CENTER FOR INNOVATIVE LEARNING 2nd Floor, CS Building 900 San Marcelino St., Ermita, 1000 Manila , Philippines
FLEXIBLE LEARNING PROGRAM GUIDELINES 1st Semester SY 2020-2021
INTRODUCTION
Adamson University officially began its Flexible Learning Program (FLP) in the Midyear Term of SY 2019-2020.
Following our departure from the traditional campus-based instruction, we have promptly acquired the services of Blackboard Learn Ultra (BB) as the University’s new learning management system (known as the Adamson Digital University Portal), to support and make certain the efficacy of the program.
To ensure the readiness of the school for this latest learning innovation, faculty members were trained, syllabi were redesigned, and course contents were modularized.
As we switch to a new kind of learning delivery, appropriate policies and guidelines were established to guarantee a seamless transition to FLP without compromising the quality learning that our students deserve.
This Guidelines is issued to give our stakeholders all the information needed regarding the implementation of FLP. These new policies and guidelines are applicable for the 1st semester of SY 2020-2021 only, but may be extended as long as the need for flexible learning continue to exist.
The FLP is managed and administered by the Center for Innovative Learning and may be reached at [email protected] for queries and assistance.
A. ADAMSON ONLINE LEARNING PROFILE
A.1 Instructional Approaches
Delivery of flexible online learning for the 1st semester of SY 2020-2021 will be purely web-based using a modularized course content. A blend of both synchronous and asynchronous online learning will be utilized, which will allow students to have virtual, face-to-face meetings with their teachers and, at the same time, the freedom to study at their own pace and in their own time.
A.1.1 Modular Approach
In order to maximize student learning under the FPL, courses were modularized following the multi-modal module (3M) design. Delivery strategies under the 3M model employ both conventional (non-digital) and digital learning.
To sustain the quality of the student learning outcomes, the said modules were prepared by our expert faculty members, have gone through strict peer review, and were given final evaluation by the Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) evaluator of each College/Department.
Over one thousand modules will be used for the 1st semester for all offered courses containing lectures, activities, learning materials and assessments.
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A.1.2 Synchronous Classes
Synchronous classes, or real-time face-t0-face online classes, will be held once a week, except for one, following the time allotment given below:
For Lecture Courses
For a 6 unit class - 2.5 hours meeting/week (45 hours/sem) For a 5 unit class - 2 hours meeting/week (36 hours/sem) For a 4 unit class - 1.5 hours meeting/week (27 hours/sem) For a 3 unit class - 1 hour meeting/week (18 hours/sem) For a 2 unit class - 45 min meeting/week (13.5 hours/sem) For a 1 unit class - 45 min meeting/every other week (6.75 hours/sem)
For Laboratory Courses
For a 3 unit lab class - 6 hours meeting/week (108 hours/sem) For a 2 hour lab class - 4 hours meeting/week (72 hours/sem) For a 1 unit lab class - 2 hours/week (36 hours/sem)
A.1.2.1 Official Video Meet Application
Google Meet, Zoom, and Tencent (only for Graduate School) integrated in Blackboard Learn are the only official video applications recognized by the school. Faculty members are discouraged from using other social media platforms for online meetings.
A permanent meeting day will be provided by the teacher at the beginning of the semester and may only be altered by the latter upon consultation with the students.
A.1.2.2 Supplementary Live Classes
To the extent necessary, additional synchronous meetings may be called by the teacher, but not to exceed 50% for lecture course and 80% for laboratory of the total required hours per week under the old normal setting. Attendance to supplementary live classes will not be subject to checking and/or monitoring.
A.1.3 Asynchronous Classes
All reading materials, recorded lectures, powerpoint presentations, activities and assignments for the succeeding week will be uploaded by the faculty at the end of the
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preceding week. These materials may be accessed, viewed and/or downloaded by the students at any time. Students are given at least one (1) week to work on activities and assignments to satisfy weekly requirements as may be tasked by their teachers.
A.1.3.1 Teachers’ Presence Online
Consultation with teachers may be made during asynchronous classes through the use of the BB Discussion Board. Teachers will be available during official class time and on their designated consultation hours to provide assistance to the students and to respond to class online forum.
