Here are a variety of useful items that faculty can use in support of their classroom, blended or online teaching.

* Denotes that this item will fulfill a requirement for course approval by the Online Advisory Board.

Tech Support and Resources

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Netiquette *

1. Standards of courtesy and respect must be maintained at all times in our online "classroom." Join in to the discussion, but remember that this is still a “classroom” setting and that respect and consideration are crucial for any intellectual discussion.

2. Discussion areas are the place for intelligent and respectful airing of ideas. Name-calling and personal attacks are not permitted.

3. Any violation of the standards of appropriate behavior online will be reported to the Dean of Students and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken by the college.

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ADA STATEMENT *

It is the policy of Collin College to provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities. This College will adhere to all applicable Federal and State laws, regulations, and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student's responsibility to contact the ACCESS Office (G-200) or 881-5898, (TDD-881-5950)in a timely manner if he/she desires to arrange for accommodations.

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ACADEMIC ETHICS:

The College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty.
Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree and/or the submission as one's own work material that is not one's own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, and/or falsifying academic records.
Plagiarism is the use of an author's words or ideas as if they were one's own without giving credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.
Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else's work for assignments as if it were one's own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.
Collusion is intentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to providing a paper or project to another student, providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate during an examination; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.


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Computer Technical Requirements *

Students enrolled in this class must have reliable computer and internet access. Recommended specifications for video-streaming are as follows: Recommended Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, Windows 2000, or Windows Millennium Edition Pentium or AMD Athlon K6 266 MHz processor or faster 64 MB RAM 56-Kbps modem 24-bit true color video card

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The following could be placed in a syllabus for an online course:

To be successful taking online courses, you should be able to answer “yes” to the following questions:

Can you create, save and find files on your computer?
Can you open, close and resize windows on your computer?
Can you click , double click and right click using a mouse?
Can you cut and paste using a mouse?
Do you know how to use spell check?
Do you know how to install software on your computer if you need to ?
Do you know how to send and receive email attachments?
Can you save, delete, reply to and forward email?
Can you access email and the World Wide Web at least five times a week?
Do you know the difference between an email address and a website URL?
Do you know how to access the Internet and go to a website URL?

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SAMPLE WELCOME LETTER Download This Sample Welcome Letter

Welcome to (name of course)

(About instructor here)
My name is ______ and I am located at Collin’s _________ (specific) Campus.  My office is _______ (number)
(Some personal information can be placed here.)

(Contact information and response time here)
The best way to reach me is by e-mail at _________.  I can also be reached by phone at _________.   Please do not hesitate tocontact me for assistance or clarification; I am happy to help.   I respond to all emails within ______________ (one day/twodays/same day/etc.)

(Course description here – here is an example)
This course (Name of course) is about (statement of content and topic, add areas of emphasis and briefly outline the key topics)

(Course material here – here is an example)

The textbook for this course is (name of textbook and any related, needed materials).

This course is on the Blackboard Campus Edition (CE) platform. This is basically an online environment which allows us to interact with each other and allows you to easily stay on top of your due dates and assignments. It may take you a few hours to get the hang of it, but I think you will find it to be very helpful. 

(How to navigate the course here)
Once you have logged into our course, you will see following icons directing you to the various components of the course.  You need to begin at the "Start Here" icon.

(Other important information here)
An important thing to remember about online courses is that they are not self-paced.  Students must work through each week’s assignments and submit work by the specified due dates.

Best of luck throughout the semester! I am really looking forward to getting to know you over the next few months.

Sincerely,

(Instructor’s Name)

LEGEND

Green Color: Required, fixed information, for all syllabi (This is the ONLY information that will be posted on the Syllabus Depot.)
Orange Color: Required, not fixed, varies by Instructor, but must be provided for CAB presentations (This will NOT be posted on the Syllabus Depot.)
Purple Color: Required, not fixed, varies by instructor, not required for CAB presentation (This will NOT be posted on the Syllabus Depot.)
Blue Color: Explanation of field

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SAMPLE ONLINE SYLLABUS Download This Sample Online Syllabus

Online Course Syllabus

Color coded as a guide for compliance with the Online Advisory Board’s (OAB) review and approval rubric.

