Instructor:

Dr. Patricia Feito,

Associate Professor of English and Humanities

Cecilia Fernandez, Lecturer 

School of Professional And Career Education (PACE)

Barry University, Miami Shores, Florida

 

 

Course Description:

PACE's MOOC, Kick Start Your Academic Writing, is an online course designed as a practical review of academic writing for undergraduates with an emphasis on strategies and resources for meeting the most common expectations of research writing within an academic community. 

This free course is non-credit and cannot be used to satisfy requirements in any curriculum at Barry University.

Prerequisite: None

Required Textbook:  None

 

Course Goals:

• Communicate research findings and original ideas in clear, logical, academic writing.  
• Apply compositional principles and syntactical, lexical, and stylistic conventions of American English to academic writing. 
• Write and revise collaboratively for an academic audience.
• Evaluate and document research sources and cite sources in APA style.
• Navigate digital resources in a university library.
• Gain technical knowledge and experience to participate in the online environment.

 

Course Material:

This online course will be conducted through the Canvas platform. You can access the course materials by clicking on the modules link. 

 

Relationship of Course to University Mission:

This course promotes the pursuit of knowledge and truth, and enables students to contribute to the establishment of a more just society through communication.  The entire Barry University Mission Statement can be accessed at: 

http://www.barry.edu/about/history (Links to an external site.)

 PACE Philosophy:

The School of Professional and Career Education supports the Barry Mission by addressing the unique needs of adult learners. PACE recognizes the rich experience adult learners bring to the classroom by incorporating that experience into the curriculum. PACE provides adult learners with research tools and analytical strategies with which to connect their experience to a broader body of knowledge and truth. Finally, PACE encourages adult learners to apply what they learn in the classroom to real-world solutions in their careers, their families, and their communities.

 Course Design:

In order to receive the most benefits from this course, participants should

• Dedicate focused time toward online learning materials and videos.
• Use pre-quizzes to aid you in framing important issues in the lessons.
• Complete post-quizzes to assess your learning as you go along.
• Practice the library and writing skills wherever applicable.

  Course Overview:

The MOOC, Kick Start Your Academic Writing, is comprised of 8 modules that have been aligned to specific learning objectives. These modules all have similar components as outlined below. The course components are also designed for you to select the learning tools that are best suited to your needs. It is highly recommended that you examine all course components.

In order to meet the learning outcomes, it is recommended that you complete the module components. 

These assessment instruments are constructed to assess your understanding of the course material and you will have unlimited opportunities to demonstrate your mastery of the specified learning outcomes for each module.

 Learning Methods:

As this course is delivered fully online, the student will be expected to self-direct their learning and progress through the course. A variety of teaching and learning techniques will be used including streaming video lectures, reading materials, online quizzes and a final comprehensive assessment exam.

 Pacing:

The course is designed to

1. Allow you to move at your own pace
2. Provide you with the support that you need to achieve your goals

 Grades & Certificates:

This course is intended to better prepare participants to engage in college-level research writing. There are no college credits offered through Barry University for this course, and this course will not be recorded on a Barry University transcript. Participants will receive a certificate for the following achievements based on the final assessment:

• Certificate of Completion: 70-100%

Certificates will be emailed to participants upon completion of the course.

 Canvas Tools:

Below are the tools in the course, how we will be using them, and expectations associated with each.  Take time to familiarize yourself with the tools.

 

Topic	Description	You Should…
Announcements	Announcements: Used to post day-to-day course details	Check the “Announcements” regularly, ideally every time you log-in to the course for items such as the status of and directions for assignments, discussions and content; additional information or summaries are posted as needed.
Syllabus	Course Syllabus	Read it, understand it, refer back to it, and ask questions about it if you have them!
Modules	Modules: Contain introductions, learning objectives, links to videos, university library resources, library instruction videos and guides, APA Resources, writing instruction videos, and all other links for each module.	Review all materials and links in the sequence presented. Check this area at the start of each module and check back to the resources while completing assignments and quizzes.
Quizzes & Assessments	Used to release course quizzes and pre- and post-diagnostic assessments.	Click "Pre-Quizzes" before reviewing module materials and take self-assessment.  Take "Post Quizzes" and "Quizzes" after all materials are reviewed as a means of assessing learning for each module.
Grades	This is the section where grades from quizzes will be entered.	Check this section regularly to review grades.

 

Technology Requirements and Support:

This online course will be conducted through the Canvas Open Course Learning Environment.

 The following basic technology requirements are necessary:

• Have access to a computer and internet connection.
• In addition, Adobe Flash Player (http://www.adobe.com/) is needed to view the online modules, and Java (http://www.java.com) is needed to participate in the online rooms.

 Netiquette:

Netiquette is internet etiquette. Please adhere to the following class netiquette rules.

• Use appropriate language for an educational environment in all email correspondence, participation in online office hours, and postings on the course discussion board.
• Be considerate of others in the course and respect your classmates’ privacy.

 Accessibility:

If you have any particular needs or questions, please post your question on the Help Discussion Board.