A.1.3.2 Asynchronous Laboratory Classes
While most of the laboratory classes which require hands-on experiments have been moved to the 2nd semester (especially in Engineering), those that will be offered for the 1st semester are software-based and, thus, no hands-on experiments are required.
In the case of other laboratory classes that are experiment-based, videos of experiments performed by the course teacher have been pre-recorded during the Midyear Term and may be downloaded by the students. Apart from this, Adamson has acquired the services of Labster, a virtual laboratory being used worldwide for science-related simulation experiments. Also, the College of Pharmacy will be availing the services of MyDispense, an online pharmacy simulation tool that allows students to practice their dispensing skills in a virtual setting.
B. BLACKBOARD LEARN ULTRA
Blackboard Learn™ with the Ultra experience (Learn Ultra), is expected to make flexible learning at Adamson University more effective, compelling, and easy with its modern and convenient features. Students are advised to visit the following link for a more comprehensive review of BB features: https://learnultra.blackboard.com
B.1 BB Onboarding
Students may only access BB using their official email account (@adamson.edu.ph).
A “student orientation course” was created by the CIL to acquaint the students on BB onboarding and on how to make full use of BB’s modern features. Students may access the course upon logging to their BB accounts.
Alternatively, students may view video tutorials through the following links:
Description YouTube links
Intro to Blackboard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKjBxIe_138
Calendar https://youtu.be/vlI7V2_hsd4
Messages https://youtu.be/m0l3DYRfl5A
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Activity Stream https://youtu.be/_YuXFClGPv0
Participate in https://youtu.be/fsQKNpmHbTc discussion
Edit your profile https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTmK3QdwZro
Notification Settings https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EPoI8h8O0c
Review Assignments https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fm5W8Z61_EU Feedback
Check Attendance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51gOg_IRAGA Grades
Self-Enroll in a https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhfN9FNm8XI Group
Check Grades https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRRHlsLMAbw
Use Content Editor https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxZQelZjekc
Submit an https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVh8wz4RamA Assignment
Find Groups in Ultra https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDtyb_aZqGY Course View
Add a Journal Entry https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ_uJhMfA_U
B.2 BB Offline Functionality
The offline content feature of BB provides continuous access to course contents regardless of connectivity condition. Students may download available contents for an entire course or just specific items. Auto sync ensures that the downloads are updated the next time the students go online. Note, however, that this is only available in the mobile version of BB Learn obtainable in Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
B.3 BB Use Technical Support
Anyone who requires help or advice on the use of BB may communicate with CIL at [email protected]. Letters/requests must be sent through the official email account of the student. Communications transmitted using other email accounts will not be acknowledged.
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B.4 Adamson University Student Information System (SIS)
The Student Information System (SIS) of the University (formerly AdU e-Learning) accessible through this link https://live.adamson.edu.ph, will be utilized for the following transactions:
Student
Enrollment Viewing of: o Grades o Offered Sections/Subjects o Dissolved Sections o Assessment of Fees o Account Balance o Payment History o Announcements o Curriculum o Student Manual
Faculty
Module Library Encoding of Grades Viewing of Announcements
C. STUDENT ATTENDANCE
Mindful of the challenges of unstable internet connectivity in the country but aware that participation in lectures and course activities lead to better assessment results, student attendance will continue to be monitored and recorded under the school’s flexible learning program.
The policy on excessive absences, however, has been modified by making it far more lenient than the existing school rule on abseentism.
C.1 Dropping Policy
C.1.1 Any student who accumulates 30% of absences from his Synchronous classes (Par.A.1.2):
1.1.1 Is disqualified from earning any unit for the course; 1.1.2 Is dropped from the class with a final mark of 6.0 (DROPPED) if he drops officially; 1.1.3 Is given a grade of 5.0 if he/she is failing at the time of the last allowable absence and failed to drop officially; 1.1.4 Is given a grade of 6.0 if he/she is passing at the time of the last allowable absence and failed to drop officially;
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C.1.2 Dropping Form
To drop officially, the student must download the Notification of Dropping with Record Form at https://www.adamson.edu.ph/v1/downloads/registrar/F- REG-310Rev%20(11-05-18)DROPPING-WITHOUT-RECORD.pdf, and must email the filled-up form to the Chairperson of his department and to the Registrar’s Office ([email protected]).
