Dr. Jordan's Course Policies and Information

READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS!!

Student Resources

Course Web Site (WebCT):

Information, assignments and supplemental notes related to your course is maintained in the WebCT System. It is the your responsibility to access course materials on the instructor's web site at least twice per week to check on information on assignments and the course schedule. The instructor's web site may be accessed by following links from the Midland's Technical College homepage or by entering the following URL into the address line of your browser: Special help and Instruction on accessing WebCT is given on the first meeting day of your class and is also available online. . If you have any difficulties, it is your responsibility to schedule time with Dr. Jordan during posted office hours for help in resolving them.

To access WebCT - http://ecourses.midlandstech.edu/

Dr. Jordan's Homepage - http://classes.midlandstech.com/jordann/

Computer Labs:

In addition to the classrooms, labs with computers are available at both Beltline and Airport campuses:

• At Airport Campus the computer lab is located on the first floor of Academic Success Center.
• At Beltline Campus, the computer lab is located in Wade Martin Hall on first (basement) floor.

MTC Labs are generally open on 6 days per week including many evenings. It is your responsibility to check by the lab and determine the hours of availability. Individuals who do not have access to a computer and feel that they cannot use the labs regularly should drop this class. Multimedia students must ask lab monitors for the location of the specially equipped multimedia computers. Note that lab monitors are NOT expected to provide homework assistance or tutoring. Most lab monitors do not know how to use multimedia or web development software.

Assignments - Homework and Projects:

Study units are accompanied by homework and/or project assignments. The assignments for each unit are listed on the WebCT site associated with the class. Each unit of homework is automatically assigned when the unit is started. It is your responsibility to keep track of homework to be turned in. The instructor will NOT provide tracking of the student's homework.

It is the student's responsibility to work independently, and keep ahead on homework assignments. An unsatisfactory effort on homework (as defined by amount or quality of results) will result in a reduction of your final grade. Note: for best results, start early, and complete homework ahead of the chapters being presented in class.

Grading:

Grades are based on attainment of skills as demonstrated in a series of performance evaluations, completion of special projects (scored according to the checklists provided), and level of effort as indicated by completion of homework or projects. Details of requirements and due dates for projects, homework and tests are provided in the WebCT site. Homework and projects that are turned in late will be penalized by dropping a letter grade

Performance Tests: Performance tests require that you actually produce a project, spreadsheet or document using the software. During performance tests, you are NOT allowed to use text but you MAY use online application help. You MUST pass each of any performance tests with a score of 80% or better in order to pass the course regardless of other grades. Some courses may not have performance tests. Practice tests are made available which include all activities that you will need to know in order to pass the performance test. If you fail a performance test, you will have one opportunity to make it up. If you miss a performance test, you will have only one makeup opportunity.

Projects: Required - you are not likely to pass the course if you don't turn in the projects.

Homework: it makes a difference!

Written Tests: Also important! Terms are posted on the website. Written tests will be conducted online during a class meeting. If the written test is a quiz, it may NOT be made up. Otherwise, all written tests will be made up on the last day of classes. It is the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor that they must make up the test. It is also the responsibility of the student to be present on the makeup day if the regular test is missed.

Method for Grading: Each test, project and homework assignment carries a possible score in points. The points for each item are posted on the WebCT site along with directions and any scoring criteria. Grades and feedback will be posted in WebCT. Be sure to check for feedback on graded assignments.

To assign a course grade, your final combined overall score is converted to a percentage. This is accomplished by dividing the overall score by the total possible points (these vary by course). This percentage is compared to the departmental grading scale which is as follows:

IST DEPARTMENTAL GRADING SCALE:

Note: in the CPT department, instructors are not supposed to give D's..

Student Behavior and Responsibilities

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR OWN LEARNING! The content of class requires that you read the text and do assigned exercises and projects. At times, tutorials available on the Internet may be assigned. Completion of assigned readings and homework is absolutely critical for success.

Work outside of class and access to computers and software:. Lack of a personal computer is NOT an excuse for missing or late assignments!!! If you do not have access to a computer at home and feel that you cannot use the labs regularly, you should drop this class! If you do not have either necessary software (computer application programs used in the course) or computers available at home you are still responsible for assigned work. Do NOT plan or expect to do all of your work during class.

Checking the course site on WebCT! Important information on homework, projects and readings along with instructions and due dates are posted on the instructor's web site and in WebCT.. These items may be updated. You are expected to check the course schedule and projects on web site at least once weekly.

If you miss a class, check with other students to see if assignments, tests, or announcements were made.

Back up and maintain your files: ALWAYS BACK UP YOUR FILES!!! Never turn in your only copy of any project. The instructor will not be responsible for only copies that are lost or damaged. Homework must be maintained on a USB drive or zip disk. Your homework files should be stored in a folder with the following name: Course Number_HW_LastnameFirstInitial. Be sure to substitute your last name and first name initial for LastnameFirstinitial. For example, Joe Smith who is taking CPT 263 would have a folder named as follows: 263HWsmithj . Homework results and projects only should be stored in this folder, NOT your resource files.

Large file size assignments (for CPT 262), database or Powerpoint projects should be zipped (compressed). Ask Dr. J for help with this.

