Faculty Staff Resources

Syllabus Master - Online

<COURSE TITLE>
<Course section & PS number>
<Semester>

<Instructor name>
<Jefferson Community & Technical College>
<Instructor office location>
<Instructor phone number>
<Instructor e-mail address>
<Instructor office hours>

<KCTCS catalog description>
<Course relationship to college’s mission and goals>
Note: current mission and goals

<Student learning outcomes specific to course>

“Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:”
Note: List all discipline/program learning outcomes specific to this course. At least one learning outcome, as determined by the faculty, must be assessed so that the results can be analyzed and strategies for improvement identified and implemented. See your discipline’s department head or academic program coordinator about outcomes that must be included and assessed. Other faculty-specific learning outcomes may be added.

Note: If this course satisfies a general education requirement in one of the five broad categories into which the statewide competencies are organized (Written and Oral Communication, Quantitative Reasoning, Arts & Humanities, Natural Sciences, or Social and Behavioral Sciences), your list of student learning outcomes specific to the course must include one of the competencies listed for your discipline on the attached list of Statewide General Education Student Learning Outcomes document attached

<State-wide general education student learning outcomes being taught or strengthened in the course (only include the competencies relevant to THIS course)>

“In addition to the course and discipline specific learning outcomes listed above, this course also supports the college’s general education goals; upon completion of this course, students will be better able to:
Note: List all general education student learning outcomes that are introduced or supported by this course. Refer to the “Statewide General Education Student Learning Outcomes” document sent by the Provost. Include only those student learning outcomes actually addressed by your course. DO NOT SIMPLY INSERT THE LIST.

<Critical thinking skills developed in this course>

All courses, both general education and technical, contribute to students’ achieving the college’s general education competencies. Determination of the extent to which Jefferson students achieve general education competencies has been assessed using both the Critical Thinking Assessment Test and the ETS Proficiency Profile. Both instruments have demonstrated weaknesses in students’ critical thinking abilities. Recent studies have shown that students lack awareness of critical thinking skills even when they are employing them and are therefore unable to consciously call on them as strategies for approaching new materials and situations. Amanda Hiner of Winthrop University writes that “experts agree that critical thinking involves metacognitive awareness and a systematic application to analyze and assess information”; that is, we need explicit, intentional critical thinking instruction to develop students’ thinking processes and make them “visible” and accessible to the student. And she contends that this happens best when critical thinking instruction is combined with discipline-specific instruction. As a way of beginning to make skills needed to succeed in your course explicit for your students, please include appropriate skills from the attached or other lists of critical thinking skills that students will need to exercise in your course and explain what they are.

<Required texts, supplies, materials>

Note 1: If your class requires a student to purchase an access code to publisher materials, state that here. If your course is set up so that students pay for this access on their student bill, be sure to clearly explain that here.

Note 2: include information about editions, and include this statement:
Materials required for online classes can be purchased at the KCTCS Distance Learning Bookstore.

<Required hardware and software>

Note 1: Does this class require access to a computer with reliable internet access? Can the class be completed without issue on either a Windows PC or a Mac? Is a microphone or webcam required? If certain apps are required, keep in mind that this will also require the student to have a mobile device or tablet.

Note 2: Please include this statement or one like it:
Blackboard is the learning management system (LMS) used by KCTCS; it is the site where online courses are accessed. Blackboard is NOT software that you must buy or install to your computer; it is an online website that REQUIRES a reliable internet connection and a computer with an updated web browser. You can always find an updated web link to Blackboard at your home college’s website. On the Blackboard login page, you’ll find a list of supported operating systems (Windows, etc.) and web browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.). It is the student’s responsibility to have access to any required technology—including a computer and reliable internet access— for the duration of the course. Computer labs with internet access are available on every KCTCS campus, and can be utilized if a personal computer and home internet access are unavailable or incompatible with course requirements.

<Use of Starfish>

Explain how you will be using the Starfish early alert system in your course to help students understand their progress and what they need to do to succeed.

<Suggested texts, supplies, materials>

Note: This would include anything that is not required for student completion or success.

