Before you complete this orientation, make sure that you are registered for this course.

CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Professor: Stephanie Miller

To complete this orientation:

1. Read the course information below.
2. Complete the student information form at the end of this page.
3. Submit the student information form.
4. Access the Blackboard site (Bb) to update your personal information
5. Read the complete course syllabus on Blackboard

How to contact me:

Class Overview :

YOUR OFFICIAL COURSE SYLLABUS IS AVAILABLE ON BLACKBOARD

Instructional Television (ITV) courses use pre-recorded video programs that students may view on the Blackboard site for this class, at home on cable television, on-campus in an ACC Media Center, or via streaming media. Students are required to do the same amount and quality of work as the classroom equivalent of this course.

Please check to be certain you have registered for the correct section of this course.

Both CDEC 1354 and TECA 1354* will meet the requirements for the Associates Degree or Certificate in Child Development in the Child Development Department

*Students in TECA sections must meet reading and writing prerequisites for English Composition I. This means that TECA sections will more likely transfer to a 4-year college program. Check with your transfer institution for confirmation.

Textbooks

The major text for this course is The Developing Person through Childhood and Adolescence, 8th Edition, by Kathleen Berger, Worth Publishers, 2009.
In addition there is a Study Guide by Kathleen Berger which includes chapter reviews, study questions and practice tests.  I highly recommend this supplement to guide you through the textbook chapters and help integrate the videos into your text reading.

Course Materials, Calendar, and due dates

Regular use of Blackboard (Bb) is critical for course updates, announcements, and grade checks. Each of you will have a password and access to all of the course materials, i.e.

syllabus	discussion board
calendar	updated course announcements
grading system	submitting assignments
course requirements /expectations	project guides

IMPORTANT! Please plan on checking Blackboard at least once a week

Videos:

The Video Series, "Child Development: Stepping Stones" presents material from each of the textbooks 16 chapters in addition to several special topics tapes. You can access these videos on the Blackboard site under "videos", at several of the campus media centers (you may view these on site), or view them on Cable television. I have included a video chart on the Blackboard site to assist you in coordinating your textbook amnd study guide readings with the videos.

• The video broadcast schedule:
• Locations and hours of the media centers:
• Area cable companies

Testing

There are 5 tests for this course available at each of the 10 ACC Testing Centers

These consist of multiple-choice, true-false, and short essay

You may bring one page (8.5x11), one side of student handwritten notes for each test.

A retest is available over tests # 1-4

You are responsible for reading and abiding by the rules for the use of the ACC Testing Centers.
    Please see ACC Testing Procedures described below

Projects

You will be choosing, planning, implementing and evaluating several projects during the semester. Guidelines are provided in the course syllabus or on Blackboard under assignments. Submissions are made through the digital dropbox or the assignments section in Bb.

Your Student Responsibilities:

to use and check your gmail account a minimum of once-per-week,.

to check the Blackboard site for this course a minimum of once-per-week, and

to contact me by email promptly if you have questions, problems or will be late with a test or assignment.

Blackboard

Blackboard (Bb):
Blackboard is an online system that supports communication in this course. Each of you will have a password and access to all of the course materials, i.e. syllabus, calendar, grading system, course requirements /expectations and project guides.  In addition,  the Bb system allows for me to post announcements and discussion questions. As a student you can participate in the discussion forums, check your grades and read my comments, and leave assignments in the digital dropbox for me to “pick up”.  It is expected that you check this site a minimum of once a week.
*You are responsible for the details contained in the syllabus and all other information in the blackboard course. You may want to print a copy of the syllabus to keep available for reference.

You may access the ACC resources available to you as a distance learning student at: http://dl.austincc.edu/students/resources.php

Accessing Blackboard
With a web browser, open the following URL: http://acconline.austincc.edu/

Students may also access Blackboard by selecting the “Blackboard/Online Courses” link from the student resources menu on the ACC website at http://www.austincc.edu/.

Once your browser has accessed the Blackboard site, click the "Login" button to begin using Blackboard. You will be prompted to enter your ACCeID and Password. If you have not set up your ACCeID please click here and follow the directions carefully.

1. update your Bb student information,
2. introduce yourself in the discussion board section,
3. view the course syllabus and calendar in the syllabus section,
4. look at the project information in the assignments section, and
5. contact me ASAP with any questions so you can begin on the right track.

Trouble logging in?
ACC Help Line is 512-223-8026 or 1-888-223-8026 or you can email dl@austincc.edu

ACC Testing Procedures:

Tests will be available at all 10 ACC testing centers. You are responsible for reading and meeting the requirements for students accessing these centers.  You must meet the deadlines provided in the course syllabus unless you contact me.  You may retest over tests 1-4 with an average of the two grades.

For Testing Center guidelines go to www.austincc.edu/testctr:

• You must check for the times and days that your center will be open.

• You will need your ACC ID. A student ID card can be obtained at any Admissions and Records office.

• It is the student’s responsibility to obtain, read and be thoroughly familiar with ACC Testing Center Rules prior to taking exams at the center. Violation of these rules is very serious and may result in disciplinary action being taken against the student.

Office of Students with Disabilities (OSD)

Helpful Web Pages and Telephone Numbers:

• Child Development Department WebPage:
  Students are encouraged to review the department’s web page at http://www.austincc.edu/childdev/ where valuable information concerning the child development program may be found.

• Distance Learning at Austin Community College is http://dl.austincc.edu or by phone 512-223-8026 Toll free 1-888-223-8026

• ACC Help Line is 512/223-8026 or 1-888-223-8026 or you can email dl@austincc.edu

• Current ACC Student handbook: http://www.austincc.edu/handbook/

• Textbooks for Open Campus can be ordered online at http://www.mbsdirect.net or by phone 1-800-325-3252.

• Blackboard Student Manual

CLICK HERE to complete the STUDENT INFORMATION FORM.

You are not considered orientated until I have this information.

Let’s Have A Great Semester!