Course Number: Rubric (all caps) – Course Number (4 digits). Extension/Section (3 digits)
Course Title:
Course Description: Should be the official catalog course description
Course Credit Hours:
Prerequisite: Course Rubric and Number, if applicable. If there is not one, do not enter this category.
Corequisite: Course Rubric and Number, if applicable. If there is not one, do not enter this category.
College Repeat Policy: A student may repeat this course only once after receiving a grade, including “W”.
Course Delivery Method: The district's course management system for all online courses is Blackboard Campus Edition (CE).
Instructor’s Information:
---Instructor’s Name:
  -Office number and full address:
  -Office Hours: If Associate Faculty, the statement “by appointment only”. (Per SACS, contact information must be -provided to students. If “by appointment only”, then what day of the week and time of the day appointments-may be scheduled needs to be communicated here.)
Contact Information – Note preferred method of contact: Phone number(s)(by appointment and/or during office hours), e-mail address, email turnaround time (example 1 day, 2 days, same day, next) department office contact in case of emergencies
Textbook: (Name, number and textbook information goes here.) 
Supplies: (If information from a publisher’s site or other online third party is used in the course, insert that information here, including how to access the material.)
Student Learning Outcomes: This section will outline the measurable student learning outcomes of the course as agreed upon and submitted by faculty in the discipline.
Course Requirements: General requirements all students must accomplish to successfully complete the course. There should be some requirements that are required for all sections of a course. The instructor can add to this on the Instructor/Faculty Syllabus.
Method of Evaluation: Grading policy/Scale, specifically state how grade is determined.  Important to state where grades will be posted and/or how student will receive/have access to them. It is important to specify the turn-around time for grades - note how long it will take to grade and post.
Participation and course interaction requirements:  Will vary by instructor.  This should include expected methods of student participation – discussion boards, chat, white board, email, etc. in addition, any group projects, peer reviews, special assignments or activities should be noted.
Technology Requirements: Minimum technology requirements (computer speed, internet access, etc.) and minimum student technology skills (ability to send files, use word processing software, spreadsheets, etc.) are clearly stated.

Withdrawals:  See the current Collin Registration Guide for the last day to withdraw.

Religious Holy Days: please refer to the current Collin Student Handbook

ADA Statement: It is the policy of Collin College to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals who are students with disabilities. This College will adhere to all applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and guidelines with respect to providing reasonable accommodations as required to afford equal educational opportunity. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the ACCESS office, SCC-G200 or 972.881.5898 (V/TTD:972.881.5950) in a timely manner to arrange for appropriate accommodations.

Academic Ethics: Collin College may initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts, or omissions related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as one’s own work material that is not one’s own. Scholastic dishonesty may involve, but is not limited to, one or more of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion, use of annotated texts or teacher’s editions, and/or falsifying academic records.

Plagiarism is the use of an author’s words or ideas as if they were one’s own without giving credit to the source, including, but not limited to, failure to acknowledge a direct quotation.

Cheating is the willful giving or receiving of information in an unauthorized manner during an examination, illicitly obtaining examination questions in advance, copying computer or Internet files, using someone else’s work for the assignments as if it were one’s own, or any other dishonest means of attempting to fulfill the requirements of a course.

Collusion is intentionally aiding or attempting to aid another in an act of scholastic dishonesty, including but not limited to, providing a paper or project to another student; providing an inappropriate level of assistance; communicating answers to a classmate during an examination; removing tests or answer sheets from a test site, and allowing a classmate to copy answers.

Any additional information, approved by a Dean, may be added to the syllabus..

LEGEND

Green Color: Required, fixed information, for all syllabi (This is the ONLY information that will be posted on the Syllabus Depot.)
Orange Color: Required for OAB approval, not fixed, varies by Instructor,  (This will NOT be posted on the Syllabus Depot.)
Blue Color: Explanation of field



Place the following, exact and approved language within courses as appropriate:

Copyright Statement

Copyright:  Materials used in connection with this course may be subject to copyright protection.


Use of 3rd Party Links

Course links:  This course includes distance learning components which may contain links to Web sites operated and maintained by other public or private entities.  While Collin College instructors provide link information to these sites, the College assumes no responsibility for the privacy practices or the content of such Web sites.  It is recommended that users consider the individual privacy policy statements of each web site they visit.

Homepage Footer Message for all Online Courses

Using Live Classroom

To enter the classroom, click on the Live Classroom Icon.

In order to speak and hear, you will need a headset with a microphone connected to your computer.  Make sure that you check to insure they are working.  You can use a sound recorder on your computer for testing.

If you do not have a microphone, you can use a telephone to join the session.  For phone functions, click on the "phone" icon which is on the tool bar which is across the bottom third of the screen.

Before you enter the room, use the "Set Up Wizard" in order to check your computer settings.  This will be on the page that first opens after you click on the Live Classroom Icon.

Also on this page, at the bottom, is the access to archives.  Archives are copies of activities completed in the room that your professor has recorded for you to view anytime.

Select "Enter the Classroom".  Once inside you will see a list of others who are in the room.  In order to speak, click and hold the "Talk" button.

You can send text messages to the room from the windows on the bottom left of your screen.


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