Syllabus
Master of Science in Health Informatics
HIN 600: Orientation for Health Informatics – Fall A 2017
Credits - 0
Description
This self paced orientation is designed to prepare you for success in the Graduate Programs in Health Informatics (HIN) at UNE. This orientation provides an introduction and overview to the University of New England and HIN. Activities in the orientation prepare you to navigate the online learning environment, locate and access program resources, and learn about the tools and strategies that ensure a meaningful and collaborative learning experience throughout the program. Successful completion of the orientation is a prerequisite for the HIN foundation courses.
Format
This orientation is delivered completely online in Blackboard, UNE’s learning management system. Course participation is asynchronous. The content is presented using the standard format for HIN courses. Students will work through 7 learning modules consisting of lectures, readings, discussions, assignments and quizzes.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Course Outcomes:
Upon successful completion of this orientation, students will be able to:
- Explain the role that the program’s mission, values, and objectives play in the development of health informatics practitioners.
- Analyze scholarly, personal, and technological preparedness for success in graduate education.
- Identify success strategies for graduate level coursework.
- Use tools and resources in the learning management system.
- Explain the purpose, policies, and support provided by the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Assignments
The quizzes in this course are for reinforcing the key takeaways from the content in selected learning modules. Some of the assignments are designed to give you practice with completing assignments in Blackboard similar to ones you will do throughout the HIN program. Other assignments are designed to help you prepare for being an online student. When you are finished with all the assignments in the modules, you will earn an Orientation Completion badge signaling that you are ready to begin your coursework.
Quizzes: These quizzes will provide you with an opportunity to reinforce and test yourself on the important takeaways from these modules.
- Module 1: Who’s Who in the Graduate Programs in Health Informatics Quiz (1 Matching question)
- Module 3: Student Handbook Top Ten Quiz (10 multiple choice questions)
- Module 3: Financial Aid Top 5 Quiz (5 True or False questions)
- Module 6: Etiquette Quiz (1 multiple choice)
Discussion Board: This assignment in Module 2 will give you practice in creating discussion posts and in responding to your classmates’ posts — things you will be doing every week in your Health Informatics courses.
Getting Started Checklist: This brief assignment is a self-check to confirm you have reviewed all the materials and performed all the related activities in Module 2.
Time Management Plan: This is an ungraded assignment in Module 4 to help you prepare for your experience in graduate school. You will be creating a time management plan to use while taking courses. It is important to note that online classes take a considerable amount of time. Planning now for how you will manage your time is important for succeeding as an online learner.
Technology Backup Plan: This assignment in Module 4 has two purposes. First, it will give you practice in uploading assignments to Blackboard for grading. Second, it will get you thinking about what you will do when an unexpected event prevents you from accessing your virtual classroom.
APA Format Paper: This assignment in Module 5 will give you valuable practice using APA style formatting. You will create a short document following the APA Style guide for writing a paper including citing references and creating a reference page. APA Style formatting is used in the peer-reviewed journal articles you will be researching and using throughout your graduate studies. APA formatting is the expectation for writing assignments you will submit throughout this program. Becoming proficient with this style will help you with finding and using information found in journal articles and writing clearly.
Orientation Survey: In Module 7, your final assignment will be completing a 6 question survey providing feedback to help us make improvements to this Orientation course. Survey completion is an ungraded, required assignment.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Assessment Item | Possible Points | Percent of Total Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Quizzes | 10 points per quiz | 40% |
| Discussion Board | 12 points | 12% |
| Getting Started Checklist | 8 points | 8% |
| Technology Backup Plan | 20 points | 20% |
| APA Formatting Assignment | 20 points | 20% |
| Total | 100 Points | 100% |
Schedule
Course Schedule at a Glance
| Module | Topic | Activities and Assignments |
| 1 | Welcome and Orientation Overview |
Readings & videos as assigned Who’s Who in the Graduate Programs in Health Informatics Quiz |
| 2 | Getting Started with Blackboard |
Readings & videos as assigned Discussion Board Posting Getting Started Checklist |
| 3 | Student Resources and Financial Aid |
Readings and videos as assigned Student Handbook Top 10 Quiz Financial Aid Top 5 Quiz |
| 4 | Succeeding as an Online Learner |
Readings as assigned Webinar Time Management Plan Technology Backup Plan |
| 5 | APA Style |
Readings as assigned Webinar APA Format Paper |
| 6 | Professional Communication |
Readings as assigned Tutorials Etiquette Quiz |
| 7 | Wrap up |
Orientation Survey
|
Detailed Course Schedule
Module 1: Welcome and Orientation Overview
In this module, you will be introduced to the UNE community and the Graduate Programs in Health Informatics (HIN).
