course is asynchronous online, which means I will never require students to attend any in-person, synchronous meetings on campus or via Zoom. Required student/professor conferences will have both Zoom options or an email option.

Expectations

Online classes require a lot of time management skill and self-motivation. While online classes do provide significant flexibility for students, the class does not exist around a student’s schedule. Like a traditional class, there is a schedule of assignments that students must manage within the time frames allowed.

• Participating students enter the course shell at least 3x a week to work on assignments and show that they have read and comprehend each week's assigned reading. They make good-faith efforts to understand assignments and seek advice or clarification from their instructor in a timely fashion and whenever necessary.
• Do NOT wait until assignment due dates to work through each week's course materials!
• This class starts on Monday each week and you will be expected to complete many readings and throughout the week. Get into the habit of entering your course every Monday (or Tuesday morning) if possible.

What you can expect from your professor

• Two hours of bookable dedicated office time each week that students are encouraged to use
• An expanded conference schedule during midterm and final week for online students who prefer to meet via Zoom (12.5 hours, total)
• 4+ hours each week spent engaging with student-generated content (e.g. online discussions) in addition to time spent grading projects and providing individual feedback. 

Best Way to Contact Your Professor

Communicate by using the D2L Brightspace email system which can be accessed from the Class list (under Course Info) or by emailing me directly at chris.cottrell@pcc.edu.

Please include a relevant subject in the "Subject:" or "RE:" section of your email. The subject must include the class you are taking, your name and the topic of your message.

For example: Question about Project 1, Jane Doe, WR 227

Email is the best way to reach me. If your question or comment would be of interest to other students, however, please post it to the Student Q&A discussion topic. This way, your classmates can help answer questions, and all students will benefit from the answers.

Response from Instructor

You can (and should) email me at any time that is convenient to you but should be aware of the following:

• I check email once or twice on weekdays before 5 pm, and once a day (usually before noon) when my workload is high.
• If you need an answer within the same day, please make sure to email me before 9 am.
• If you send an email without a proper subject, expect a delay or no response.
• Email sent on weekdays will be answered within 24 hours. Email sent after 2:00 pm on Friday will be answered the following Monday.

Grading Feedback

Feedback will typically be posted within 48 – 72 hours in the case of smaller assignments, like discussions, exercises, etc., and within 7-10 days for assignments that require more time and attention. Most assignments will receive rubric feedback along with a general note offering suggestions for improvement when necessary. In some cases, I will use announcements to highlight trends or provide recommendations to the entire class. Inline notes providing deeper feedback is typically reserved for major projects.

Missed Assignment Policy

You have flexibility in this course to miss a few assignments without failing the course. Miss more than five regular assignments or ONE core assignment, and you won't pass. Always prioritize core assignments. If you have too much on your plate, review what you can safely skip or turn in late that week so you can focus on meeting the primary obligations for this class. See late policy below. 

Late Assignment Policy

See Final Grading below for the penalties attached to late work.

To get any extension on an assignment, students are required to contact me before the due date. I will grant extensions on eligible assignments 100% of the time for any reason whatsoever (or no reason at all!). This includes starting a discussion late (you still need to finish it before it locks). IF you contact be before the due date and then submit the late work within 24 hours, I will not count it as late. Any work turned in late without advance notice will be counted as a late assignment for grading purposes.

Any assignment that requires multiple students to participate simultaneously, like discussions and peer reviews, will not be accepted after the activity ends. 

You have until the Friday before finals week to complete late assignments. 

Missing Minimum Requirements = Late

Final Grading To earn an A:

• Must meet all standards for B (below)
• Complete the “A” version of the Technical Report
• 100% module completion

To earn a B:

• ALL Core assignments are completed on time*
• ALL regular assignments are completed
• Complete at least one conference
• No more than 5 regular assignments are submitted late
• 70% or better module completion

*Dependent on extension requests/accommodations

To earn a C:

• ALL Core assignments are complete but one or more was late**
• No more than 6 regular assignments are late
• No more than 5 “missing/incomplete” regular assignments
• Did not complete a conference
• 70% or better module completion

**Later than 48 hours or submitted without making an extension request in advance of the deadline.

Note on D/F grades:

Once 7+ regular assignments are late or more than one assignment is missing, the highest grade possible is a D. 8+ missing assignments, 4+ absences, or 1+ missing CORE assignments results in an F.

Attendance Policy (Yes, we have one)

This is an online class, which means you don’t have to physically be present in a classroom. However, students are still expected to work through the weekly material. I count every weekly module that is below 70% complete as an absence. You can track your progress online by reviewing the progress bar at the top of each module.