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Online Orientation Letter
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Online Orientation Letter

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FIRETC-101 - Principles of Emergency Services - Keith Kawamoto

Course:Principles of Emergency Services
Professor:Keith Kawamoto
Email:keith.kawamoto@canyons.edu
Format:
  • Online
Course Length:
  • 16 Week

Introduction

Professor Kawamoto

Welcome to Fire Technology 101: “Principles of Emergency Services.”  My name is Keith Kawamoto, and I am the Professor for this 16-week fully-online course. 

Please review this “Orientation Letter” to determine whether or not this class will be a “good fit” for you and your learning style, and feel free to contact me via email at keith.kawamoto@canyons.edu with any questions.

This class is conducted 100% online.  As such, there are zero required face-to-face meetings, and no “live” online lecture broadcasts… meaning that you will not have to come to campus for any portion of this class, and do not have to be online at any specific time each day. Our class is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere with Canvas / Internet access.  (More about “Canvas” below). 

Although there are no “live” ZOOM meetings, you will be required to watch various “recorded” videos that help explain the course material.  Links to these “recorded” videos will be available to watch on your computer, tablet, or smartphone once our class starts.

THE NUMBER ONE REASON STUDENTS DO NOT DO WELL IN A FULLY-ONLINE CLASS IS FAILURE TO MANAGE THEIR TIME EFFECTIVELY.

To successfully complete this course, you MUST have…

  • Excellent "Time Management" skills
    • You must be able to make note of (and remember) all deadlines, and be disciplined enough to keep up with the workload.
  • Access to a RELIABLE computer
  • RELIABLE Internet access and a web browser (e.g. Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
  • A valid College of the Canyons (COC) email address. 
  • Applicable Software: Video clips, electronic documents, and various Internet websites will be utilized as part of this course.  Please make sure you have all necessary software (Adobe Acrobat Reader, and a word processing program like Microsoft Word) loaded on your computer.

Our fully-online course is accessible electronically through “Canvas.” Canvas is the College’s electronic learning platform that we use (in this class) for all Announcements, Lessons, Handouts, Discussions, Assignment submittals, Communication, and taking Quizzes/Exams.  By logging into Canvas, you are essentially walking into our “electronic classroom.” 

The link to access “Canvas” can be found on the College of the Canyons homepage: www.canyons.edu

Course Description

Fire Technology 101 “Principles of Emergency Services” provides an overview of fire protection and emergency services; career opportunities in fire protection and related fields; culture and history of emergency services; fire loss analysis; organization and function of public and private fire protection services; fire departments as part of local government; laws and regulations affecting the fire service; fire service nomenclature; specific fire protection functions; basic fire chemistry and physics; introduction to fire protection systems; introduction to fire strategy and tactics; and life safety initiatives.

Please refer to the Course Syllabus (available for download from “Canvas” on Day 1 of the class) for all Student Learning Outcomes and Course Objectives.

What to Expect in this Course

To be successful in this course, you are expected to keep up with a workload that includes approximately ONE to TWO CHAPTERS of coursework each week.  Each Chapter may include (but is not limited to) reading the textbook chapter, working your way through our “Chapter Outlines,” watching video clips, reviewing websites and handouts, completing assignments and discussion boards, and taking the associated Quiz.

Although this is considered a “fully-online” course, you are still required to regularly “attend” class and participate.  What constitutes “attendance” and “participation”?  You are required to:

  • Regularly log into our course through Canvas at least every 2 days (more-frequently as necessary).
  • Participate in class-wide and small group discussions.
  • Complete and Submit the assigned coursework (Assignments, Quizzes, Exams, and Course Project)
  • Communicate with the Professor.

Failure to attend and/or participate in the class at any point can result in you being dropped from the course.

Just as in a “face-to-face” class, all students are required to demonstrate that they can work co-operatively, behave professionally and ethically, assess and evaluate information, and provide helpful feedback to one another.

Types of Assessments

Online QUIZZES and EXAMS, Discussion Boards, Assignments, and a “Course Project.” 

All Assessments are conducted on the Internet through “Canvas” (the College’s electronic learning platform.)

Textbook Information

“Introduction to Fire Protection and Emergency Services” by Robert Klinoff, 6th Edition, ISBN #9781284180152.

This textbook IS required, and must be in your possession by your FIRST DAY of the semester.

Each textbook chapter will be covered this semester.  Our course is divided into separate “Modules.”  (A “Module” is a grouping of “Chapters” from your textbook.)  As part of each Module, students are required to read the associated textbook chapters to provide a foundation for all activities, supplemental materials, discussions, assignments, quizzes/exams, and projects.

Other Relevant Course Information

ENROLLED STUDENTS THAT FAIL TO LOG INTO CANVAS AND COMPLETE THE “ASSIGNMENT #0: DAY 1 DISCUSSION BOARD” BY 11:59pm PACIFIC TIME ON “DAY 1” of the semester WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE.

