FQA (Frequently Ask Questions) Index

FQA Index

I’m in trouble with e-campus, e-connect or some other tech

questions--------------------------------------------------Slides 7

◦ How can I contact e-campus, since I have a problem with

my password or I don’t know how to navigate it?

◦ I don’t own a computer, and my computer skills are not

good at best, should I take this online class?

Some Key Points of the Class-----------------------------Slides 9

◦ Five Golden Rules

Other Website Sources--------------------------------------Slides 17

FQA Index (Cont.)

Overall grade or exam grade related questions: --------Slides 18

◦ I’m an “A” student, and I don’t know why I’m getting a “B”?

◦ I need and A in this class?

◦ I’m getting a B or a C, is that Okay, I’m applying for nursing?

◦ I did badly in my first and second exam…what should I do?…do I

still have a chance in the class?

◦ I thought I did better than that in the exam, what happened?

Questions about Extra Credit --------------------------- ---Slide 23

◦ Is there any extra credit or bonuses?

3

FQA Index (Cont.)

Having some trouble learning, do you have some tips or ideas?--

------------------------------------------------------------------Slides 24

◦ How do I know if I have a background for this class?

◦ Is there tutoring for this class?

◦ Five Tips to maximize your grade

How to deal with Anxiety ---------------------------------Slide 26

To drop or not to drop, that is the question -----------Slides 27

Can I get an incomplete?-----------------------------------Slide 29

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FQA Index (Cont.)

Testing Center Questions and Rules --------------------Slides 30

◦ Can I take the lecture exams and the lab exams in another testing

Center?

◦ How long do I have to take the lecture/lab at the Testing Center?

◦ Is my deadline the last day to take the exam?

◦ I came late to the testing Center and I did not have enough time to

finish the exam?

◦ Can I save my exam in the testing center and come later to take

it?

◦ I have a question about an exam?

◦ The testing center needed to reset my exam and now I need to go,

I’m late for work…

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FQA Index (Cont.)◦ I’m having issue/problem with an exam in the Testing Center, what

should I do?

◦ What are the Testing Center rules and hours?

Testing Center Information for Students

Academic Dishonesty

Regular Testing Hours for the North Lake College Testing Center:

Proctoring Exams ------------------------------------------Slide 37

For Students with disabilities--------------------------------Slide 39

Final Notice Message -----------------------------------------Slide 40

◦ The class schedule could be revised as the Semester Progresses.

◦ You are responsible for all mentioned above.

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I’m in trouble with e-campus, e-connect

or some other tech questions.

How can I contact e-campus, since I have a problem with my e-

campus password or I don’t know how to navigate it?

◦ This is the phone # for e-campus: 972-669-6402 (out of Dallas

call 1-866-374-7169).They can help you with these 2 problems.

◦ Here's the link to the tech support web page for our district.This

site supports eCampus and eConnect issues.

http://d2.parature.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8023

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I’m in trouble with e-campus, e-connect or

some other tech questions (Cont.)

I don’t own a computer, and my computer skills are not good

at best, should I take this online class?

◦ Well…you can to a certain extend.

◦ You can use a computer at school or possible at your job.

◦ Either one is not the best choice for you, since you need plenty

time and time alone in order to concentrate and study

sufficiently.

◦ Not able to work a computer is going to be a dificult one.

◦ You can come to NLC and ask student services for guidance in

this area.

◦ Therefore owning a computer and having some knowledge is

and will be essential for any online class.8

Some Key Points of the class (Please

read)

Anatomy and Physiology is a very demanding class on your time.

Anatomy is the “where it is” and Physiology is the “how does it

work”, please have in mind these statement and apply it all the

time. It is the key to study!

The material that you will be tested on will be broken down into

two types of questions: Anatomical ones and Physiological ones.

The anatomical ones are usually straight forward memorization

(are usually the ones the student gets it right in the exam most of

the time). For example the Lab exams are most likely memory

oriented; therefore students do well on them.

9

Some Key Points of the class (Please

read) (Cont.)

