HOLYOKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Distance Learning Cooperative Education I - 280-70

Summer 2010

Andrea Picard, Faculty Coordinator

Office: Kittredge 313-by appointment

Phone: (413) 552-2342

Email: apicard@hcc.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

A three-credit distance learning course that offers students an opportunity to learn in work settings while obtaining practical experience in their field of study. Students will work a total of 200 hours and complete weekly on-line assignments to prepare learning goals, discuss issues related to successful job performance and career advancement, evaluate work performance, and identify learning outcomes.

PREREQUISITES:

Students must have completed 27 credits, and have completed substantial course work in their major. Permission of the Cooperative Education Department is required. Students must be placed in a Co-op position by June 14, 2010.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

To enable students to apply the knowledge and skills gained in the classroom to real work situations while familiarizing them with the conditions and demands of employment with organizations in their career fields.

To instruct students in the techniques of goal setting, preparation of concise goal statements, and evaluation of goal attainment.

To help students develop and utilize appropriate work habits, assess work performance, identify strengths and weaknesses, and plan for subsequent experiences.

To introduce students to the concept of building a career portfolio, and using the portfolio to document Co-op field experience learning outcomes.

COURSE STRUCTURE:

Weekly on-line assignments to develop learning goals, review strategies to improve work performance, evaluate work performance, and assess learning outcomes. There will be reading assignments, writing assignments, and class discussions. No textbook is required.

Students work a minimum of 200 hours at their Co-op site during the semester. All students will be evaluated by their employment supervisor at mid-term, and at the end of the semester. Faculty coordinator will meet with employment supervisor to discuss the evaluation at Co-op work site.

GRADING POLICY:

Employer Evaluation (s) 50%

Completion of weekly on-line assignments 25%

NOTE: All assignments must be submitted by due date, and points will be deducted for late assignments. All late assignments must be approved prior to due date or will not be accepted.  Incomplete assignments are the equivalent of an absence from class. Three or more incomplete assignments may be cause for administrative withdrawal from course.  Three or more late assignments may be cause for administrative withdrawal from course. 

Final portfolio (15%) with learning outcomes paper (10%) 25%

SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS:

If you require any special course accommodations due to a documented disability, please notify instructor before the beginning of the second class.