<Course requirements>

Note: include specific numbers of tests, quizzes, assignments, projects

<Evaluation and grading criteria>

Note: explain relationship of requirements to grades that can be earned in the course, including method of calculation, any weighting, etc.; include discussion of homework, class participation, extra credit, or anything else that will affect grades; either here or in the policy section, include policies on late assignments, missed quizzes or exams, absences, or tardiness in relation to grading. Explain the I grade and the circumstances under which you will award one.

<Proctored exam requirements and contact information>

Note 1: Are proctored exams required for this online course? If so, you must specify the number. (KCTCS policy: no more than 1 recommended, with a maximum of 2 with justification)

Note 2: Use the following statement and hyperlink, if proctored exams are required for this course:

Proctored exam instructions

Students can schedule any proctored exams at their home college, though this must be done in advance.

Students are responsible for completing proctored exams within the timeframe established by the instructor. This may require students to contact their home college’s proctoring center several days or weeks in advance of the selected exam date.

<Instructor communication>

Clear and appropriate standards for responsiveness and availability (turn-around time for email, grade posting, etc.) should be described here. At the very least, clarify how students should communicate with you (KCTCS email, Blackboard message, etc.) and when they can expect a response. Please note that KCTCS Best Practice is to respond within 48hrs.

<Withdrawal policy, process>

Use the following statement:
Drops and withdrawals for this class are subject to the academic calendar of the Jefferson Community and Technical College, regardless of the student’s home college. However, to drop or withdraw from an online class, a student must follow the procedures of the home college. Please access the Student Self-Service from your home college webpage.

From the Student Homepage:

Click the Academic Records tile.
- C:\Users\SBREND~1\AppData\Local\Temp\SNAGHTMLc0dcf0a.PNG
Click the Withdraw/Drop Request from the left hand menu. Current personal data displays.
- C:\Users\SBREND~1\AppData\Local\Temp\SNAGHTML5fc1a04.PNG
At the bottom of the page, click on the slider bar to change acknowledgement from No to Yes to proceed. Click Continue. If any changes need to be made, use the update buttons for each section.
- C:\Users\SBREND~1\AppData\Local\Temp\SNAGHTML5fc7d13.PNG
Click the magnifying glass to search for the term to withdraw/drop a class.
- C:\Users\SBREND~1\AppData\Local\Temp\SNAGHTML6030011.PNG
An acknowledgement statement appears. Click on the slider bar to change acknowledgement from No to Yes to proceed.
- C:\Users\SBREND~1\AppData\Local\Temp\SNAGHTML82f11d4.PNG
Pending Withdraw/drop requests and the Current Class Schedule appears. Classes in the Current Class Schedule can be selected to drop by placing a checkmark in the box next to the appropriate class(es).
- C:\Users\SBREND~1\AppData\Local\Temp\SNAGHTML8323b08.PNG
In the Reason for withdraw/drop, select the drop down arrow to select a reason for dropping the class and click the Continue button that appears.
Answer each of the questions concerning assistance and then click Continue.
- Note: The slider bars are defaulted to “No”. If answering “Yes”, click the slider bar to change it to “Yes”.
If everything appears correct, select the Submit button.
- C:\Users\SBREND~1\AppData\Local\Temp\SNAGHTML839efdf.PNG
Click Return or click the Home icon to return to the Student Homepage.

<Withdrawal Dates>

The drop/withdrawal deadlines for this class for this semester are as follows:
100% refund: ___
50% refund: ___
Last date to withdraw without instructor’s permission: ___
Last date to withdraw with instructor’s permission: ___

Note: indicate to students what the last date is that they can withdraw from your course without your permission; tell them the circumstances under which you would be willing to give permission after that date, and include information telling them that they may drop a course by e-mail by following the instructions given above.

