News from ELI to you!
ELI Bulletin Board EXTENDED LEARNING V O L U M E
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Hello ELI Students,
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We hope everyone is having a wonderful fall semester! We encourage you to take a look through this issue of our newsletter to learn more information about what is
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WRITERS WANTED The ELI Bulletin Board is published by the Extended Learning Institute of Northern Virginia Community College to keep the ELI community informed and connected. We welcome comments and contributions from students, faculty, and staff. Contact elistulife@nvcc.edu for details.
happening at ELI. With spring semester right around the corner, we encourage you check out the 2014 registration dates and to contact your advisor as soon as possible for advising assistance. Please visit
our website for more information regarding our resources and services. Best wishes for the rest of your courses and we look forward to seeing you next semester! –ELI Staff
November is National Career Development Month Happy National Career Development Month. During this month everyone is encouraged to take a moment to reflect upon their career development. A good starting point is taking time to review the basic steps in the career development process. The following is an overview of the steps:
Tips to Succeed In Online Courses
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Individuals focus on identifying their interests, personality, skills, and values. Step 2: Exploring Careers Individuals focus on learning more about careers. Step 3: Making Decisions Individuals evaluate their options to develop a personalized plan. Step 4: Finding Employment (and Gaining Practical Experience) Individuals focus on getting a job, obtaining an internship, or exploring options for gaining practical experience.
Learn more about each step and identify resources to assist you by visiting NOVA’s Career Services website. In addition to participating in one or all of the webinars listed below, follow ELI on Twitter to receive a daily inspirational quote. Join the conversation on Facebook. Visit the Virtual Student Union to learn more about career development and related resources. Read the ELIife blog for tips, stories, and to stay connected. Exploring Career Options This 45 minute webinar will focus on using various online resources to research career options. The relationship between programs of study at NOVA, college majors, and career options will be discussed. Resources presented will provide information on nature of work, educational requirements, job outlook, and wages.
Focus on Your Career Planning This 30 minute webinar will introduce students to FOCUS 2 an online, interactive, self-guided career and education planning system. The system can help students select a program/ major based on their interests and aspirations, discover occupations matching their personal preferences and attributes, map out their career plans present and future, and make informed career decisions. Conducting a Job Search This 45 minute webinar will focus on basic strategies for conducting a job search. Topics covered will include creating a plan, identifying sources of job leads, and resume, cover letter, and interview basics. All webinars are free, but registration is required. Learn more and register at the ELI Webinar page.
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FOLLOW US! Like NOVA ELIfe on Facebook Follow us on twitter! @NOVAELIfe Read our Student Blog! ELIfe
PLAN HEAD! Spring/Summer 2014 Semester
December 16 - Fall class and exam end date. Jan 12- (16-12-8-4 week) 1st spring semester tart date. Jan 16 - (1st 4-week) Refund date Jan 20– (1st 8-week) Refund date. Jan 24 - (1st 12-week) Refund date Jan 28 - (1st 8- week) Inactive student drop date Jan 29 - (16-week) Refund Date Feb 2- (2nd 8-week) Spring semester start date Feb 5- (1st 12-week) Inactive student drop date Feb 7- (2nd 12-week) Refund date
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ELI Spotlight: The Importance of Faculty Rapport Check out the below entry from one of our ELI instructors on his thoughts about the importance of building rapport with faculty. Just before I started teaching my first online course I was worried about how well I’d be able to reach my students, both as a teacher and as a human being. As an online student you may have the same concerns, so I’m thrilled to say that all of my fears turned out to be unfounded. In fact, after that first course I went to a baseball game with one former student and met another for coffee when I was visiting NYC. Students shared photos of their children, we wrote back and forth about shared interests, etc. All of this made for a fun class, but I’m certain it also lead to greater student success; when everyone has a sense of connection, even in a virtual classroom, there tends to be more of a sense of support, of presence, of caring, and so on, all of which serve to put everyone at ease and trust that their instructor is here to make you succeed. So having a strong student/ teacher rapport is possible in
an online environment, and also very beneficial. Now, a lot of this is on the instructor, but I have found that my students, too, help create a harmonious relationship between them and myself. If you are proactive in creating a bond with your instructor, you just may find a better experience in your classes. Here are some ways you might try: 1) If you are asked to respond to your peers in discussion forums, go beyond the minimum reply and really push yourself to be expressive and helpful… this always opens my eyes and warms me towards the student. Similarly consider responding to those who comment on your work, including your instructor. Having a true back-and-forth doesn’t just have to happen in person. 2) Ask questions, be it in the question forum or via email. We want to know when you need help and asking us also makes us feel connected to you.
