All assignments will be assessed either formatively or summatively.

Formative assignments are used as part of the learning process. These assignments give you the opportunity to get feedback on your learning. They are a required component of the course and must be submitted, but they will not be assigned grades. Students who do not complete formative assignments will not be prepared to complete summative work.

Summative work includes assignments and tests that are assigned a grade.
All formative and summative work, including any tests, must be completed in order for a module to be considered complete. You may not put off writing a test and continue working on subsequent modules.

Word Processors:

• Microsoft Word (.doc)
• Corel WordPerfect (.wpd)
• Rich Text Format (.rtf)

When in a software program you can use...File > Save As > ....function to save your work in an acceptable file type.

Document File Names

When creating files to send to your teacher, your files should have meaningful names which reflect the contents of what you are sending and who you are.

Example: Jane Doe has completed the assignment for Module 4 in her ENG2Db class. The file name she will give this document is janedoe-eng2db-m4 (StudentName-Course-Module#). If your name is longer than Jane’s, just use the first four letters of your first name and the first four letters of your last name.

• Do not use spaces in file names,
• Do not use special characters: Such as ! ~ : $ ( ,
• Files must have the proper extension assigned by the computer. The extension is the three or four letters that follow the period, e.g. .wpd, .doc, .xls, .pdf. Never manually change the extension; use the Save As function to assign an extension/file type to your document.

E-mail Subject Lines

The subject line of each e-mail that you send to your teacher must contain the course code and module number. If the message contains a question, it must also include the word "question."

Submitting Assignments to your Teacher

Your work is e-mailed to your teacher using the FirstClass® communication system. Please be sure to include an appropriate subject line with every e-mail you send.

To send your work to your teacher:

1. Save your completed assignment on your computer.
2. Backup the assignment (i.e. save a copy in a second location such as a memory stick).
3. Login to FirstClass® - click on the classroom icon for your course.
4. Double-click the “Send Mail to Teacher” icon to open an e-mail which is pre-addressed to the course Inbox.
5. Fill in the subject line with your course code and the module #.
6. Be sure to send the message. Copies of all messages that you send will be saved in your FirstClass® mailbox. It is a good idea to organize your mailbox into folders.

The following screenshot shows a pre-addressed e-mail with a correct subject line and properly named file attached.

Math Courses

The technology surrounding math courses presents a unique challenge to our students. Therefore, students taking math courses must have access to a fax machine for submission of their assignments/course work and tests. The same day that you fax your math module along with your cover page, you must also send an e-mail to your teacher on FirstClass®. All that is required in this e-mail is the following information in the message's subject line: Course Code, Module #, faxed, Date, Time Example: MPM2Da Module 2 faxed Oct 25, 4 pm

Note: Be sure to follow faxing instructions from your teacher in the FirstClass® Classroom.

Science Courses
(and other “laboratory” type classes, e.g., TFJ2O)

Final Assessments & Exams

All courses include a final assessment worth 30% of the final grade. Students are expected to complete all course assignments (formative and summative) before completing the final assessment (examination, project, portfolio, etc.)

Examinations

In cases where an examination is part of the final assessment for a course, the final examination must be written in the presence of a proctor. You must make arrangements for a proctor, based on AMDEC guidelines (see below). We will provide the proctor with all of the necessary instructions. Examinations will be done on paper, not on the computer. In special circumstances, where the student has an IEP (Individual Education Plan), and only with prior approval by the AMDEC principal, a student may be permitted to complete a final examination using a computer.

Proctor Information

You are required to write the final exam at the school where you are enrolled. It is your responsibility to ask the principal or vice principal at your school to arrange proctoring for your AMDEC exam(s). Principals, vice principals, guidance counsellors, and teachers are acceptable proctors (all are certified teachers). The e-mail address provided on the proctor information form must be the proctor's school (professional) e-mail address.

If you are not enrolled at your local school, you will:

• ask a principal or a teacher at a local school to act as your proctor, or
• contact AMDEC's Coordinator to make arrangements to write the exam at an Avon Maitland District School Board school.

Final Examination Procedures

AMDEC will not be responsible for any expenses incurred for writing your exams or sending your exams to the AMDEC office.

Your final mark will not be awarded unless our office has received both the original copy of the examination and the Examination Declaration Form. The final day on which students may write an exam is June 10, 2011. Examinations received after 3:00p.m. on June 14th, 2011 will not be marked.

