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Research Paper

OAKTON COLLEGE

GENERIC COURSE SYLLABUS
             

I.

COURSE
PREFIX

COURSE NUMBER

COURSE NAME

CREDIT

LECTURE

LAB

 

COL

110

Foundations of Adult Learning

3

3

0

             
II. PREREQUISITE:
none		        
             
III. COURSE (CATALOG) DESCRIPTION:      
  This course is designed to prepare adult students to participate meaningfully and
successfully in higher education. Topics include: study skills, time management, adult learning and accelerated formats, learning styles, career and educational goals, the language and standards of college, academic computing, and library research.
   
IV. LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
 

In this course the student will:

1. monitor and manage development of academic skills
2. connect academic skills and knowledge to personal and career goals
3. identify and access learning resources to support their success at Oakton
4. use academic technology effectively and responsibly
5. collaborate with other students to address course objectives.
   
V. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
  The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Oakton Community College has adopted a Code of Academic Conduct and a Statement of Student Academic Integrity. These may be found in the Student Handbook. You may also find a summary of the Code of Academic Conduct in the College Catalog. Among the violations of academic integrity listed and defined are: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication, abuse of academic materials, complicity in academic dishonesty, falsification of records and official documents, personal misrepresentation and proxy, and bribes, favors, and threats.

It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty.

Pursuant to the due process guarantees contained in the Policy and Procedures on Student Academic Integrity, the minimum punishment for the first offense for a student found in violation of the standards of academic integrity is failure in the assignment. In addition, a disciplinary record will be established and kept on file in the office of the vice-president for Student Affairs for a period of 3 years.
   
VI. OUTLINE OF TOPICS:
  Faculty are encouraged to draw from the subjects associated
with each of the topics listed below to customize the course for particular groups of
students.

Introduction to Higher Education and Oakton
· The language and standards of college
· The role of community colleges
· History and profile of Oakton
· Resources for learners at Oakton

Individual Goals, Styles, and Preferences
· Learning Styles
· Career and Educational Goals
· Adapting style to cohorts and accelerated learning
· Studentship skills and individual style: opportunity and challenge

Academic Technology Workshop
· Review of hardware components and operating system features
· Overview of key applications
Word - creating a document; sending and retrieving files
Email - sending, retrieving, attachments
Oakton library - access
Internet - using the browser
· Network features
· Wireless environments

Academic Assignments
· Library research (library presentation)
· Preparing an academic document
· Editing
· File management

Adult and Collaborative Learning
· Features of experience-based learning
· Critical role of preparedness in accelerated programs
· Web-enhanced courses
· Skills of discourse and collaboration

Skills of Students: Studying and Taking Tests
· Reading and note-taking
· Identifying key passages and information
· Kinds of tests
· Preparing for objective and essay exams

Self-Assessment of Academic Skills
· Sources of information about academic skills (e.g., placement test results,
previous experiences, feedback from others)
· Writing
· Math
· Reading
· Critical Thinking
· Speaking and presentation skills

Organizing for Success: Personal Management Skills
· Time management for adult students
· Project management skills for papers, group work, projects
· Learning journals, research notecards, files
· Preparing for the first class
   
VII. METHODS OF INSTRUCTION:
  Lecture, discussion, small group inquiry, demonstrations, in-class exercises,
guest speakers.
   
VIII. COURSE PRACTICES REQUIRED:
  Students will be expected to read the required text and any supplemental materials
provided by the instructor. Because in-class exercises play in important role in the
course, students will be advised to participate actively, demonstrate academic
seriousness, and submit any evidence of these exercises as directed by the instructor.
In addition, students will complete homework assignments each week related to
class session topics, including a library research assignment and an expanded
outline for a research paper.
   
IX. INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
  Required Text: Becoming a Master Student. 10th Edition. Houghton-Mifflin
Supplemental Materials: Academic Technology Workbook (provided by
instructor)
   
X. METHODS OF EVALUATING STUDENT PROGRESS:
 

Weekly homework assignments related to class session topics will demonstrate students'progress toward mastery of course objectives. In addition, students will submit a portfolio at the end of the course designed to serve as a resource to them during their academic career at Oakton that integrates self-assessment with specific academic success strategies and information.
   
XI. OTHER COURSE INFORMATION:
 

When the course is taught as part of the Adult Fast Track program, class exercises and assignments will be customized to incorporate course websites and other features of the program.

If you have a documented learning, psychological, or physical disability you may be entitled to reasonable academic accommodations or services. To request accommodations or services, contact the ASSIST office in the Learning Center. All students are expected to fulfill essential course requirements. The College will not waive any essential skill or requirement of a course or degree program.
   
Other Information:
Effective term:
beginning term Fall, 2003
(term) (year)		 end term ___________
(term) (year)

Syllabus prepared by: Donna Younger Date 2/26/03

Reviewed by Dept/program chair: Donna Younger Date 2/27/03

Approved by Dean: MaryAnn Janosik Date 2/27/03