SmarterMeasure: Life Factors

Many students strongly desire to continue their education. However, often other situations in life prevent them from being able to do so.

The Life Factors section of SmarterMeasure asks questions about other elements in your life that may impact your ability to continue your education. The section measures five items: Time, Place, Reason, Resources, and Skills.

You may be able to modify circumstances which impact some of these life skills. If so, you are encouraged to take appropriate action to help yourself succeed. But some of the circumstances in life may be beyond your control. If this is the case, being aware of these realities and planning accordingly may be beneficial for you.

The ELI staff offer several webinars throughout the semester to help you succeed in your ELI Courses. You might be interested in participating in the GOALS: Guiding Online Adult Learners to Success series. To find the live and recorded sessions, click here.

To obtain log-in information for the SmarterMeasure assessment, email Elicounselors@nvcc.edu from your VCCS email account. Once you complete the SmarterMeasure assessment, you can find more information in the ‘Assessment Summary’ section. 

The next SmarterMeasure Webinar:

Webinar: SmarterMeasure Assessment

WhenTue, March 4, 12:15pm – 12:45pm

DescriptionThe SmarterMeasure Learning Readiness Indicator is a web-based tool to help students gauge their readiness for online learning. Are you thinking about enrolling in an online course? Is your first assignment to complete this assessment? Not sure where to start? Join us for a 30 minute webinar to learn more about completing the online assessment and what the results mean to you. Register online here. View all ELI webinars at eli.nvcc.edu/webinars.htm.

Lessons in Leadership Webinar: "No Quit Zone" with Crystal Jackson

Looking to develop your personal leadership skills? Participate in our Lessons in Leadership webinar series this spring semester! Our first webinar will be Wednesday, February 26th from 7-8 pm!

On behalf of Black History Month and National Engineering Week, this leadership webinar topic will be presented by Crystal Jackson, featuring her presentation “No Quit Zone.” Here is a little bit more info about her program:

Students are faced with being campus leaders, dealing with peer pressures, combating all the new issues that face them daily, all the while they are trying to balance it all. This keynote helps to equip them with the tools they can use to handle daily pressures, identify triggers that cause them to want to quit, and how to stay connected to their goals. To learn more about our speaker , please visit http://noquitzone.net

Students can register here.

*Attendance raffle prizes will also be awarded to select participants  

We hope to see you there!

Tips for Triumph in the Testing Center

To promote a successful testing experience, the ELI Success Coaches encourage you to follow the tips outlined below:

Be Prepared – Begin reviewing/studying well in advance. If you need assistance locating helpful study resources, contact your Success Coach at elisuccess@nvcc.edu or call 703.764.5076. For a sampling of helpful study resources offered through ELI, please click here. Additional resources to promote your testing success can be found here.

  Campus Testing Center Guidelines

• Do not wait until the last minute to take your exam(s). If you are able, we advise that you take your exam early. Not only will you avoid long lines, you many also avoid a last minute unforeseen emergency that could prohibit you from getting to a testing center. An exam must begin no later than 90 minutes before the posted testing center closing time so be sure to provide plenty of time.
• Do not forget to bring your completed Exam Pass for each exam and a photo ID. You may print your exam pass from the “Taking Exams and Using Exam Passes” portion of the Syllabus button in your Blackboard course site.
• Be prepared to stow your personal items, not permitted during your exam, including your cell phone (that must be turned off), in the manner required by the testing center (generally in a locker). Simply placing your phone on “silent” is not enough. You are not permitted access to anything other than your exam while testing, unless expressly stated in the exam instructions.
• If your exam is not working properly in Bb (ex. unable to type in a textbox, audio files not working, images missing) or if you feel your exam did not submit properly, please notify testing center staff immediately so they may help you troubleshoot the problem.
• If you are taking multiple exams, you will be required to go through the line for each exam that you are taking.

ProctorU Guidelines

Some courses offer online testing through ProctorU. Courses offering this option will be listed in Blackboard under the links, “Taking Exams and Using Exam Passes”, “Syllabus” or “Announcements”.

• If you choose to use this online proctoring service, schedule to take your exam(s) through ProctorU at least 72 hours prior to testing to avoid a late fee.
• If it is your first time using ProctorU, sign in 15 minutes early to set up your computer.
• Be sure to have your photo ID ready.

In addition to being rested and well-prepared, be sure to have a healthy meal or snack before taking your exam(s). The better prepared you are, the more relaxed you will be and the better your testing outcome.

