Monthly Archives: October 2015

Advising Week is Almost Here!

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185520715Advising week is offered every fall and spring semester at NOVA as a time for students to reflect upon their academic goals and career development in preparation for planning or evaluating their schedule for next semester. Advising week for the Spring 2016 semester will be held from November 2 – November 6. Get the most out of advising week by following the steps below:

  1. Attend a Getting Ready for Your Next Semester webinar.  Learn more about the webinar and register for an upcoming session here.
  2. Use the Student Success Planner to build your academic plan and compare your plan to program requirements.
  3. Review your Advisement Report.   Access NOVAConnect to view your report.
  4. Take a moment to reflect upon your career planning.  If you need more information about career options or would like to learn about a resource to help you build a career plan consider attending a Focus on Your Career Planning webinar. Learn more about the webinar and register for an upcoming session here.
  5. Communicate with your advisor about your academic and career goals.   Plan to have your academic plan,  advisement report, and/or career plan handy when communicating with your advisor.

If you have not declared a program of study or are not pursuing a specific program at NOVA, contact an NOVA Online counselor for assistance.

Priority registration will begin on November 10.   All current students will be assigned a priority registration date. During advising week access NOVAConnect to identify your priority registration date. Open registration begins on November 16.

SmarterMeasure: Typing Speed and Accuracy

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SmarterMeasure logoA student does not have to be an expert typist to succeed in a course. However, the faster you can type and the fewer errors you make will impact your ability to participate in your courses.

The average workplace typist reaches about 50 to 60 words per minute. The average web surfer comes in at around 30 words per minute, at a peak. Many courses require you to type as you participate in discussion boards, email the instructor, and compose papers. If you type slower than about 20 words per minute, you should consider using a resource such as www.learn2type.com.  This resource is the leading FREE Web site that helps you master the skills of touch typing. Whether you’re a typing expert or just a “hunt & peck” beginner, the interactive exercises in this Typing Tutor automatically adjust to your skill level. The better you get, the more challenging the typing exercises become. You can come and go as you please and pick up the typing lesson where you left off.

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

Calling all Poets and Artists – National Career Development Month is Almost Here!

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image of the myHomework app icon

Did you know that November is National Career Development Month?  NCDM was designed to highlight the importance of life-long career development and the personal empowerment of all people.  Help celebrate National Career Development Month by participating in the 50th annual poetry and poster contest. This year’s theme is “Fostering Well-Being through Meaningful Work”. There are various division areas for the contest including adult student – 18 and older enrolled in school as well as open adult – 18 and older not enrolled in school.  Learn more about the contest here.

Guaranteed Admission vs. Articulation Agreement

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What is the difference between a Guaranteed Admission and Articulation Agreement?

Guaranteed Admissions Agreements mean as a NOVA student, you are offered Guaranteed Admissions to a variety of four-year colleges and universities when you meet the requirements of the written Agreement between NOVA and that college. These Agreements guarantee admission to a college or university; but most do not guarantee admission to a specific program.

NOVA and the VCCS also have special articulation agreements with several four-year colleges and universities. These articulation agreements define the way courses, programs or entire categories of programs transfer to another institution and may include admission guarantees.

In order to be considered for guaranteed admission, a student must:

  • Complete a transfer degree (A.A. or A.S.).
  • Meet the minimum G.P.A. requirement.
  • Obtain a “C” or better in all applicable courses for their degree.
  • Take a minimum number of credits at NOVA (can be up to 15 credits).
  • Some institutions require specific courses.
  • Complete a letter of intent, if needed.

You can view the list of GAAs and AAs via NOVA’s transfer webpage. It is important to read the agreements carefully, so you know what specific requirements you will need to meet. NOVA also has developed a great webpage that is all about Guaranteed Admission Agreements! Check out the four-minute video.

Want more information on transfer planning? Request a recording of the Transfer Planning Webinar!

This blog post was written by Kim Burkle, NOVA Online Counselor/Instructor.

Do you have any questions about transferring? Contact a NOVA Online Counselor at elicounselors@nvcc.edu or 703.323.2425. transferThinking about a 4-year and want to hear about the transfer process from NOVA Alumni? Join us tonight!

Transfer Planning: Alumni Transfer Panel: Are you interested in transferring to a Bachelor’s degree program after NOVA? It’s never too early to begin your planning. This one-hour webinar will host a panel of NOVA/NOVA Online alumni students who have transferred to 4-year institutions. Register for a live webinar on Tuesday, October 27, 6:00pm – 7:30pm!

This week at NOVA Online

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October is Transfer Month at NOVA Online! Check the NOVA Online Webinar page and blog for webinars and virtual transfer fairs to speak with transfer representatives from several colleges and universities.

Transfer Planning: Alumni Transfer Panel: Are you interested in transferring to a Bachelor’s degree program after NOVA? It’s never too early to begin your planning. This one-hour webinar will host a panel of NOVA/NOVA Online alumni students who have transferred to 4-year institutions. Register for a live webinar on Tuesday, October 27, 6:00pm – 7:30pm!

Join the NOVA Online Librarians for a webinar on Wednesday, October 28, 6:30-7:15pm to explore – Beyond Google – Basic Library Skills for Online Learners: Have you ever been assigned a paper or project and don’t know where to start? This 45 minute webinar 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!

Plan ahead for Spring Registration! Advising Week and Spring Registration will be here soon! Look for upcoming webinars to help you plan and register for your spring semester. Follow this tutorial to find your priority registration date.516356269

Have a great week!