3) Use your sense of humor (when appropriate, of course), share some of your outside interests, etc.; it is possible to have fun and express ourselves online, and it’s a great way to get your peers and instructor to feel they have a genuine connection with you. 4) If this course is in an area that you are considering pursuing as a career, ask your instructor for her/his insider knowledge, tips, resources, and so on. Teachers are nothing if not passionate about their subjects and desirous of helping students develop into the professionals they want to become. So there you have it… rapport with your online instructor is a vital component of a good experience, and you have the power to help bring it about. Trust me, it makes these classes so much more rewarding. -Will Hatheway, ELI Adjunct Instructor of English
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ELI Hosts Fall Into ELIfe at Loudoun Campus ELI’s annual Fall Into ELIfe event was held on Wednesday, October 22nd from 11-2pm at NOVA’s Loudoun campus with a great turnout! Students, faculty, and staff came out to visit our ELI staff, learn more about online learning at NOVA, and participate in our food, fun and activities! Several members of our ELI student services staff were present to engage with participants and share resources including counseling, student success, financial aid, orientation, and student life. ELI provided fun and engaging
activities including caricaturists along with apple cider and a caramel apple dipping station. The event also sponsored a service project for the Purple Heart Foundation. This is a congressionally-chartered charity composed of military men and women who received the Purple Heart Medal for wounds suffered in combat. Although membership is restricted to the combat wounded, Purple Heart supports ALL veterans and their families with a myriad of nationwide programs.
These items will be given to the local Purple Heart location in the Northern Virginia area. Students enjoyed expressing their creativity for a great cause! This event also served as a great opportunity for our current ELI students to meet face-to-face with ELI staff. ELI staff enjoyed interacting with our Loudoun campus students and thank everyone who stopped by the event. A special thank you to the Loudoun Student Life Office for providing us the opportunity to host this event on their campus!
With this in mind, students had the opportunity to make blankets.
Interested in learning more about the Purple Heart organization and how you can volunteer? Click HERE
Learn more about ELI events HERE!
Financial Aid Corner Hello Eli Students! My name is Laura Martin. I’m a work-study student at NOVA. Work-study is a great way for students with financial need to earn money working for NOVA part-time.
-Remember, students receiving financial aid who withdraw from or stop attending any class may, in most cases be required to return a portion of the financial aid received.
I would like to take this opportunity to -Not eligible for financial aid? Apply give you a few quick tips and reminders for Scholarships! about financial aid: Check out the Financial Aid blog or -You need to renew your FAFSA every Facebook page for more information. year! Disbursement Update: -Before you drop or withdraw from a Approximately six weeks into the term, excess financial aid will be course, check with your financial aid mailed to your address of record at advisor. NOVA. For students in later starting -Pay attention to the census dates! classes and/or less than full time,
your disbursement will process once we have confirmed enrollment to meet the required eligibility for your financial aid. Student must be meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress or SAP to be eligible for financial aid. What is S.A.P.? Federal financial aid regulations require students to meet certain Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements to be eligible for continued Federal funding. Find about more information about S.A.P. here.