As an ELI (NOVA) student, you are expected to follow the code of conduct for all NOVA students as outlined in the NOVA Student Handbook

Good luck on your exams!

 

Participation In Your Online Class Is Not Only Important, It is Required

As your ELI course(s) begin, it is important to keep in mind attendance and participation in your ELI courses are very important. In fact, your attendance and participation are not just important, they are required. Students who have not attended and completed their first assignments by the Census Date will be administratively withdrawn from the course by their instructor.  This has several outcomes of concern including:

·       Reduction in class load and possible change (if less than 12 credits) from full time to part time status (both potentially affecting financial aid)

·       Loss of tuition (yes, an administrative withdrawal will cause you to lose the money paid as tuition for this course)

·       No record of the class or letter grade on your transcript

As soon as your class begins, log into Blackboard and explore your course Blackboard. Locate and review your course syllabus and assignments tab thoroughly.  This will give you a chance to see what you will be responsible for throughout the semester. In addition, this will also allow you sufficient time to plan your time appropriately, making certain you will be able to complete your readings, assignments, projects and tests in time for their specified due dates. To that end, take a moment to record all of the assignments in your paper or online planner.  Once you have recorded all of the assignments, you will need to break them down into daily manageable tasks.

Again, it is crucial to ensure you have completed and submitted your first assignment prior to the Census Date to avoid being administratively withdrawn from your course.

If you have any questions or you are not sure where to start, please contact the Success Coaching Team at elisuccess@nvcc.edu or by calling 703-764-5076. They are more than happy to answer your questions, as well as refer you to useful resources and services that will support your online learning experience.

Don't Get Lost In Your Online Classroom

The best thing to do when you are lost, driving in an unfamiliar area without GPS, is to pull over and ask for directions so why not have the same mindset in your online classroom. If you are feeling lost and confused, do not hesitate to take time to reach out and seek direction from your instructor.
 
Learning how to ask detailed questions and communicate them to your instructor, in the online environment, is one of the most important skills you need to be successful in your courses.  Since you are not face to face with your instructors, as in a traditional classroom, maintaining communication with your instructor is essential. 

Recommendations to promote communication with your online instructor:

Email: Do not hesitate or put off contacting your instructor.  Your instructor is there to help you and to promote your success.  You can send an email anytime.  Please Note: Always use your NOVA email address when communicating via email.  Instructors are unable to reply to a non-NOVA email address. Some instructors teach several courses, so please begin your email with your name, student ID and the course and section that you are enrolled in.

Office Hours: If you prefer one-on-one communication, consider contacting your instructor during their office hours, which are posted in your course syllabus.  Office hours are an excellent resource to get the extra help you may need.

Course Discussion Boards/Student Lounge: Discussion board forums, located in your course Bb, are another way to contact your instructor.  Some instructors may even setup a Student Lounge just for questions about the class, which they check regularly. This is an excellent forum to ask questions about assignments, concepts, theories, as well as to clarify policy and due dates. You would not want to use this forum to ask a personal question.

Course Chat: Some instructors hold regular chat sessions at specific times.  This is another excellent setting to get your concerns/questions addressed.

Expressing Your Question: When you are writing or asking a question, be sure that your question/concern is clearly stated. It can be confusing for an instructor to receive an email stating, “I don’t understand the week one assignment”.  It’s better to write, “I need some clarification about the week one assignment titled, ‘xx’.  I’ve downloaded the template that contains the exercises for week one but I’m having trouble answering question two and three.  I did the reading and took notes but I’m still not grasping the concepts in regards to the Freudian theory. I would appreciate any assistance you can provide”.  If your question is clearly stated, your instructor will be able to better address your concern.  Finally, always include the title and section number for your course in the subject line of your email. 

Responses: If your instructor does not reply to your email in a timely manner, check to be sure that your email was sent from your NOVA email, consider contacting your instructor during office hours or through the discussion board (if it is not a personal concern).  You can also try resending your email indicating, ‘Time Sensitive’ in the subject line.  In the body, write, ‘I am writing to follow through on the email referenced below."

Do no get lost in your class….if you are feeling ‘lost’ or confused with an assignment, lesson, or concept, contact your instructor right away!  For additional assistance in your online classes, feel free to contact the ELI Success Coaches.  They can assist you with time management, academic resources or study strategies to include free online tutoring for ELI Students. Please contact your ELI Success Coach at ELISuccess@nvcc.edu or call 703.764.5076.

