1. Carol Billing
carolbilling@cwidaho.cc
208-562-3391
Office: Nampa, rm. 311, cube 11
Office Hours:
Mon-Thurs: 6:30pm-7:00pm @ Nampa
College Study Methods- Online
STUS 101
Spring 2011
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course is designed to develop the study methods of college students. Emphasis is placed
on learning organized study techniques, examination skills, note-taking procedures, and
comprehension of reading material. Also, students will learn basic research and computer
skills. This is a two credit course.
REQUIRED TEXT:
STUDY SKILLS Do I Really Need This Stuff?
ISBN-13: 978-0-13-514657-6 or ISBN-10: 0-13-514657-7
2nd Edition by Steve Piscitelli
You will actively use your textbook every week!
PRE-REQUISITE SKILLS:
Students need basic computer skills to access the Internet, send emails, and upload
documents. You will also need basic skills in word processing and presentation software, like
Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
At the completion of the course, students will demonstrate knowledge of the course topics by
scoring at least 60% on mid-term and final exams.
 Examine, assess and reflect on one’s own learning style(s)
 Analyze use of time and space, and identify ways to create balance between school and
outside responsibilities
 Explain how to use levels of reading, reading goals, and essential reading strategies
 Identify parts of an essay. Use a detailed outline & construct a 5 paragraph essay
 Identify study skills strategies that strengthen working memory.
 Explain and use strategies to make memorizing an active process
 Identify and explain effective strategies for performing well on tests and quizzes.
 Examine Cornell Note-taking system
 Identify effective listening strategies
 Explain and use strategies to make learning an active process
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2. OUTCOMES ASSESSMENTS:
Students will be required to complete the following types of assignments:
 Discussion Board Assignments
 Homework Assignments
 Quizzes
 Mid-term Exam
 Final Project
 Final Exam
COURSE SCHEDULE:
 Online course
 Summer, 8-week course (June 6-July29)
STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS:
Attendance:
 The college recognizes that punctual and regular attendance is the student’s
responsibility. In this online class attendance is demonstrated through regular
participation in Discussion Boards and on-time submission of assignments. As a two
credit course, students should schedule up to 8 hours per week for this class.
 It is the student’s responsibility to drop the course. During the first week of the
term, a student may drop a course or completely withdraw without its being recorded on
the student's official transcript. Friday, June 10 is the last day to drop a class without a
W. After that a “W” will be recorded in any course the student drops. Friday, July 15 is
the last day to withdraw with a W grade issued. A student who stops attending but
fails to drop or withdraw from the course will be given an F grade.
NOTE: No course may be dropped or withdrawn from after 75% of the course or 12
weeks of the term has elapsed, whichever is earlier. An Incomplete (I) grade may be
available in the event that unexpected circumstances prevent the completion of the
course after the twelfth week.
 A class missed due to required participation in a verified school activity will not be
considered an absence; however the instructor should be notified in advance when
this will be necessary. Students who miss class or are absent for any reason, are still
responsible for completing all course requirements.
Behavior:
 You are expected to conduct yourself in a positive and professional manner in this class
environment. All other class members should be treated with respect.
 You will receive a warning concerning inappropriate behavior. If the behavior persists,
you will be referred to the Office of Student Enrichment, and if the problem persists it
may result in removal from the course.
Honesty:
Students are expected to be honest in all aspects of their college education. All work is
evaluated on the assumption that the work presented is the student’s own. Anything less is
unacceptable. Students are subject to disciplinary action at the instructor’s discretion. For
student appeal, refer to Discipline Appeal. Examples of dishonest practice include but are
not limited to:
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3. • Cheating – The improper use of books, notes, other students’ tests, or other aids
during an examination. It is the responsibility of the student to obtain approval for
the use of such aids prior to the time of the examination; otherwise, they will be
considered improper. An “examination” is defined as “any testing situation in
which the score will be used for credit in a course.”
• Plagiarism – Submission or presentation of a student assignment as one’s own in
which substantial portions are paraphrased without documentation or are
identical to published or unpublished material from another source (including
another student’s work). An assignment is defined as “any materials submitted
or presented by a student for credit in a course.”
Assignments:
 All assignments are due by midnight on the due date. Late work will not be accepted.
Consideration may be given for unusual or extreme circumstances and only if the
absence has already been excused. This will be up to the discretion of the instructor.
 Read your book! Many discussion board activities and homework assignments will
come from your book. If you do not have your book it may be impossible to complete
these activities.
 Some assignments will be completed through the text companion web site. The
assignments will need to be emailed to the instructor according to instructor instructions.
 It is the student’s responsibility to follow the course calendar and to meet the deadlines
for all assignments.
 Students who are unable to meet a deadline due to required participation in a verified
school activity must make arrangements with the instructor for acceptable times to turn
in assignments.
Exams and quizzes:
 Exams and quizzes will be taken through Blackboard. They will be open book, open
note, timed assessments.
 Students who cannot take an exam when the exam is scheduled due to required
participation in a verified school activity must make arrangements at least one week
prior to the exam. Should an emergency occur, the student should contact the
instructor immediately, and it will be at the discretion of the instructor as to what actions
need to be taken.
