20890220New Student Seminar
Course Information
Description
Provides new students with an overview of life within a two-year technical and community college. Students are introduced to the history of Madison Area Technical College, academic and student support services offered by the college, college and instructor expectations, the college-wide and program outcomes of their education, the computer software used by the college, and the ways in which people learn. The instructor of the course serves as the students' coach and will assist them in navigating their first semester as college students.
Total Credits
1
Course Competencies
  1. Value the history and mission of Madison Area Technical College
    Assessment Strategies
    by attending a college-wide event: sporting event, theatre production, choral recital, a lecture series event, Student Life event, etc.
    Criteria
    describe the college-wide event
    discuss the event's impact on your appreciation of what MATC has to offer students
    discuss how extra-curricular activities can have a positive influence on your retention and success

  2. Examine the roles, purposes, benefits and expectations of a two-year college education
    Assessment Strategies
    Journal, essay, and/or presentation
    Criteria
    articulate several purposes of higher education:  personal growth, future employment, engaged citizenship, service for the public good, etc.
    examine your personal motivation for pursuing higher education
    discuss WTCS/MATC's rationale for required courses, required competencies, and requirements for entry into programs
    examine instructor expectations on behavior in the classroom
    examine instructor expectations on coming prepared for class
    examine instructor expectations on work outside of the classroom
    examine expectations of communication with instructors
    reflect on ideas and values different from yours
    examine expectations of behavior and communication with diverse populations of people

  3. Apply the concept of college-wide and program outcomes to individual courses
    Assessment Strategies
    Essay and/or presentation
    Criteria
    articulate MATC's Core Workforce Skills
    articulate the outcomes for your program and courses
    identify the assignments and tests used to measure you in terms of program and course outcomes
    explore how the assignments actually do measure your competence
    explore how this knowledge of Core Workforce Skills and program and course outcomes and their measurements can help you to be successful
    explore the value of Core Workforce Skills and program and course outcomes in the educational process

  4. Explore the academic and student support services offered by the college
    Assessment Strategies
    Scavenger hunt, presentation, and/or essay
    Criteria
    articulate various resources that students can access at MATC
    articulate the services those resources have to offer
    identify any academic or personal challenges that might derail your success
    identify the resources that may help you to manage your challenges
    access one or more campus resources that will help you address your challenges
    examine how the resource has or has not assisted you in addressing your challenges

  5. Use the computer software of the college: Blackboard, email, and the online library
    Assessment Strategies
    Skill demonstration
    Criteria
    send emails to your instructor and classmates using your MATC email addresses
    reply to emails from your instructor and classmates
    check announcements on Blackboard
    post an assignment to Blackboard
    participate in a discussion thread on Blackboard
    check your grade on Blackboard
    enroll in your classes for the following semester using the Student Center
    check your account information
    check your degree audit
    print out three articles on a particular topic: one Internet source, one online periodical article, and one online newspaper article
    print out two or more web pages of interest on the MATC Website
    use the UW-Transfer Information System to check on the transferability of the courses you are enrolled in this semester (Liberal Arts Transfer students)

  6. Examine yourself in relation to college life and expectations
    Assessment Strategies
    Journal entry and/or essay
    Criteria
    identify your strengths
    examine how your strengths might work to help you in college
    examine indicators of when you might be in trouble academically or personally
    examine strategies that may help you to manage the indicators

  7. Develop connections with other students and faculty
    Assessment Strategies
    Advising appointments with your instructor
    Criteria
    discuss your academic intent and career goals with your instructor
    discuss your academic and personal challenges with your instructor
    brainstorm strategies to manage your challenges with your instructor
    share your academic successes with your instructor
    discuss your class schedule for the next semester with your instructor
    ask your instructor or another staff member for assistance if you have any unresolved issues or questions about MATC