"This course opened my eyes to my flaws and made it easier for me to organize things in my life. I really appreciated this course". -Mark Anderson Williams

"I absolutely feel more at ease.  Every single module helped expand my understanding of how an online class can be best approached.   By taking this class I will enjoy my future online classes more than if I had not taken it". -Cynthia Beck   

"After learning all the different strategies about how to go about time management and note-taking skills I plan to use everything that I've learned in my future semesters. Since it seems like online classes will be used more frequently with the whole COVID pandemic I can practice everything that I've learned in all my future online courses". -Courtney Bozzo

"This class was very pleasant and think it should be mandatory for high school students and college students who haven't yet taken an online class. It definitely set my expectations and I enjoyed the pace of the class greatly". -Christopher Cruz

"Yes, I feel very confident about taking more online courses at CCSF. I have to say in all honesty, I don’t think I could feel more confident then I do now after taking this course for the Summer Semester. I feel I have a clear understanding of the tools, components, and operation of Canvass, and since that is the standard CCSF operating system, I think that is crucial. I think I have learned some more useful and more productive techniques for doing things like taking notes, that will benefit me in the long run by giving me a successful learning plan. Lastly, and maybe the most crucial is I have a deeper concept of myself in how I relate to the world and others, how I see the world, and how I process the world. For that I think will allow me to make adjustments to my learning plan if needed that will work better than before due to this increase in understanding". -Cerrydwyn Donaldson

"I appreciated how we went over different study methods for our learning preferences. It was beneficial to learn more techniques for visual and kinesthetic, as I was struggling with just taking notes. I didn't expect this course to go over topics like prejudice and racism. As a women of color, I was really grateful that this course touched on that. I feel safer and more comfortable knowing that diversity and inclusion are priorities to Vita and CCSF. Thanks again Vita!" -Alexis Royeca 

Fall 2020

"Yes I feel more at ease with taking more online classes because of the material I learned in this class made me more confident".

"This course has definitely strengthened my abilities and confidence in taking online classes due to this pandemic".

"This class felt well-paced, I found for the number of topics we covered per week, a week was the perfect amount of time".

"This class definitely helped me reflect on my current learning techniques and gave me the confidence to try new learning methods and resources that I discovered during this course. I feel ready to take more classes next semester!"

"I would recommend this to anyone looking not only to know more about learning online but, more specifically, is looking for a bit of guidance in managing their time and how not to 'fall behind' their work".

"I wasn't exactly sure at first what the course was going to be about, but I'm happy I took this class. I feel the techniques and skills I learned can be directly put into practice".

"I feel much more confident taking online courses moving forward. I also feel much more comfortable using canvas and many of its embedded features and resources. This course helped guide me to a multitude of online resources that will help me succeed academically. To be quite honest, I doubt I would have discovered these hidden gems had I not taken LERN 55".

"I feel the combination of textbook readings, module discussions and the variety of assignments made this course rich with informative substance to help us all succeed in online learning. This was a great course".

"Vita Paramo is an AMAZING instructor. She was consistently fair, approachable, kind, and knowledgeable. She always responded to my many, many questions via Pronto within a matter of seconds. She was very understanding and supportive. She was so compassionate, even before I had registered for the course. I had emailed her about my anxieties of taking online courses. I expressed an interest in taking her LERN 55 course, this course, but was doubtful I would get in because the course was full. She walked me through what I had to do to be placed on the waiting list. She also offered words of encouragement. In the end, I was able to add the course. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have taken this course".

"I would recommend this course to everyone and anyone who is seeking to gain confidence in an online learning environment. By the end of LERN 55, not only will you be able to maneuver comfortably within Canvas, but you will also learn essential study tips that cater to your specific learning preference. You will also learn a variety of note taking strategies that work! More importantly, you will walk away from this course knowing that anything is possible with time and effort. I also plan on sharing my thoughts about this course with my EOPS counselor".

