PSYCH 172H - Developmental Psychology-Honors - Mehgen Andrade
| Course: | Developmental Psychology-Honors |
|---|---|
| Professor: | Mehgen Andrade |
| Email: | mehgen.andrade@canyons.edu |
| Format: |
|
| Course Length: | 5 week |
| Textbook Title: | ZTC |
| Types of Assessments: | Discussion Boards Synopsis Papers/Reviews Exams |
Introduction
Dear Virtual Psychology Student,
My name is Mehgen Andrade and I am your instructor for the course and am looking forward to working with you during the coming session! Please read this entire letter for details about logging in to the course and the amount and type of work required. If you have any further questions that this letter does not answer, please send me an email at mehgen.andrade@canyons.edu.
To start things off….
This is a 100% online class, which means that there will not be any on-campus or face-to-face meetings. Examinations will be administered online during each exam period. In order to take the exams online, you will be required to have a working camera linked to your computer. This is to ensure validity of the person taking the exam and to preserve integrity of the course by preventing cheating.
This course will be available on Canvas beginning on the day that the class officially starts. Instructions for logging in to Canvas can be found here: https://coc.instructure.com/login/canvas.
Only officially enrolled students will have an account, and you must complete the orientation discussion board by the first day of class, or risk being dropped from the course.
Work in this class will begin immediately, with assignments due within a day of the start of the course.
As such, you will be dropped from the class if you do not log in to Canvas and begin participating by11:59pm Pacific time on the second day of the session (Tuesday).
Course Description
Course Description: Surveys human development; emphasizing the changes occurring throughout the lifespan. Students will examine the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social growth of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, schoolchildren, adolescents, and adults
Student Learning Outcome: Compare and contrast the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings, and developmental trends as they apply to human development across the lifespan.
What to Expect in this Course
Our online class will include various graded assessments, including discussion boards, assignments (generally written essay style submissions), and exams. The course is organized in modules, where each module covers approximately 4 chapters and includes each of these graded components. The Discussion Boards require a personal response to a question I pose to the class, as well as a response to another student. It encourages reading of the chapters ahead of time but is most heavily based on your own opinions and reflections. The assignments require more in-depth reading and understanding that is demonstrated in a well-organized and clearly written essay. There are times that the assignments may require other types of activities. Again, in order to really do well, you will need to read each chapter and use the practice quizzes that are provided to be best prepared. The details for each task is included in the syllabus and I will make it available to you no later than the Friday before classes begin so you can schedule accordingly. In some cases, I may have it available even earlier to you. If you have any questions regarding expectations, please let me know!!
Proctorio will be used to administer the exam. Proctorio is a “remote proctoring service software” that works within the web browser (Google Chrome) to monitor test taking to prohibit cheating. Proctorio is integrated with Canvas, and will be initiated when you take the exam. You will be directed to use Google Chrome and to add an extension. There is no software to install and it is not a complicated process. Proctorio stores data of behavior while taking the exam and will provide an automated suspicion report to me to investigate further. A FAQ document and support about Proctorio is available on Canvas. If the report indicates, and is supported by evidence, that you cheated, you will receive a 0 on the exam and the evidence will be forwards to the Student Disciplinary Committee Chair.
The details for each task are included in the syllabus and I will make it available to you as soon as possible so that you can update your calendars accordingly. If you have any questions regarding expectations, please let me know!!
You will also have writing requirements to develop your research and writing skills.
Additional Textbook Information / Link to OER Textbook
Good news!! Materials for this class are available for free online! If you are someone, like me, who likes
to hold and caress an actual book, you can also get a print version at a very low cost. Details will be available soon.
Other Relevant Course Information
Are You Ready for Online Coursework?
As noted above, work for this class will be completed using Canvas, an online course management system. In order to succeed in this course, you should be familiar (at a minimum) with using internet browser software (such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, etc.) and with sending and receiving e-mail. If you are unsure of your skill level and whether or not you are ready for online learning, please visit this site to take a number of self-assessments designed to help you determine your readiness.
As the instructor of this course, it is my job to help you learn about the field of psychology and give you constructive feedback toward that end. However, it is not part of my job to provide instruction on how to use a computer, the fundamentals of the internet, e-mail programs, or any other basic aspect of online learning. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have reliable equipment and network connections before signing up for this (or any) online class. A flaky computer or unstable internet connection is not an acceptable reason for missing assignments in this course.
Also, for online coursework, it is very important for students to be intrinsically motivated! Why? Because you won’t SEE me at any time, so it is easy to fall away from the course. I encourage students to consider taking classes in a FACE-to-FACE setting if they are very enthusiastic about the material to really get the experience.
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 and hybrid 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 always be visible to you and will not be repeatedly asking you about why you have not completed your assignments. Second, online and hybrid 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. To successfully complete this hybrid course, you must read the required textbook, complete discussions and other writing assignments, quizzes and exams.
Because this is an online course, you are required to master the material outside of a classroom setting. This requires approximately 20-40 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.
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 Accomodation 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
College of the Canyons cares about your emotional and physical health. Learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including free counseling and mental health services available during this time by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center website or by calling them at: 661-362-3259.
The National Suicide Lifeline number is 1-800-273- 8255 (TALK). Please call it if you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress - it could save someone's life.
You can also use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. It's free, available 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.
Last updated: 10/29/2020 Sub # Orig: 1904