Reid State Technical College. GED Online Course Syllabus

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1 Reid State Technical College GED Online Course Syllabus Course Title: GED Online Credits: Non credit Class On Campus: Tuesdays and Thursdays 5 8 p.m. Contact: x. 132 Course Objectives: 1. Provide students with the reading, writing, math and critical thinking skills needed to successfully pass the GED test. 2. Provide students orientation and training in how to use the internet and other content specific tools/software to support online learning and research, thereby empowering students to become active learners. 3. Provide students a chance to use effectively online information/resources for collaboration, research, communication and personal productivity. 4. Practice responsible use of technology systems/software and understand the personal consequences or inappropriate use. 5. Provide students with advisement to assist them in obtaining their postsecondary educational/training goals. Course Prerequisite To be eligible for this course, student must take the TABE placement test. Students must meet the following minimum score requirements to register for the Online GED. TABE SCORE Reading 9.0 Math 9.0 Language 9.0 Course Description The GED Online course is designed to assist students in developing the academic skills needed to pass the GED Exam. Students will be provided a series of online activities through use of GED Online instruction. The goal of the class is to use technology to learn rather than simply learning to use

2 technology. Therefore, students should have a basic knowledge of how to use the computer and access the Internet upon entry into the class. Students must also have an account. This is a hybrid course and will combine aspects of traditional GED preparation with computerassisted instruction to prepare students for the rigor of the GED test. GED Online can be utilized to meet students individual goals, whether preparing for one, two, or all five GED exams. As a student enters the course, a personalized plan will be established by the student and the instructor based on the student s goals and skill levels. Students will be expected to telecommunicate with the instructor via on a weekly basis. Each student will be required to attend class as needed or required by the instructor. The GED Test is composed of the following five (5) separate subject areas: 1. Language Arts, Writing Test A Two Part Test Part I: The main focus is upon learning grammar and editing skills. Emphasis is placed upon organization, sentence structure, usage and mechanics. Part II: Students learn the techniques of how to write well developed essays presenting an opinion or an explanation on a topic familiar to most adults. 2. Language Arts, Reading Test Students will focus on developing and applying reading and critical thinking skills to the content areas of prose fiction, poetry, drama, and nonfiction text. They will work to gain a better understanding of how to comprehend, analyze, apply and synthesize written text. 3. Social Studies Test Students will develop and utilize their critical thinking and reading skills to comprehend, analyze, apply, synthesize, and evaluate concepts in social studies. They will learn to interpret information from graphic sources, such as maps, charts, cartoons, diagrams, photographs and practical historical documents. They will cover the content areas of U.S. History, work history, civics and government, geography and economics. 4. Science Test Students will learn to apply previously acquired reading skills to understand and use scientific information. They will learn to take fundamental concepts from scientific content areas and apply them to various interdisciplinary themes that are relevant to all areas of science. Students will work with the following core contents areas, which have been identified by the National Science Education Standards: (1) life science, (2) physical science and (3) earth and space science.

3 5. Mathematics Test Students will develop the mathematical skills necessary to pass this two part test. Part I examines students ability to solve problems with complex calculations in realistic settings. The Casio fx 260 scientific calculator is provided to aid with calculations for this part of the test. The calculator is not provided for Part II, which examines students ability to solve problems using estimation, mental math, and paper and pencil. The following are content areas: a. Number operations and number sense b. Measurements and geometry c. Data analysis, statistics and probability d. Algebra functions and patterns While most of the items on the test are multiple choice, there are also two unique alternate format grids that are used on each part of the test. Students will be given an understanding of how to answer questions using these two alternate formats, which are number grids and coordinate plane grids. Grading GED Online is a noncredit class. Work will be considered successful for each subject when students have scored a minimum of 85% on their Online Post test or 480 on their Official Practice Tests. Only at that time will students be given permission to take the Official GED test. Students, who fail to comply with course guidelines, will be deactivated from GED Online. Students with Disabilities Students who require academic accommodations due to any physical, psychological or learning disability should request assistance from the ADA Coordinator within the first two weeks of the semester. Students can contact the ADA Coordinator by calling x 132 or by visiting the Counselor s Office in Building 100. Students who require special GED test accommodations should contact Mrs. Mandy Wilson, GED Examiner at x 149.

4 GED ONLINE COURSE Student Contract Agreement Basic Skills Admission and Placement Policy Reid State Technical College admits most adults into the Basic Skills Program and makes every effort to place students in appropriate classes. The GED Online requires that a student have secondary (ninth grade) level basic skills in reading, language and math. I understand that the GED Online class is for students whose basic skills (reading/language/math) grade levels are between I also understand that I must re take part(s) of the TABE at the start of the next program year (approximately July 1 through the following June 30) if I have not finished and passed all five sections of the GED Exam. I understand and accept the conditions of this policy. Student Date Online Compliance The GED Online class has certain requirements to ensure your success in it. Please read the following carefully before you sign. I understand that the purpose of GED Online is to prepare me to take the GED test only. Once I have acquired the necessary academic skills, I must take the Official GED Tests at Reid State s Official GED Testing Center. I confirm that I have an operable computer with Internet access, an account, and basic computer skills and/or proficiency working with a computer. I understand the virtual seat I occupy is expensive and other students may be waiting on a list to enroll in this class. I must show regular program usage and academic progress to stay in the GED Online class. Therefore, I understand that I am required to accumulate 12 hours of instructional time in the Basic Skills program within the first four weeks of attendance in order to be guaranteed further enrollment.

5 I also understand that.. (1) If I do not comply with the 12 hour attendance policy, I will be dropped from the roll, deactivated from GED Online, and must repeat the orientation and testing process again. (2) In additional to accumulating 12 hours of instruction within the first four weeks (including pre and post testing), I am expected to work an average of four hours per week thereafter and demonstrate progress. (3) My instructor has the capability to monitor my progress and online usage. (4) I cannot apply to take the Official GED test(s) until I have passed the required TIMED practice tests (post tests) or Official GED Practice Tests on campus. Agreement I have read this GED Online Contract Agreement and understand that I may be deactivated from the GED Online class if I do not comply with these terms and conditions. Your signature on the line above Current Date Print your name clearly on this line Student s personal address *Phone Home Cell Emergency contact Instructor s Signature Date *include area code