"I absolutely loved this course. I feel more confident as an online student. Completing this course was a paradigm shift sort of moment for me. I felt deeply resigned to the "traditional student" role. I didn't think I could accel or succeed outside of the in-classroom setting. I now feel that my education can flourish and expand in any learning environment as a result of taking this course".

"Overall, I loved this course. The overall pace allowed me to get comfortable falling into a rhythm of when things are do and when to study. It wasn't overwhelming but learning how to manage my time properly was key to that. This course offered so much insight into how to get full credit for an assignment. Every module and assignment had a rubric. This course offered everything you needed to be successful. It was my responsibility to learn and utilize these resources. Again, I can't say it enough: I LOVED this course".

Course Communication

Vita Paramo

• Email: vparamo@ccsf.edu

• Alternate Email:  vita.paramo@mail.ccsf.edu

• CCSF Phone: (415) 452-5193

• Office Hours: Mondays: 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m 

• Virtual Office Hours:  Mondays from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. via Zoom Conference (California Time)

• Office Location: Rosenberg Library, 2nd Fl, R212.

• I will respond to all course email within 24-48 hours Monday-Friday, exclusive of school holidays. Once the course begins, I prefer to receive messages through the Canvas "Inbox". 

Communication Plan

• I will respond to your messages within 24-48 hours during the work week (Monday-Friday) excluding holidays or if you are notified otherwise.

• Your work will be reviewed and I will comment on it within 48 hours of the due date unless you are informed otherwise. Please note that you will receive private comments on your discussion posts, your course assignments, your quizzes and final exam. Your weekly quizzes also contain feedback so be on the lookout for that!

• I will participate in the weekly discussions, but will not respond to each individual student.  I will only jump in here and there to help motivate, clarify and fuel the discussion. You will receive private comments on your discussion posts.

• If you do not log in to the course,  you will receive a message from our early alert system "Starfish" to remind you to come back to the course. It is best to keep up as the semester goes quickly and because life happens!

• Office hours are: Mondays 12-1 pm. 

Building Community

The heart of this class is the discussion forum. Each week you and your classmates will analyze and discuss the issues that come up in the material this week. Each time this class is offered, I am humbled by the thoughtfulness of all of you, your posts, and your responses to each other inform my understanding of the topics. We learn from each other, from our varied experiences, from our different world views. I look forward to participating in discussions with you.

Instructor Announcements 

I will post weekly announcements on the “Instructor Announcements” page in Canvas throughout the semester. Canvas will notify according to your preferred Notification Preferences 

Q&A Forum and Student Lounge

• A “Q&A Forum” is located on the Welcome Page. This forum is for you to ask for assistance of your classmates or of instructor.

• The Student Lounge discussion area is for YOU. Many students use it to share links of interest to the course that they wish to share. 

  Course Description

Master successful online learning in 6 weeks. Gain proficiency using Canvas as a holistic learning environment: access instructions and course materials; participate in the community; complete assignments, and receive help from the instructor. Implement behaviors conducive to successful online learning: time management, goal setting, and self-motivation. Apply study strategies to reading e-books, and create study tools for an e-portfolio. This is a great course for students new to or seeking to master online learning. 

LERN 55 Course Outline

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course

Student Learning Outcomes

• 1. Use a Canvas course as a virtual classroom

  2. Implement lifestyle choices conducive to successful online learning

  3. Apply study skills specific to online learning

Class Meetings

There are no in-person class meetings.  This course is 100% online.

Course Web Site

Students will use the Canvas Learning Management System [for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmates' work, sharing resources, and viewing grades].  I can help with the course material and with some Canvas issues. But, if you need help uploading an assignment or with the mechanics of Canvas, Canvas help is the number to call.

For 24/7 help with Canvas call: 1-844-592-2198.

You can visit my CCSF Instructional Website outside of Canvas 

Textbooks

• We will primarily be using text from 101 Tips for Online Course Success by Randy Nordell.  The textbook can be found on Amazon.com though I will be providing a link to each required chapter so there is no need to purchase the textbook.  If you end up deciding to purchase the textbook you can purchase a physical spiral bound copy or a digital copy for half the price. 

