Guidelines for Accelerated Classes Student Contract of Expectations and Commitments What is Accelerated Learning (AL)? It is an evolutionary academic delivery and classroom management process. It demands changes from the student, instructor and environment. New skills, knowledge and behaviors are delivered via a planned process into a relaxed alert environment. Accelerated classes have not been introduced at WCTC simply to reduce the number of hours you spend in the classroom. This is a byproduct of implementing a better way to learn and a more relaxed environment to experience new skills, behavior and knowledge. More retention is the primary goal of accelerated classes. The time in a classroom maybe reduced but, the competency list of skills remains the same as a full semester course. Accelerated classes do have less classroom time, but also have increased homework, team activities and independent research time commitments. 1. Attend all Classes: Acceleration has resulted in a reduction of in-class time therefore, it is necessary for you to attend all classes. Department Policy: You must attend the first night of class. Missing the first night of class is an automatic, non negotiable DROP. One absence, for extremely important reasons, can be approved by the classroom instructor for the second through fifth weeks for six week classes. There is mandatory attendance for the final week [week six] of all classes. Several classes are 5 weeks in duration. There can be NO absences for 5 week classes. Arriving late or leaving early is not tolerated. Class time is at a premium in an accelerated class. The Instructor, can make attendance a graded event and reduce your final grade if tardiness becomes an issue. If you are absent from a class, it is your responsibility to contact the Instructor prior to class. It is also your responsibility to turn in all of your homework assignments for that evening. Late assignments are not accepted and graded. You will also want to communicate your absence to your team members. You should check student e- mail daily. 2. All Accel classes have pre-class assignments. It is your responsibility to complete these assignments before the first class. These assignments are located on our website: www.wctc.edu/manage-development.
3. Maintain a positive, relaxed, alert state of mind throughout the class. Music and color will be added to the classroom in an attempt to provide a relaxed learning environment. Your mind-set and focus will have an impact on the quality of learning for all participants. So, relax and have fun. 4. Address any concerns promptly with the instructor. Your next level of appeal is with the Associate Dean, Mark Jorgensen, 262-691-5227. 5. Purchase all textbooks and workbooks two weeks in advance of the class. You will need time to prepare for your first class. 6. ADA Statement: If you require any special accommodations to complete this course, I ask you to contact me within the first week of class. Please make sure to provide me with a copy of your Student Accommodation Card as well. If you do not have such a card, please contact the Special Service Coordinator at 691-5210 or the Transition Retention Specialist at 691-6281. 7. Academic Integrity means that any work you hand in as your own is truly your own and that it represents work developed by you. The consequences for handing in the work of someone else for your own will result in a failing grade for that assignment. PLEASE be sure to cite all quotes obtained from another source to prevent inadvertent plagiarism. Quality of Papers and Presentations: The instructors expect 12 to 14 hours of homework per week per accelerated course. The defining definition of acceptable work effort is: Would you be proud and comfortable presenting, for review, your papers and presentations, to the owner or president of your employer? If you don t think your management would approve of the quality of your work then don t expect an A or B for a grade. 8. Computer Room Rules: It is your responsibility to know and implement the eating, drinking, and professional behavior rules, while using a computer in one of the many open computer labs on campus. 9. Cell phones and pagers may be on during the class only if the vibrator function is on; not the ring. The student must leave the room to answer the phone. Text messaging and videotaping is not allowed. If this becomes a recurring problem the Instructor can reduce your final grade or drop you from the class!
Laptop Computers: Generally not used during these accelerated classes. If you are going to enter notes on your laptop, the Instructor may approve it being on during class. If your seen working on homework assignments for any class you re attending or viewing the internet the Instructor will ask you to turn it off. If this becomes a recurring problem the Instructor can reduce your final grade or ask you to leave the class! 10. If you have Learning Place requirements, be sure they are completed as quickly as possible. Your registration for new courses will be blocked after twelve credits if the Learning Place courses have not been completed. 11. Homework: As discussed in Accel Orientation (196-120) the average homework commitment per Accel class, is 12 hours per week. There are no points for missed presentations. 12. Evaluation Differences: As discussed in the Accel Orientation course, testing or performance appraisals in Accel classes can be different. In program classes, two of the more popular evaluation methods are the mastery presentation and written reports (individually and in teams). But, in all General Education Accel sections, Accounting Fundamentals, and Math Principles, more traditional methods of testing are used. 13. In order to promote a respectful classroom environment verbal abuse of another individual will not be allowed. Language which is insulting, demeaning or offensive to another will not be tolerated and is a violation of the WCTC Code of Conduct. Sleeping or any off task behavior can result in a letter grade reduction or being dropped from the class! 14. Bad weather closings: In the event of conditions affecting the regular opening of WCTC, the following radio stations will give regular notices of any closings. WTMJ, WKLH, WOKY WMIL, WISN, WKTI, WLTZ, WMYZ, WEMP, WITI. The WCTC emergency number is 262-691-5239. Blackboard also contains the latest campus status. 15. Computer Labs WCTC computer labs are to be used only for WCTC course-related work. No food or beverages are allowed in the labs. Children who aren t officially enrolled in a class are not allowed in the computer lab area. Copying of copyrighted material is a federal crime and is not allowed.
16. Standard Grading GRADES PERCENT VALUE POINT VALUE A A- B+ B B- 95-100 93-94 91-92 87-90 85-86 4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 C+ C 83-84 79-82 2.33 2.00 F 69 or below 0.00 I (Incomplete) 0.00 Au Audit 0.00 S Satisfactory 0.00 NG No Grade 0.00 MUST ATTAIN AT LEAST A C GRADE TO PASS BUSINESS COURSES
17. WCTC recognizes four major Critical Life Skills. These skills are guaranteed to be apart of every credit course on campus. Every graduate of a certificate or degree with have improved in these critical areas. They are Analytical Skills, Communication Skills, Group Effectiveness Skills and Personal Management Skills. With an emphasis on Group Effectiveness /Team participation, the Management Development department has implementing a team commitment contract. A copy of the contract and termination process is attached. 18. Team firings: Subject to individual Instructor modification, see the attached breach of contract. If you are fired, you have failed to meet the critical life team participation skill intent. As a rule of thumb, all presentation work with be individually graded and subject to letter graded reductions. I agree to honor the above commitments and expectations. (If you complete Accel Orientation you automatically agree to these conditions)