Final Examination Procedures for students who attend one of the nine Avon Maitland District School Board schools:

The Student Resource Centre

All AMDEC students have access to the Student Resource Centre which is located on their FirstClass desktop. Students can use this area to access Guidance-related information as well as other resources and tips to help them be more successful completing courses within the AMDEC environment. Students who are registered with AMDEC concurrently through their home school should always speak with their home school guidance department regarding personal issues, post-secondary options and career choices. Private guidance chats with the AMDEC guidance counselor may be requested by email using the ‘Send mail to AMDEC Guidance’ icon.

How can the Guidance Office help?

Course Information


• Information about graduation requirements
• Inquiries about transcripts
• Course selection questions
  

Career Exploration

• Regular postings about career exploration resources
• Information about fields of work
• Information about government programs
• Educational Opportunities
  
  

Post-Secondary Exploration and Information

• Information on application and mark submission procedures to OCAS and OUAC
• Scholarship Information
• Information about post-secondary pathways

Please note: When applying to post-secondary institutions, it is the student's responsibility to ensure that s/he has met diploma requirements and completed the prerequisites for the program to which s/he is applying. For students registered concurrently with their local school, it is the local school’s responsibility to submit marks to OUAC and OCAS for their student’s AMDEC courses. If you are registered only with AMDEC, you must inform AMDEC's guidance counsellor of your post-secondary plans and work with the Guidance Office to complete the application process.

Ontario Secondary School Diploma Requirements

Click here for printable .pdf version

Students must earn 30 credits in order to obtain the Ontario Secondary School Diploma:

A) 18 compulsory credits as follows:

Plus one credit from each of the following groups:

B) The 12 optional credits may include up to 4 credits earned through approved dual credit courses

C) Other diploma requirements

1. Complete 40 hours of community involvement activities (instructions for completing and submitting community activities are posted in the Guidance Office area in the Student Resource Centre in First Class)
2. Successfully complete the Ontario Secondary School Literacy Test (OSSLT). Students who wish to complete the OSSLT at an Avon Maitland school must contact the AMDEC principal early in the school year. The test takes place once a year in all Ontario secondary schools.

Timetable/Course Changes

Adding a Course

You will be able to add additional courses until February 11, 2011, if:

• there is space available in the class,
• you are keeping up with your module completion schedule/due dates,
• you have the necessary prerequisite course, and
• AMDEC receives an AMDEC Timetable Change form from your local school, complete with all required signatures.

Withdrawing from (dropping) a Course

To withdraw from a course, you must complete the AMDEC Timetable Change form along with your guidance counsellor. This form is available on the Guidance Counsellors section of our website. It is good etiquette to inform your teacher of your decision to drop the course.

Ontario Student Transcript & Full Disclosure

Requesting an Ontario Student Transcript

There is a fee of $5 when you ask AMDEC to issue an official transcript. The $5 fee (per transcript) must be submitted, along with your request, as a money order or certified cheque made payable to Avon Maitland District School Board to:

Avon Maitland District e-Learning Centre
95 Frances Street East, R.R.#5
Mitchell, Ontario
N0K 1N0

Personal Issues and Confidentiality

E-mail and chats (public and private) may be read by your teacher, the guidance teacher, the AMDEC principal, the AMDEC Coordinator, other Avon Maitland District School Board administrators, and/or the AMDEC technicians.

Information acquired through phone conversations, in person, or contained in e-mail sent to the Guidance Office, will be stored, either electronically or on paper, in the administrative system of AMDEC, or in the student’s file. This information may be retained as long as the student attends AMDEC and for the following five years. This information will remain confidential within the AMDEC office.

Staff are required, by law, to report to the proper authorities when a dangerous or illegal situation involving a student is suspected.

"When [the guidance teacher and other staff] become aware of information which indicates that there is imminent physical and/ or emotional danger to the [student] or others, they must report the fact to the appropriate authorities."

In addition, Bill 157 was enacted into law on June 1, 2009, as the "Education Amendment Act (Keeping Our Kids Safe at School), 2009", and came into force on February 1, 2010.

Under the new legislation:

• all school staff are required to report serious student incidents, such as bullying, to the principal, so the principal can respond appropriately;
• principals are required to contact the parents of victims of serious student incidents;
• school staff who work directly with students are required to respond to incidents that could have negative impact on school climate (e.g., racial or homophobic slurs), as well as to those that could lead to suspension or expulsion.

