Leaders in Online and Professional Continuing Education

PCO 102: The Language and Culture of Higher Learning

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What does an academic administrator need to know in order to work and navigate within an academic enterprise?  What terminology, standards, roles, and structures govern and guide the contemporary university?  This course provides an understanding of definitions, roles and titles, processes, and organizational governance models needed to be conversant and adept in navigating within the academic ecosystem. 


This four week course will consist of weekly live virtual classroom meetings hosted in Zoom.  Please be sure you are able to join a Zoom meeting prior to these events. Live classroom attendance is strongly encouraged but not mandatory. The livee class meetings are scheduled for the following days and times: 

10/07/2020 at 2:30 PM eastern time

10/14/2020 at 2:30 PM eastern time

10/21/2020 at 2:30 PM eastern time

10/28/2020 at 2:30 PM eastern time

11/04/2020 at 2:30 PM eastern time

Dr. James Shaeffer

President, Eastern Shore Community College

My name is Jim Shaeffer and, I will be facilitating this course. If you have any questions or need help with the course content in any way, please use the information below to contact me. I will do my best to reply to emails within 24 hrs. 

Jim Shaeffer became the fifth president of Eastern Shore Community College on July 1, 2019. As president, Shaeffer leads the college in serving Virginia’s Eastern Shore with two-year degree programs, workforce certifications as well as customized training for businesses and industry.  Previous to joining ESCC, Shaeffer served as the Founding Dean of the new College of Continuing Education and Professional Develop at Old Dominion University (ODU). Before joining ODU, Shaeffer served as the first Associate Vice Provost for Outreach and Engagement at James Madison University (JMU) and as Associate Vice President for Outreach and the first CIO at the University of North Dakota. Shaeffer has been extremely active in UPCEA holding several positions regionally and nationally and serving as UPCEA president 2011-2012. Shaeffer has a PhD from Northwestern University, a masters from Kansas State University, and bachelor’s from Iowa State University.

Welcome to the Quick Start Guide

This guide is highly recommended if this is your first professional development course with UPCEA. Some tips are provided for navigating the course as well as information about how to obtain technical support. 

Tips for Navigating this Course

  • Content pages need to be acknowledged. Once you have read, viewed, or otherwise completed the content, look for the button at the end to acknowledge you have completed the item. Sometimes, this step is required in order to advance to future items in the course.
  • Future items may be hidden from view. For example, content for the coming week may not be visible until the course facilitator releases it to the class.
  • Some items have prerequisites and do not become available until after you have completed the item it depends upon. Prerequisite items have a grey overlay (making them look translucent) with a lock next to them. When you click on the item, its acknowledgement button will note what item it depends on (see image below for an example).
    image

Tips for Working with Discussions

  • Discussions will open in a pop-up window when you click Enter the Discussion. Instructions will be posted on the discussion forum that loads in the pop-up window. 
  • Important! You cannot edit or delete your discussion posts. It is recommended you draft your post in another document editing app first, like MS Word or Google Docs, then post your final draft to the board. 
  • To create a new top level post, enter your post in to the text field editor box at the top of the discussion pop-up window.
  • Replying to a post by clicking reply under an existing post will add your post to the discussion thread. Threaded discussion posts appear indented under the parent post. 
  • Posts are listed in chronological order with the oldest post appearing at the top. 

Tips for Viewing Videos

  • Some videos may be arranged in a playlist. A playlist will automatically play all videos in the series in order.
  • The playlist will automatically play through all videos after you start the first video.
  • You can view all videos in the playlist by clicking on the playlist icon (see image below where the icon is in a blue circle). You can skip to any video in the playlist by clicking on it.
    image

For the Best Experience

  • Use either the FireFox or Google Chrome browser app for the best experience. The course has been tested to work well with these two browsers. 

Technical Support

  • Email: pd@upcea.edu
  • Hours of Operation: 8:00 am to 4:30 pm EST. Expect a response within 1 business day.

Key:

