Course Description

Communication remains an essential skill sought by employers, regardless of discipline or field of study. Using a practical, vocation-oriented approach, students develop stronger grammar and business writing skills to become effective business communicators. Through a combination of lectures, exercises, and independent learning, students practise writing, speaking, reading, listening, locating and documenting information, and using technology to communicate professionally. Students develop and strengthen communication skills that contribute to success in both educational and workplace environments.

Essential Employability Skills

This course contributes to your program by helping you achieve the following Essential Employability Skills:

EES 1 Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfills the purpose and meets the needs of the audience. (T, A)
EES 2 Respond to written, spoken or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication. (T, A)
EES 6 Locate, select, organize and document information using appropriate technology and information systems. (T, A)
EES 7 Analyze, evaluate and apply relevant information from a variety of sources. (T, A)
Assessment Levels —T: Taught A: Assessed CP: Culminating Performance 

Course Learning Outcomes / Elements of Performance

When you have earned credit for this course, you will have demonstrated the ability to:

1. Assess the purpose and role of communication in a variety of contexts.

1.1
Compare different models of communication.
1.2
Identify the purposes of personal and professional communication.
1.3
Describe the communication modes of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and comprehension.
1.4
Utilize visual and digital communication skills in preparing informational messages.
1.5
Compare types of communication used in various workplace industries.
1.6
Identify purposes of audiences and purposes of communication.

2. Plan, write, revise, and edit documents for a variety of audiences and purposes.

2.1
Apply all stages of the writing process (i.e., prewriting, drafting, revising, editing, publishing) in preparing written information.
2.2
Prepare and write short documents such as memos, letters, and/or summaries.
2.3
Research and write reports, essays, and/or research documents for a variety of purposes and audiences.
2.4
Prepare documents using standard formatting.
2.5
Define and apply organizational strategies for formal communications.

3. Demonstrate clarity, conciseness, correctness and coherence in English language construction.

3.1
Apply proper use of sentence structure, grammar, spelling and punctuation in written communication.

4. Apply the research process to representing and communicating information.

4.1
Apply the steps of the research process and search strategies to communication tasks.
4.2
Locate, select, and organize information drawn from a variety of sources.
4.3
Utilize effective reading strategies to interpret, reframe, and draw conclusions about information from a variety of sources.
4.4
Apply APA documentation to avoid plagiarism.

5. Demonstrate effective speaking skills with individuals and/or groups.

5.1
Incorporate verbal and non-verbal cues to enhance spoken messages.
5.2
View, analyze and critique oral presentations of others.
5.3
Practice oral presentation methods and techniques.
5.4
Research, plan, and deliver an oral presentation to individuals and/or groups.

6. Utilize technology as a research and communications tool.

6.1
Use standard word processing software to create a variety of documents.
6.2
Use standard and/or new/novel presentation software to enhance communication tasks.

Learning Resources

This course may require the use of a textbook, e-book or software. Most texts and resources can be found at Algonquin College’s Campus Bookstore. If you cannot come to the campus, call (613) 727-4723, ext. 7609 or order online and the bookstore will arrange to ship the required resource(s) to you. Please be aware that you will be charged the cost of the resource(s) plus shipping charges on your credit card.
 
If you have any questions, please contact Online Learning at (613) 727-4723, ext. 3330 or email oltexts@algonquincollege.com.

Learning Activities

  • Participating in online discussions and meetings
  • Reading online content
  • Recording and posting podcast messages
  • Viewing videos and multimedia content
  • Researching and writing reports and essays
  • Participating and making oral presentations online

NOTE:  Students will be required to us a webcam and microphone for several activities and assessments.

Sample of learning activities include:
  • Course content presented in videos, audio recordings, interactive charts, images, notes, and as needed readings
  • Assignments and quizzes with various submission requirements
  • Discussions with online peers
  • Consistent online communication with your facilitator
  • Links to suggested additional resources and remedial content as required
  • A detailed schedule to help organize your time and track your progression throughout the course

Pre-defined Evaluation / Earning Credit

The following list provides evidence of this course's learning achievements and the outcomes they validate:

Participation (15%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLO 1, CLO 2, CLO 3, CLO 5, CLO 6, EES 1, EES 2, EES 6, EES 7

Quiz(zes) (5%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLO 3, EES 1, EES 2, EES 6, EES 7

Self/Peer Assessment (5%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLO 3, EES 1, EES 2, EES 6, EES 7

Assignment(s) (5%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLO 2, CLO 4, EES 1, EES 2, EES 6, EES 7

Discussion Forum (5%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLO 1, CLO 2, CLO 3, CLO 4, EES 1, EES 2, EES 6, EES 7

Research Assignment(s) (30%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLO 1, CLO 2, CLO 3, CLO 4, CLO 6, EES 1, EES 2, EES 6, EES 7

Communication Skills (20%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLO 1, CLO 2, CLO 4, CLO 5, CLO 6, EES 1, EES 2, EES 6, EES 7

Portfolio(s) (15%)

Validates Outcomes:  CLO 1, CLO 2, CLO 3, CLO 4, CLO 6, EES 1, EES 2, EES 6, EES 7

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition

Students who wish to apply for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) need to demonstrate competency at a post-secondary level in all outlined course learning outcomes. Evidence of learning achievement for PLAR candidates includes:

  • Portfolio
  • Challenge Exam
  • Other: Interview

Course Related Information

Please refer to the Course Section Information (CSI) / weekly schedule for specific course-related information as provided by your professor.

