Instructor: 

Dr. Mark Winter

Mark-Winter@redwoods.edu; phone: 707-476-4310

Welcome:

Welcome to Life Span Development online. This site is for students who are considering this course or have already registered for the class..

Course Description:

An introduction to the psychological study of human development across the life span. Biological, cognitive, and psycho-social influence on human development will be examined. Topics include prenatal development, childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.

Required Textbooks/Materials:

Berk, LE, (2008). Exploring Life Span Development (1st edition). Pearson Allyn and Bacon. Please purchase your textbook well before the class begins. You will need it beginning the first day of class.

Course Availability:

The course will become available the weekend before CR classes begin in the Fall.

Instructor Contact:

You may contact me at the email address listed above. During the academic year: On weekdays I usually respond within a few hours. At other times, including weekends, I check my email and class website every day. My office phone number is 707-476-4310 where you can also leave a voice-mail message. You can always visit me in person at my Eureka campus office in the Creative Arts Building (CA 132). During the summer and holidays:  I check my email intermittently, usually weekly.

On-Campus Requirement:

There are no requirements to attend on-campus meetings. All exams will be online.

Student Requirements:

Prerequisite:  None

Recommended: English 150

Computer Set-Up and Skills

Your Computer Skills: Online courses require adequate computer skills. You should be able to navigate websites, open and download files, use a word processor and be able to convert files into rich text format, and submit files to Blackboard. Familiarity with Blackboard is recommended.

Computer Requirements: Most computers and internet providers are adequate. You will need the software and speakers (or headphones) to listen to brief lectures (although there will be a text transcript available). I would recommend broadband services through cable, DSL, or satellite providers.  You need to have regular access to the internet at least twice a week for 15 weeks.

Online Commitment: 

Your commitment will require at least as much time as you would dedicate to a traditional class. A typical 3 credit hour class will require about 9 hours per week of your time. You will need to read posted lectures (and/or listen to lecture audio files), read text chapters, participate in online discussions, complete weekly quizzes, write and submit papers, and take online midterm and final exams. Plan to be online at least 2-3 times each week.

Registration:

Registration is easiest online using web advisor. I have increased the class capacity for registration but do not have a waitlist. If the class is closed, please do not contact me as I will direct you to web advisor and encourage you to keep trying to add the class. The class will open and close during the summer months depending on the number of students who drop the class before the semester begins. 

Accommodations:  

If you need accommodations to succeed in this online class you should contact Disabled and Student Services Program at 707-476-4280 and the instructor. This course is designed to be accessible to students who have visual or auditory impairments.

Classroom "Time": 

This online class requires weekly participation consistent with the College’s semester schedule. The class will be available at any hour with no requirements to participate at any given time.

Getting Started: 

On or shortly after the first day of class go to the Blackboard login site at http://bb.redwoods.edu/   Username and password instructions are available at this site. After you login you will find a link to the class where you will receive detailed instructions on how to proceed. You must participate fully by the end of the first week (Sunday) or you may be dropped from the class.