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Course Overview
Competencies
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Course Description
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Facilitator Contact & Course Support
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Week 1
Week 1 Overview
Click here to read the weekly overview
Click here to read the weekly overview
Video: Course Introduction
View Video Content
View Video Content Please view the the media content for this week.
Week 1 Discussion: Course Community
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Week 1 - Video Conference Meeting - Wednesday 10/07/2020, 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM (Eastern)
10/07/2020 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 10/09/2020
10/07/2020 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 10/09/2020 Join the class for a live video-conferencing session. Participants are advised to access the session 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start time to ensure their technology is configured and working properly. Join Zoom Meeting https://upcea.zoom.us/j/91298507355 Meeting ID: 912 9850 7355 One tap mobile +13017158592,,91298507355# US (Germantown) +13126266799,,91298507355# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 912 9850 7355 Find your local number: https://upcea.zoom.us/u/aenERADsu
What is language? How is language linked to communication? Why does this matter in PCO?
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Week 1 Discussion - Language in Your Workplace
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Learning a Second Language
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Week 1 - Word Cloud Activity 1
Complete Word Cloud
Complete Word Cloud Participate in this survey before video conference for this week.
Language Barriers in Higher Education
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Week 1 - Word Cloud Activity 2
Complete Word Cloud
Complete Word Cloud Participate in this survey before video conference for this week.
Language, Culture and Higher Education
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Week 1 Discussion - Vocabulary BINGO
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Language Application and Miss-application in Higher Education
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Week 1 - Pop Survey 1
Take Survey
Take Survey Participate in this survey before video conference for this week.
Week 2
Week 2 Overview
Click here to read the weekly overview
Click here to read the weekly overview
Week 2 - Video Conference Meeting - Wednesday 10/14/2020, 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM (Eastern)
10/14/2020 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 10/16/2020
10/14/2020 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 10/16/2020 Join Zoom Meeting https://upcea.zoom.us/j/91298507355 Meeting ID: 912 9850 7355 One tap mobile +13017158592,,91298507355# US (Germantown) +13126266799,,91298507355# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 912 9850 7355 Find your local number: https://upcea.zoom.us/u/aenERADsu
The Front Door
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Week 2 Discussion - College Site Safari
Make 1 discussion post to continue.
Make 1 discussion post to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Week 2 - Pop Survey 1
Take Survey
Take Survey Participate in this survey before video conference for this week.
What Does the Student See and What Does It Mean to Them?
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Week 2 Discussion - College Site Safari, Part II: Dig Deeper
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Who Governs Higher Education institutions?
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Week 2 Discussion - College Site Safari, Part III: Compare and Contrast
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Governors, Regents and Visitors – Oh My!
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Week 2 - Pop Survey 2
Take Survey
Take Survey Participate in this survey before video conference for this week.
Week 3
Week 3 Overview
Click here to read the weekly overview
Click here to read the weekly overview
Week 3 - Video Conference Meeting - Wednesday 10/21/2020, 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM (Eastern)
10/21/2020 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 10/23/2020
10/21/2020 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 10/23/2020 Join Zoom Meeting https://upcea.zoom.us/j/91298507355 Meeting ID: 912 9850 7355 One tap mobile +13017158592,,91298507355# US (Germantown) +13126266799,,91298507355# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 912 9850 7355 Find your local number: https://upcea.zoom.us/u/aenERADsu
Accreditation Basics
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Week 3 Discussion - Higher Ed-Speak and Accreditation
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Regional vs. National Accreditations
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Week 3 Discussion - Regional vs. National Accreditation
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Where the Rubber Meets the Road
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Week 3 Discussion - Ranking Website Safari
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Program Accreditation
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Week 3 Discussion - Identify PCO program standards
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Accreditation Pitfalls - Not all Roses Smell the Same
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Week 3 - Pop Survey 1
Take Survey
Take Survey Participate in this survey before video conference for this week.
Week 4
Week 4 Overview
Click here to read the weekly overview
Click here to read the weekly overview
Week 4 - Video Conference Meeting - Wednesday 10/28/2020, 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM (Eastern)
10/28/2020 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 10/30/2020
10/28/2020 at 2:30 PM (EDT)  |  Recorded On: 10/30/2020 Join Zoom Meeting https://upcea.zoom.us/j/91298507355 Meeting ID: 912 9850 7355 One tap mobile +13017158592,,91298507355# US (Germantown) +13126266799,,91298507355# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 912 9850 7355 Find your local number: https://upcea.zoom.us/u/aenERADsu
What’s in a name?
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Week 4 Discussion - So what is in a name?
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Becoming a Profession
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Week 4 Discussion - Jargon for Continuing Education Professionals
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Navigating Assessment Jargon to Advocate for PCO
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Week 4 Discussion - Promoting PCO
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Grant Jargon as Obstacles in Funding
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Week 4 Discussion - Write a Sample Grant Proposal Opening
Make 2 discussion posts to continue.
Make 2 discussion posts to continue. Click "Enter the Discussion" and view the instructions posted on the board. Click reply to add your response(s). Initial posts are due by mid-week.
Wrap Up - Video Conference Meeting - Wednesday 11/04/2020, 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM (Eastern)
11/04/2020 at 2:30 PM (EST)  |  Recorded On: 11/06/2020
11/04/2020 at 2:30 PM (EST)  |  Recorded On: 11/06/2020 Join the class for a live video-conferencing session. Participants are advised to access the session 5 to 10 minutes prior to the start time to ensure their technology is configured and working properly. Join Zoom Meeting https://upcea.zoom.us/j/91298507355 Meeting ID: 912 9850 7355 One tap mobile +13017158592,,91298507355# US (Germantown) +13126266799,,91298507355# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 929 436 2866 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 912 9850 7355 Find your local number: https://upcea.zoom.us/u/aenERADsu
Week 4 Activity - Final Reflection
Graded as Pass/Fail
Graded as Pass/Fail Let us wrap up the course with this Final Reflection exercise. We have spent the month exploring jargon, dissecting jargon, and reflecting on how to get our message across to a broad range of constituents. Now you consider how to present such jargon, and its explanations, to "end users" - students, parents, non-college employees, etc. Collect your thoughts into a written document and submit. See the instructions for details.
Post-Course Evaluation
Post-course evaluation for PCO 102: The Language and Culture of Higher Learning