Monday, November 12, 2007

Exciting New Course Offerings!


We’re very pleased to announce that this quarter the Online Division of GU/MSB is offering several new exciting courses that have not traditionally been taught in a fully online format.

Please see the brief descriptions below for Spanish, Speech Communications, and Mass Communications, to learn how these courses have been carefully developed. Lastly, if you would like to learn more about any of our current or future online courses, please don’t hesitate to contact me.


HU130: Spanish I

Spanish I requires both oral and written communication learning techniques in order for a student to be successfully competent in the material. This course includes MP3 files of the complete Textbook, which allows students to hear and practice the correct pronunciation of Spanish words. Through the use of auto-graded diagnostic quizzes, the instructor is offered a way to actually test the speaking skills of their students. Students also participate in audio practice activities, audio vocabulary tutorials, and student-to-student speaking assignments. In addition, through the use of weekly assignments and a final paper, students are able to practice and develop their written Spanish communication. Lastly, through interactive, weekly discussion boards the topics of Spanish culture are discussed and explored at length.

- Specific Course Requirements - Continual access to a microphone, speakers/headphones, sound recording capabilities through MS Office Professional 2003 or 2007 (this comes standard with MS Office)

CM111 – Speech Communications

Public speaking is no longer isolated to the traditional lecture in front of an audience, and with the rise in remote offices and business interactions worldwide, professionals are finding themselves conducting presentations via multiple channels including, conference calls, Webinar, and traditional lectures.

Speech Communications online offers the unique opportunity to engage in public speaking using each of these modes, while also focusing on strategies for managing speech anxiety, developing effective speech structures, conducting and implementing appropriate and logical research, and delivering dynamic speeches and mediated presentations

Within this course, students will be making presentations (formal or informal) on a weekly basis through recordings, Webinars, and live traditional presentations in a formal audience and student-to-student setting. Each of these public speaking environments and opportunities will prepare our students for success and make them more marketable in the ever changing technological world of public speaking.

- Specific Course Requirements - Continual access to a microphone, speakers/headphones, sound recording capabilities through MS Office Professional 2003 or 2007 (this comes standard with MS Office)

CM410 – Mass Communications Online

Because of the intense and significant influence mass media plays in our daily lives, whether in the form of old or new tools, information and misinformation is spread rapidly and massively. MySpace, Facebook, YouTube, and other Web sites are becoming more integrated into all realms of society than ever before. Presidential candidates are even holding debates on YouTube as a way to connect with the masses that are so reliant on the Internet, as the Internet is influencing world views more than any other media source historically.

As Dr. Edward Schiappa, professor and department chair for the Department of Communications at the University of Minnesota, articulates "We are at a point in human history where most of what we learn about the world we learn through mass media" (Communication, 2007, p11). .

Mass Communications online is designed to introduce students to various media sources and theories, while also offering students the opportunity to engage in mass communication directly through the online experience. Coupling these two experiences will make our students more critical users and consumers of mass media overall. Examining media, both old and new, will allow students to evaluate, critique, and engage in the most common forms of media now found in our society: Television, Movies, Newspapers, Advertisements, and of course the Internet…all of which can now be accessed via the Internet.


Amy Ode
Online Curriculum Manager

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Winter Software Update


Software is always changing and institutions of higher education must adapt to these changes while working to accommodate students.
Globe University/Minnesota School of Business will transition from Microsoft Office Professional 2003 to 2007 gradually. We are not transitioning to Microsoft Vista operating system at this time.

Who needs to upgrade to Microsoft Office Professional 2007?
Students who are early in their program will need to upgrade to Microsoft Office Professional 2007 this winter so that they can progress through their program. There are three core courses that all students must take which do require the use of Microsoft Office Professional 2007.

Which core courses actually require Microsoft Office Professional 2007?
The specific courses that do require MS Office Professional 2007 include:
- CS111 Computer Information Systems,
- CS131 Microsoft Office Professional I and
- CS256 Microsoft Office Professional II.

Why do these courses require Microsoft Office Professional 2007?
These courses require the newest version of software because they are training specifically on the use of the software. These foundational courses must be taken early in the program and it is important for students to complete these courses as early as possible in their program.

Are there other program-specific courses that require Microsoft Office Professional 2007?
Students in Information Technology programs may need to upgrade to MS Office Professional 2007 to take the required course DB100 Introduction to Database in Spring 2008.