Know Your Course Assignment/Testing Due Dates

One assumption that new students sometimes experience when taking ELI courses is that they assume all online courses are self-paced. To that end, they may put off getting started and learn that their professor has withdrawn them for not meeting course deadlines.  Don't let this happen to you!  

It is very important to understand that all ELI courses have strict deadline requirements such as logging into your course Blackboard site for the first time and completing certain course assignments by the census date.  Failure to follow these guidelines may result in being dropped from the course without a tuition refund.  (The Census Date is the last day that you can drop your class and receive a tuition refund.)  Online courses may be 16 weeks, 12 weeks, 10 weeks, 8 weeks, 6 weeks, or 4 weeks in length; each course has specific start, refund, first assignment due date, withdrawal, and end date that you should be aware of when you select a particular course.   

In addition to logging in and completing your first assignments (as referenced in your syllabus) by the census date, ELI courses also have regular weekly assignment deadlines.  When taking an ELI course, it is important to understand that assignment due dates as well as test and quiz due dates come quickly. Due dates are firm and in some ELI courses, assignments and tests/quizzes are sometimes removed after the due date.   

To avoid being dropped, be pro-active:

·       Read through your course syllabus on the first day of class. Understand all the deadlines that apply to your course and record them in your planner. 

·       Visit your class Bb daily and read all of your emails and course Bb announcements.  

·       Turn your assignments in on time.

·       If possible, take your test prior to the testing deadline—you never know what might come up at the last minute!

To ensure that you understand the ELI course deadlines, please click here for 'critical dates' and review the important dates to include census, first assignment due date and last day to withdraw with a grade of ‘W’.

Tips to Promote a Successful Semester

If you are new to ELI or a seasoned online learner, the ELI Success Coaches would like to provide some tips to promote a successful semester!   

Attend an ELI Online Orientation Webinar: The ELI Orientation webinar is a live, one hour online instruction session that focuses on getting started in your ELI courses, navigating your Blackboard course site, identifying tips for success, and highlighting student support services. During the online webinar, you will have opportunities to ask any questions. To register or request a recording, please click here.  

Review your Syllabus Thoroughly: Visit your Blackboard and review your syllabus on the first day of class.  Record assignments, quizzes and exams in your paper planner or enter them in your online planning system.  Also, be sure to note when you need to post to the class discussion board and how often.  If possible, try to plan not to wait until the last day to take your exams.  

Assignment Due Dates: It is important to complete your first assignment prior to the Census Date.   The Census date is the last day you can submit your first assignment to avoid being dropped from your class without a tuition refund.  This date is listed in your Syllabus and/or Course Assignments Tab.  

Communicate with your Professor: Do not hesitate to communicate with your professor.  Most professors reference their office hours in the Syllabus.  Feel free to contact s/he during office hours or send an email anytime.  Also, most of our online courses have a discussion forum.  If you have a general question, you can post it to the discussion forum.  Do not hesitate to contact your professor if you have any questions regarding assignment due dates or need any clarification.  They are here to help promote your success.   

Email: Be sure to check your NOVA email regularly.  There are many important announcements sent by the College, ELI and your professor(s).  When you are communicating with your professor or any NOVA associate, be sure to use your NOVA email.  

Develop a Study Schedule and Create a Workspace: Time goes by quickly, be sure to develop a daily study schedule along with a quiet, distraction-free 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.  For links to our informational blogs, academic resources, Virtual Student Union, Facebook and Twitter, please click here. 

Contact Your Success Coach: If you have questions or concerns about your courses or would benefit from academic resources such as webinars, workshops and free online tutoring, your ELI Success Coach can provide resources to help you out and promote your academic success.  To connect with your Coach, contact elisuccess@nvcc.edu or call 703.764.5076.  

Take these steps today and promote your success!

ELI - Important Dates, Events and Information: January 6-12, 2014

IMPORTANT COURSE DATES

Class sessions that begin next Monday, January 13, 2014

Ø  January 13 – ELI 1^st 16-week classes begin

Ø  January 13 – ELI 1^st 8-week classes begin

Ø  January 13 – ELI 1^st 12-week classes begin

Ø  January 13 – ELI 1^st 4-week classes (MTT only) begin

EVENTS 

Ø  For a listing of upcoming ELI events, please click here.