Learning Outcomes:
After completing this module, you will be able to:
- Describe characteristics of UNE, the College of Graduate and Professional Studies and the Graduate Programs in Health Informatics (HIN)
- Identify key contacts in the HIN program
- Locate and review the HIN program mission statement
Module 2: Getting Started with Blackboard
In this module you will learn how to get started in your online courses and practice navigating through Blackboard, UNE’s learning management system. You will also review the technical requirements for online students, and learn how to access technical support for the program.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing this module, you will be able to:
- Navigate through a course in Blackboard
- Locate and view Blackboard tutorials
- Ensure your computer is ready for online coursework
- Identify methods of accessing support for technical issues related to the online learning environment
Discussion Board Prompt: Please take a moment to introduce yourself. Where are you from? What are some of your hobbies or interests? What has drawn you to the Health Informatics program? Feel free to post a photo of yourself or of something important to you so we can get to know you a little better
Module 3: Student Resources and Financial Aid
This module provides you with access to important resources that will support you throughout your graduate studies. It also provides important information about funding your education, accessing financial aid resources, and adhering to financial responsibilities related to your program of study.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing this module, you will be able to:
- Identify and access support resources
- Locate important policies in the student handbook
- List funding and financial aid responsibilitiesAccess financial aid resources
Module 4: Succeeding as an Online Learner
This module provides you with access to important resources that will support you throughout your graduate studies.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing this module, you will be able to:
- Define factors that contribute to success in graduate school
- Create a time management plan
- Develop a plan for consistent access to your online learning environment
- Perform a system check and configure your computer to run Blackboard Collaborate
- Submit an assignment in Blackboard
Access Library eBook:
Fandl, K. & Smith, J. (2013). Success as an Online Student: Strategies for Effective Learning. New York, NY: Routledge. This is an ebook available to read online for all UNE students. To access this resource, you will need to login to the UNE library with your UNE username and password and search the catalog by book title.
Time Management Plan Prompt: Managing your time effectively and efficiently is important for all graduate students, and is absolutely crucial for online graduate students. To help you prepare for your experience in graduate school, create a time management plan using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, your own calendar, or daily planner, to prepare a schedule. The level of detail you provide should be based on your own experience of what works best for you. Your plan should include regular intervals of study, work, family, and personal time. Then, try to follow your plan over the next several days. As you do, make note of areas you found it difficult to stick to your plan or areas where you may have over or under projected time needed.
You will not be submitting your time management plan in this orientation. Instead, save the plan and use it in your courses. If you find it difficult to stick to your plan, identify the trouble areas, modify the plan, and see if that will help you manage your time. A few modifications as you move forward are perfectly fine. After all, no one can be expected to get it perfectly right the first time! However, if you regularly modify your plan, that might be a warning sign of a larger problem.
If you find that your time management plan isn’t working for you, feel free to contact your Student Support Specialist to discuss ways to effectively modify the plan. Your Student Support Specialist is here to help you succeed in your online program, and has tips and strategies that can help you get back in control of your time.
Technology Back Up Plan Prompt: You will download the Technology Backup Plan file and complete the sections. You will upload the Word document into Blackboard for Grading following the instructions in Module 4 on how to submit an assignment.
Module 5: APA Style
This module introduces you to APA style.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing this module, you will be able to:
- Format a document according to APA guidelines
- Locate resources for APA formatting and citations
APA Format Paper Prompt: The purpose of this assignment is to check your understanding of APA formatting. You will submit a one-two paragraph paper about any topic you wish. Your paper must include:
- Two references where at least one reference is a book or journal article
- Use correct APA format/style choices
- Include Running head, Cover Page, Abstract, and Reference page
Your APA assignment will be scored as Complete/Incomplete. Remember that you can use RefWorks to format your in-text citations and reference page.
Module 6: Professional Communication
This module introduces you to the expectations of professional communication in your graduate program and provides resources related to netiquette, UNE’s Code of Professional Conduct and social media.
Learning Outcomes:
After completing this module, you will be able to:
- Review behaviors that demonstrate professional communication, etiquette and graduate level professionalism
- List expectations for sending and responding to email
- Forward emails from multiple personal accounts to your main email account
- Add a custom signature to your outgoing email
- Identify the behaviors listed in UNE’s Code of Professional Conduct
Module 7: Wrap Up
In this module you will complete a brief survey about the Orientation. After you complete the survey, you will earn an Orientation Completion Badge and be able to begin your first course in online Graduate Programs in Health Informatics!
Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
Questions? Visit the Student Support Health Informatics page
APA Style Guide
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Blackboard/Brightspace.
- MSIN Databases: https://library.une.edu/library-materials/find/research-by-subject/health-informatics/
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
The Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of services to support your academic achievement, including tutoring, writing support, test prep and studying strategies, learning style consultations, and many online resources. To make an appointment for tutoring, writing support, or a learning specialist consultation, go to une.tutortrac.com. To access our online resources, including links, guides, and video tutorials, please visit:
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS Contact: Toll Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.