Discussion Boards

The main discussion board page appears weekly with the discussion forum. Forums are made up of individual discussion threads that can be organized around a subject. A thread is a conversation within a forum that includes the initial post and all replies to it. When you access the forum, the thread appears. In most cases, each student must post an original thread and respond to at least two other students by the due date. A requirement of the original post must be at least 3 complete sentences. It is suggested that you write your post as you would in a professional setting. Abbreviations, text language, or other short forms of casual conversation are not generally accepted as professional language. The post and responses are to be submitted by due date. Once a discussion board has closed, you may email me directly for extended time to be approved on a case by case basis. All late work is subject to 10 points deducted from grade.

 

Discussion boards are considered professional spaces. Unprofessional communication including slang writing, incorrect spelling, lack of sentence structure, inappropriate or overall bad grammar will be graded and points taken off within discussion board posts. Write your discussion posts as if you were talking to your instructor, a clinical supervisor, CEO of agency, or a probation officer.

 

Assignments have been developed that will enhance your learning. To better understand a topic, you will be given assignments, videos and key information that you will need to remember for your success in your career as a counseling professional.

 

In addition, successful completion of this course requires a combination of the following:

•  Reading the textbook

•  Logging in regularly and actively participating online

•  Completing assignments

If you are having difficulties, it is your responsibility to reach out to instructor or attend live sessions and get the classification, explanation, or additional instruction you may need.

There is no short cut for success in this course; it requires reading (and probably re- reading), following instructions, managing time well and studying the material.

 

General Information

·         Drop and withdraw dates as published in the student catalog.

·         Group and Individual projects will be included as part of coursework and grades. Time allotted for class may be set aside for work on projects at discretion of Instructor.

·         Power Point information will be available in Blackboard along with all other materials needed for the course.

·         Quizzes & Exams will not be accepted late. * Special circumstances must apply. Email me personally. This will be a case-by-case review of the situation.

·         Please Do Not Screen Shot any assignments to turn in and upload them or send via email. They will not be accepted. If you need help learning how to upload a Word document or convert to Pdf, or other computer skills, see the Student Resources Menu item in Blackboard,

or come by my office. I will happy to help you. These kinds of skills are Very important in the counseling field, and now is the best time to learn them.

·         Assignments have been developed that will enhance your learning. To better understand a topic, you will be given assignments, videos and key information that you will need to remember for your success in your career as a counseling professional.

·         In addition, successful completion of this course requires a combination of the following:

·          Reading the textbook

·         • Logging in regularly and actively participating online

·         • Completing assignments

·         If you are having difficulties, it is your responsibility to reach out to instructor or attend live sessions and get the classification, explanation, or additional instruction you may need.

·         There is no short cut for success in this course; it requires reading (and probably re- reading), following instructions, managing time well and studying the material.

 

Core Rules of Netiquette: Netiquette is a set of rules for behaving properly online. Your professor and fellow students wish to foster a safe online learning environment. All opinions and experiences, no matter how different or controversial they may be perceived, must be respected in the tolerant spirit of academic discourse.

 

You are encouraged to comment, question, or critique an idea but you are not to attack an individual. Working as a community of learners, we can build a polite and respectful course community. The following communication tips apply to in person zoom lectures, or discussion board postings.

 

·         Do not dominate any discussion or openly criticize one another's comments, ideas, or opinions.

·         Remember your audience when writing anything in a course or professional environment. "The meaning of a message is left up to the interpreter"- Epiticus. Meaning, take the time to clearly express your thought, idea or answer.

·         Give other students the opportunity to join in the discussion.

·         Do not use offensive language. Present ideas and questions appropriately.

·         Be cautious in using Internet language or word shortcuts generally used in text messaging. For example, do not capitalize all letters since this suggests shouting.

·         Popular emoticons such as ☺ are not appropriate as part of professional communication

·         Avoid using vernacular and/or slang language. This could possibly lead to misinterpretation.

·         Never make fun of someone’s communication style

·         Share tips with other students.

·         Keep an “open-mind” and be willing to express even your opinion while respecting the opinion and experience of others.

·         Think and edit before you push the “Send” button.

·         Do not hesitate to ask for feedback.

 

CONFIDENTIALITY/Content Advisory: It is expected that this class will contain information that at times will be of a personal nature to many students. These classes prepare you for a career in counseling.

Some class discussions will deal with difficult and sensitive topics around drug use, alcohol use, consequences of that use and other matters. The topics often lead to personal information being shared in the classroom or online in discussion boards. Privileged information that is shared may under NO CIRCUMSTANCES be repeated or shared outside the classroom. I will be available to any student who