Physiology is more concept oriented, therefore usually the student

will encounter more difficulty with these, especially because we

cannot and should not memorize concepts. We tend to jam the night

before for hours trying to memorize everything; well you cannot

memorize concepts (especially 3-4 weeks worth of it). You might be

successful memorizing anatomy the night before but not the concepts.

Best advice, hands down, study in a regular basis at intervals, not all

in the last day or so.

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Some Key Points of the class (Please

read) (Cont.)

Expect 12-14 hrs a week of studying time...that is during a regular

semester (Spring/Fall). More during Summers or winters.

How much should you study and how well you will do depends

on your educational background, including having this class

before (which of course helps a lot), how many other challenging

classes are you taking, your motivational drive, and the amount of

quality time you can dedicate to study.

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Some Key Points of the class (Please

read) (Cont.) For example; it is easier for someone who has no kids or a job

than for someone with 3 kids, full time job and to top it off, no

biological background and a few challenging classes.

I have seen students in these circumstances getting As in the

class…but let me tell you, it is quite difficult…never impossible.

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Some Key Points of the class (Please

read) (Cont.)

The five golden rules to obtain a good grade

1. Time

Quality vs. non-quality time

It is not the amount of time that you spend studying but the

amount of understanding it was gather from the material as

you study.

Background vs. minimal background.

Bringing knowledge to the class on the subject at hand will

ultimate accelerate the learning curve and provide the student

with more time to expand in the current material at hand.

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Some Key Points of the class (Please read)

(Cont.)

Time hindrances

All these below will required not only an increase on your

study time but also are culprits of taking time away from

studying.

Job hours

Children and family care

English as a second language

Background in the material at hand.

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Some Key Points of the class (Please

read) (Cont.)2. Shortcuts and minimalistic approach

Trying to study the least possible amount and just going over quick reviews will ultimately backfire during testing time.

The student will easily confuse right from wrong answers, especially with more conceptualize material, ultimately finding themselves guessing more and more while taking the exam.

The student will approach memorization as the sole study process of choice (usually doing poorly with concept material).

3. Study in intervals

It makes complete sense to study and breakdown the material in small increments in a daily basis, especially while is fresh.

Waiting until days before the exam is asking your brain to put it all together, understand it all, and process it all…of course in a short amount of time.

Again, this tactic will leave, as mentioned above, very small amount of room to obtain a desirable grade in any particular exam. 15

Some Key Points of the class (Please

read) (Cont.)

5. Motivation

This is the key to successfully deal with the above 4.

Motivation is what makes us excel and overcome

procrastination, what makes us go the extra mile and

finally what makes our dreams possible and desires a

reality.

Never forget that, the only place where success is found

before work is in the dictionary.

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Other Website Sources- Is there other knowledge wise internet sites that I can use?

◦ Yes, there are some good ones pass to me by other students and faculty as well as You Tube.

◦ http://www.anatomyatlases.org

◦ http://www.channel4.com/science/microsites/A/autopsy/index.html

◦ http://science.nhmccd.edu/biol/ap2lab.htm

◦ http://www.instantanatomy.net/thorax/areas/heart.html

◦ http://www.innerbody.com/htm/body.html

◦ http://msjensen.cehd.umn.edu/webanatomy/Default.htm

◦ http://www.getbodysmart.com/

◦ http://heartlab.robarts.ca/dissection/dissection.html

◦ http://www.bioen.utah.edu/faculty/sri/Lab8_humancardiovascular.htm

◦ http://www.lymphnotes.com/article.php/id/151/

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Overall grade or Exam grade related

questions

I’m an “A” student, and I don’t know why I’m getting a “B”?

◦ This is another question that pops here and there.

◦ Well, there is no simple answer, but have in mind that A & P is

one of the most time demanding classes if it is not the most at a

Junior College level.

◦ If you compound this class with another challenging one, plus

more hours at work, family and some other personal issues,

well, that will do it.

◦ Please see Important Key Concepts.

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Overall grade or Exam grade related

questions (Cont.) I need and A in this class?

◦ Everybody wants or need an A. Especially when you are

applying to a competitive program.

◦ I wish I could give an “A” to everybody. Unfortunately this is

not feasible.