Content and Missing Classes - You, the student, are responsible for exchanging contact information with other students in the class and contacting them about what was missed. The WebCT site gives a general overview of what will be covered in class. The instructor will NOT respond to specific requests by email to tell students what was covered in missed classes.

Catch up outside of class: It is your responsibility to catch up on missed information outside of class. The instructor may assign additional exercises. Note that some take home assignments are administered and/or announced during classes. DO NOT EXPECT TO MAKE UP MISSED CLASS TIME DURING CLASS.

Make Up Tests: Tests that are missed must be made up at a time convenient to the instructor and outside of class time. MAKE UP TESTS WILL NOT BE SCHEDULED DURING REGULAR CLASSES, however, they may be scheduled during exams.

Many required exercises will be performed in class and with instructor assistance and demonstrations. In general, these demonstrations will NOT be repeated.

Obtain Course Materials: This course requires one or more textbooks, storage media and miscellaneous items.. Students who do not plan to purchase or otherwise have access to the assigned texts should drop this class. You must have a USB drive to store your work.. Any student materials to be turned in must have your name, and the course name..

Dropping the Course: If you choose to drop out of class, notify the instructor. You should also be sure to complete the paperwork with the registrar's office. This will allow you to withdraw without the penalty of a poor grade. However, if you are using financial aid, check to see how withdrawing from class will affect your financial aid package.

Observing Standards of Classroom Behavior:

• Listening to music during class (e.g.using headsets) is NOT permitted unless it is part of a project for the class.
• Playing computer games during class is NOT permitted unless it is part of a project for the class.
• Putting your head down on your arms in a resting position or sleeping is NOT permitted during class. If you are too tired to attend, simply excuse yourself and leave. This will be counted as an absence.
• Using inappropriate language in the classroom is NOT permissable and will be reported.
• It is NOT acceptable classroom behavior to leave the classroom during the class while the instructor is presenting. This will be counted as an absence. Use the bathroom, etc. before you come to class.
• If you must interrupt class regularly to use the restroom, you must have a medical excuse and submit it to student life.
• It is NOT acceptable to hold conversations with other students while the instructor is presenting. This is disruptive to classes.
• If the instructor is required to ask you as many as three times to stop talking, you will be dismissed from class and referred for counseling before you are allowed to return to class.
• It is NOT acceptable to speak disrespectfully to the instructor OR to other students during class. This includes openly challenging grades or policies. If you disagree with grades or policies, you should arrange to speak privately with the instructor during office hours.
• Cell phones are to be turned off while the student is in class. Cell phones are NEVER to be answered during class, even if the student leaves the classroom. If there is a special EMERGENCY condition such as a sick child, that of special concern, it is to be cleared at the beginning of each class with the instructor. In such emergency cases, the cell phone may be left on vibrate mode and the student may leave the class to answer. Otherwise, students answer cell phones either within or outside of class during the class will be marked ABSENT for that class session unless special emergency clearance has been obtained ahead of time.

Attendance, Promptness and Allowable Absences:

• Attendance is taken regularly. The department requires that no more than 15% of classes may be missed. Students who exceed to total number of allowable absences for any reason MUST BE DROPPED FROM THE CLASS. The allowable number of absences are: 2 for classes that meet once per week (includes hybrid classes), 4 for classes that meet 2 days per week and 6 for classes that meet three times per week, 3 for classes that meet during summer and 2 days per week). You may miss one meeting for a hybrid class.
• Online Course Attendance: Students of online courses must comment or participate online at least once per week. Not doing so will be considered an absence and the maximum allowable "absences" for online students will be 2.

• A student who is does not attend a class is absent.
• A student who arrives more than 10 minutes after roll is take is considered absent.
• A student who arrives after roll has been taken is considered tardy. Three (3) incidences of tardiness is equivalent to an absence.
• A student who leaves class early without having made special arrangements with the instructor is considered absent even though he or she may have been previously marked present when roll was taken.
• A student who answers a cell phone in class, or who leaves class to answer a cell phone without EMERGENCY clearance, is absent, even if present when roll was taken.
• A student who leaves the class even temporarily while the instructor is presenting is absent.
• A student who is asked to leave the class because of violations of policy is absent.

Students unwilling to comply with class policies should withdraw from this class.

Campus Emergency Protocol: Students and employees are asked to report safety concerns or suspicious activities to Campus Security at 7199(on campus), or 738-7199 (cell phone and off campus). In the event of an emergency, student and employee protocol is to immediately call Campus Security or local 911.  If an emergency occurs, employees and students may seek additional information and instructions via MTC Information Centers, email, college Intranet, the MTC website, campus voice mail and loud speakers.

Academic Integrity:  Academic integrity questions should be resolved by consulting the Student Code as documented in the Midlands Technical College Student Handbook. All issues of academic dishonesty will be referred to the director of Campus Life.

The College may be closed because of inclement weather. This news should be available on the website at Midlands Technical College, (http://www.midlandstech.edu), at the main phone number at 738-1400, and announced on WIS-TV and radio. Please check frequently in changeable weather for closings and re-openings. If the College closing or reopening means that you will have at least 30 minutes of a class, you should come to class. Please do NOT call the IST Department office or the President’s office with closure questions.