Program Information

College Related Information

Algonquin College’s policies have been developed to ensure the health, safety and security of all students, faculty and staff, and the proper and fair operation of the College as an academic institution and employer. Please refer to the Algonquin College Policies website for the most current policy information available at http://www.algonquincollege.com/policies/. 
 
Students are especially encouraged to be aware of the following College expectations 
 
Academic Integrity
Algonquin College is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity, and students are expected to uphold these standards as part of the learning process. Any academic work submitted by a student is expected to be their own work, unless designated otherwise and all sources must be attributed. All students should be familiar with the Algonquin College policy AA48: Academic Integrity which outlines student’s roles and responsibilities and what represents academic dishonesty. In some courses, online proctoring may be used to prevent academic dishonesty. Additional information can be found at Academic Integrity - Student Survival Guide - Subject Guides at Algonquin College (libguides.com) and via Academic Integrity Student Resources. Students with any questions about the course expectations regarding academic integrity are encouraged to speak to their professor and the College’s academic integrity team at acaio@algonquincollege.com  
 
Centre for Accessible Learning 
Students with visible and/or non-visible disabilities are encouraged to register with the Centre for Accessible Learning (CAL) in order to be eligible for appropriate learning supports and/or accommodations.  Students are strongly encouraged to make an appointment with the Centre for Accessible Learning as early as possible when starting a program. Once your needs are identified, a Letter of Accommodation (LOA) will be issued which you can share with your professors. If you are a returning student, please ensure that professors are given a copy of your LOA each semester. 
 
College Email 
Students at Algonquin College are provided with a college email account. This is the address that will be used when the College, your professors, or your fellow students communicate important information about your program or course activities. Your network credentials can be found in the?ACSIS portal and you are expected to check your Algonquin email regularly and to use it to send and receive college-related email. Support is available through the college Information Technology Service (ITS) at: https://www.algonquincollege.com/its/ 
 
Retroactive Accommodations 
Students are expected to meet evaluation and completion deadlines as stated in course outline and course section information documents. In circumstances where evaluation and/or completion deadlines are missed or student performance has been affected by a temporary or permanent disability (including mental health), interim or retroactive accommodations may be considered. In such instances, please consult your course faculty member. For other situations where deferral of evaluations may be warranted, please?consult Algonquin College?Policy?AA21: Deferred Evaluation. 
 
Student Course Feedback 
Algonquin College’s invites students to share their course experience by completing a student course feedback survey for each course they take. For further details consult Algonquin College Policy AA25: Student Course Feedback. 
 
Use of Mobile Devices in Class 
With the proliferation of small, personal mobile devices used for communications and data storage, Algonquin College believes there is a need to address their use during classes and examinations. During classes, the use of such devices unless authorized by your professor can be disruptive and disrespectful to others. During examinations, the use of such devices is generally prohibited unless authorized by your professor. Otherwise use is considered academic dishonesty in the form of cheating. For further details consult Algonquin CollegePolicy AA32: Use of Mobile Devices in Class 
 
Technology Requirements  
Students are required to have access to a computer and to the internet. There may also be additional technology-related resources required to participate in a course that are not included in the course materials fee, such as headphones, webcams, specialized software, etc. Details on these requirements can be found in the Course Section Information of the course outline for each course available on Brightspace. 
 
Transfer of Credit 
It is the student’s responsibility to retain course outlines for possible future use to support applications for transfer of credit to other educational institutions. 

Safe Harbour 
In the event of an unexpected major event (pandemic, etc.), your course may have changes that are not reflected in the Course Outline. Should this happen, the Course Section Information document will have updated information about your course.  

 

Other Information

Students are required to respect the confidentiality of employer, client and/or patient information, interactions, and practices that occur either on Algonquin College premises, or at an affiliated clinical/field/co-op placement site. Concerns regarding clients, patients, and/or employer practices are to be brought to the attention of the program coordinator, or designated field/clinical/co-op placement supervisor so that they may be resolved collaboratively. Such concerns are not to be raised publically either verbally, in writing, or in electronic forums. These matters are to be addressed through established program communication pathways.

Grade Scheme

Final Grade Mark Equivalent Numeric Value Final Grade Mark Equivalent Numeric Value
A+ 90% - 100% 4.0 A 85% - 89% 3.8
A- 80% - 84% 3.6 B+ 77% - 79% 3.3
B 73% - 76% 3.0 B- 70% - 72% 2.7
C+ 67% - 69% 2.3 C 63% - 66% 2.0
C- 60% - 62% 1.7 D+ 57% - 59% 1.4
D 53% - 56% 1.2 D- 50% - 52% 1.0
F 0% - 49% 0 FSP 0 0