◦ Based on so many different variables, we never know what the

end result would be. The best thing you should do is, “do your

best and take it one day at a time”

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Overall grade or Exam grade related

questions (Cont.)

I’m getting a B or a C, is that Okay, I’m applying for

nursing?

◦ Well believe or not you can apply with a “B” or possibly a

“C” to the nursing program, the problem is not the “B” or

the “C” the problem is too many C’s in your pre-requisites.

◦ Therefore, choose your battles, if this is the hardest pre-req.

then allow yourself a “B” or “C” in this course and A’s in

the rest of the pre-requisites.

◦ I understand that nursing is a competitive program, but

have in mind that we do not know who is applying this

semester and how competitive they are...so always apply

(you never know…you have nothing to loose).

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Overall grade or Exam grade related

questions (Cont.)

I did badly in my first and second exam…what should I

do?…do I still have a chance in the class?

◦ You still have a chance in the class, since the worse of the two

exam grades taken will be drop and this will improve your

chances.

◦ How many hours are you studying and how well do you

understand the material? In order to do well you not only need to

input many hours, but understand what you are studying (quality

not quantity).

◦ Not just memorized the material, anybody can memorize but to

understand, THAT IS THE KEY.

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Overall grade or Exam grade related

questions (Cont.) I thought I did better than that in the exam, what happened?

◦ Well, this is one of those things that happen often, even I

recalled this happening to me at times. It is a normal human

reaction.

◦ Since, we study hard, the need to do well, and the material feels

so familiar when we are taking the exam, that we end up under-

calculating what we got wrong at the end of the exam.

◦ For example, we go home thinking that “I just missed 10

questions” and the end result is that you did worse than you

expected. Therefore, the first thing that pops into our heads is:

“there is a mistake with my grade or maybe there is something

wrong we the exam”.

◦ Trust me is neither of the above, is our human desire to do well.

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Questions about extra credit

Is there any extra credit or bonuses?

◦ Indirectly yes.

◦ I will drop your lowest lecture exam grade as well as your lowest lab exam grade.

◦ I’m also providing you with excellent chances to do well with the McGraw Hill quizzes taking them from home (15% of the class grade), exam reviews (red and black in the power points and notes) and Study aids like: power points review questions, flash cards (with just the red), fine tuning questions and more.

◦ Many instructors do not provide half of these, but, will give you some extra credit…if you think about it, you are getting a better deal this way…do the math!

◦ Please don’t ask me for more extra-credit…if you think about it, it is not fair to the rest of your peers who have not asked because they know the above.

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Having some trouble learning the

material, do you have some tips or ideas? How do I know if I have a background for this class?

◦ Well, do you? Have you taken a prior Biological class? When was the last time you took one?. If you had, how long ago? Did you do Okay on it?

◦ If you had one and it was not too long ago and you did Okay, then the answer is, you probably have a background.

◦ If you do, it will usually facilitate your studying and the ease of understanding the concepts.

◦ If you don’t, you are going to need more time studying.

◦ There is a section on Medical Terminology in my website (it can help with the wording or A&P language) under Student Aids…your welcome to it and best of all it is free.

Is there tutoring for this class?

◦ Yes, and is free. Drop by Room P-333 and make an appointment. It is open Monday through Saturday. You can even find most of our Anatomy models there.

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Having some trouble learning the material,

do you have some tips or ideas (Cont.)?

Five Tips to maximize your grade

1. Understand the Power Points perfectly!!!!! and when you have a question, clarify it in the lecture textbook.

2. Always study in intervals (it mean to study every day a portion not all at once the day or two before the exam).

3. Due the questions at the end of the Power Point presentation addressing the red and some black. These are fantastic questions for you to study. They go over the material and they are a good exam review source. Make sure to do them after finishing each power point section of the chapter. Then you can also go over the flash cards (these are in the website under study aids), which deals eith the red from the Power points.

4. Do the McGraw Hill Quizzes.

5. Some students due the the Fine Tuning Questions (all under Student Aids)

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How to deal with Anxiety Best thing to do is:

◦ Go to a place in your house (a quite place) and take a simulated exam as if

you were at a testing center. Usually this scenario helps.

