University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Friday, April 24, 2009
8:30 am - Donaghey Student Center Room C
Adult Student Advocacy Program
Alpha Sigma Lambda National Honor Society for Adult Learners

New students ask: How are courses scheduled?

The days of the week are represented by M, T, W, F, & S for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, & Saturday - but Thursday is R and Sunday is U. TBA means to be announced.

When the word Staff appears instead of an instructor’s name, it just means that the department has yet to assign the instructor. Section numbers that begin with 99 designate an online course. For more information about the course entries, see the Guide to UALR section of the undergraduate catalog.

The length of a standard 3 credit-hour class is defined by a University-wide administrative memorandum (#635.1 updated in 2006) as 50 minutes of instruction that will take place 45 times in a regular term. In order to meet student needs, there are variations that make up UALR scheduling options. Typically, MWF classes meet for 50 minutes while MW or TR classes meet for 75 minutes (1 hr. & 15 min.). Once a week evening classes are about 150 minutes (2 hr. & 30 min.).

• Focus on the instructions. Be sure to follow the directions in the instructor’s prompt or syllabus closely.
• Work to respond with something that adds value to the discussion. Online does not mean easy, and you need to let your instructor know that you take the class seriously.
• Expand on the topic.
• Provide a story that helps to illustrate the main idea.
• Offer a different perspective to increase discussion.
• Provide an online resource relevant to the topic and include a hyperlink.
• Treat others with respect even when you disagree, and acknowledge those who respond to you.
• Don’t send “Me too” or “I agree” posts; they waste everyone’s time and don’t contribute to the discussion. Make your posts substantial and communicative.
• Post early. You’ll get more response and become more engaged in conversation.
• Offer a learning method you’ve used or experienced in a different course.
• Provide a summary of the ideas others have posted so far.  This kind of recap is good when you join the conversation late.
• Ask a specific question but avoid those with yes/no answers.
• Ask an open ended question that relates to the current topic.
• Avoid doing all of your posting at the end of the week, term, or topic deadline. You miss out on interaction and cause yourself more work.
• When using direct quotations from the text, include the name of the text and page number to avoid confusion.
• Use emoticons to clarify any use of humor so that your readers understand the spirit of the communication.
  

Adapted from an article by Dennis O’Connor (wiredinstructor.net)             http://www.sloanconsortium.org/node/1421                1/23/2009

There are many free February activities from the Office of Campus Life.  The events might make very good material for projects you have been assigned or need to be working on, like a play or movie review, etc. A lot of thoughtful planning goes into choosing activities that will enhance your education at UALR. Please pass the word and let your fellow-students know about the opportunities that exist right here on campus: Free concerts, movies, discussions that allow you to participate and learn, plays, food & fellowship with other students! Call the Office of Campus Life for more details:  569-3308.

Black History Month Kickoff
February 3, 2009 - 12:15 pm
Donaghey Student Center Room C
Join us for music, spoken word and the beginning of an exciting month of events. Refreshments will be served.

Education + Action = CHANGE
February 12, 2009 - 7:00 pm
Donaghey Student Center Rooms B & C
This event is also part of our Campus Life Checkpoints Orientation Series: Money Matters
Guest speaker Ryan Mack wants to speak to every young hip hop entrepreneur and visionary. Find out how to optimize your paper chasing endeavors. Mr. Mack is financial advisor to many prominent clients across the US. Unions, churches, nonprofits, inner-city organizations, international communities, and especially colleges and universities have benefited from his workshops and economic empowerment initiatives. He can be regularly viewed on television networks such as CNBC, CNN and BET discussing economic issues that impact American citizens.

Rap Sessions: A Community Dialog on Hip Hop
February 18, 2009 - 7:00 pm
Donaghey Student Center Rooms A & B
Guests Include: Bakari Kitwana, MC Search, and Lisa Fager Bediako - Moderator: Patrick Oliver
Hip-hop activist and acclaimed author, Bakari Kitwana, is collaborating with the Community Technology Foundation of California to continue Rap Sessions, the first national tour exploring race and hip-hop. Is America really in a post racism era? Come listen. Come be heard.

Movie: Cadillac Records
Thursday, February 19, 2009
7:00 pm - Donaghey Student Center Meeting Rooms
Directed by TV veteran Darnell Martin, the musical drama Cadillac Records documents the compelling true-life story of the Chicago record label that helped the world discover such legendary artists as Muddy Waters, Howlin’ Wolf, Little Walter, and Chuck Berry. Founded in 1950 by Leonard Chess (Adrien Brody), Chess Records quickly gained a reputation as home to some of the most talented and influential blues artists ever to step into a recording studio. But giving these musicians an opportunity to bring their music to the world was no easy task, because along the way there was enough sex, drugs, and rock & roll to ensure that things around Chess Records never got boring. Featuring Jeffrey Wright as Muddy Waters, Gabrielle Union as Geneva Wade, Beyoncé Knowles as Etta James, Mos Def as Chuck Berry, Cedric the Entertainer as Willie Dixon, and Eamonn Walker as Howlin’ Wolf.

Evolution of Music: A Play
February 25, 2009 - 7:00 pm
Stella Boyle Concert Hall
For more information, please call 569-3308.