<Special accommodations for students>

Use the following statement and contact information:
Students Needing Special Accommodations:
Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the disabilities services office on their home campus as soon as possible. Please DO NOT request accommodations directly from the professor or instructor. If you require assistance during an emergency evacuation, notify your instructor and the disability services office at your home college.
The appropriate contact information for your college’s disability services office can be found at https://jefferson.kctcs.edu/about/student-life/accessibility-services/index.aspx

<Complaint procedure>

Note: your policy should explain that KCTCS students with a complaint are first expected to address it with the instructor. If the complaint cannot be resolved, the student should contact the appropriate department head or program coordinator [give name, phone number, and e-mail]. If the complaint still cannot be resolved, the student should contact the appropriate division chair [give name, phone number, and e-mail]. If the complaint cannot be resolved even at that level, the student should contact the appropriate academic dean or campus director [give name, phone number, and e-mail].

<Code of Student Conduct and Netiquette>

Note 1: You should explain the general policy on cheating and plagiarism as well as the consequences that can be leveled for such offenses. You should definitely include a link to the complete Code of Student Conduct: https://kctcs.edu/Current_Students/Code_of_Student_Conduct.aspx
Note 2: Include a statement or guidelines on netiquette (Internet etiquette) for this class. Expectations for online discussion, email, and other forms of communication should be clearly stated. A concise guide for instructors in developing netiquette guidelines can be found here: http://jolt.merlot.org/vol6no1/mintu-wimsatt_0310.pdf

<Attendance/Participation Policy>

Note 1: There is no specific attendance/participation policy mandated, but you must include one or note that you do not have one in your syllabus. Please also note that you may NOT drop any student for non-attendance. Do not list this as a possible consequence of non-attendance or non-participation. Students may only be dropped for non-payment or as the result of a dean-level disciplinary action.
Note 2: If you require any synchronous sessions in your online course that will require students to be present at a given time of day, be sure to specify that, even if you do not yet have those dates/times set.

<Attendance Policy for Religious Holidays>

Note: KCTCS Legal Services advises us that we should 1) provide students an accommodation to attend their holiday observances; however, they can be required to make up the time or examinations missed. 2) that our syllabi should include a statement indicating that students should make their requests for this accommodation in advance. Faculty may exercise their own discretion about allowing students who have missed without requesting an accommodation to make up missed times or exams.

<Links to Key College Academic Support Services>

Note: To ensure that students at all locations know that the following services are available to them (in person and on-line), please include the following text.

Library: All KCTCS students have access to the KCTCS libraries. The libraries offer a variety of resources and services to students; information regarding libraries on all campuses is available through the eLibrary tab at the top of any Blackboard page.
If you have questions you can access the Jefferson Ask a Librarian email link on each campus library page or at this link https://jefferson.kctcs.edu/current-students/student-resources/libraries/updated-services/index.aspx
You can contact any library by phone; more information can be found on the library website.

Numerous academic support services are provided by Jefferson more information can be found at the link below. Contact your home college for similar local services if your home college is not Jefferson.

https://jefferson.kctcs.edu/current-students/student-resources/libraries/index.aspx

Note: Brainfuse: An online tutoring service offered to KCTCS students. A tool link to this service can be added to your Blackboard Shell. This service is available to fully-online classes ONLY, and students are limited to 7 hours of usage per semester.
Your instructor can also provide additional web-based academic resources to assist you in being successful in this online course.

<Other Information>

Note: give students specific location and contact information of additional resources that will help them be successful, e.g., tutoring, Writing Center, learning laboratories, etc.

<Non-discrimination Statement> Use the following statement:

Jefferson Community and Technical College is an Equal Opportunity institution committed to the policy of providing educational opportunities to all qualified students regardless of economic or social status, beliefs, sexual orientation, age, national origin, or physical or mental disability.

<Support and troubleshooting>

Use the following statement:
Online students should refer to the “Student Support” tab at the top of any Blackboard page to find a number of support resources specifically for online students. These include a general KCTCS Online orientation, Blackboard tutorials and tips for success, instructions for obtaining assistance with technical difficulties, local campus distance learning contacts, etc.

Students can also call the 24/7 Student Services line at 855.2GO.JCTC (855.246.5282) for general assistance any time, day or night.

rv 1/6/2018