Also, organization is the mother of decreasing student as well as any human

been anxiety.

About anxiety... first of all what is anxiety? Basically let’s think about some

situations that can cause us anxiety…then let’s find a common denominator

of these situations causing Anxiety. Good, now what is it? The common

denominator of anxiety is: the fear of the unknown, no more no less.

What can we do to counterattack anxiety in a daily basis? Simple, we

develop routines, we become more organize or try to at times be more

controlling of our surroundings achieving some decent results, I may add.

Therefore taking a practice exam and organizing your studying hapbits

could be a great a way to diminished anxiety.

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To drop or not to drop, that is the

question

I’m not passing the class, should I drop the class or should I

stick with it?

◦ Tough question. There are a few ways to approach this question.

◦ First, do you mean you are not passing the class with C, or you

think you are not going to get an A or a B?

◦ If you are not getting the grade that you are in need then: you have

to see how many exams and assignments are left, how far along

the semester you are and what kind of grades you have been

making.

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To drop or not to drop, that is the

question (Cont.) In other words, if there is only 1 or maybe 2 exams left (if this is

1407, these are the most challenging ones, if it is 1408 these are not

the most challenging ones) and you have not been doing well in the

last 3 maybe 4 exams, then is going to be a tough call, mostly for the

1407 rather than the 1408 student; since, you will have to score a high

grade to obtain what you want.

If what you need is a more reasonable grade in the last exams, then

chances are better to get the grade that you need or want,

otherwise, be really careful and realistic of the final outcome.

Based on the above comments you and only you can make the

final decision to drop or stick with the class.

The key to answer this paradox is call “reality check” You know

yourself better than anybody else.

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Can I get an Incomplete?

First of all an incomplete, according to NLC rules and regulations, are

granted to a student who finished 90% or more of the total material, in

other words, for example, missing the final exam.

Well, as you already known, if you are missing the last exam, then

that will be your dropping exam.

So basically, by allowing the student to drop their lowest lab and

lecture makes the class impossible to obtain an incomplete.

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Testing Center Questions

Can I take the lecture exams and the lab exams in another testing Center?

◦ Yes, If you are an online student you can take the lecture/Lab exams at other DCCCD testing centers.

◦ If you are an On-campus or a Hybrid student, the lab needs to be taking at our LAB. Please, of the 7 Testing Centers “Richland is the only one that you cannot!!!!”

How long do I have to take the lecture/lab at the Testing Center?

◦ 3 hours for the lecture

◦ Lab for both online/on-campus about 1 and half hours.

◦ You need to keep an eye on the Testing Center closing times…the Testing Center is not responsible because they close at a particular time…YOUARE.

◦ Figure out how much time you need, I’m already given you how many questions per exam, and give yourself a time pillow in case of an emergency.

30

Testing Center Questions (Cont.)

Is my deadline the last day to take the exam?

◦ Yes, you had a great deal of time to take the exam…if you think about it, the key is to take them before the deadline.

◦ You can take all the exams before the deadline date, but, never after. If you cross the deadline, then that exam will be your dropping exam.

I came late to the testing Center and I did not have enough time to finish the exam?

◦ It is the student responsibility to know the testing center’s schedule and to allow yourself plenty of time for the task of taking the exam.

◦ Give yourself a good cushion, in order to avoid last minute emergencies and other frustrations. Don’t you know that when you are late you always get all the red lights!!!

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Testing Center Questions (Cont.)

Can I save my exam in the testing center and come later to take

it?

◦ Absolutely not, once you enter a testing center, you need to finish

the exam.!!

I finished the exam and I have a question about the exam?

◦ If you have a question about an exam, contact me, they don’t know

anything about the exam, their job is to administer the exam.

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Testing Center Questions (Cont.) The testing center needed to reset my exam and now I need to go,

I’m late for work…

◦ If the testing center needs to re-set your exam due to a computer problem, it is the student responsibility to tell the testing center staff and remain at the testing center while the problem gets fixed.

◦ They have all my contact information and they will call me right away, and I mean right away so I can help you before you do the unthinkable which is walk away from the Testing Center. I can restart the exam and fix the problem; if you walk away this could easily be your dropping exam!!!

