Welcome to the 100% online edition of Psychology 101: Introduction to Psychology {Sections #51366 & #51369} at College of the Canyons. I am your instructor, Rebecca Shepherd, and I am looking forward to working with you during the Spring 2007 semester.  Please read this entire letter for details about logging in to the course and the amount of work required.  If you have any further questions that this letter does not answer, please send me an e-mail at rebecca.shepherd@canyons.edu .   I will do my best to get back to you within 24-48 hours.

In the beginning...
This course will be available on COC's Blackboard system beginning Monday, February 5^th, 2007.  Instructions for logging in to Blackboard are located on the COC Distance Learning web site.  Expect to hit the ground running, so to speak, as we will begin work very quickly.  Class officially begins on Monday, February 5^th.  You may be dropped from the class if you do not log in to Blackboard by 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 6^th. 

If the class is closed and you would like to add...
If the class is closed and you are not currently enrolled but think you would like to add this course, send me an e-mail indicating your interest.  All wait-listed students will receive priority over those not already wait-listed.  Remember, too, that COC has switched to an automated waitlist system which means that you might automatically be added to the course if you are on the official waiting list.

Is everything for this class done online from the comfort of my own home?
That is an excellent question.  This course is advertised at 100% online, which means that all work will be done online and there are no classroom meetings.  However, you will be required to take exams in our Tutorial Lab (TLC) in room I-209 on the college's main campus or at an alternate proctoring facility if you do not live locally in the Santa Clarita, Antelope, or San Fernando Valleys.  There will be specific dates on which exams must be taken to be accepted for credit.  Additional information regarding assignment deadlines, class policies and procedures will be provided once you log in to Blackboard on the first day.

Required Materials and Technology
Despite the online nature of the class, you will need to purchase a textbook. The book is Psychology by College of the Canyons, and is available for purchase only at the COC bookstore.  The textbook is packaged with a copy of Current Directions in Introductory Psychology which is free to you and required for this course. Any student purchasing a used Psych 101 textbook from the COC bookstore can receive a free copy of the Current Directions book, which will be distributed by the bookstore on a first-come-first-served basis.  Remember to make this request upon checkout, because this offer applies solely to individuals who purchased a used Psych 101 textbook at COC.

Additionally, you will need to purchase 4 scantron #882-E forms, as each exam must be completed on this type of scantron form to be eligible for credit.  These materials are available at the COC bookstore.

Given that this is an online course, you will need to have available a computer with reliable internet access and a valid e-mail address that you check regularly, preferably everyday. If you do not have a computer elsewhere and are local to COC you can use the computers on campus, either in the library or in the Tutorial Lab (TLC) in I-209.  If you are not local to COC there may be a technology facility or public library nearby where you can access the internet.

Please remember that it is your responsibility to use a computer with reliable internet access.  If your internet connection is dropped because of a faulty connection or you have other difficulties with your computer, it is your responsibility to troubleshoot the problem.  While COC does provide Blackboard support for students, having faulty equipment is not a valid excuse to request a make-up on a quiz, exam, or discussion board post, nor is it a valid excuse for missing any announcements posted or e-mail messages sent with time sensitive information about assignments and due dates. 

 

Are You Ready for Online Coursework?
As noted above, your work for this class will be completed using Blackboard, an online course management system.  Although not a requirement, it will be very helpful if you are familiar with using internet browser software (such as Netscape, Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.), with sending and receiving e-mail, and with attaching a file to an e-mail message. If you are unsure of your skill level and whether or not you are ready to take a class online, you can visit this site to take a number of self-assessment surveys designed to help you determine your readiness.

 

If You Think This Class Will Be Easy?
If you are already familiar with taking online courses, this class will likely feel comfortable. If this is the first time you have taken an online course, I?d like to point out the differences between the online environment and the traditional classroom. Although online classes have many advantages, including added flexibility, they are unique in several ways and, therefore, may not be for everyone.  First, online classes require students to utilize good time management skills and possess a high level of self-motivation, since the instructor is not visible on a daily basis, and "out of sight" can mean "out of mind." Although I make every effort to keep you apprised of deadlines, I will not be visible to you and will not be repeatedly asking you about why you have not completed your assignments. Second, online courses require students to learn by reading course material and responding in writing on examinations and assignments.  If you enjoy reading and feel that you communicate well in writing, then this format may be for you.

While the field of psychology is fascinating, it involves a number of complex terms and concepts that require time and energy to understand.  Online classes require as much time and effort as traditional face-to-face classes.  To successfully complete this online course, you must read the required textbook, complete discussions and other writing assignments, quizzes and exams at a proctoring facility.  There is a significant amount of effort: discussions, writing assignments, &/or quizzes will occur weekly and an exam is scheduled each month. Each of four units will consist of an average of 3-5 chapters that you will need to read, practice, apply to real-life situations, and understand to perform well on quizzes, discussions and exams. 

Because this is an online course, you are required to master the material outside of a classroom setting.  This requires approximately 10 hours per week of studying in order to complete the reading assignments and other work for this class. If this seems like more than you can manage without external prompting, perhaps a more traditional class is for you. If you are highly motivated, then this is the course for you. This class promises to provide you with a good overview of the field of psychology, as well as the opportunity to interact with a wide variety of students from many different backgrounds.
 

If you have specific questions about this course, please contact me by phone at (661) 362-3534 or e-mail at rebecca.shepherd@canyons.edu . If you have general questions about distance learning programs at College of the Canyons, you can contact Renee Drake at (661) 362-3600 or visit the COC Distance Learning Web Site.

Again, welcome to the class!

 

Sincerely, 
Rebecca Shepherd, M.A.
Professor & Department Chair, Psychology
College of the Canyons