Applying to College or University

Begin your post-secondary research by exploring the many resources offered through the Ontario College Application System (OCAS) and the Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC). Be diligent in your attention to detail and your communication with the Guidance Office at your enroling school in order for your university or college application process to proceed accurately.

When applying to a college or university in the province of Ontario, you will apply through OCAS or OUAC. It is very important that you understand the application process, that you observe important dates, and that you communicate your plans with the guidance office at your home school.Your post-secondary application procedure will depend on your registration status with AMDEC.

Concurrent (shared) registrants: AMDEC students who are registered concurrently through their local secondary school must apply to OUAC or OCAS through their local/ home school. Your local/home school will submit your information and marks (including marks in your AMDEC course) to OUAC or OCAS.

Non-concurrent registrants (students whose Ontario School Record is being held by AMDEC): It is important that you inform the AMDEC Guidance Office as soon as you start your AMDEC courses that you have applied, or plan to apply, to OUAC or OCAS. AMDEC is able to electronically transmit transcripts and mark updates to OCAS and OUAConly for students who are enrolled directly with AMDEC, and not enrolled concurrently with another school. Students need to watch the AMDEC Guidance Office in FirstClass® for postings about the application process.

Students with Special Learning Needs

Students with special learning needs are responsible for reviewing with the principal of the home/enroling school any special needs before registering in e-Learning courses.

It is the responsibility of the principal of the home school to recommend to the student whether an AMDEC e-Learning course is appropriate for the student and to correspond with the principal of AMDEC regarding any special needs. Differentiated instructional practices are employed as appropriate to individual courses.

The provision of accommodations for a student with an existing Individual Education Plan (IEP) is limited, and restricted by the nature of the program. For those students whose local/home school provides accommodations based upon those assessed needs described in the IEP (e.g., extra time, quiet assessment setting, access to technology such as a computer and software), it is the responsibility of the home school in which the student is registered to consult with the principal of AMDEC and to provide these accommodations as deemed appropriate.

In the case of students who are not registered in a secondary school other than AMDEC, consideration of accommodations detailed in an existing IEP is the prerogative of the principal of AMDEC. The online learning environment does not allow for courses to be modified, for the provision of additional staff, or for the provision of equipment supports.

Academic Honesty

Avon Maitland District School Board’s Statement on Academic Honesty
The Avon Maitland District School Board values the highest standards of academic conduct. Research for essays, assignments, and projects is an important part of the academic process. We want our students to learn proper procedures for citing the work of others and succeed by being honest about the work that they submit. A variety of research methods which are appropriate to the subject, grade and course type are taught to help students avoid plagiarism (the uncredited work of someone else from sources such as the Internet, books, magazines and other sources), a kind of fraud. Students are strongly encouraged to work with their teacher to ensure that the work which is submitted is honest and reflects the student’s best work.

Definition of Academic Dishonesty

AMDEC prohibits dishonesty in connection with any school activity. Cheating, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the school are examples of dishonesty.

More specifically, the following are a few examples of academic dishonesty:

• substituting on an exam for another student
• substituting in a course for another student
• paying someone else to write a paper and submitting it as one's own work
• copying with or without the other person's knowledge during an exam
• doing class assignments for someone else
• plagiarizing published material, class assignments, or lab reports
• turning in a paper that has been purchased from a commercial research firm or obtained from the Internet
• padding items of a bibliography
• obtaining an unauthorized copy of a test in advance of its scheduled administration
• using unauthorized notes during an exam
• collaborating with other students on assignments when it is not allowed
• fabricating data
• giving an assignment, test, test answers, exam, or exam answers to current or potential students

Plagiarism is a specific kind of academic dishonesty in which one person steals another person's ideas or words and falsely presents them as the plagiarists' own product. This is most likely to occur in the following ways:

• using the exact language of someone else without the use of quotation marks and without giving proper credit to the author
• presenting the sequence of ideas or arranging the material of someone else even though such is expressed in one's own words, without giving appropriate acknowledgment
• submitting a document written by someone else but representing it as one's own

Basic Tips on Avoiding Claims of Dishonesty

Careful attention to your own academic duties is the best way to avoid allegations of academic dishonesty. If you are asked to do something that you feel is wrong or unethical, it probably is. Aiding someone in committing an academically dishonest act is just as serious as receiving the aid. The following tips may help you avoid problems:

• Protect your computer login identifications and passwords.
• Since it is impossible to write everything with complete originality, use quotation marks, footnotes, and parenthetical textual notes to acknowledge other peoples' words or ideas employed in your paper.
• Check with your teacher for proper techniques for citations and attribution if you have any doubts.
• Do not include sources in a bibliography or reference list if you have not used the sources in the preparation of your paper. To list unused sources is called padding the bibliography.
• Do not acquire previous papers, lab reports, or assignments used in a course with the intention of copying parts or all of the material. Consult with your teacher on how such materials may be used as general guides.
• Keep rough drafts and copies of papers submitted in courses.
• Do not share your current or former assignments, projects, papers, etc. with other students to use as guides for their work.
• Check with your teacher before turning in a paper or project you submitted in another course.

Consequences for Academic Dishonesty

Communication Protocol

Improving communication skills is a key focus for the Avon Maitland District School Board. Therefore, all AMDEC communications should reflect the writer’s best use of writing rules and conventions.

Each student is unique and different from every other person. In order for students and teachers to work together successfully, given our individual differences, we must practice common courtesy and display good manners in all our interactions with each other and this is even more important in an online learning environment.

In order to be a successful on-line communicator, keep in mind the following:

• You are expected to be courteous and considerate in your dealings with others.
• You are not permitted to harass others verbally or physically nor are you allowed to use profane or improper language during chats, e-mail or any other personal or electronic communication.
• While personal e-mail communication often involves short forms, creative spelling and slang, you are reminded that AMDEC is a school. Any and all communication with your teachers, the principal, the office, and tech staff must be in full sentences and include appropriate grammar, punctuation and correct spelling. Include a meaningful subject line with every e-mail that you send.
• You are not to give any personal information to your classmates. As with any online environment, you should never give out your address, telephone number, personal e-mail address or descriptive personal information about yourself. Whenever you voluntarily disclose personal information online (e.g., on social networking sites, blogs, through e-mail, or in chat areas) that information can be collected and used by others. In short, if you post personal information online that is accessible to the public, you may receive unsolicited messages from other parties in return. Ultimately, you are solely responsible for maintaining the secrecy of your passwords and/or any account information. Please be careful and responsible whenever you're online.
• You are required to communicate with your teacher with the same degree of respect that is required in a traditional classroom setting. If you are disrespectful in an e-mail, a chat, or in the discussion area, a copy of the e-mail or chat will be forwarded to the principal. You will be warned about unacceptable behaviour and in some cases suspended. If the behaviour persists, you will be removed from the course.
• Class chats and discussions are places for discussion related to the course, not for conversations of a personal nature. "Spamming" is strictly prohibited; that is, you are not allowed to send messages to all people in the class or others within our communication system.
• Signature lines are sometimes used to add “personality” to e-mails. AMDEC is a public secondary school, and staff and students are expected to be empathetic and respectful toward one another. Therefore, you should avoid including an opinion or sentiment in the signature line of your e-mails. If you use a signature line, it should be restricted to your name and a list of your AMDEC courses. The privilege of adding a signature line to your FirstClass® e-mails may be taken away if it is misused.
• Students are not permitted to e-mail, chat or correspond with other students within FirstClass® (our communication system), unless under the direct supervision of an AMDEC teacher or administrator.

Online Do's

The following statements below highlight acceptable e-mail practices that you are expected to follow.

• Do keep messages short and to the point.
• Do review messages before you send them to make sure they are clear.
• Do be as polite as possible; terseness can be taken as hostility.
• Do give correspondents the benefit of the doubt; try not to assume the worst. Do be patient with inexperienced e-mail users.
• Do, if possible, include the portion of the message you're replying to in your reply - people often forget the original context.
• Do be sure that the subject line reflects the subject of your message.
• Do read your e-mail often.
• Do answer your e-mail promptly.
• Do use abbreviations and emoticons cautiously. Abbreviations and emoticons may be a way to save keystrokes, but if the person receiving the e-mail doesn't understand, the point to the e-mail may be lost, or worse yet, misinterpreted.

Online Don'ts

The following statements summarize unacceptable e-mail practices which you should avoid.