“LATE ADD” Students: Students that wish to add the class after the semester has begun must contact the Professor via email for permission to add: keith.kawamoto@canyons.edu 

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. Question: What should I do first?

Answers:

  • Read this “Orientation Letter” to determine if this particular fully-online course is a good fit for you.  Do you have enough self-discipline, organization, and time management to work independently for 16-weeks?  
    • If YES, then I encourage you to enroll in the class. 
    • If NO, then that’s okay!  That’s why you’re reading this “Orientation Letter”… to find out whether or not this class is for you.  If you learn better from "LIVE" ZOOM lectures (and/or prefer learning in "real time" on Zoom), then I encourage you to register for the "OnlineLIVE" version of FIRETC-101.
  • Visit the various Internet links in this “Orientation Letter” to familiarize yourself with this course and our College. 
  • Familiarize yourself with “Canvas.”
  • Set up your COC email account.

 

2. Question: When do I need the TEXTBOOK by?

Answer: The textbook needs to be in your possession by the FIRST DAY OF CLASS.  Please take into account "shipping time" to ensure that the textbook arrives in time for “Day One.”  Textbook info: “Introduction to Fire Protection and Emergency Services” by Robert Klinoff, 6th Edition, ISBN #9781284180152.

 

3. Question: What do I need to do by 11:59pm on the FIRST DAY of the semester?

Answers:

  • Log into Canvas
  • Once logged in, click on the link to our course: FIRETC-101
  • Click on the “DISCUSSIONS” link on the left-side of your screen, then select the “Day 1 Lineup” Discussion Board to verify your attendance and confirm your spot in this class.
    • Enter a “Reply” to the “Day 1 Lineup” Discussion Board by typing the word “HERE” to confirm your presence in the online classroom.  This will confirm your presence in the class.
      • NOTE: Failure to post the word “HERE” in the “Day 1 Lineup” Discussion Board by 11:59pm Pacific Time will constitute a “no show,” and result in you being DROPPED FROM THE COURSE.
      • I HIGHLY recommend setting a “REMINDER” for yourself for the first day of our semester to log in and complete the above-listed requirements. Failure to complete these requirements will result in you being dropped from the class.

 

4. Questions: How do I log into Canvas?

Answer: The Internet link to access “Canvas” can be found on the College of the Canyons homepage: www.canyons.edu

 

5. Question: Is a fully-online course the right format for me?

Answer: Maybe. Maybe not.  I encourage you to check out COC’s Online Education Website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student.  The Online Education Website provides information on exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success.  To be successful in a fully-online class...

  • You MUST be disciplined enough to keep up with the workload and deadlines.  DO NOT FALL BEHIND.
  • You MUST  to be comfortable with navigating the Internet, using a word processing program (like Microsoft Word), using your College of the Canyons student email, and other basic computer functions. 
  • In addition, you MUST  familiarize yourself with “MyCanyons” (COC’s online portal), COC Student Email, and Canvas (our online “learning platform,” through which you’ll participate in the class). 
  • If (after reading this "Orientation Letter") you determine that a fully-online format is NOT for you, then I encourage you to register for the "OnlineLIVE" version of FIRETC-101, which features "synchronous" Zoom lectures.

 

6. Question: What if I experience technical problems with Canvas?

Answer: For any Canvas-related issues, please call the Canvas Student Support line at (661) 362-3344 during college business hours, or (877) 889-9052 for 24/7 support.  You can also send an email to COC Student Tech Support at cvsupport@canyons.edu, however it may take up to 24 hours to receive an email response.

 

7. Question: How do I get a College of the Canyons student email address?

Answer: Set up your “COC student email address” through MyCanyons.  (From the COC homepage www.canyons.edu, click on the “MyCanyons” link at the top of the web page.)

 

8. Question: How do I take QUIZZES/EXAMS for this “fully-online” class?

Answer: All QUIZZES/EXAMS for this class are taken online through Canvas from wherever you have Internet access.  QUIZZES/EXAMS ARE timed, and each QUIZ/EXAM has a specific DEADLINE (including a specific time you MUST finish by).  You MUST complete each QUIZ/EXAM in the time given, AND before the QUIZ/EXAM’S deadline.

 

9. Question: Professor Kawamoto, I have a question for you.  Can I contact you before the semester begins?

Answer: Yes.  Send me an email at keith.kawamoto@canyons.edu  Please note that during Summer and Winter break, a response may be delayed. (If I do not respond right away, be patient, as I do not check my email every single day during our Semester Breaks.)

Additional Resources

Canvas

This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:

  • CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
  • CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password

Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.

Online Education

Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.

The Learning Center (TLC)

The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!

Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)

College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.

Online Counseling

The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.

Management of Stress and Mental Health

Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.

Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.

You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.

Veterans Resource Center

The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.

Library

The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!

Last updated: 11/21/2021 Sub#: 1141