Communication

Communication is crucial in various aspects of life, playing a fundamental role in personal, professional, and social contexts. It is the foundation of human interaction and is essential for personal development, educational professional success, and the ability to function in society. It is a skill that, when honed, can lead to more meaningful connections and positive outcomes in various aspects of life. Here are some key points of communication: 

1. Building Relationships: Effective communication fosters positive relationships. It helps in understanding others, resolving conflicts, and building trust.

2. Workplace Success: Clear communication is vital in the workplace. It facilitates collaboration, enhances teamwork, and ensures that tasks are understood and executed correctly.

3. Career Advancement: Strong communication skills are often a key factor in career success. It can impact job interviews, presentations, and overall professional reputation.

4. Problem Solving: Communication is essential for identifying, analyzing, and solving problems. It allows individuals or teams to share ideas, gather information, and collectively find solutions.

5. Innovation and Creativity: Open and effective communication encourages the exchange of ideas. This is crucial for innovation and the development of creative solutions to challenges.

6. Education and Learning: Communication is at the core of education. Teachers convey information to students, and students communicate their understanding. It is essential for the learning process.

7. Personal Development: Expressing oneself helps in self-discovery and personal growth. Through communication, individuals can articulate their thoughts, emotions, and goals.

8. Cultural Understanding: Communication is a bridge across diverse cultures. It promotes understanding, tolerance, and appreciation of different perspectives.

9. Conflict Resolution: Effective communication is key in resolving conflicts. It allows parties to express their concerns, understand each other's viewpoints, and find mutually agreeable solutions.

10. Public Influence: Public figures, leaders, and influencers leverage communication to convey messages, shape opinions, and inspire action on a larger scale.

11. Information Exchange: In a rapidly changing world, communication is essential for the timely exchange of information, be it news, updates, or critical announcements.

12. Healthcare: Effective communication between healthcare professionals and patients is critical for accurate diagnosis, treatment adherence, and overall well-being.

13. Social and Emotional Well-being: Communication is central to emotional expression and social connection. It plays a crucial role in maintaining mental health and well-being.

Weekly CANVAS Announcements

Each week there will be a new CANVAS announcement. These announcements are another main form of communication about the course and events at Crafton Hills College. A typical weekly announcement will contain the following: 

• Opening: Paragraph giving the student information from the previous week and the upcoming week. 

• Points of Confusion or Clarification: If there are lots of questions or I notice students confused about a course topic, I will address it here within the Weekly Canvas Announcement.

• Campus Information and Events: Any upcoming campus information or events will be within the weekly announcement or sent out as a separate Canvas Announcement.

• Weekly Tasks: Each week there will be a set of tasks (VideoLlectures, MyMathLab Homework, Lecture Checkpoints, Exams, etc) that must be completed by a specified due date and time. 

• Student Hours and Tutoring Table: This table will list all student and tutoring hours, my contact information (email, office, phone), when the embedded tutor is available, embedded tutor contact information, well as Tutor Center and STEM Center Information. 

Late Work

I understand things come up in everyone's lives and am willing to help as long as I have been contacted before an assignment's deadline. In general, I do not accept late work.  I drop the lowest two scores from every grading category, except exams, so for those who unexpectedly miss an assignment or two due to an emergency, their grade will not be harmed.  Also, for those who know about an upcoming schedule conflict, please talk to me about the possibility of getting an extension on an assignment or taking an exam before the date it is scheduled/given to the class. I will work with anyone having special concerns but for me to make an accommodation, anyone with those concerns must reach out to me through a direct message in PRONTO or by email before the due date. Please know, to avoid abusing extensions, there is a limit to how many exceptions I will allow.

What you can expect from me:

1. As your instructor, I will be actively present in your learning experience.

2. I will create a positive and supportive environment where you will feel safe to ask questions and take on challenging material.

3. I will provide clear and concise content and practice materials that help you learn.

4. I will respond to your questions within one school day.

5. I will provide feedback on your in-class activities, lecture checkpoints, and exams in a timely manner. I really do my best to get all assignments especially lecture checkpoints and exams graded within a week, but please allow me two weeks at the most.

6. I understand that you are busy and that you have many competing priorities.  When appropriate, I will be flexible to support your successful completion of this course.

"Focus on learning...the grade will earn itself"

-Howie Hua

What I will expect from you:

1. Be an active participant in our classroom and learning environment.

2. Engage with your classmates in our learning community.

3. Have a consistent study schedule. Successful students build consistent study time into their schedules.

4. Study actively.

5. Challenge yourself to try new things, keep an open mind about mathematics, and recognize that mistakes are a vital part of the learning process.

6. Be thoughtful in your interactions with peers, tutors, and instructors, while taking extra care to respect diverse perspectives.  

7.  Support your classmates as you share this learning space and time.

8. Uphold academic integrity by only submitting authentic work. 

9. Focus on understanding the verbiage of the course content, and concepts to carry out the skills of this course while aiming for your own personal best.