How will my classes be affected by some students/instructors having Microsoft Office Professional 2007 and others still having Microsoft Office Professional 2003?
Adapting to new software will require that online students and instructors are prepared to work with documents in either MS Office 2003 or 2007 formats. The patch that allows MS Office Professional 2003 users to read documents created in MS Office 2007 is available within the announcements section of Blackboard. All users may download this tool free of charge.

What software is being used to create course curriculum?
At this time, all documents within the actual online course curriculum are still being created in MS Office 2003 so all users may access them.

Does the college provide access to purchasing this software at a discount?
Not at this time, but students are encouraged to purchase the 2007 software even if they are not taking a course requiring the software. Students may utilize this resource whether they have a course requiring the software or not.

Will the college eventually require the 2007 software for all courses?
Over time, most students will have 2007 software due to the specific course requirements listed above. If we do determine a necessary transition for all courses, we will work to inform students as early as possible.

Ann Mickelson
Online Dean of Students



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Welcome Our Newest Faculty


As our online department continues to expand, we wanted to take the opportunity to introduce and officially welcome our instructors who are new to MSB this quarter.

With the addition of our new instructors our overall number of online instructors has increased to 115! We are excited about the growth of our online department as well as by our new additions that come to us from across the United States.

Amy Thenor: Amy joins us from California where she is the Human Resources Director for a private agency. She is teaching MG310 Human Resources Management this quarter.

Carl Lindgren: Carl joins us from Minnesota and is also teaching residentially at the St. Cloud campus. Carl’s area of expertise is in English and writing and is teaching FW052 Foundations of Writing II this quarter.

Dan Harrison: Dan’s business experience coupled with his previous experience teaching and taking courses online makes him a welcome candidate in the area of MG320 Operations Management. Dan is joining us from the Minnesota/North Dakota border.

Danny Chavez: Danny has completed his degree in Kinesiology, which makes him a great fit for our Health and Fitness Science courses. He is teaching MT160 Health Sciences Research Principles this quarter from his home state of Texas.

Jaynelle Nixon: Jaynelle joins MSB with previous experience teaching online in the areas of literature and writing and humanities. This quarter she is teaching FW052 Foundations of Writing II and lives in Missouri.

Jeff Davis: Jeff works as the Compliance Office for our sister campus, Utah Career College, and with his strong background in economics and finance is teaching FM052 Foundations of Math II this quarter.

Joel Phillips: As a mechanical engineer located in Minnesota, Joel has a strong interest in and love for math which he brings to his BS100 Business Math and FM052 Foundations of Math II courses this quarter.

Linda Orlando: Linda has an extension background teaching both residentially and online at the college level in the areas of accounting, healthcare administration, and writing which makes her a triple-threat instructor. She’s currently teaching FW052 Foundations of Writing II and CM121 Composition this quarter from her home in Maine.

Rosie Branciforte: Rosie returned to education after selling her business and hasn’t looked back since. With her degree in Education and experience teaching online, she’s been a welcome addition. She’s currently teaching FW052 Foundations of Writing II and resides in Florida.

Scott Rudeen: With Scott’s experience in law enforcement as a Minnesota State Trooper, he brings a practical and real-world focus to his class which is a great resource for his students and our criminal justice program. During his off-duty time, Scott is teaching CJ240 Corrections this quarter.

Stefanie Lassitter: As a lifelong educator, Stefanie brings a great enthusiasm to her FW052 Foundations of Writing II class this quarter. Stefanie has been teaching English and writing courses both online and residentially and currently resides in Michigan.

Teri Kuffel: And last but certainly not least, Teri joins our team of legal instructors this quarter teaching LA100 Legal Terminology and LA240 Legal Writing I. With her legal and business background in addition to her passion for online teaching, Teri has been a great addition to our team.


Julie Phillips
Associate Dean of Faculty



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Do You Need Citation Help?


You know the library databases are great for finding research, but did you know the library databases can help you create your bibliography too?

That’s right! Whether you’re doing APA or MLA style, the library databases can put the article information into the proper format for you.

In InfoTrac databases, click on the “citation tools” or “how to cite” buttons.

In the ProQuest databases, click the “cite this” button.

In EBSCOhost databases, click the “print,” “email,” or “save” buttons.

Don’t stress about your List of References or Works Cited! Let the databases help you make it easier to finish that research paper on time. Here are some more websites to help you with your citations:

- MSB Library Citation Guides:
http://students.msbcollege.edu/library/guides/
- Bedford St. Martins: http://www.bedfordstmartins.com/online/citex.html
- Diana Hacker:
http://www.dianahacker.com/resdoc/
- Purdue University: OWL
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/

Happy researching! If you need assistance, contact me:

Elaine Settergren
Online Librarian.

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