• Do not invite teachers to a private chat (e.g., do not instant message a teacher). Send an e-mail instead.
• Do not send a message when you’re angry; cool down, look at the message again and then decide whether you really want to send it.
• Do not copy an entire, large message in your response just to add a line or two of commentary.
• Do not reply to “all recipients” unless they all need to see your reply.
• Do not type in capital letters; this is SHOUTING and is considered rude.
• Do not use unusual fonts and text colours which can make your message difficult to read.
• Do not send off-topic messages to mailing lists.
• Do not “spam” (broadcast messages to multiple lists and/or individuals regardless of their interest in your message).
• Do not send chain letters or messages. This not only violates AMDEC policies, but may also violate federal law.
• Do not edit quoted messages to change the overall meaning.
• Do not forward a personal message without the author's consent.

Technical Guide

Minimum System Requirements

To view content in your course, a compatible Internet browser with certain plug-ins needs to be installed on your computer. Please look through the system requirements to make sure that you have the appropriate software on your computer. Be sure to check that you have all of the necessary requirements. If your system fails to meet the minimum requirements, some content might not work properly.

Macintosh Computers

Please be aware that PC-based machines are the recommended (and supported) configuration for AMDEC's eLearning courses. We do not support Macintosh systems or software. That said, we have had many Mac users complete our courses with no issues. It is the responsibility of the student to provide his/her work in a format that is “readable” by the teacher. We suggest Rich Text Format (.rtf), because regardless of the word processing program, the file is readable cross-platform.

Internet Access

Hardware

Software

Minimum Requirements:

• Windows XP or newer
• Internet Explorer 7.0 or better
• Shockwave Flash and Authorware (free download)
• Microsoft Multimedia Player (free download)
• Microsoft Office or WordPerfect Office or OpenOffice (word processor, spreadsheet and presentation software)
• Anti-virus software
• Adobe Reader (free download)
• FirstClass® (free download)

What browser do I need?

You need Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher. If students choose to use an alternate browser and they experience issue accessing the course material, it will be suggested that they switch to Internet Explorer.

Virus Protection

You must install and maintain anti-virus software on your computer if you are taking an AMDEC course. We also encourage users to exercise discretion when opening any e-mail attachment. There are many e-mail and other viruses floating around out there. AMDEC runs the latest virus updates on our servers and work hard to keep our systems virus-free. Please be sure that your virus checker has the latest updates (i.e that you keep your definition files up-to-date).

Pop-up Blockers

AMDEC courses require that pop-ups be enabled for the portal site. If you are using blocking software, you will need to configure it to allow pop-ups. You can set up your pop-up blocker to allow pop-ups from certain sites automatically. This setting is usually found in the internet browser under tools > Pop-up Blocker.

Firewalls and Security Software

The use of a firewall or security software can block access to AMDEC's servers. If you have a firewall on your home computer, you will need to add a rule that allows incoming and outgoing traffic through your firewall for the portal website as well as FirstClass®, the communication software (fc.amdec.ca). Consult your firewall's user manual for further information. If your computer is part of a network that you do not have access to, such as a school or public library, you will need to ask student services or the librarian for assistance.

Music Downloading Programs/File Sharing

Programs you use to download from the internet (such as LimeWire, Morpheus, Bearshare) conflict with many applications, especially web programs like FirstClass® and Internet Explorer.

The majority of complications have to do with the spyware that is installed and pushed through. Without your knowledge many computers work their way from application conflicts to “Illegal operation” (and blue screens) to winding your system down completely. Another common example would be the login box for FirstClass® “hanging” and not allowing you to login - even if you have entered the correct information.

While enrolled in AMDEC courses, it is essential that you uninstall any file sharing software currently installed on your home computer, and run a “cleaning spyware program” . FirstClass® will NOT work constantly or consistently - it generally grinds to a halt when any of those programs are not “removed and spyware cleaned up”. Many students have experienced issues as a direct result of these file-sharing programs. While we do our best to support students in all situations. AMDEC cannot be responsible for complications that develop due to file sharing software.

Tech Support

Once students have access to FirstClass® they are expected to use the Tech Support conference form provided on their desktop. Please be as specific as possible describing your problem. Tech Support can also be contacted for assistance through support@amdec.ca

Orientation Email Website Link

Some students may have a problem getting into the portal site when they click the link provided to them in the orientation e-mail. Students may need to copy/paste or manually type the website address into Internet Explorer to access the portal login page. Once there remember to manually type your userID and password.Do not copy and paste. Sometimes the computer adds spaces and the portal will see it as an error.