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4. GRADING:
Grading scale: Point Distribution: 500 total points
A = 90-100% (450-500 points) Discussion Boards 10 points each (150)
B = 80-89% (400-449 points) Homework 10 points each (150)
C = 70-79% (350-399 points) Quizzes 20 points each (40)
D = 60-69% (300-349 points) Mid-Term exam 50 points
F = Below 60% (less than 300) Final Project 50 points
Final Exam 60 points
COURSE CALENDAR:
The Course Calendar is available online through Blackboard. Please note that the chapters
are not dealt with in the same order as they were provided in the text book and supplemental
materials are required and provided on Blackboard. This tool provides all the due dates for
assignments and discussion board postings and should be carefully followed.
OUTCOMES ASSESSMENTS:
Examinations and Quizzes
There are two exams during the course of the semester. The mid-term exam is worth 50
points and the final exam is worth 60 points. There are also two quizzes in this class. Each
quiz is worth 20 points. The questions will come from the text, lectures, class discussion, and
class activities. Both the exams and quizzes are time-limited, online assessments that you can
use notes, text, or other resources to answer. The assessments will cover all the material
listed on the course schedule to date and are comprehensive. The exams and quizzes will be
posted on Blackboard at midnight on the Sunday before the week they are scheduled and will
close the following Sunday at midnight.
Make-up Exams and quizzes
For the quizzes and mid-term exam, you will be given one week after the assessment is
posted to complete it on Blackboard. Because you have plenty of time to complete the
assessment, a make-up option is allowed only under the most extraordinary of
circumstances. Please contact me as soon as possible if you feel you have a
legitimate, college-approved excuse for missing an exam or quiz and you provide
documentation, (e.g. a doctor’s note).
The final exam cannot be made up except in cases of extreme family or medical
emergencies and you have the documentation to prove that it is legitimate.
Online Participation (Discussion Board posts)
Peer-to-peer interaction is critical for this course. Each week there will be one new discussion
board thread related to the chapter we are covering in the book that week. Every week you
are required to post a response to each thread that answers the question or comments on the
prompt that was posted for that topic. Your posting is worth up to 6 points. You will also be
required to provide two responses to your classmate’s topics, worth 2 points each for a total of
4. Your weekly online participation grade will be 10 points each topic for a total of 150 points.
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5. You have until Sunday at midnight (Mountain Time) to complete your online participation
requirement for the week.
Assignments
In addition to your online participation each week, there is also an assignment related to each
topic we cover in this class. The assignments will be available in the weekly assignments
folder at midnight on the Sunday before the week they are assigned. You will need to save
each assignment under your name (i.e., Six Thinking Hats_CarolBilling.doc) and post the
assignment to Blackboard. There are training videos available on how to use Blackboard.
Each assignment is worth 10 points for a total of 150 points. If you complete the assignment,
showing thought and careful completion, you will get all 10 points. Incomplete assignments or
assignments with multiple errors will receive 5 points. You cannot make up a late assignment.
Every attempt will be made to grade assignments within 48 hours after they are submitted. At
times, it could take up to 5 days for an assignment to be graded. Emails are returned usually
within the same day, no longer than 24 hours after receipt.
Final Project
Your final project will be a multi-media project that addresses an individual study skill we have
covered in the class. Your final project is due on Friday, July 29, 2011, and is worth 50 points.
The project will provide instruction to an audience of your choice, on how to implement
whichever skill you have chosen to highlight. You will select your topic and turn it into me no
later than Sunday, July 24, 2011 at midnight (Mountain Time). Your project will include a
PowerPoint or Prezi presentation with speaking notes. (If you do not know how to use
PowerPoint or Prezi please let me know this in the first week of class by sending me an email.)
In addition to the PowerPoint with speaking notes, you will provide an essay addressing the
following questions:
• Why did you choose this skill?
• Is this a new skill or an area you were previously strong?
• How has this particular skill been useful to you as a student?
• How does this skill work across the various learning styles?
• What outcomes can one expect if they use this skill well?
End of Course Electronic Evaluation:
Students are strongly encouraged to complete evaluations at the end of the course.
Evaluations are very important to assist the teaching staff to continually improve the course.
Evaluations are anonymous and available online two weeks prior to the end of the course.
The last day to complete an evaluation is the last day of the course. During the time the
evaluations are open, students can complete the course evaluations at their convenience from
any computer with Internet access. When students log in they should see the evaluations for
the courses in which they are enrolled. Filling out the evaluation should only take a few
minutes. Your honest feedback is greatly appreciated! I give extra credit for completing
an evaluation.
CWI E-MAIL AND BLACKBOARD ACCOUNT:
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6. Since email and Blackboard are the primary sources of written communication with students,
all registered CWI students get a college email and Blackboard account. You should have
received user information during the registration process. Students must check their CWI e-
mail and Blackboard accounts regularly to avoid missing important messages and
deadlines. At the beginning of each semester free training sessions should be scheduled for
students who need help in using their accounts-check with the office for help with technical
issues.
DISABILITIES:
Students with disabilities who believe that they may qualify for accommodations in this class
are encouraged to contact the One Stop Student Services Center and discuss the possible
accommodations with an Enrollment Specialist. If you have a diagnosed Learning Disability,
please initiate this contact as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are
implemented in a timely fashion. Please contact the One Stop Student Services at 562-3000
or Room 107 – CWI Nampa Campus.
RESOURCES:
 Tutoring Center – See website for details https://cwidaho.cc/students-
current/tutoring.php
 Library – 2st Floor Main Campus – hours listed on the web – https://cwidaho.cc/library/
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