Professional Communications

Course Syllabus

Professional Communications Syllabus

The Plano ISD eSchool Mission is to create a borderless classroom based on a positive student-teacher relationship that fosters independent, innovative critical thinking and empowers students to thrive, contribute, and compete in a global society.

Course Number: 13009900

Course Title: Professional Communications

Communications

All communication with your teacher will be through the utilization of electronic tools such as email and discussion boards. Your assignments will be submitted directly into the Blackboard Learning Management System.  You will receive a Welcome email from the eSchool Office when your course is ready for you.  You may email your teacher at any time with questions that you might have.  

Course Description

This class is designed to prepare students for effective communication practices in the professional environment by developing interpersonal and intrapersonal skills holistically.  Students will prepare and present various oral and written assignments to fulfill the requirements set forth by the Texas State Board of Education.  The course covers verbal, written, and electronic communication used in various situations, but especially in a professional setting.  As rapidly as corporate systems are evolving, they  continue to demand strong leadership skills, verbal and non-verbal skills, listening skills and critical thinking; this course will facilitate the beginning of a life-long ability to serve as a competent communicator in the ever-changing professional environment.

Course Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes

For a current listing of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for this course, please see the official Texas Administrative Code for Professional Communications.

Prerequisites

None

Hardware

Students must have a working, current computer available with adequate storage to download and save large files. A display of at least 1024X768 resolution is preferred.  A sound card, speakers, and a microphone are required. The availability of a printer and a webcam are recommended. Students will be required to record and upload video and audio files to the course.

Software/Applications

A Google account and Google Drive is required for this course. The Google Chrome browser is recommended in general, while having access Microsoft Edge and Firefox are recommended as backups. Students may use Microsoft products such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, but must submit work in the manner described for each assignment.

Technical Support

For course questions, please contact your teacher.

For assistance with your district username/password, contact the PISD Help Desk.

Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm 469-752-8767 / helpdesk@pisd.edu

For questions regarding Blackboard or Edgenuity, email eschool@pisd.edu. We will reply during regular business hours.

Internet Connectivity

 Students must have availability of a working Internet connection. Direct high-speed Internet connection is recommended.

Email

Students must have an active, functioning email account with an appropriate email address to use for communicating with their teacher throughout the course and for communications with the eSchool office. A gmail account is recommended for course communication since this course uses Google Drive heavily. Please check email daily for communications from the teacher.

Course Materials

No textbooks are required for this course.  The eTextbook materials are available at the beginning of each unit.

Special Needs/Accessibility

This course has been built with accessibility in mind.  If, however, you find that you have an outstanding accessibility need, please contact your instructor as soon as possible.

Your instructor will adapt to the district IEP whenever instructionally and technically possible in the online medium.

Accessibility Statements from Associated Vendors:

• Google Drive
• Articulate 360
• Blackboard

Academic Integrity/Copyright Policy

Academic integrity violations, plagiarism, and copyright violations will not be tolerated.  The Introductory unit of your course will teach you the details of PISD’s expectations on such topics.  Your teacher will utilize plagiarism check tools throughout the course.

Online Étiquette (“Netiquette”)

Netiquette is meant to help you communicate professionally and effectively in an online collaborative setting.  Students will follow all guidelines relating to internet etiquette and will communicate respectfully with all people. The Introductory unit of your course will teach you the details of PISD’s expectations on such topics. Your course will contain discussion boards, journals, blogs and/or wikis where your “netiquette” is important.

Privacy Policy

Plano ISD’s FERPA policy may be found at http://pol.tasb.org/Policy/Code/312?filter=FL

Grading and Evaluation

In order to earn credit for an online course, a student must:

1. complete all course work, and
2. in that process of completing all course work, earn a passing average of at least 70.

That average is determined by the number of points that a student earns divided by the total number of points available in the course.

For example, if you earn 1,190 points in a course that has 1,300 points possible:

1,190 divided by 1,300 = 0.9153

Convert decimal to a percent by multiplying by 100 = 91.53%

Round to the nearest whole number = 92%

Students and parents have 24/7 access to their grades through the online course Grade Center located on the left side menu under “My Grades.”  This page indicates the grades the student has earned for all assignments and tests that have been submitted and graded. Students and parents are encouraged to monitor progress regularly.

Please note:

• Teachers have the final judgment on grade reporting.
• The home campus Principal has the final decision on credit approval.
• The Plano ISD Director of Expanded Learning Pathways will make the final decision in all other student/parent concerns.

Assessments

In this course, students will submit assignments, quizzes, tests, projects, and recorded speeches. These assessments will allow students to show mastery of the concepts they have learned. Tests may require a password. Once students have completed all necessary coursework prior to the test, they can request the password from the teacher.

Non-Plano ISD students: Students who are not enrolled in Plano ISD may be required to have their exams proctored. The student’s school district (known as the receiving district) is required to provide proctors for major exams. Please ask your campus counselor for more information.

Class Participation

Students will communicate with teachers, classmates (through discussion boards), and family and friends. They will have a specific schedule for completing and submitting assignments and quizzes which will be created in the orientation. Students are encouraged to adhere to this schedule, but it can be altered with instructor consultation. Students must maintain consistent email communication with their teachers. Students who are not adhering to their course schedule or students who are not maintaining the basic requirements of participation, such as maintaining email communication with their teacher, may be dropped from the course.

Drop Policy

Students may choose to drop the course within 15 days from their start date without penalty.  Notify your school’s/district’s site coordinator to have them indicate such a drop situation to the eSchool office.