SmarterMeasure: Reading Recall

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SmarterMeasure logoThe average adult reading rate for English prose text in the United States is around 250 to 300 words per minute. Research shows that reading is around 25% slower from a computer screen than from paper. Thus you may slightly increase your results to find your speed when reading from paper.

Student Lingo offers an on-demand workshop titled Reading Comprehension Strategies that you can watch to help develop your skills. Take advantage of resources available to you including Student Lingo and your Student Success Coach, just to name a few!

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

The WHAT the WHY and the HOW to be a Social Justice Ally

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Student Life College-wide Co-curricular Event: Today, Wednesday, October 21st  from 2-4pm

As a college-wide initiative, Student Life will be hosting the speaker, Sam Killermann for a Keynote entitled The WHAT the WHY and the HOW to be a Social Justice Ally.  This co-curricular event will be hosted on the Manassas campus (Howsmon 216) and involve the TV center to livestream to other participating campuses and our NOVA server to make it accessible for all who would like to participate from off campus.

Following the Keynote will be a panel discussion involving faculty to localize these topics to NOVA.

Below is the current schedule for the event:Sam_K

Presenter Keynote: Sam Killermann (2:05-2:45)

Faculty Panel Discussion/ Q & A (2:45- 3:30)

Breakout Reflection (3:30-4:00)

Can’t make it to campus – Live Stream the event from anywhere! Learn how on NOVA Online’s Student Life Webpage.

This week at NOVA Online

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Welcome to everyone starting an 8-week class today!

Instructors make courses available in Blackboard on the course start date, or sometimes a few days in advance. If you don’t see your course available yet, double check your course enrolling in NOVA Connect and check blackboard throughout the day! While you wait, check out the First Day of Class Reminders provided by NOVA Online Blogger, Rebecca and be aware of your Critical Course Deadlines.

First class online? Join us for the NOVA Online Orientation Webinar – Monday or Wednesday for a general overview. This one hour webinar will focus on getting started in your courses, navigating your Blackboard course site, and identifying tips for success and student support services. Register Today!

Have any questions about Blackboard? View these short videos to help you get started in your course. Videos include: how to submit an assignment, post on discussion board, check grades, and other blackboard tips you will need throughout the semester.

October is Transfer Month at NOVA Online! Check the NOVA Online Webinar page and blog for webinars and virtual transfer fairs to speak with transfer representatives from several colleges and universities.

Wednesday, October 21 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm – Student Life Presents Social Justice Ally Sam Killermann.  Presentation will be at the Manassas Campus, but streamed live to several locations or available to stream at home. To learn more about him, visit his website and view his Ted Talk.Sam_KPlan ahead for Spring Registration! Advising Week and Spring Registration will be here soon! Look for upcoming webinars to help you plan and register for your spring semester. Follow this tutorial to find your priority registration date.

SmarterMeasure: Technical Competency, Skills, and Knowledge

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SmarterMeasure logoIn order to participate in class, a student must have some way to get to the classroom. A student in a traditional class may drive a car on a highway to attend class, but a student in an online course “drives” a computer on the Internet (the Information Highway) to “attend” class. Technical competency is important, but if you do not score high in this area, don’t worry! The ability to comfortably learn is what is most important. You will want to gain comfort in navigating the blackboard course site so you can submit assignments, post on the discussion board and select folders so you don’t miss any course work.

A multitude of resources exist on the internet. Those listed in the technical competency summary are just a small sample of what is available in terms of information or tutorials on the topics focused on in SmarterMeasure. Some of these sites are free; a few require a subscription or fee. To find more or different information beyond these sites, feel free to perform your own web search.

You can run the System Check which is found in the Welcome message of each Blackboard course site to see what tools you will need for your online course, and make sure your computer is up to date.

Also, check out the Blackboard Learn app on your mobile device to connect with your class. You cannot complete your entire class on the app, but can access a lot of the folders and use it to stay up to date on announcements and assignments.

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

Making It Through The First Semester

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Today’s post is provided by student blogger Eunice! She just finished her first semester and has some tips to share with fellow and future online students. Have any tips? Share in the comments!

The thought of furthering my education had been hanging on for a long time due to some personal constraints. It appeared there was no end in sight to those challenges, but I knew that in the long term, further education was the solution to those challenges. For that reason, I went ahead to register for my first semester of classes.

My goal to return to school has finally materialized, but I’m aware of the challenges so I’m not going to be complacent. As a single mother, I still have to work to provide for my family’s livelihood. I still have to find time to do things with my teenage daughter. But I have to persevere with my studies because I know it is a pathway to a career I have long hoped to pursue and which will provide me with better financial security in the long run.

Most of my relatives are highly educated and have good jobs. I have always felt the odd one out. While the decision to go back to school is mine and is about my own future well-being, I’m grateful to them for their encouragement. They have been very supportive in that decision and throughout the first semester.

Although it is still early days, I feel I can see light at the end of the tunnel, because I have enjoyed my studies in the first semester and I have come to realize I can still get on with my studies despite the challenges. Besides, after so many years of staying away from formal education, I believe I’m still capable of applying myself to my studies. I feel a sense of pride in what I have been able to achieve so far in the midst of all the challenges and now there is no turning back. I certainly look forward to the study period ahead.

“If you can imagine it, you can achieve it, and if you can dream it, you can become it” – William Arthur Ward

If you are interested in sharing your story on the NOVA Online blog, contact elistulife@nvcc.edu!