Ø  For a listing of upcoming NOVA events, please click here.

TEXTBOOKS

Don’t put off ordering your textbooks!  Many ELI classes begin next week.  Textbooks can be ordered online at the NOVA ELI Bookstore or purchased in person at the Alexandria Campus Bookstore.  If you are unsure about what book(s) you need, you can find the books via the Find Your Textbooks Here link on the website. Please Note: If you are using Financial Aid to pay for your textbooks, you must submit a signed Book Charge Authorization  form with your book order. 

UPCOMING ELI WEBNIARS

Attending an ELI webinar is a valuable way to invest your time to develop your academic skills and promote your academic success. If you are new to online learning, we strongly encourage you to attend our New Student Orientation webinar. Please visit our Webinar Schedule.  We will be offering many excellent webinars throughout the semester beginning in mid-January.

ELI Orientation: This one hour webinar for students enrolled in courses offered through the Extended Learning Institute (ELI) will focus on getting started in your courses, navigating in your Blackboard course site, identifying tips for success, and student support services. If you are unable to attend a live session, click here to request a recording of an earlier session. Upcoming live sessions (please click on the date to register): 

• Monday, January 6, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
• Wednesday, January 8, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Saturday, January 11, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
• Monday, January 13, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
• Wednesday, January 15, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Wednesday, January 22, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Monday, January 27, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
• Wednesday, January 29, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Monday, February 3, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm

The Webinars referenced below will not be streamed live; however, please feel free to request recordings:

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. To register, please click on the date: 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.  For a recording, please email, chjensen@nvcc.edu.

Getting Ready for Your Next Semester - 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.  Click here to request a recording of an earlier session. 

Tackling Math Anxiety:  Click here to view the webinar recording:  Math can be a difficult subject no matter how smart you are.  Many students view math as overwhelming and scary—but it doesn’t have to be.  Learn how to study more efficiently for mathematics and apply relaxing techniques to reduce your anxieties.   

Beyond Google – Basic Library Skills for Online Learners- Have you ever been assigned a paper or project and don’t know where to start? Do you feel like you need extra practice for your assignments? Are you curious what library resources are available to you without going to a campus library? This 5 minute video will give you a brief introduction to what library resources are available to you as an online learner. There might be more than you expect!  Watch the video!  

Creating a Personal Mission Statement: Click here to view the webinar recording: Learn how to channel your goals into actions!  From visualization to motivation, this pre-recorded webinar will help you to create and fine-tune your personal mission statement.  

Creating Win-Win Relationships: Click here to view the webinar recording: Win-Win will teach you how to cooperate in relationships rather than compete.  This webinar will teach you how to share success with others by being respectful and assertive without being manipulated. 

Synergy: Click here to view the webinar recording: Learn how to integrate your knowledge, skills, and expertise with others to collaborate effectively.  This webinar is excellent for working in small groups and communicating with your instructor or teammates.

ONGOING @ ELI

Spring 2014 Registration: Spring 2014 registration is currently underway.   Please click here  for registration information.  For a complete listing Spring 2014 ELI classes, please click here.   If you need assistance with ELI course selection, please email our counselors, elicounselors@nvcc.edu. 

Proctor Requests:  If you are out of the area, be sure to submit your Proctor Request.  Proctor Requests are processed in the order they are received.  It takes 3-5 business days for the form to be processed so please do not wait until the day before your test!

RESOURCES TO PROMOTE YOUR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Smarthinking Free 24/7 Tutoring:  Click here to access Smarthinking free tutoring.  Course Success is just a click away!

Student Lingo: Student Lingo is a series of interactive on-demand workshops, action plans, and valuable resources focused on helping students achieve their academic, personal, and career goals. Workshops include test taking strategies, time management, study skills, resume writing and more. Click here to learn more.

Success Coaches:  The ELI Success Coaching Team is here to assist you.  They are available to partner with you and provide assistance, time management help and resources to promote your academic success.  They can be reached at elisuccess@nvcc.edu or 703.764.5076.

ELI also offers resources and tips through our NovaELIfe social media channels. For links to our informational blogs, academic resources, Facebook and Twitter, please click here.

 

 

 

ELI - Important Dates, Events and Information: January 6-12, 2014

IMPORTANT COURSE DATES

Class sessions that begin next Monday, January 13, 2014

Ø  January 13 – ELI 1^st 16-week classes begin

Ø  January 13 – ELI 1^st 8-week classes begin

Ø  January 13 – ELI 1^st 12-week classes begin

Ø  January 13 – ELI 1^st 4-week classes (MTT only) begin

EVENTS 

Ø  For a listing of upcoming ELI events, please click here.