To be considered officially dropped, endorsement of the Chairperson and approval of the Registrar are required.
C.1.2 Excused Absence
A student shall be excused from his synchronous classes when the absence is:
1.2.1 Due to illness or injury caused by an accident; 1.2.2 Due to poor internet connectivity; 1.2.3 Due to the death of a member of the family 1.2.4 For other emergencies and reasons determined as valid and meritorious by the faculty member.
Academic activities, such as quizzes, graded seatwork, presentations and other tasks missed by the student on account of an excused absence may be substituted with appropriate make-up work at the discretion of the teacher, and following the policies and guidelines that may be issued by the Academic Department under whose administration the course is offered.
D. PERIODIC EXAMINATIONS
The Policies on Examination under the 2018 Student Manual shall continue to be in full force and effect for the 1st semester. Please check https://www.adamson.edu.ph/v1/downloads/adamson-university-student-manual- 2018.pdf for a full discussion on examination guidelines.
E. GRADING POLICY
The grading process under FLP will remain to be covered by the Policy on Grading System in accordance with the 2018 Student Manual.
F. STUDENT NETIQUETTE
Students are required to strictly adhere to the following basic rules of netiquette:
1. Do not type in all caps. 2. Before posing a question to a discussion board, check if it has already been asked or answered. In addition, if the answer can be found through a search engine, refer to that instead. 3. Stay on topic. Do not post irrelevant links, comments, or pictures. 4. Be polite and civil at all times. 5. Be brief unless required not to be.
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6. In referring to something your classmate said earlier in the discussion, quote a few key lines from their post. This is to both make it easier for the class to see the source of the statement, as well as to avoid plagiarism. 7. Check the most recent comments before you reply to an older one. 8. Run a spelling and grammar check before posting anything to the discussion board. 9. Always double check if you have submitted your files properly. Be very careful and read the instructions thoroughly. 10. Avoid language that have double meanings unless needed in class (ex. sarcasm, jokes). Said language may not translate well virtually.
G. ACADEMIC INTEGRITY POLICY
A breach of academic integrity constitutes dishonesty and shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary actions. Acts of academic dishonesty shall include, but not limited to:
1] Sharing with others access or password to BB account.
Username and passwords must be kept confidential at all times. Students are advised not to allow anyone to log-in to their account.
2] Cheating
Any form of giving and receiving unauthorized help to perform academic tests, tasks, and activities is classified as cheating. It includes, but not limited to, the following:
2.1 Allowing someone take the exam instead of taking the exam oneself 2.2 Allowing another student to copy one’s work on an examination or assignment; 2.3 Using resources expressly prohibited by the teacher; 2.4 Using third party tools or software to disseminate answer keys
3] Plagiarism
Taking and using the words, work or ideas of others and presenting it as one’s work is strictly prohibited.
All submitted works of students are scrutinized using SafeAssign, a plagiarism prevention tool that checks the originality of one’s work.
H. STUDENT DISCIPLINE
The Students’ Code of Conduct for Online Learning shall govern student conduct, disciplinary proceedings and appeals during the period of implementation of the Flexible Learning Program.
For a full copy of the Code, you may go to www.adamson.edu.ph.
The Policy on Student Conduct and Discipline under the 2018 Student Manual shall continue to be in effect, whenever applicable.
I. LIBRARY ONLINE RESOURCES
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I.1 Online/Electronic Resources
Students may access at any time the online resources of the Adamson University Library which has over 10 subscribed databases and 20 open-access electronic resources available.
To access, go to https://www.adamson.edu.ph/v1/?page=library-resources and select a specific database to use.
To access electronic resources subscription remotely, a username and password is required. Inquiries regarding remote access/log-in credentials can be sent to [email protected] or https://www.facebook.com/leandromontanana.library/
I.2 Library Assistance
For questions and concerns on any of the Library’s services and resources, they may be reached through:
Email: [email protected] Telephone: 524-2011 loc 131 or 242 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leandromontanana.library/ Instagram @adu.library
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