  Course Technology

Canvas

Students will use the Canvas Learning Management system [for assignment instructions, submitting assignments, viewing classmates' work, sharing resources, and viewing grades].  I can help with the course material and with some Canvas issues. But, if you need help uploading an assignment or with the mechanics of Canvas, Canvas help is the number to call.

For 24/7 help with Canvas call: 1-844-592-2198.

Zoom Video Conferencing

If you wish to meet with me and you are unable to come to campus. We can meet in my Zoom room. 

Required Software

• Adobe Reader 

• Update your browser 

•   Course Logistics

Important Dates:  

• LERN 55 CRN 70939, Section:  938, September 30th-November 10th
  
  
  

  • • Start Date:  September 30th

    • End Date:  November 10th

    • Last Day To Add:  October 4th

    • Last Day To Drop For A Refund:  October 2nd

    • Last Day To Drop Without a “W”:  October 4th

    • Last Day to Drop with a “W”: October 30th

Dropping the Class

This is a fast paced six-week course.  The drop period for this class is the first week of class.  This is not a face-to-face class so your “attendance” is measured through the assignments, weekly discussions, readings and quizzes.  It is crucial that all students take part in the weekly discussions by the due date so that your classmates have the opportunity to respond with enough time.  If for some reason there is no activity or engagement for one whole week then you are in jeopardy of being dropped from the course. I understand that life gets in the way so please message me so that we can work together on a solution that meets both our needs.   

Attendance

Students who fail to not log-in to an online class after the second week and participate in a learning activity could be dropped from the class. If you are having trouble meeting the deadlines of the course or need more clarification please do not hesitate to reach out to your instructor, Vita Paramo at vparamo@ccsf.edu. It is strongly advised that if you need to miss more than one week of assignments that you contact me right away so that we can set up a plan to get you back on track to avoid being dropped from the course.  

Late Policy

Late work will be accepted only once for “Weekly Assignments”.  After the first late submission all other assignments turned in late will be deducted two points.  All discussions are graded by a rubric and if they meet all required content along with responding to at least two other classmates then you will receive full credit.  Every week we have an assignment, discussion, reading and a small quiz which is equivalent to your "homework". Every Wednesday the discussion is due and every Sunday the responses to the discussion, assignment and quiz are due.  *Note: I will not be responding to every discussion post I will only be jumping in sometimes to help motivate, clarify and fuel the discussion.  We will have small quizzes which can be re-taken and one big exam at the end of the course. All quizzes and exams are to be submitted on time though I am flexible as long as you stay in communication with me so that we can solve the dilemma together.

  Grading

Methods of Evaluation

Each week you will complete graded assignments. There is a Discussion, a Course Journal entry, and a Quiz each week. Quizzes may be taken three times. All of these assignments can be completed after reading the textbook assignments and the summaries in the content modules. 

Exams

There will be online quizzes throughout the course and an online final exam. The material comes from the textbook, class lectures and supplemental materials. If any exam is missed, a zero will be recorded as the score. It is your responsibility to take the online exams by the due date. 

Grading Policy

Visit the “Grades” in Canvas to keep track of your grades. I grade weekly and post grades and comments on the online Canvas gradebook.

 How do I view my grades, teacher comments, and an assignment rubric as a student?

Grades will be assigned as follows: 

                      Grading Scale                                             

A                                 90%                     900 points or more

B                                80%                      800-899 points

C                                70%                      700-799 points

D                               60%                      600-699 points

F or FW                   <60%

SEE NOTES BELOW 

An “F” grade indicates that a student attended, participated and completed the course but failed to master the course curriculum.

An “FW” grade indicates the student stopped attending a course after the “last day to withdraw” deadline and subsequently did not submit any work or participate in any exams. Please check with your counselor and financial aid advisor for possible implications of the FW grade on residency and financial aid status.

