Title: HIS 240 Syllabus
Course: 14SU-HIS-240-GH101-COMP & DIGITAL FEATURES OF HI > Section: Syllabus

HIS 240: Compression and Digital Features of Hearing Instruments

Course Syllabus

Semester: Summer 2014

Course Number: HIS 240

Credit Hours: 2 Lecture: 1 Lab

Class time and location: Hybrid Online Course

Course begins: 6/2/14

Course ends: 7/25/14

Proctoring dates: Midterm, OPEN on 6/20 at NOON :  CLOSED 6/27 AT 6:00 pm

Final, OPEN 7/18 at NOON :  CLOSED 7/25 AT 6:OO PM

You will find a calendar for course activities by clicking the Syllabus button in the course menu.

Instructor: Ky Willbanks, Au.D., CCC-A

Office: Home Office

Phone: 816-255-4402

Email: willbanksl@otc.edu

Because of privacy regulations, faculty, staff, and students must use their @otc.edu account for all email communications. Be sure to check your OTC email account regularly for important messages.

Response Time

The instructor will respond within 36 hours for questions posted to the Course Questions forum in Blackboard or sent via email, except weekends and official college closures.

Important: Upon entering this online course, you have acknowledged reading, understanding, and agreeing to comply with OTC’s Online Course Requirements. Because your success in any OTC online course depends upon your compliance with these requirements, you are encouraged to review the document again and to ask any questions you may have about those requirements before proceeding in your online course.

Prerequisites

A grade of C (75% or better) or better in previous Hearing Instrument Science courses for first semester.

Textbook

Compression for Clinicians, 2nd Edition, Theodore H. Venema 2006 ISBN 1-418-0959-8 (Most all the course material will be based out of this book and your Dillion book from previous courses)

Optional text books:

HEARING DISPENSING TRAIN,  KRUMENACKER, 9781597565370

FITTING AND DISPENSING HEARING AIDS, TAYLOR, 9781597563475

Required Materials

Computer Requirements

Students taking online courses at OTC must have access to a computer that meets OTC's Computer Requirements for Online Courses. If you have any questions about these computer requirements, please email helpdesk@otc.edu.

Firefox web browser is recommended for use with Blackboard. Make sure you are using the most recent version of any browser. AOL, MSN, and some versions of Internet Explorer are not compatible with Blackboard and are not recommended.

Course Rationale

Successful completion of this course relies heavily upon absorbing concepts, as well as listening to examples of commonly prescribed hearing instrument fittings. It describes protocols to create more effective treatment outcomes for hearing impaired patients. Students will demonstrate knowledge of hearing instrument performance and develop a better understanding of the expected benefits and limitations of digital hearing instruments as related to the patient/client’s communication requirements vs. their residual hearing ability. Effective counseling strategies will also be explored.

Catalog Description

This course covers the physical and the acoustic characteristics of hearing instruments. Hearing aid test standards and required measurements of hearing aid performance. Types of acoustic couplers and effects of coupler modifications in transferring sound to the human ear are also covered. Prerequisite: Admission to the Hearing Instrument Science Program.

Course Objectives

As a result of this course, the student will be able to:

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

1. Explain the dynamic aspects of compression found in digital hearing instruments.

2. Discuss multi-channel and programmable properties in digital hearing instruments.

3. Compare the clinical benefits of directional microphones and digital noise reduction

for understanding speech in various background noise environments.

4. Understand the effects of asymmetrical residual hearing ability and binaural digital hearing instrument fittings.

5. Describe various hearing instrument algorithms and their application to revealed

residual hearing abilities.

6. Recognize the various challenges associated with digital hearing instrument

application to revealed precipitous high frequency hearing loss.

7. Apply various counseling strategies to revealed communication challenges.

Course assignments and exams are aligned to, and assess the student's mastery of these core objectives.

Course Content

This course contains these modules, each consisting of some or all of the following components:

- Reading: You will find instructions for reading from the textbook or other course content in Blackboard.
- Quizzes: You will take quizzes related to the course content in Blackboard.
- Online Discussions: You will participate in online discussions with your peers in Blackboard on topics related to the course content.
- Individual Assignments: You will find instructions for assignments you will complete individually and submit to the Dropbox in Blackboard.
- Group Assignments: You will be assigned to small groups in Blackboard, and you will collaborate with your classmates to complete group assignments.
- Midterm and Final Exam: You will take an exam in the presence of an approved proctor, such as the OTC Testing Service, or another approved place and time convenient for the student. More information about proctoring is provided later in this syllabus.

