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WHAT IS THE OWL?. Business Communication & Professional Development. PURPOSE:. To give students A tool to increase communication skills in a business environment. . Formal Mission Statement. “ To provide UTSA business students resources and instruction to develop and
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WHAT IS THE OWL? Business Communication & Professional Development
PURPOSE: To give students A tool to increase communication skills in a business environment.
Formal Mission Statement “To provide UTSA business students resources and instruction to develop and improve their business written communication skills.”
What is the OWL? • Online Writing Lab on Blackboard Learn - Online Instruction & Testing - 4 Core Modules, 6 Supplemental Modules -- Core – Pre-test, Study Module, Post-test -- Supplemental – Study Module, Post-test
ACCESSING THE OWL Log into your Blackboard Learn course link. Click on “OWL: Online Writing Lab” (left side of page) Review the various OWL links
WHY THE OWL? • Daily Executive Communication - 90% of time • Reading, Writing, Speaking, & Listening • Communication skills are the #1 requirement for leadership success.
LEARNING MODULES • Total of 10: 4 Core and 6 Supplemental • Primary Differences • Core: • Pre-test (What did you know before OWL?) • Study Module (Learning) • Post Test (What do you know now?) • Supplemental: • Study Module (Learning) • Post Test (What do you know now?)
FOUR CORE MODULES • Mechanics Module • Composition Module • Writing Style Module • Critical Thinking Module
SIX SUPPLEMENTAL MODULES • Report Module • Presentation Module • Résumé Module • Cover Letter Module • Email Module • Citation Module
TIME DEDICATION • Core • Tests: 20 minutes max (Pre and Post) • Module: Unlimited study time – designed to take 1 ½ hours to comprehend fully • Supplemental • Test: 10 minutes max • Module: Unlimited study time – designed to take 1 ½ hours to fully comprehend
Important Notes Points Are Usually Lost Because: • Doing Core Module pre-tests, but not the post-tests • Last day computer crashes, Internet loss • Incompatibility issues; can’t access UTSA server (usually over the weekend, or holiday)
ASSESSMENTS (Tests/Quizzes) • You may access the study module for as long and as often as you wish • Assessments may only be taken ONCE
OWL EXAMPLE Accessing Critical Thinking Core Module
SUPPLEMENTAL MODULES • From the “Get Started” Page:
SUCCESS TIPS • Use Explorer or Firefox Browser • Always have a 2nd browser available • Plan Ahead – Syllabus Deadlines lurk • Read all Instructions • Don’t Stop Once Assessment is Started • Use Table of Contents, Breadcrumbs, Course Menu, Drop Down Menu, & Icons • Contact OWL for Assistance
SUCCESS TIPS 2.0 • Something ALWAYS goes wrong, so take tests early. • “My computer crashed,” “I had a power outage,” “I had a connection problem,” BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH. • These are quibbles—NOT legitimate reasons for failing to complete OWL assignments on time.