DSPR 0700
Basic Reading
3 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:
Basic Reading is a course which provides a foundation in reading comprehension, critical reading, and vocabulary development. Student's can expect to learn the essential components of reading comprehension including but not limited to locating main idea, supporting details, inferences, and figurative language. Course activities will include reading and writing assignments, tests and quizzes, as well as interaction on a class discussion board.

Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Identify main ideas and supporting details in a reading passage
  2. Comprehend reading passages at a literal level
  3. Comprehend reading passages at an inferential level
  4. Identify and write paragraphs with a variety of organizational patterns
  5. Define unfamiliar words using context clues, word structure, and a reference materials such as a dictionary and  thesaurus
  6. Apply a variety of reading strategies to different types of reading materials i.e. textbooks, newspapers, fiction
Prerequisites and Corequisites:
Appropriate score on the college placement test.
Course Topics:
Course topics should be completed in sequential order as they are presented in the Course Contents. Topics include skill building and application to literal and critical reading skills.
Specific Course Requirements:
Since assignments will be submitted electronically, students should be proficient in Microsoft Word as well as utilizing features of email.
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Required Textbooks:
There is not a text book for this course. Materials have been taken from the Virtual Library in addition to other online resources. Resources are listed in the Resource section of the course.
Supplementary Materials:
None
Hardware Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. 
Software Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm. Specific software requirements for this course include Real Player which is a free download, and Microsoft Word. 
Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:
  • Students will take some of the tests in this course online but the midterm and the final will be proctored examinations.
  • Students are responsible for locating a proctor and getting the proctor to complete the proctor certification form and submitting it to the instructor. Information can be located at http://www.rodp.org/proctorstudentform.htm
  • Unit tests are designed to be completed after the related work in the unit has been completed. There will be a 10 point penalty on the test score if it is taken prior to the appropriate work being submitted. 
Grading Procedure:

Topic Assignment Evaluation Value
Unit Evaluations Written exercises, journal writings, discussion postings and class interactions Points on all unit assignments and tests 40%
Vocabulary Mastery Vocabulary work and tests Unit Tests 20%
Proctored Exams Midterm and Final Exam Proctored computer tests 40%


Grading Scale:
A    100 - 90
B     80 - 89
C     70 - 79
F     69 and below
Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:
Week 1   - Orientation Unit
Week 2   - Main Idea Unit
Week 2   - Vocabulary Unit 1
Week 3   - Newspaper Reading Unit
Week 4   - Supporting Details Unit
Week 4   - Vocabulary Unit 2
Week 5   - Literal Comprehension:  Sequencing and Locating Facts Unit
Week 6   - Proctored Midterm Examination
Week 7   - Word Identification and Comprehension Unit
Week 8   - Figurative Comprehension:  Inferences, and Conclusions Unit
Week 9   - Vocabulary Unit 3
Week 10 - Figurative Comprehension: Persuasion and Mood Unit
Week 11 - Vocabulary Unit 4
Week 12 - Proctored Final Examination
Class Participation:
Students must participate in all interactive aspects of the course. Students must communicate with other students in the discussion forum, use the instructor as a learning resource, check the course email and bulletin board frequently for announcements, and actively participate in threaded discussion events. 
Punctuality:
Students must submit assignments on or before the designated due dates (see course calendar). Ten (10) points will be deducted for assignments submitted after the due date. Assignments will not be accepted for credit more than one week after the due date. If a student's computer crashes, it is the student's responsibility to immediately contact technical support as well as the instructor and/or locate another computer to continue working in the class.
Course Ground Rules
  • Possess reliable access to computing resources. Have the minimum hardware, software, and browser. Address technical problems immediately, 
  • Understand basic personal computer operations. Students should be familiar with operating system, file management, word-processing, internet, email. Taking an online course is not the way to learn computer skills.
  • Be familiar with the internet. Know how to browse, search, download, zip and unzip files and solve problems involving personal computer settings and the internet.
  • Read for information effectively and follow instructions. There is more reading in an online course than with traditional modes of instruction. 
  • Have an external email account. Our primary email will be inside WebCT. However, in case of emergencies, we will need an alternate plan for communication.
  • Learn to navigate in WebCT from the tutorials and help screens provided in WebCT. 
  • Actively, persistently, and regularly communicate with the instructor.
  • Willing and able to make weekly progress on the course work.
  • Prepared to spend an adequate amount of time to complete the work for the term. Online courses are generally more time consuming and complicated than other modes of instruction. This course is worth 4 credit hours. Therefore, students should expect to spend 6-8 hours a week completing work for this course.
  • Procrastination is an online student's worst enemy. If you get more than one week behind the schedule, you are not likely to be able to complete the course.
  • Observe course netiquette at all times
  • Communicate with other students in the discussion forum.
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
Guidelines for Communications
Email:
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members
Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other's ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Web Resources:

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the Discussion Board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:
If you are having problems logging into your course, timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the AskRODP Help Desk by calling

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to the AskRODP website at:

http://help.rodp.org