Ø  For a listing of upcoming NOVA events, please click here.

TEXTBOOKS

Don’t put off ordering your textbooks!  Many ELI classes begin next week.  Textbooks can be ordered online at the NOVA ELI Bookstore or purchased in person at the Alexandria Campus Bookstore.  If you are unsure about what book(s) you need, you can find the books via the Find Your Textbooks Here link on the website. Please Note: If you are using Financial Aid to pay for your textbooks, you must submit a signed Book Charge Authorization  form with your book order. 

UPCOMING ELI WEBNIARS

Attending an ELI webinar is a valuable way to invest your time to develop your academic skills and promote your academic success. If you are new to online learning, we strongly encourage you to attend our New Student Orientation webinar. Please visit our Webinar Schedule.  We will be offering many excellent webinars throughout the semester beginning in mid-January.

ELI Orientation: This one hour webinar for students enrolled in courses offered through the Extended Learning Institute (ELI) will focus on getting started in your courses, navigating in your Blackboard course site, identifying tips for success, and student support services. If you are unable to attend a live session, click here to request a recording of an earlier session. Upcoming live sessions (please click on the date to register): 

• Monday, January 6, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
• Wednesday, January 8, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Saturday, January 11, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
• Monday, January 13, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
• Wednesday, January 15, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Wednesday, January 22, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Monday, January 27, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm
• Wednesday, January 29, 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm
• Monday, February 3, 12:15 pm – 1:15 pm

The Webinars referenced below will not be streamed live; however, please feel free to request recordings:

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. To register, please click on the date: 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.  For a recording, please email, chjensen@nvcc.edu.

Getting Ready for Your Next Semester - 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.  Click here to request a recording of an earlier session. 

Tackling Math Anxiety:  Click here to view the webinar recording:  Math can be a difficult subject no matter how smart you are.  Many students view math as overwhelming and scary—but it doesn’t have to be.  Learn how to study more efficiently for mathematics and apply relaxing techniques to reduce your anxieties.   

Beyond Google – Basic Library Skills for Online Learners- Have you ever been assigned a paper or project and don’t know where to start? Do you feel like you need extra practice for your assignments? Are you curious what library resources are available to you without going to a campus library? This 5 minute video will give you a brief introduction to what library resources are available to you as an online learner. There might be more than you expect!  Watch the video!  

Creating a Personal Mission Statement: Click here to view the webinar recording: Learn how to channel your goals into actions!  From visualization to motivation, this pre-recorded webinar will help you to create and fine-tune your personal mission statement.  

Creating Win-Win Relationships: Click here to view the webinar recording: Win-Win will teach you how to cooperate in relationships rather than compete.  This webinar will teach you how to share success with others by being respectful and assertive without being manipulated. 

Synergy: Click here to view the webinar recording: Learn how to integrate your knowledge, skills, and expertise with others to collaborate effectively.  This webinar is excellent for working in small groups and communicating with your instructor or teammates.

ONGOING @ ELI

Spring 2014 Registration: Spring 2014 registration is currently underway.   Please click here  for registration information.  For a complete listing Spring 2014 ELI classes, please click here.   If you need assistance with ELI course selection, please email our counselors, elicounselors@nvcc.edu. 

Proctor Requests:  If you are out of the area, be sure to submit your Proctor Request.  Proctor Requests are processed in the order they are received.  It takes 3-5 business days for the form to be processed so please do not wait until the day before your test!

RESOURCES TO PROMOTE YOUR ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Smarthinking Free 24/7 Tutoring:  Click here to access Smarthinking free tutoring.  Course Success is just a click away!

Student Lingo: Student Lingo is a series of interactive on-demand workshops, action plans, and valuable resources focused on helping students achieve their academic, personal, and career goals. Workshops include test taking strategies, time management, study skills, resume writing and more. Click here to learn more.

Success Coaches:  The ELI Success Coaching Team is here to assist you.  They are available to partner with you and provide assistance, time management help and resources to promote your academic success.  They can be reached at elisuccess@nvcc.edu or 703.764.5076.

ELI also offers resources and tips through our NovaELIfe social media channels. For links to our informational blogs, academic resources, Facebook and Twitter, please click here.