Welcome Letter 14.5 week 1A
š Hello! ENGLISH 1A ONLINEĀ
For fall 2023, class officially begins August 28 and finals week ends December 19.
You can view this course before classes start, and I encourage you to do so.Ā Please note these dates in your calendar.
This is a City Online full semester, 14.5-week course. (City Online courses include 8, 14 & 16 week courses that have varied start dates.)
*Please review carefully the information in this email before emailing me with questions; chances are, they are answered here!
Here is a general syllabus. Upcoming syllabi will be uploaded when I create each Canvas course.
Syllabus for CRN 72895
Syllabus for CRNĀ 70674
Our course syllabus will answer all sorts of questions, from what you need for the course to how to plan your time. Please read it carefully and bookmark it for reference. There will be quizzes on during the semester.
š„ļøĀ Logging In
Please plan to log into the course by the first day of class so I can ensure everyone has access to the course material. If you don't log in by the end of the day on February 1, our first required class attendance day, you will receive a friendly nudge from me. Those who have not logged on and/or completed the initial log on activities could lose their seat to a waiting student! I will do drops by the end of the week if I have not heard from you.
CCSF operates the online learning management systems (LMS) called Canvas. You access Canvas at http://ccsf.instructure.com. Please check your official school email account regularly throughout the semester for notifications from Canvas.
(Please note that you cannot do homework in our course until the course start date listed in the schedule of classes. If you have just added, you will be enrolled in your online course within the next business day. Please wait 24 hours before contacting the Ed Tech Department. You will use your RAM-ID to access Canvas.)
Ā š Course Format
This is a 14.5-week online class. Here are some details about the structure of our course:
The class is organized into 15 modules with each module representing one week. Even though it is technically a 14.5 week course, the last two class days willĀ be module 15. Work through each module in order. Each new module begins at 10AM on the Saturday before the upcoming week. Time management and pacing yourself will be key, so note due dates ahead of time in each module.Ā
I do not publish all of the semesterās modules ahead of time, so make sure to read the syllabus to find tentative due dates for all papers. Paper workshops are generally conducted two days before paper due dates. Workshop participation is a high-point quiz because this is a collaborate process class where each of you is an indispensable set of eyes and ears for each other student.
š Tips for Success
Set up your notifications in Canvas. Iāll provide you with feedback, and Iāll send out weekly announcements. Setting your notifications will ensure you receive this important information quickly.
Set up your profile and add a profile picture in CANVAS.Ā
Set up your schedule and stick to it. The #1 piece of advice former students consistently offer incoming/new students is to plan your time well; carving out focused, sustained, and the suggested number of hours for work time - and sticking to that schedule - will ensure you have the time and space to be successful. We want your final grade to reflect your skills, not your rushed schedule! This class is designed to take 12-14+ hours per week. This is typical for a 4 credit-unit course. When you are in face to face classes, each credit hour you are in class requires 3+ hours of outside reading and work at the college level. This is why taking 12 credit hours is considered full time (12X3 = 36 hours a week). This is not an arbitrary number I came up with - this is the formula for how college course credits are calculated. Of course, some students may need less time and some may need more, depending on reading speed and focused time applied. At minimum, I want you to plan on 14-16+ hours a week for this course. It is helpful to map out when you will work on this course ahead of time, and do so consistently (for example: from 2-5 on Mondays, from 10-2 on Tuesdays, etcā¦). You will need to be online in focused chunks of work time most days. One of your first homework assignments will be to make a weekly schedule.
Work through the modules chronologically. Use the link on the home page to take you to the week's module, and use the Next button to work through the reading material and assignments. The assignments are based on the readings. The chapters you will read in each book are listed in the module title. "Textbook" reading pages about reading, critical thinking, and writing are in the week's module under the "Things to Read" heading. Homework assignments -- discussions and other things you will turn in -- require your reading and comprehending each assigned reading page. If you get stuck, please reach out to the tutor or me!
I advise you to schedule time to log into our class each Monday (or the weekend before) at the latest to review the new module's overview page and any introductory videos, as well as assess the new module's content and assignment due dates. Do this by or before every Monday and plan your learning time around the due dates and your personal schedule. Your first assignments for each week are usually do on Tuesdays, and they require you to have read various pages/chapter in our book as well as pages in the "Things to Read" section. Each module is different and will require more time at different stages of the reading and writing process. Plan to devote extra time to homework in the week before each essay is due; you will participate in a peer workshop of your draft and then revise your paper before submitting it for a grade.
Grab those earbuds. If you do your coursework in a group or family setting (like I often do), keep a pair of simple ear buds nearby. There are (captioned) videos interspersed throughout the modules so be prepared for this content variety.
š± Believe in yourself. This course has the potential to really change the way you think about reading, writing, and success. I think we have a great reading list, and some of your homework will be to journal about your personal application of our readings. At the same time, some of the assignments may make you feel nervous. Feeling nervous when you try something new is normal! Remember three things: One, moving outside your comfort zone is the most powerful way to grow and learn; two, making mistakes is a very important part of true learning that goes deep and lasts; and three, I have designed this class for beginners and I have the utmost confidence in you. Take things one step at a time. Each homework assignment builds on the previous work. Message me if youād like to conference. I can offer your support, encouragement, and Iām a good listener if you want to talk about your life!
ā±ļøCountdown!Ā
Okay, are you ready to get started? I hope so, and I canāt wait to meet you! On our first day of class, feel free to log in to the course. (I will set the course to open at 12AM).
Welcome to English 1A Online!
Elizabeth Zarubin (Instructional Facilitator)
š Want to hear a bit more about the course? Please watch my short welcome video, and Iāll see you soon!Ā
Need more help logging on?Ā
Logging in to Canvas for course access:
Ā Claim RAM ID and Login to Canvas: Student Guide (Links to an external site.)Ā
Ā Login to Canvas HERE- http://ccsf.instructure.com
For more information or help, use the student guides below:
Ā Student Services (Links to an external site.) (including information about special accommodations)
Once you log into Canvas, you can access more help at the Canvas Help Menu in the left sidebar including 24-hour phone support.
The above links are always available to you at the City College home page, https://www.ccsf.edu (Links to an external site.), and from there, MyCCSF.Ā Look in the For Students column, the Distance Learning section.Ā More are under Educational Programs, Online Learning.
Need more help?Ā Ā
Go to the Online Course Support Center (Links to an external site.)
Contact the CCSF Educational Technology Office, Batmale Hall L310, Monday through Thursday 9am-4pm (beginning January 19) , (415) 452-5689,Ā
or contact your instructor (although in all cases you will likely be referred to the Online Course Support Center anyway).
Remember that the folks at Canvas Support can assist you 24/7; call (833) 703-3736.
If you no longer plan to take this course, please complete the quick drop course steps to open up a seat for a fellow student.
See You Soon!
Elizabeth Zarubin
Template idea for this letter originated with the amazing Kristin Smith.
The content of this announcement willĀ be visible to usersĀ at 12am inside the course.
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