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What I Need to Know for a Successful Online Learning Experience Taking online classes requires time management and attention to detail to make sure you don’t miss any deadlines. Establishing a routine and planning ahead can help set you up for a productive semester! Here are some great tips and resources to make your online learning experience successful .
course. This will test your computer system, and make sure it is up to date with all the software you will need for your ELI course. The next thing you will want to do is review your syllabus thoroughly. Make note of assignment due dates, exams, quizzes, and other requirements for the course. Make note of your critical ELI Orientation Webinar: This is a course enrollments live, one hour online instruction session that focuses on getting started in your ELI dates, as well as course specific due courses, navigating your Blackboard dates. Find your course site, identifying tips for success and student support services. During the instructors contact information and online orientation, you will have opportunities to ask any questions. Click (virtual) office hours. here to register or request a recording, Taking Exams: Did you know all ELI SmarterMeasure: This assessment measures learner readiness for Northern courses require at least 2 proctored exams or assignments? If you are in the Virginia Community College’s Extended Learning Institute. SmarterMeasure is an area, you can go to any campus testing indicator of the degree to which distance center. If you are out of the area, you will need to identify a proctor and learning and/or learning in a technology submit a proctor request for in rich environment will be a good fit for you. Contact elicounselors@nvcc.edu to advance. Depending on the class you are in, ProctorU, an online proctoring learn more. service might be an option for you. Blackboard Access & Tutorials: Whether you are in the area and using Instructors make courses available the a campus testing center, out of the area day the course is scheduled to begin. As using an alternate site, or planning to soon as you have access to your use Proctor U, exams will sneak up on Blackboard course log in and start you. Look ahead, know when you navigating your virtual classroom. Run the exams are due and how many exams Blackboard tutorials provided in your you have in your course.
Be prepared for emergency closings: Sign up for NOVA Alerts, join ELI and NOVA’s Social Media sites and check your student email. These are all great ways to be prepared for any emergency closings, updates and announcements. If a campus is closed for any reason this will affect the Testing Centers. Develop a Study Schedule and Create a Workspace:Time goes by quickly, be sure to develop a daily study schedule along with a quiet, distractionfree environment to optimize concentration and productivity. Get Involved: ELI offers many resources and tips through our NovaELIfe social media channels to help you get involved. Stay connected to ELI through informational blogs, academic resources, Virtual Student Union, Facebook and Twitter. If you have any questions or you are not sure where to start, you can contact the ELI Student Services Team at 703-3233347. We are more than happy to assist and refer you to useful resources and services that will support your online learning experience.
Getting Ready For Your Next Semester Priority registration for the spring semester will begin the week of November 10th. Check NOVAConnect for your priority registration date. Open registration for all students will begin on November 17th. Below are some things you can do to prepare for your next semester. Participate in a live session or listen to a recording of the Getting Ready for Your Next Semester webinar. This 45 minute webinar for NOVA students will focus on answering key questions students have about preparing for their next semester. Topics covered will include program identification, course selection, college resources, schedule planning, and registration/payment tips. Utilize the Student Success Planner- an online tool that can help you with your degree and schedule planning. View your Advisement Report in NOVAConnect to make sure you are on-track towards fulfilling requirements for a certificate or degree you are pursuing. Communicate with your advisor about your academic and career goals as well as any concerns you have about achieving your goals. If you have not declared a program of study or are not pursuing a certificate or degree at NOVA contact an ELI Counselor to for assistance.
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Problem Solving: How to Communicate When You Have A Problem Each day our office is contacted by students who have an issue they want addressed. Sometimes these issues are very clear and sometimes it takes many emails, calls, and lots of back and forth to figure out the core issue and a possible resolution. With thousands of students taking courses each year, it becomes really important for our student services team to have the information needed to address your concern in a timely manner. Here are a few things you can do to help us - help you! 1) Be sure you log into your course as soon as it is available and read, read, read, the course links, especially the syllabus and critical course dates. ALL courses have critical dates that you must follow to maintain enrollment in the course.
2) If you have an issue in a course, send your instructor a respectful email to address the concern. Often we have stressful situations in our lives and when we are upset, it is easy to send off email messages that are harsh in tone. The best rule is to stop and think about what you want to accomplish before hitting send. If you are fired up about a situation, STOP, take a breath and wait a few minutes before sending something that you can’t take back. 3) Communicate early if you have a problem. Don’t wait until you have missed the exam to say that you have had computer issues for two weeks. It is your responsibility to reach out to your instructor in advance to discuss issues that might prevent you from being successful in
the course. Do not assume that all instructors will allow late work or make up exams. 4) If you can’t reach your instructor or you need assistance, call the ELI Counseling Hotline and speak with a Counselor or Student Success Coach. Our team can walk you through the steps you need to take and can assist when necessary. These are just a few steps you should take but certainly not all. The good news for ELI students is that we have a team of professionals who can assist you as you reach your educational goals. Although there will be times of frustration and deadlines to meet, we know that you can do it and we are here to support you along the way!
