Cooperative Education Online Orientation
Grab a Course Syllabus and a cup of coffee...
To begin the online orientation for this work-based learning class, you'll first need to obtain a copy of the current Course Syllabus. You can download a copy of the current syllabus on the Syllabus & Forms page. A paper copy of the syllabus can also be picked up in the Counseling & Career Center on the Mount Vernon Campus. This orientation follows the syllabus so get a copy to read and begin the orientation...
Jim Jolly, Co-op Ed Coordinator
Cooperative Education Coordinator
The first part of the Course Syllabus contains the Co-op Ed Coordinator's contact
information. As you can see, there are many ways to reach him: phone, email, FAX, or in-person with an appointment or drop-in. Office hours are listed that are set times each day when you can count on him being in the office and available for drop-ins. He is generally available on weekdays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm and will take drop-ins as his schedule permits but it is always best to stop by during drop-in times or schedule an appointment. The best method of contact is through email because he checks this even during off non-work hours and you'll have a written copy of the information he provides in answer to your questions.
The Program
The next sections contain some motherhood about the program. You can learn more about the history and concepts behind Cooperative Education from the web site of the National Commission for Cooperative Education
Credit Options
The number of hours a student must work to earn college credit is set by the program, your faculty, and the state. Most students have two options for fulfilling Co-op Ed requirements: 30 hours of work per credit or 50 hours of work per credit. The difference between the two is explained in the syllabus and in the Credit Options link at the left. The primary difference between the two options lies in the reflective writing component. For the 50 hrs/credit option, the reflective writing comes in the form of a mid-term paper. For the 30 hrs/credit students, their reflective writing takes the form of the Weekly Online Seminar. There are advantages and disadvantages for either option. Students may select the option that works best for them.
Orientation
It is a good idea to attend one of the "live" orientation sessions listed in this section. Bring your questions with you and get the answers you need to succeed. Often someone will ask a question you didn't think to ask. You can choose any one of the sessions listed below for your convenience. If you miss the group sessions, you may schedule a one-on-one orientation with the Co-op Ed Coordinator or at the very minimum, you may finish this online orientation and send an email to the Co-op Ed Coordinator with your answers to satisfy the requirement and to demonstrate that you understand what is expected from you.
Assignments
All the assignments for this class are listed in this section of the Course Syllabus, along with the due dates for each. The first three assignments are due during the first couple of weeks of the quarter. Completing the Learning Contract is required before you begin work. The mid-term paper (for those students who chose the 50 hr/credit option) is due at the mid-point of the quarter. All other assignments are due on the last Tuesday of the quarter. This gives the Coordinator time to collect, grade and post scores for all assignments by the last day of the quarter. Pay close attention to the due dates, because they have a way of sneaking up on you. The most common way students lose points on their assignments is by being late in turning them in. If a problem comes up that will make you late with an assignment, contact the Coordinator as soon as you can to work out alternate arrangements.
Grades
This is a graded class and the breakdown for final grades is listed along with the points value for each assignment. In smaller print below each assignment, you'll find tips on avoiding points deductions on your submissions. There are 100 points available for the class and your grade is based upon your final total. Read this section carefully to maximize your points. As is stated in the syllabus, communication is the key to getting through this course. Let the Coordinator know immediately if you are having trouble keeping up with the assignments.
Online Job Board
One of the benefits of being an SVC student is the ability to register in the SVC Online Job Board. It's a good idea to do this now since you can enjoy the benefits of this resource immediately. Any SVC student may register and once you register, you don't have to do it again for subsequent Co-op Ed classes. You can enjoy other features of the Job Board such as the Career Mentor Network and you just might discover your dream job through this valuable system.
Paperwork
The next section describes the various forms that are used for many of the assignments. These forms may be downloaded from the Syllabus & Forms web page or you can download them via the Blackboard Learning System under "Course Documents." Hard copies can be obtained in the Counseling & Career Center on the Mount Vernon Campus.
Weekly Online Seminar
For those students choosing the 30 hrs/credit option, the online seminar, offered via the school's Blackboard Learning System, begins the second week of the quarter. Students will log in to their Blackboard account and click on Cooperative Education 199. (If you don't see that course available, contact the Coordinator to ensure he gets your name and account added to the course). Each week, the Coordinator will post a general workplace discussion topic and you will be asked to respond and participate in a "virtual classroom" discussion. There are no set times to be online and you can participate at whatever time is convenient for you. You are graded on your participation so it pays to respond early in the week so other students can interact with you and the increased participation will ensure the maximum number of points.
Term Papers
The Mid-Term paper (for 50 hrs/credit students) and the Final Summary paper (for ALL students) are both explained in the syllabus and on the Term Papers link to the left. Each paper is scored using a grading matrix that shows the elements required for each assignment. These are college-level papers designed to indicate your reflection and analysis of your Co-op Ed experience and will be graded on format as well as content. The format required is based upon the American Psychological Association (APA) style used at SVC and many other colleges. There are many Internet resources available that explain APA style and provide examples. For your benefit, there is a Co-op Ed APA Term Paper Writing Guide located in the Syllabus & Forms section to the left. In addition, the Coordinator provides a MS Word template for both term papers that contains the correct margins, line spacing and other formatting that can be used to facilitate your term papers.
Site Visit
Sometime during the quarter, the Coordinator or Faculty Chair may visit your work site to answer questions about the program, renew contacts with the business community and discuss ways to improve the program. If is difficult at times to coordinate the supervisor's and Co-op Ed Coordinator's schedules during times when you are present at the work site. If you prefer to be present during the site visit, please let the Coordinator know this. Otherwise, there is no action required from you, the student.
Wrap-up
That's it! The orientation is complete. If you still have questions about the program, bring them to a "live" orientation since your question will often help other students as well. If you can't continue without an immediate answer, contact the Co-p Ed Coordinator with your question(s). Otherwise, you should cut and paste the following questions into an email, add your answers, and send them to the Coordinator to get credit for completing this online orientation. His email address is: James.Jolly@skagit.edu. The answers to all these questions can be found in the current Course Syllabus.
Review the course syllabus and answer the questions below:
1. What are the work hours required per credit for Co-op Ed?
2. Who is required to participate in the Weekly Online Seminar?
3. Who is required to submit a Mid-Term paper as part of their reflective writing component?
4. What are Learning Objectives?
5. How many Learning Objectives do you need to develop for this quarter?
6. Who signs off on your Learning Objectives worksheet?
7. When are the Learning Contract and Learning Objectives due to the Co-op Coordinator?
8. Where can you find all the necessary forms to complete the assignments?
9. How many points to I need to get an "A" in my Co-op Ed class?
10. How many credits of Co-op Ed do I need to take to complete my ATA degree?
11. What is a Supervisor Evaluation?
12. What is a Self Evaluation?
13. Why are Timesheets important and what particular role do they play in my grade?
14. What is the Final Summary Paper and what questions should be answered in it?
15. Who do I contact with questions or concerns about my Co-op Ed work experience?
Good luck with your Cooperative Education experience!