ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS FOR BE 250

ONLINE COURSE - WINTER 04

Saturday, March 20, 2004: Test #4 Scores: If you took test #4 and you want your score, please email me.  The scores ranged from 94 to 97 so everyone who took the exam did a great job!

Tuesday, March 2, 2004: Test #4 Review: I'm posting the review early as some students have indicated a desire to take the exam early. The exam is available at the testing center for you to take at any time during their hours:   Conflict Resolution Unit: Know the five key principles as given in the narrative. Be able to list and give an example of four of the eight steps to conflict resolution as given in the narrative. Be able to describe what you learned about yourself by participating in the questionnaire -what was one area you need to work on and what do you plan to do to address that?   Team Building: list 5 of the 10 teamwork principles.   Financial: Know the difference between a stock and a mutual fund. Know what an IRA is. Be able to give an example of a low risk investment, be able to give an example of a high risk investment. Be able to tell me what a qualified and a non qualified investment is. Be able to list and describe the three main types of life insurance policies as explained by the guest speaker. Be sure to explain the difference between them.   Telephone Unit: What is the Intuity Manager?   Job Search Unit: According to the guest speaker, why should you NOT be willing to pay a fee to a placement agency for a job?  According to the guest speaker, newspapers represent what percent of all companies looking to hire? The guest speaker discussed "Cultural Matches" - describe this concept and give an example.

Monday, March 1, 2004: Final Reports and Test #4: Hi everyone! Well, we're in the home stretch! Congratulations on getting this far! I wanted to remind you that the final reports are due by 4:00 PM on March 19, 2004. You need to EMAIL me your final report.  You can turn your report in anytime you want up until the deadline.  Those who do turn it in early will get their scores back relatively quickly. If you submit your report on the last day and numerous others do the same, you'll need to allow a week for a response. Either way is ok by me :-) Also, please remember to follow the directions and guidelines contained within the final report instructions.  DO NOT COPY, PLAGIARIZE, SUMMARIZE, OR IN ANY OTHER WAY USE MATERIAL THAT IS NOT YOUR OWN UNLESS YOU PROVIDE PROPER CITATIONS.  Be sure to have the bulk of your report be YOUR OWN THOUGHTS, in YOUR OWN WORDS and have the quotes or other sources support your own thoughts/comments.  Personalize this report - use your own experiences if you'd like. The more personal it becomes, the less likely you are to use other people's work inappropriately. I can't stress this enough.  Many students have failed this course because of plagiarizing - it is taken very seriously and I would hate to have you come this far only to fail the course for plagiarizing or using material that is not your own and not providing citations for it. Lastly - Can each of you send me a quick email and let me know your plans for test #4 - are you planning on taking it? Not going to take it? Undecided? I'm trying to get a jump start on calculating your grades and it makes a difference for that portion of your overall grade. Thanks!

Saturday, February 28, 2004: Test scores: I have emailed everyone their test scores. If you did not get an email from me, please let me know. Thanks!

Friday, February 27, 2004: Test scores: I wanted to let everyone know that I hope to email you your test scores for test #3 by Saturday. I tried to go to campus earlier this week to pick them up and my car broke down on the way and is still not fixed. I asked our building secretary to mail them to me and they should be here today or tomorrow.  Thanks!

Tuesday, February 17, 2004: Lea's Laundry Soap Recipe: 1. Melt one bar of Fels-Naptha soap (You can melt the soap the night before the easy way by just letting it sit in a pan of water, then by morning it will be easier to melt and mix up.  Or, you can shave it or cut it up in little pieces to heat it up the fast way, stirring it a lot, but don't boil it.) 2. Pour 3 gallons of hot water into a bucket 3. Add the melted soap and stir 4. Add 1 Cup of "Washing Soda" by Arm and Hammer 5. Add 1/2 Cup "20 Mule Team" Borax detergent 6. Stir it all together and let it cool. 7. When ready to use, stir again.

Monday, February 16, 2004: Test #3 Review Hi everyone! I emailed everyone their presentation scores last week. If you didn't get an email, please let me know. Also, I sent an email to Lea with notes regarding her laundry soap recipe. As soon as I hear back from her that it is accurate, I'll post it here for those that want it. Your next test must be completed by Saturday, 2/21/04 in the testing center (remember, the testing center closes at noon on Saturdays.) The test will cover the following areas: Diversity Unit: According to Cindy Steiner's article, how can differing values create problems in the workplace? According to the narrative, what are three of the seven things you can do to start embracing our diverse culture? Sexual Harassment Unit: Be able to list and describe the four types of sexual harassment as explained by the guest speaker. Know what the EEOC is and does. Ethics Unit: The narrative gave you 12 values with corresponding principles. Be able to list and describe five of those 12-make sure you have both the value and a corresponding principle. Criticism Unit: Be able to explain the five criticism principles as given in the PowerPoint presentation. Be able to list and explain two things to remember when giving criticism -as described in the PPT presentation. Be able to list and explain two things to remember when receiving criticism as described in the PPT presentation.

Thursday, February 5, 2004: Presentations Tonight! Just a reminder that your presentations will be given tonight. We will start at 7:00 sharp and will meet in RLC-131. You need to be present for the entire time in order to not lose a minimum of 10 points off your own score.  I'm looking forward to meeting all of you and hearing your presentations! I know you'll all do great!