◦ Contact the staff if a problem arrives, that is at, the Testing Center.

◦ Solution:

Don’t come to Testing Center with minimal time to finish the exam before they close, why?

Because you never know when a true emergency is going to strike and then it will be too late.

Please provide yourself a time pillow to avoid a disaster. 33

Testing Center Questions (Cont.)

What are the Testing Center rules and hours?

◦ Testing Center Information for Students

You may not bring personal items into the Test Center. This

includes bags, cell phones and pagers. Coin-reimbursable

(quarter) lockers are available for student use. Please do not

share lockers.

Please show courteous and cooperative behavior while using

the services provided by the Testing Center.

Do not bring children to the testing center. You must make

arrangements for the care of your children prior to your exam

date. The police department will be notified of any unattended

children.

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Testing Center Questions (Cont.)

Do not take any testing materials with you when you leave the

Testing Center. This includes the test, answers, charts, scratch

paper. These items will be attached to your test.

Under no circumstances you cannot open any website…what

so ever before during or after the exam…if you do you will be

getting a zero in that particular exam with no chances of

withdrawing this particular exam. Further rules may apply

pending the situation.

35

Testing Center Questions (Cont.)

◦ Academic Dishonesty

The Dallas County Community District has established

procedures and guidelines to protect the security and integrity

of all exams. All incidents of academic dishonesty are

documented and reported to the instructor, the Director of

Testing and the Dean of Student Enrollment.

◦ Regular Testing Hours for the North Lake College Testing

Center and other centers vary. So please make sure you

know them. M-R are usually different from F-Saturday.

Questions? Please visit NLC Testing Center (A425) or call

972-273-3160.

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Proctoring Exams

General Information:

◦ Exams are only proctor when the student is out of our DCCCD

District.

◦ Student needs to inform the instructor ASAP. It will not be possible to

proctor the student after the 1st week during Winter, May or Summer

semesters or the 2nd week during Fall or Spring Semester. The reason

is simple, after 1 or 2 weeks respectively the student will be too far

behind.

◦ Proctoring can only be offer at an Official testing center, for example:

College or University. No public or private libraries, no

elementary, middle, or high schools. The latter ones do not have the

necessary supervision or testing center qualifications to support our

standards.

37

Proctoring Exams (Cont.) What the students need to do:

◦ I will e-mail the form to you, and you can e-mail it or give it to the

Proctor.

◦ Once finished, please scan it an then e-mail it to me ASAP.

◦ This form NEEDS to ne notarized. It is the students responsibility

to make sure it is done. All Colleges or Universities have one within

their Campus. Utilize this service.

◦ In the meantime: I need the following information from the Proctor

Institution or Center: Address, e-mail, phone #, and of course the

proctor’s name…so we can talk and verify all the information.

◦ Since all the exams are done through the computer, the proctor will

receive all the passwords to unlock the exams (which are currently

located in your e-campus website).

◦ We need to get this going to get it out of the way.

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Students with Disabilities

Please see the following institutional links

◦ http://www.blackboard.com/platforms/learn/resources/accessibilit

y.aspx

◦ www.northlakecollege.edu/services-and-resources/advice-and-

assistance/pages/disability-services.aspx

For Microsoft office products see the following links:

◦ http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/how-

to/Pages/talking-books.aspx

http://www.microsoft.com/education/en-us/teachers/how-

to/Pages/teacher-materials.aspx

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Final Notice Message I’m not and will not be responsible for any changes to this syllabus

if:

◦ The student does not read announcements posted in e-campus as well as their own personal e-mail (for Internet as well as on-campus classes).

The class schedule could be revised as the Semester Progresses.

Yes, we all know that nobody is perfect…therefore; this syllabus/document is not perfect either!

If for any reason you cannot take an exam or practical it will be your dropping exam or practical…no ifs, buts, or ands!

See Q&A above for detail explanations. You are given plenty time to take them, therefore do not wait to the last minute because you never know what could happen. Also allowing an extra day or so is a nice time pillow to avoid a true emergency.

You are responsible for all mentioned above.

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