PHE-103-N1 Concepts: Health

INTRODUCTION

Hello Students!  Welcome to the new semester at SCC and the online course entitled "Concepts Health [PHE-103-N1)!  I am Diane Blake and I will be your "facilitator" for the course. I am here to guide and direct you through the course and to answer your questions about the assigned material. 

For TECHNICAL SUPPORT see the charted information to the right.

This course will introduce principles and concepts desirable for a person’s physical, mental, emotional and social wellness. Students will be exposed to strategies to improve lifestyles by examining life choices and developing critical thinking skills related to their health.  Participants will explore current vocabulary and advances in health care, scrutinize personal fitness levels, discuss ethical issues, study environmental health effects and investigate effective nutrition analysis methods.

This course will require that you:

• read the health textbook chapters,
• take 10 quizzes (one per WEEK- covers 1-3 chapters combined),
• do weekly activities/questions,
• respond to 12 debate questions,
• “talk” to classmates on the Advanced Forums [12],
• take one online mid-term exam,
• and one online final exam.

Required Course Materials: 

* Text BUY WHATEVER EDITION THE SCC BOOKSTORE HAS IN STOCK!– Hales Dianne, [2011]  An Invitation to Health    Wadsworth- Cengage Learning 10 Davis Drive, Belmont, CA 94002-3098 USA 

If you are buying from an off-campus site- PHONE the SCC bookstore to verify that you have the correct EDITION!

*Computer with internet connection

You can review the syllabus and orientation letter to help update you to the requirements of the class

CHECK the school CALENDAR: Orientation “Session” and Orientation QUIZ will be open: the week before class actually begins! Turn in your quiz through MOODLE before the first day of class.

The main purpose of this orientation will be to make sure you can access MOODLE, review the syllabus, meet each other, and answer questions about the course that will be graded. [10 pts] This will be the only time that training is offered in the navigation and specific requirements of the course. If you do not complete the session, it is your responsibility to read through all of the icons and directions on line. It is highly RECOMMENDED that you complete the session even if you have taken a WebCT/Blackboard or MOODLE course previously, as each course has different requirements. Note:  On the MOODLE pages there is a STUDENT HELP section that will assist in navigating the icons, etc.

Your regular work week runs from Saturday at midnight to the following Saturday at 11 p.m. It may be helpful for you to print the schedule of topics and work that is in your syllabus/course content so you will know what is due during what dates and times. Basically, you will have so many chapters, quizzes, and assignments each week. The quizzes are really practice for the EXAMS.

You will have due dates for all assignments and quizzes.  Weekly assignments will be due by Wednesday 11 p.m. of that week via MOODLE submission.  Quizzes are “open” on Thursday of the week- and DUE by the Saturday 11 p.m. cut off.  You may take the quiz any time after it opens - but remember you have only one chance at completing it. 

You are responsible to check when Class officially begins. It is a late start course.

This course is not independent study. It cannot be done at your own pace! You will have a weekly schedule of assignments and due dates. Due dates are NOT optional and can not be extended.  This course also requires that you are able to time manage and be self-directing in many ways. AN ON-LINE course provides you with a great deal of flexibility but that can be a problem instead of an asset for some students. You need to consider this before starting a course of this type. In addition, this course moves very quickly and will require that you are self disciplined and stay current with your assignments.  If you sign up for this class, you are agreeing to be self-motivated and disciplined to complete the required work at the pace subscribed by the facilitator. 

If you experience computer problems or are away from home—you are advised to find internet access [library, café with hourly fees etc] and complete your work on time.  There isn’t any reason to “be away or computer down” because the MOODLE courses can be taken anywhere and any time. 

It would be a good idea for you to browse the Health Homepage and read the syllabus first. Then, you may want to browse the book. The book store can assist you in locating and purchasing the text. Our book is fun, excellent and comprehensive, but you don't have to know everything in it. The PowerPoint slides on the homepage can help you summarize the reading materials. Self-test chapter quizzes, at the end of each chapter, will also be a great study tool. The chapter goals, which are listed on every 1^st page of a chapter in the text, will make your focus easier. When this MOODLE course opens browse the Web page so you know your way around and you know what to expect.

Do your best to stay ahead of your assignments and try to finish them early to take the time pressure off of you. I expect you to be spending 9-12 hours of work time per week. Online: at least 3-5 days per week – just as a regular class student would be. The biggest challenge of an on-line class is staying up with the work and being disciplined to do your work every week. Be patient when you send me an e-mail because I don't always check it ALL day and outside events may be occurring. But, I will respond as soon as possible.

If you have technical problems, call the SCC student help desk phone # at 636-922-8555 or e-mail them at webhelp@stchas.edu.

There is a learning curve the first couple of weeks in navigating the class but things will go well for you once you get used to the routines of the class. You will like the convenience of learning at home and you will learn a lot of things you didn't know about health. How much you learn is ultimately up to you and how much you put into the class! Use all the resources you have available to you and you will do well.  Do your best, have fun, and enjoy the process!

Diane Blake   M.A + 45
Specialty Adjunct Professor
St. Charles Community College
Physical Education / Health, Stress Management, Aerobics, Coaching, Foundations of PE, Fitness And Sport