Course Outline and Requirements           

The Professor's Role in this Course

Information about myself can be found at this location.

Remember at all times that I am attempting to have the class form a Learning Community in which people interact and assist one another.  I am also attempting to develop the learner's critical thinking skills and the skills for acquiring knowledge and evaluating information.  This being the case I shall often respond to questions with other questions intending to have the student go further in the thought process.  I shall not be an information dispenser or the source of all official answers to be memorized as the correct answer.  I shall be a coach, an assistant, an instructor.  I am not a cheerleader.  Sorry, that is not my nature.  I will seldom merely praise performance that is what is expected.  I may note very good performance and achievement and model behavior.

Answering questions and addressing concerns: I will check your Private E-mails (for private matters) and the Ask the Professor postings (for course related questions) nearly every day (sometimes twice a day!) and make it a point to get back to you immediately with the answers to your questions. If I do not answer your question promptly, let me know.

    • Monitoring and Evaluating the Discussions: I attempt to read every comment made by every student in the discussions. I enjoy the interplay, and I jump in occasionally, but I cannot respond to each comment, and indeed I have found that to be a hindrance to open discussion among students.
    • Evaluating Written Assignments: The written assignments in this course will be read and graded after all papers have been submitted. I will evaluate them promptly and provide you with feedback as soon as possible following the due date.
    • Posting Progress Reports to the Web: Beginning with Module 2, I will update your Progress Reports in the GRADES web page after each module. The Progress Report will report your grade and the 'perfect grade' for each graded component of the course. You will always know where you stand in this course. My software allows me to track the number of posts as well as the frequency of your logons. You may examine your Progress Report on the GRADES web page and print it out at any time.  Starting at the mid term I shall post projections of final grades based on your performance in the first half. You may improve your performance in the second half of the  semester and thus earn a higher grade than projected.
    • Communicating with the Professor:     One of the features of distance education is that you are never required to meet face to face with the professor. However, if you want to stop by for a visit my office is at Queensborough Community College in Bayside NY in the Medical Arts Building, Room 403 and my hours will be available through the course materials (see Course Information Documents) During the Pandemic you can reach me for a personal matter by:

      1.      for a personal matter Sending me an email to ppecorino@qcc.cuny.edu

      2.      for a personal matter Calling my office phone:  Monday to Thursday 9am to 12 noon  1-718-281-5038

      3.      for a class matter Post in the BB Discussion Forum titled “Questions and Suggestions for the Professor”

      4.      for a class matter I shall also have VIDEO OFFICE HOURS for the class at times I shall announce.  They will be INSIDE the Class Site using Blackboard Collaborate.

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