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Online Orientation Letter
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Online Orientation Letter

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Math 140 - Introductory Statistics - Dustin Silva

Course:Introductory Statistics
Professor:Dustin Silva
Email:dustin.silva@canyons.edu
Format:
  • Hybrid
Course Length:
  • Applies to All Course Lengths

Introduction

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Welcome to our online version of Math 140:  Introductory Statistics. My name is Dustin Silva, and I will be your instructor for this course.  Please note there are two Professor Silvas teaching here, be sure to contact the correct Silva when you want to email me.  This orientation letter will provide you with helpful information as you prepare for our class.  Please note that this class has asynchronous online lectures and assignments, while exams will be conducted and proctored in-person on campus at College of the Canyons.  Please see the schedule of classes for the days, times, and location of class meetings which will also be listed in the syllabus.

Course Description

What to Expect in this Course

First Day of Class:

Typically on the first day of a face-to-face class, your instructor will say each name on the official roster and mark whether the person is present.  There will be a few assignments due on the first day of the semester.   This deadline is 24 hours after the class begins. Please consult the Academic Calendar for official term dates.

If you do not log in to Canvas and do the required assignments due on the first day of the semester or contact the instructor via email to share that you’re having issues with accessing Canvas by the required date and time, you will be dropped from the course as a “No Show.”

If you are not active during the semester for an extended period of time, typically one week but can vary depending on the length of the course, you may be dropped from the course.  Please make sure that you are staying on top of all Canvas assignments as there will be no makeup assignments for any reason.

A typical weekly schedule:

Watch lecture videos while taking lesson notes, and complete assignments for that lesson through Canvas outlined in that week’s module.

During a week when you have an exam, you should do the review assignments, review your homework, and then take the real exam.  Your exams will be timed and proctored in-person 

Time Commitment:

Every student is expected to make a serious time commitment to this course every week.  You should set aside time for watching videos, completing assignments, and many additional hours for learning the material and doing homework (individually or in online study groups).  Homework will be assigned weekly via Canvas modules and you will have at least one week to complete the week's module.  

Technology Requirements: 

  • Be sure you have reliable Internet access as you will spend a lot of time in Canvas.
  • In addition, you will need a scientific calculator for some exercises and exams. Your PC may already have one.
  • Assignments will be submitted through Canvas. 
  • Computer access with internet and Chrome as a browser.
  • The computer is recommended to have speakers, a webcam, and a microphone for watching videos and meeting with me online for office hours.
  • StatCrunch access.
  • Basic or scientific calculator, you may use the calculator on the computer.

Project:

There will be at least one-course project for this class. It will be

  • Turned in via Canvas
  • Group/Individual project
  • A PowerPoint project

Exams:

There will be at least three exams, plus a cumulative final exam. Exams/Tests will be proctored will be conducted and proctored in-person on campus at College of the Canyons.  Please see the schedule of classes for the days, times, and location of class meetings.  These will also be listed in the syllabus. 

For exams, they will be conducted in person and you will need:

  • A valid photo ID
  • StatCrunch access

Cheating:

Suspected incidents of cheating will result in receiving a zero on the exam or assignment, as well as being reported to the Student Conduct office where other consequences will be determined.  Any suspected incidents of cheating may result in students' option to take exams via remote proctoring being revoked and the student will be required to take exams and assessments in-person through the College of the Canyons Testing Center.

Use of AI (Chat GPT etc.) for Assignments:

As you delve into the course material and engage in various assignments, we would like to emphasize an important guideline regarding the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools.  While AI has become increasingly prevalent in many fields, we want to emphasize that for the purpose of this course, it is crucial that you refrain from utilizing AI or any similar automated systems to complete your assignments. The primary objective of these assignments is to assess your personal understanding, critical thinking skills, and ability to apply the concepts learned in the classroom.

Using AI tools undermines the integrity of the learning process and goes against the principles of academic honesty. It is essential that you uphold these principles and respect the guidelines set forth by the academic institution. Failure to comply with this requirement will result in severe consequences.

If a student is found to have used AI tools to complete an assignment, the following actions will be taken:

  1. The student will receive a grade of zero for the assignment in question.
  2. The incident will be reported to the Dean of the department or the appropriate academic authority for further investigation.
  3. The student may face additional disciplinary actions in line with the institution's policies on academic integrity.

Types of Assessments

  • Proctored in-person exams
  • Course Project(s) (Individual and/or Group)
  • Online quizzes through Canvas
  • Weekly discussion boards
  • Homework assignments through Canvas

Textbook Information

Concepts in Statistics ebook-Free in Canvas.

Additional information:

  • We will be using StatCrunch as our statistical software.  See https://www.statcrunch.com/help for video help. 
  • Canvas:  Our course will be using the Canvas course management system to support our teaching and learning goals starting on the first day of the course.
    • You can access our course on the first day of class at https://coc.instructure.com/login/canvas  using your MyCanyons username and password.  You are automatically added to the course by the school system as long as you are enrolled in the class. 
    • After login, click on Dashboard or Courses to locate our class. Then click on the title of our class.
    • If you haven’t done so already, change your Canvas password.
    • From the left menu bar, click on Account → Settings → Edit
    • From this window, you can also enter an email address and/or text preferences if you would like to receive text messages for assignments, deadlines, and due dates.
    • Then go to Notifications. On this screen, you may edit what you receive from Canvas and the method of contact.
    • Click on Account → Notifications. Under Notification Preferences, you can control the method and way Canvas contacts you with reminders of course deadlines and activities. These can be updated/changed at any time.
    • Please also use the following website at https://www.canyons.edu/academics/onlineeducation/studentsupport/canvasstudentguides.php.  Here, you can also access Canvas user guides with helpful tips for navigating and using Canvas. 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.   
  • Exams will be conducted and proctored in-person on campus at College of the Canyons.  Please see the schedule of classes for the days, times, and location of class meetings which will also be listed in the syllabus.
  • You must have computer access to work on the class material.
  • You must have an up-to-date internet browser, Chrome is preferred for Canvas.
  • Access to a word processing program (such as Microsoft Word) and slideshow presentation program (such as Microsoft PowerPoint), you may use Google Docs and Google Slides instead.
  • Valid Canyons email account that you will regularly check.
  • Basic document creation and handling (how to cut/copy/paste from one document to another).
  • Be able to create and save documents in Microsoft Word and as a pdf file, how to attach documents to email messages and discussion posts, how to create and save a graph/chart/diagram, etc. in Microsoft Excel or Microsoft PowerPoint.

Other Relevant Course Information

Please contact me at dustin.silva@canyons.edu if you want to add the class after the semester has begun or if you have any other questions/concerns. If you are waitlisted at the beginning of the semester, I will contact you when/if you can be added to my roster. You will be given 24 hours to add the course within your MyCanyons or a message to respond with your interest. Please know that failure to add in time will mean that you are forfeiting your spot in the course.  Your spot will be given to another student on the waitlist and you will lose your priority as a waitlisted student. After you add the class, it could take up to 24 hours to get into the canvas course (I do not have control over that), so be sure to add as soon as I give you the authorization. 

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: 06/07/2023 Sub#: 1338