Directions for completing course assignments are provided in the Lessons area of this Blackboard site.

Course Navigation

The buttons in the course menu provide access to these content areas:

- Announcements: Includes updates and reminders for the course.
- Faculty: Describes the instructor's background and includes contact information.
- Syllabus: Explains the course objectives, grading criteria, online student responsibilities, and final exam information for proctoring.
- Lessons: Provides notes and assignment information to prepare students for assignments.
- Discussions: Involves students in responding to questions and replying to classmates.
- Groups: Includes work and discussion area for group collaboration.
- Dropbox: Provides a submission area for course assignments.
- Grades: Displays instructor feedback and grades. If you see an exclamation mark for an assignment, it means the assignment has been submitted and will be reviewed by the instructor. If you see a score for an assignment, you can click on it to read feedback from your instructor.
- Resources: Offers online resources and other information for online learning and this course.
- Tools: Includes email and Blackboard Collaborate interactive features.

Online Class Policies

The following policies are designed to ensure your success in this online course.

Attending Class

Taking an online course is a different style of learning for many people. You may think you will be learning on your own, but you will soon discover many opportunities to work as a team with other students and to communicate with the instructor of your online course. You will find the support you need and have a great learning experience.

Because you do not come on campus and sit in a classroom, attendance is determined by your active participation and communication in the course. Make sure that you log in frequently, participate in your course activities and discussions, and check your OTC email regularly. Students who succeed in online classes keep a schedule just as they would if they were attending class on campus, and they communicate with one another and their instructor frequently. Attendance is vital to your success. Consistent attendance usually leads to above-average grades. Check OTC email and Blackboard at least three times per week. When logging on to Blackboard, check course Announcements.

Meeting Deadlines

Assignments are due by 11:59 p.m., Central Standard Time, on the day specified unless otherwise stated in the course. Plan ahead for the unexpected! You are accountable for staying on the semester schedule should technological or other problems arise. You should immediately communicate with the instructor if an emergency may affect your ability to meet course deadlines.

An online course gives you the flexibility to do your coursework when it best fits your schedule, as long as you meet deadlines set by your instructor. Do not let this flexibility be your downfall. Set aside time in your schedule to participate online and to complete your assignments. You will have frequent deadlines to keep you on track. Do not fall behind. Playing catch-up causes stress, and stress reduces learning.

Many college students juggle school, work, family, and other life responsibilities all at the same time. If a serious life issue prevents you from staying current in your coursework, contact your instructor as soon as possible and explain your circumstances. Do not let school or life responsibilities overwhelm you. The faculty and staff at OTC are aware that students face challenges and are committed to your success. Often, we may be able to help you see a way to deal with your circumstances and still complete your courses. We have a lot of experience. Give us the chance to help you.

Accepting Late Work

Late work will be accepted up to one week from the original deadline but may be subject to a grade penalty. Late work submitted more than one week from the original deadline may receive a failing grade. All work must be submitted by the last day of the course; no extensions or late work will be accepted beyond that date. Please plan ahead.

Working Ahead

You may work ahead on assignments except for group projects and discussions. Those must be completed during the lesson in which they are assigned. No credit will be given for either early or late postings.

Submitting Work

Make sure you submit coursework according to the directions provided in the course. Here are general guidelines for assignment submission:

- Post discussions threads and replies to the appropriate forum in the Discussions area.
- Submit written assignments and other project deliverables in the Dropbox, using file formats readable using Microsoft Office 2007 (.pdf, .rtf, .doc, .docx, .ppt, .pptx, etc.).
- Complete quizzes and exams in the Dropbox.

**Do not email coursework unless you have received prior approval from your instructor.

Receiving Grades and Instructor Feedback

Assignment grades and feedback are provided generally one week (seven days) after the assignment is due and always before an assignment of the same type is due. Unless otherwise stated, grades and feedback will be available via the Grades area of the Blackboard course site.

