Course Guide

main_content01.php

Responding to Discussions

The online learning environment offers participants opportunities for reflection, research, metacognition, and careful articulation of thought before contributing to the discussion forum. Threaded discussion posts allow participants to return to ideas and concepts in order to review or revise their thinking throughout the course (Smith, 2019). Themes related to how students perceive a sense of community in online graduate programs include: making people “real”; generating authentic, spontaneous discussion; creating shared experiences and shared learning; and encouraging trusting relationships (Cornell, Sayman, & Herron, 2019). Purposeful critical dialogue in online learning occurs through metacognition, an online social presence, and the facilitator’s teaching presence (Janus, Suhartanto, Suradijono, Santoso, & Sadita, 2019). In order to maximize discussions, post early and respond to at least two participants.

Cornell, H. R., Sayman, D., & Herron, J. (2019). Sense of community in an online graduate program. Journal of Effective Teaching in Higher Education, 2(2), 117-132. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1236271.pdf

Janus, K., Suhartanto, H., Suradijono, S. H. Santoso, H. B., & Sadita, L. (2019). The community of inquiry model training using the cognitive apprenticeship approach to improve students’ learning strategy in the asynchronous discussion forum. Journal of Educators Online. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1204388.pdf

Smith, T. W. (2019). Making the most of online discussion: A retrospective analysis. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 31(1), 21-31. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1206981.pdf

main_content02.php

Course Calendar

Generally, learning activities requiring replies are due by Saturday midnight Eastern time each week; all other assignments and replies are due by Monday midnight Eastern time.

Because participants from many different time zones may be taking this course, items should be posted/submitted by midnight (U.S. Eastern Time) on the day they are due. Your facilitator will post specific due dates for this course in the Calendar.

main_content03.php

Rubrics

PLS 3rd Learning uses rubrics for grading each type of assignment. Some activities use standard rubrics, and others use customized rubrics. Standard rubrics are based on the activity type while custom rubrics are based more on the activity content.

Activities that use customized rubrics will contain a link to the rubric directly within the activity.

If you do not see rubric links in your course activities, please refer to the standard rubrics which can be downloaded here: PLS 3rd Learning Standard Rubrics [PDF].

main_content04.php

Academic Integrity Policy

PLS 3rd Learning expects absolute academic honesty and integrity from every course participant. The specific Academic Integrity and Honor Code Policies of our partner colleges and universities are embraced and enforced by PLS 3rd Learning instructors. The following are considered to be serious violations and are subject to immediate review by the higher education partner through which you enrolled. Any of these violations may result in immediate failure of this course:

• Plagiarism: the use of another's ideas, data, or words without proper acknowledgement.
• Fabrication: the use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings with the intent to deceive.
• Collusion: improper collaboration with another in preparing assignments or projects.
• Cheating: an act of deception by which a student misrepresents that he or she has mastered information on an academic exercise that he or she has not mastered.
• Academic Misconduct: tampering with grades, or taking part in obtaining or distributing any part of student work that is not his or her own.
• Self-plagiarism: submitting work previously presented for another course. Course projects must be unique to each course unless permission is granted by both instructors for using a previously submitted or simultaneously submitted project or portion thereof.

Partner Academic Integrity Policies

In addition to reading the course syllabus, please read your institution’s Academic Integrity policy:

Andrews University
Drake University
Indiana Wesleyan University
Mercyhurst University
Rockford University
The College of New Jersey
Wilkes University

Academic Integrity Policy Acknowledgement Form

All students must acknowledge that they have reviewed the academic integrity policy by completing the Academic Integrity Policy Acknowledgement Form, which can be accessed by selecting Quizzes from the menu to the left of the course.

main_content05.php

Completion Policy

To receive credit for this course, you must complete all assignments prior to the conclusion of the course. Completion of each assignment ensures that you have satisfactorily met all course outcomes, a requirement for credit in this course.

main_content06.php

PLS 3rd Learning's Late Policy

There will be a 10% deduction of points per day for all posts and submitted assignments that are late. Replies posted after the due date will earn no points. In rare cases, partially or poorly completed assignments may be resubmitted for partial credit at the discretion of the instructor. The following exceptions apply:

• If a participant is sick/hospitalized or has a death in the family, the timing of makeup work may be arranged with the course facilitator. No points will be deducted if the work is completed according to the agreement.
• If a participant is on vacation/traveling/etc., the participant must contact the course facilitator ahead of time to avoid a penalty. This type of absence may occur only once during a course. All posts should be submitted for the missed module before leaving.
• If a participant has difficulty completing everything in a week, an extension can be granted if the participant contacts the facilitator during the week (not at the last minute).

main_content07.php

Acceptable Use Policy and Identity Authentication

Please review the acceptable use policy with regard to electronic and technology resources and the identity authentication policy. Understanding and adhering to the policies outlined in these documents is critical to your success in this course.

main_content08.php