I will be your instructor for the online section of Nutrition 10, "Contemporary Nutrition." I have been teaching nutrition/health
at De Anza College for approximately 25 years, and have taught through the Distance Learning Center for approximately 15 years. I
am a strong advocate of online learning and am pleased with the success students have who employ sound time management,
discipline in their studies, and follow the structure of the class.
I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about myself. I have a Master in Public Health (MPH) from San Jose
State University and a Bachelor of Science (BS) from Arizona State University, both degrees in public and community health. In
addition to currently teaching online at De Anza College and Kapi`olani Community College, I have worked in a variety
of other academic and public health related environments: directed numerous health, fitness, nutrition, and drug and alcohol
programs; conducted research for the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta, GA; served as administrator for the smoke-free CA
campaign; directed a state-wide, four-county program dealing with health education curriculum for elementary schools and
students; contracted as a health professions instructor at SJSU and adjunct faculty at UCSC; directed the SJSU Gerontology Program;
provided health care and education for migrant farm workers and Native Americans.
Note: The class you have registered for can be used to satisfy one of your general education requirements.
Although Nutrition 10 can meet the nutrition requirement for some nursing programs (check with an academic counselor at the
particular college), it cannot be used to meet the nutrition requirement for the De Anza College RN program. To satisfy the
nutrition requirement, you need to take BIOL 45 which has the Biology 40 A, B, and C series as its prerequisite.
This section of Nutrition 10 is an online course administered using Catalyst. There is no first day, on-campus meeting
and there will be no campus meetings for this class. Catalyst will be used for all course functions. Nutrition 10
requires that all enrolled student have easy, reliable access to an up-to-date computer and high speed internet that will
allow access to Catalyst.
Minimum System Requirements Include:
current version of MS Word
Windows XP, OS X, or Vista
latest version of Firefox, Internet Exployer, or Safari
latest Shockwave, Flash, and QuickTime
Students who cannot consistently access the class, complete homework as required, take exams online or who do not have access
to high speed internet should not enroll in this internet class. If you are not comfortable testing online or using a course
management system as your instructional tool, this class is not for you. Students who enroll in this section of Nutrition 10 are
expected to feel comfortable and know how to conduct themselves in an online class.
A course syllabus with textbook information can be printed from
the instructor's website. The required text can be purchased at the College Bookstore or online.
There are advantages to taking this online course. One is that the class does not require you to be on campus. Another is
that you can study at your own pace and study on your own schedule. But, there are also challenges when taking this or any
online course. In order to successfully complete this class, students must be extremely disciplined and motivated and possess
study skills that enable them to work and learn independently. This class requires students to be capable of following detailed
printed instructions, learning from extensive reading assignments and being able to apply that learning when completing
homework assignments or participating in class activities.
This means you will be responsible for learning independently: meeting the course objectives, completing material on time,
taking the exams, and participating in the class activities as appropriate. It is also your responsibility to contact me if you have
questions about course content or personal issues during the class.
Keep in mind that distance learning courses are not a "lite" version of the equivalent classroom section of the course.
Distance Learning classes must be equivalent to in-class sections of the same course, both in terms of content and rigor.
Distance Learning classes can be more convenient but not any easier or less time-consuming than their classroom equivalents.
So, take advantage of the convenience, but do prepare for the required work.
CLASS MECHANICS
The course will be conducted in Catalyst, so log on frequently and routinely. All information to be successful in the class
is located in Catalyst. At the beginning of the course, review all the materials on the Catalyst site. Specific procedural
instructions are given in these documents. You are expected to follow these directions. Note the scheduled dates exams,
assessments, quizzes, and all other work.
You will be addressing the course by reading the textbook, working with the study tools, participating as appropriate,
completing assessments, taking exams, etc.
There will be three 50-point true/false, matching, multiple-choice exams. Homework assessments total 50 points.
Participation in the class and discussions will account for 20 points.
Catalyst will be used for all class functions. Enrolled students, who do not need special testing accommodations,
will be able to take the three required exams from any location/from any computer that will allow access to Catalyst.
SUMMARY
It is important to build the class into your daily and weekly schedule. It is important to stay current in the class, maintain a
regular study schedule, participate as appropriate, complete your workbook exercises on time, and take the three exams.
I look forward to having you in class. Welcome to Nutrition 10!
Be prepared to spend a minimum of 8 hours per week using and studying the course materials.