New Online Courses for Spring 2015 Check out some of the courses that will be available through ELI for the spring 2015 semester. BIO 165 - Principles in Regulatory and Quality Environments for Biotechnology Prepares students to work effectively in a scientific field and explains the basics of the regulatory and quality environments encountered in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical field. Surveys the principles and practices used on a day-to-day basis in regulatory affairs and quality systems.
representational and nonrepresentational forms. Focuses on the periods and movements that influenced the arts of the twentieth century. Emphasizes contemporary art forms, particularly the interaction between art and society, industry, and design. ITN 106 – Microcomputer Operating Systems Teaches use of operating system utilities and multiple-level directory structures, creation of batch files, and configuration of microcomputer environments. May include a study of graphical user interfaces.
ART 106 – History of Modern Art Surveys the history of modern architecture, sculpture, painting, and graphic arts in
PLS 135 – American National Politics Teaches political institutions and
processes of the national government of the United States, focuses on the Congress, presidency, and the courts, and on their inter- relationships. Gives attention to public opinion, suffrage, elections, political parties, interest groups, civil rights, domestic policy, and foreign relations. ITN 267 – Legal Topics in Network Security Conveys an in-depth exploration of the civil and common law issues that apply to network security. Explores statutes, jurisdictional, and constitutional issues related to computer crimes and privacy. Includes rules of evidence, seizure and evidence handling, court presentation and computer privacy in the digital age.
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Take Your Winter Break Into Overdrive login with your myNOVA username and password. Winter break is just around the corner. Need a break from textbooks and computer screens? Try an audiobook! You can listen to audiobooks in two ways: on a computer or smartphone. Both require Overdrive’s free app. For Audiobooks are provided for free by your NOVA library! assistance, please contact the library at ELI-Library@nvcc.edu and/or login to Overdrive and click NOVA library’s audiobook provider Overdrive has something for everyone. You can select from a variety of Help in the top menu. topics and genres including: popular fiction, travel guides, foreign language courses and much more. Overdrive is located at NOVA’s library homepage. Click the Audio & Video tab and then Audio Books. You
Once you’ve set up your device(s), start downloading! Select different titles and try something new. Here are a few recommendations:
Murder On The Orient Express by Agatha Christie, Read by David Suchet
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan, Read by Amy Tan This book examines the deep and sometimes troubled relationship between mothers and daughters.
Written by the world’s bestselling novelist, this classic mystery features the formidable and eccentric detective Hercule Poirot.
Sula by Toni Morrison, Read by Toni Morrison Sula is a story of friendship, individuality, conformity, consequences and regrets. In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan, Read by Scott Brick
World War Z by Max Brooks, Read by Cast Written from multiple perspectives, this book takes the reader through the history of a Zombie war.
In an era of fad diets, Pollan offers refreshing simplicity: “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”
ELI Student Life
It’s been exciting fall semester for ELI student life or ELIfe! ELI has hosted many events for students both virtually and in-person to help online students develop stronger connections to ELI, to NOVA, and to each other. Some of these student life events included ELI’s Fantasy Football, Lessons in Leadership webinar series and miss these upcoming events : Are you National Distance Learning Week– Join ELI to celebrate the tremendous growth and interes ted in le arning accomplishments occurring in online learning programs. Follow our social media sites to find more a b out Studen out more about our online student social and trivia to win ELI goodies! t Life Preparing for Finals Webinars – Are you ready for Finals Week? ELI can help you prepare! The How to Prepare for Finals webinar will focus on topics and strategies to help ease anxiety and help you study smart such as: Early preparation, planning your approach and taking the exam. T H A N K C O N T A C T
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