Tuesday, February 3, 2004: Response Time- Hi everyone! As you know, I've been able to respond to your assignments with your scores typically either in the same day or within 24 hours of receiving it. I want to let you know that due to an increase in work loads and some health issues, I'm probably not going to be able to continue to do that. Typical response time policies for Online Instructors is about a week. I will definitely respond to you by then with your scores and it will most likely be within 3-4 days. I want to assure you that I will continue to check my email multiple times a day and will respond immediately to any concerns, questions, clarification needs, etc. However I am going to be scheduling time to grade assignments rather than grading them instantly every time I open my email account. So - please allow at least 3 days after you submit an assignment before you send an email of "did you get my assignment" J Thanks and please let me know if you have any concerns.

Saturday, January 31, 2004: Test #2 Scores- Hi everyone - Today is the deadline to take Test #2 - remember the testing center closes as noon on Saturdays.  I will bring your graded exams to the presentation night on Thursday, 2/5/04. Please don't email me asking for your score as I will have your test available on that night for you to review. I will also bring test #1 so you can see that one if you'd like.  Thanks and I'm looking forward to your presentations next week! Be sure and read the Presenting Information unit before your presentation to make sure you understand the requirements of that night.

Tuesday, January 27, 2004: Test #2 Review- Hi everyone - sorry this is a couple days later than I planned. I've been sick for a week as have my kids.  In any event, here is the review material for test #2-remember you must take your exam in the testing center by Saturday 1/31/04: Travel Unit: Know the three things that you must do/be when making travel arrangements as reiterated time and time again by the guest speaker on the video.  Know what CTC stands for-again, this is found on the video. The guest speaker talked about yield management on the video, be able to define yield management and tell me what the alphabetical code and numeric code represent. Know the following acronyms: ARC, ASTA, ARTA. Postal Unit: Know 4 of the 8 features of Express Mail. Know the 4 sub-classes of parcel post. Know what the 4 digit number following the 5 digit zip code is for and why it's important. Meetings Unit: Be able to list at least two responsibilities of the Office Professional for prior to, during, and after a meeting.  Be able to tell me what an inservice meeting is. Stress Management: List and give examples of three of the seven main areas that cause stress as given in the Stress Management PPT presentation. Be able to list five of the physical symptoms of stress (they can be from either the short term or long term lists) as given in the PPT presentation. List and explain/give examples of five of the 20 ways to manage your stress as given in the PPT presentation.

Wednesday, January 21, 2004: ASSIGNMENT CHANGE- Due to some students submitting assignments from last year's class, I have made changes to the remaining assignments for this quarter. I have changed your assignments for chapters 16, 9, and 18. PLEASE GO TO THE ASSIGNMENTS LIST PAGE AND PRINT OUT THE NEW LIST.

Wednesday, January 21, 2004: Test Scores- I have emailed everyone their test scores. Congratulations! 52% of the class scored an A and over 35% of the class earned a 100%! That's great!! If you did not receive your email, please let me know. Also, yes - I WILL post test review notes for each exam. I'll post notes for Test #2 by Saturday 1/24/04.

Monday, January 19, 2004: Test Results- I had planed to pick up your exams this afternoon - however the college is closed today in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.  I will pick up the exams on Tuesday and email everyone their scores by Thursday evening. If by Friday morning you have not received an email from me regarding your test, please let me know.  Thanks!

Thursday, January 15, 2004:  Writing Center I wanted to let you know that GRCC's Writing Center is open Monday - Thursday in RLC 113 from 12:00 - 3:00 p.m. This is a great source for you to utilize when preparing your final report!

Wednesday, January 14, 2004:  TEST REVIEW Your first test must be completed by Saturday, 1/17/04.  Remember, the tests are essay format and closed book. You may not use any notes or other materials.  You should concentrate on studying in the following areas: Ergonomic Unit: Be able to define ergonomics and its importance in the workplace. Be able to explain the concepts you submitted to me for your chosen Ergonomic topic summary. Listening Unit: Be able to explain three of the six things a good listener is/does as given in this unit's narrative. Be able to explain four problems that a speaker may have as given in this unit's narrative. Be able to list and explain four of the eight "Poor Listening Habits" as given in this unit's narrative. Time Management Unit: Be able to list and explain 5 of the 21 ways to manage your time as given in the unit's narrative. Be able to list 5 of the 10 ways to manage a group or team's time as given in the narrative. Remember, there are no make up exams but I will drop your lowest score - so in essence you can either really 'goof up' one test or miss a test and it won't affect your final grade. If you do well on the first 3 exams you have the option to not take the 4th exam - that decision is yours.  Good luck, I'm sure you'll all do GREAT!!!

Wednesday, January 7, 2004:  DEADLINE EXTENSION Normally a campus closure due to weather would not affect any online courses. However since we are in the first week of class and at least one of you have expressed concerns about being able to get the text book, I am extending the due date for the Ergonomic and Listening units. Everything that was due on Friday, 1/9/04 will now be due on MONDAY, 1/12/04.

Friday, January 2, 2004:  Welcome to class! Please make sure you read and follow the directions on the Home Page. You will want to make sure you print out the Assignment List with the due dates. Remember, you are responsible for submitting your work by the due date.