  Academic Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

If you need classroom or testing accommodations because of a disability, or have emergency medical information to share with me, or need special arrangements in case the building needs to be evacuated, please make an appointment with me as soon as possible. My office hours are by appointment either on the Ocean Campus (9-4 p.m., Monday through Friday) or by Zoom video-conferencing.

Students seeking disability related accommodations are encouraged to also register with Disabled Students Programs and Services located in Room 323 of the Rosenberg Library (415) 452-5481. Please see the DSPS website for more information and alternate locations.

Academic Counseling

It is important to visit with a counselor at least once a semester so that you stay on track with your Educational Plan.  

Online Academic Counselor Schedule

  Standards of Conduct

Students who register in CCSF classes are required to abide by the CCSF Student Code of Conduct . Violation of the code is basis for referral to the Student Conduct Coordinator or dismissal from class or from the College. See the Office of Student Affairs 

Collaborating on or copying of tests or homework in whole or in part will be considered an act of academic dishonesty and result in a grade of 0 for that test or assignment. I encourage students to share information and ideas, but not their work. See these links on Plagiarism:

Encourage Academic Integrity and Prevent Plagiarism 

Citing Information Sources 

  Expectations

Student Expectations 

You will succeed in this course if you meet the following expectations:

• Complete the assigned activities. Please let me know as soon as you can concerning difficulties that you may have in getting assignments in on time. 

• Complete the discussion posts and replies within the given window of time. Our discussions are much more vibrant when we all participate!

• Complete the weekly quizzes, the final project, and the final exam on time.

• Think critically about the weekly topics. Is something surprising? Is it new to you? 

• Do your own and your best work. 

Instructor Expectations

Here is what you can expect of me:

• I will respond to your email or message within 24-48 hours during the week, unless I inform you otherwise.

• I will treat you and your ideas with respect.

• I will grade your Course Journal and Discussion posts and replies most often within 48 hours. (If you have posted late work, it may take longer.) Grades on the final project and final exam will be done within a week.

• You will see your grades in the Canvas Gradebook.

• I will work hard to make this a great class. 

  List of Assignments

Note to students: the assignments listed below in the Course Summary do not include all course content. To view all course content, go to Modules.

 Master successful online learning in 6 weeks. Gain proficiency using Canvas as a holistic learning environment: access instructions and course materials; participate in community; complete assignments, and receive help from the instructor. Implement behaviors conducive to successful online learning: time management, goal setting, and self-motivation. Apply study strategies to reading e-books, and create study tools for an e-portfolio. This is a great course for students new to, or seeking to master online learning. 

Orientation:

An orientation video will be made available at the beginning of the semester. The link to the recorded orientation will be sent out in a Canvas announcement.  The orientation will be recorded and you will be able to watch it when it is convenient for you.  There will be a small quiz to mark your "attendance" at orientation.

Final Exam:

At the conclusion of the class there will be a final exam that will take place 100% online.  There will be adequate preparation for this exam leading up to the due date.  

Adding and Dropping The Course:

Expect to spend at least 3-5 hours a week during this six-week course.  This class is fully online and it is not self-paced.  This course is short term and it moves at a steady pace, please begin to mentally prepare yourself to etch out time in your schedule to commit to this class on a weekly basis. Your participation in the online course counts as your "attendance" so please try your best to complete all assignments on time.  If there is no "participation" within one week you could be dropped from the course.  I understand that life can throw us curve balls so please email me AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if something comes up that keeps you from completing your weekly assignments so that we can come to an arrangement that works for us both.  My goal as a teacher is to not only help you learn new material but to also to give everyone an opportunity to learn no matter what our barriers may be.  

Waitlist:

Once the class has been filled, an online waitlist will automatically be created.  On the first day of instruction, waitlists are no longer active.  Please email me to let me know if you are still interested in the course so that we can take the proper steps to get you registered.