Communicating with Your Instructor

You have numerous ways of communicating with your instructor: phone, email, the Question and Answer discussion forum, and individual consultations by appointment.

If you have a question about an assignment or class procedure, consider posting it in the Question and Answer discussion forum so that other members of the class can benefit from it, too. A lot of learning can happen in this forum if you use it, so please do!

If you have a personal concern (such as a question about a grade), send a private message to your instructor through the Email button inside the Blackboard course site or through your OTC Webmail account in the MyOTC Portal.

If you would like an individual consultation with your instructor, try to reach me at any of the phone numbers provided, or schedule a time to chat with me online. I am usually in meetings during the workday, so if you desire a consultation, scheduling an appointment with me is best.

Learning

What matters most in any course is what you actually learn. Online learning allows you many different ways to learn, such as reading your textbook, following the hands-on practice in your assignments, communicating with your classmates and your instructor, and discovering other resources across the Internet. If you actively participate in your course, you will get good feedback to help you with your learning. Stay active in your course and focused on your learning to get the most out of it.

Changes

Occasionally, circumstances require the instructor to change the syllabus. Should the instructor find a change necessary, you will be notified as soon as possible. You might print and hole-punch this syllabus and put it in a binder for ready referral.

Agreement

If you disagree with any of the policies or procedures spelled out above or cannot accept the demands of the course (i.e., the amount of time and work required), you need to drop the course as soon as possible. By staying in the course, you agree to comply with all the policies and procedures described in this syllabus.

Reminder

Your instructor should be your first point of contact and support for any questions or concerns you have about this online course. If you cannot resolve your questions or concerns through your instructor, you should then contact OTC Online at online@otc.edu or 417-447-8200.

Grading Scale

A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C = 75-79%, D = 60-74%, F = 0-59%

This course follows the OTC Allied Health grading guidelines:

· A = 90 to 100% — The student has, in an exemplary way, met the objectives established for the course.

· B = 80 to 89% — The student has, in a superior way, met the objectives established for the course.

· C = 75 to 79% — The student has adequately met the objectives established for the course.

· D = 60 to 74% — The student has minimally met the objectives established for the course.

· F = 0 to 59% — The student has failed to meet the objectives established for the course.

College Policies and Procedures

The following policies and procedures are required for all courses at OTC.

Email Communication

Because of privacy regulations, College faculty and staff can communicate with students only through OTC email. Therefore, you must use your OTC email account in this course. Check your OTC email account at least three times per week for important messages. (Some online instructors may use Blackboard’s messaging. Check with the instructor’s policy.)

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity represents one of the most essential elements of the teaching and learning process. All members of the OTC community are expected to fulfill their academic obligations through honest and independent effort. By submitting coursework to your instructor as an OTC student, you pledge that the work is truly your own.

Violations of academic integrity -- which include but are not limited to cheating, collusion, plagiarism, and other forms of academic misconduct -- damage your personal character and thwart your instructors' ability to promote your learning. As an OTC student, you are responsible for knowing and following the College's policies and procedures regarding academic integrity. These guidelines and more information related to academic integrity are available in the Student Handbook and in College Policy 5.15.

The College recognizes that academic integrity is complex and can be confusing. Therefore, you are obligated to review these information sources carefully and to seek needed clarification from your instructor concerning questions of collaborative work, citation of sources, or other issues related to academic integrity.

Proctoring Requirement

Each online course at OTC requires one proctored assessment to increase the assurance of academic integrity. For a course to require more than one proctored activity, (preapproval must be granted by the College Director of OTC Online.) This requirement means that you must take a designated assessment (e.g., exam, presentation, etc.) in the presence of an approved proctor who will verify your identity and monitor the completion of the assessment. You may elect to complete your proctored assessment at an OTC location, all of which have approved proctors. You may also arrange to take your proctored assessment at an approved off-campus location, such as a public library, other college or university, K-12 school district, or military/government office. Relatives, direct supervisors, and clergy are examples of unacceptable proctors.

Regardless of the proctoring location, you solely are responsible for making appropriate proctoring arrangements and supplying both your instructor and proctor with complete and accurate information. General information, including FAQs, is available on OTC's Proctoring Requirements web page. The dates for the proctored assessment in this course are listed at the beginning of this syllabus. ** Both Midterm and Final are proctored in regulation with HIS program requirements.

Standards of Online Student Conduct

Appropriate academic conduct includes doing assigned work, meeting deadlines, participating in online discussions, and completing all the required elements of the course. It also means following these basic rules of netiquette:

- Using proper capitalization, spelling, and grammar.
- Signing your name to all email messages and discussion postings.
- Providing descriptive but concise subject lines.

Furthermore, appropriate academic conduct means maintaining a safe learning environment based on mutual respect and civility. All participants in OTC online courses are expected to behave professionally by adhering to these standards of conduct in the online environment:

- Never transmit or promote content known to be illegal.
- Respect other people's privacy as well as your own.
- Forgive other people's mistakes.
- Never use harassing, threatening, embarrassing, or otherwise abusive language or actions.

Online communication that fails to meet these standards of conduct will be removed from the course. Repeated misconduct may result in being blocked from online discussions, receiving a grade penalty, or being dismissed from the course. Such misconduct in the online environment may also be reported to the College Director of OTC Online and the Dean of Student Development for appropriate action in accordance with the Student Handbook. If you ever feel as though our online classroom is inappropriate or uncomfortable, please first contact your instructor with your concerns.

Copyright Notice

The materials found in this online course are strictly for the use of students enrolled in this course and for purposes associated with this course; they may not be retained or further disseminated. OTC students, faculty, and staff are expected to comply fully with institutional copyright policy as well as all other copyright laws. More information is available in College Policy 2.51.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Any student should notify the instructor immediately if special assistance or devices are needed to accommodate a disability. The College complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and makes every effort to ensure disabled persons admitted to the College as students or employed by the College are afforded all the rights and privileges provided to them by state and federal law. To request academic accommodations for a disability, contact the Disability Support Services at 417-447-8189 or disability services@otc.edu. Students are required to provide documentation of disability to Disability Support Services prior to receiving accommodations.

Dropping the Class

You are responsible for understanding the College’s procedures for dropping a class. If you stop participating in this class but do not follow proper procedures for dropping the class, you will receive a failing grade. To drop a class, you must complete the necessary form in Student Services or via the AccessOTC tab in MyOTC. Failure to withdraw properly from classes has a detrimental effect on your grade point average and your future educational goals. The date for the last day to withdraw from a course is listed in the current Academic Calendar available from Academic Affairs.

Administrative Withdrawal from an Online Course

It is the policy of the College that a student will be administratively withdrawn from a course due to lack of attendance in seated classes or nonparticipation in online classes. (Policy 5.36)

An instructor will administratively withdraw a student from class if that student meets either of the following criteria in an online course:

- Does not access (as designated in online grade book) the course for 14 consecutive days without contacting the instructor in a 16-week course, 7 consecutive days in an 8-week course, etc.
- Does not submit total assignments equating to 20% of total semester assignments (e.g., assignments, discussions, exam, homework, etc.)

Students should be aware that administrative withdrawal for lack of attendance or nonparticipation may reduce the amount of financial aid they receive, delay their graduation or necessitate repayment of aid already received and does not relieve their obligation to pay all tuition and fees due to the College.

Grievance Procedures

If you have a complaint, you should bring your grievance directly to the instructor's attention. If the issue cannot be resolved with the instructor, you should send an email documenting your concerns to the following officials:

- Dean Dr. Sherry Taylor, taylorst@otc.edu
- Interim College Director of OTC Online (Rita Jackson, jacksonr@otc.edu)

Students having complaints that cannot be readily resolved through normal channels may bring their complaint to the Dean of Student Development, Information Commons 219-G2, 417-447-6966 or greggk@otc.edu.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Ozarks Technical Community College prohibits discrimination and harassment and provides equal opportunities in its admissions, educational programs, activities, and employment regardless of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, political affiliation, veteran status, disabilities that include HIV and AIDS, and medical conditions. Bona fide occupational qualifications will be allowed in those instances where age, gender, or physical requirements apply to the appropriate and efficient administration of the position.

Since this is an HIS course, the Allied Health Department’s grading scale will be used. It is as follows: Your final grade will be based on the number of points you have accumulated at the end of the semester divided by the number of points possible to obtain a percent.