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SKYLINE COLLEGE
Independent Study 695
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ANY DISCIPLINE
Students who would benefit from learning activities/projects which enhance or augment their
individual instructional programs may enroll in independent study sections. Independent study
activities may relate to General Education or to the student’s major field of study. The
supervising instructor should have specific expertise or experience in the study area.
Before work begins, the student and the supervising instructor should develop an individualized
independent study contract for no more than 3 units in a given semester. Each half unit of credit
requires a minimum of lab/research hours of “work” per week. Three or four detailed
performance objectives are suggested for each unit of credit.
Once the instructor and student complete and sign the learning contract, it is submitted to the
Division Dean who has direct responsibility for reviewing and approving the contract for the
extent and amount of “work” and units being attempted. After the Dean signs the form, a copy is
retained by the supervising instructor and by the student. The student is allowed to register in the
independent section only upon final approval of the learning contract. Additionally, this course
must follow repeatability rules.
To summarize, steps to enroll and supervise an independent study student are as follows:
1. Instructor obtains learning contract and initial worksheet from the division office.
2. Instructor develops and discusses learning objectives with student and indicates number
of units being attempted.
3. Student and instructor agree on the validity of objectives and number of units being
attempted and sign contract.
4. Signed contract is submitted to the appropriate Division Dean for review and signature.
5. Instructor and student are given a copy of original signed agreement.
6. Instructor is available to student for guidance, supervision, and evaluation of
project/activity on an as-needed basis.
7. Prior to the end of the semester, instructor meets with student to confirm project is
complete and performance criteria are met as per agreement.
8. At the end of the semester, the instructor assigns grade based on quality of achievement,
number of units, and satisfactory completion of objectives on the original copy of the
contract. Consultation with Division Dean is necessary if fewer units than contracted are
to be awarded.
9. Instructor records final student grade via WebSMART.
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SKYLINE COLLEGE
Independent Study 695
Worksheet for Learning Goals and Objectives
For Instructor / Student Use Prior to Preparing Contract
Note for Student: Please review your goals and objectives with your supervising
instructor, revising them if necessary.
What are you attempting to accomplish?
How are you going to accomplish Goal #1? Using action verbs, list objectives necessary to
complete the goal.
What are the means by which objective results will be measured?
What are you attempting to accomplish?
GOAL #1
Target Date for Completion of Goal #1:
1.
2.
3.
4.
GOAL #2
Target Date for Completion of Goal #2:
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How are you going to accomplish Goal #2? Using action verbs, list objectives necessary to
complete the goal.
What are the means by which objective results will be measured?
What are you attempting to accomplish?
How are you going to accomplish Goal #3? Using action verbs, list objectives necessary to
complete the goal.
What are the means by which objective results will be measured?
1.
2.
3.
4.
GOAL #3
Target Date for Completion of Goal #3:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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What are you attempting to accomplish?
How are you going to accomplish Goal #4? Using action verbs, list objectives necessary to
complete the goal.
What are the means by which objective results will be measured?
Preliminary approval of suggested Learning/Performance Goals:
Supervising Instructor/Signature Date
GOAL #4
Target Date for Completion of Goal #4:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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SKYLINE COLLEGE
Independent Study 695
Learning Contract
Name (Last, First, Middle Initial) Supervising Instructor
I.D. Number Date
Division Discipline
1. Each semester that a student is enrolled in an Independent Study section, it is necessary to
identify new learning goals and objectives. Objectives should be specific, measurable, and
within the student’s ability to accomplish. Method of evaluation and standard of performance
must also be clearly stated.
2. Once objectives have been formulated with the supervising instructor and student, they must
be reviewed and approved by the supervising instructor and the Division Dean at the
beginning of the academic term.
3. Before the end of the academic term, the supervising instructor will discuss the progress
made on the goals with the student and will assign a grade (letter grade or Pass/No Pass).
From this rating and other required course work, the college will determine the overall
academic credit the student will receive.
A. Student Learning Outcomes:
B. Specific Learning Activities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
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C. Methods of Evaluation and Performance Criteria:
D. Instructional Materials Required:
We agree with the validity of the learning objectives, learning activities, and evaluation criteria
listed above. The supervising instructor agrees to provide the necessary supervision and advising
to ensure that the student receives appropriate educational benefit under the control of the San
Mateo County Community College District.
Student’s Signature Date Instructor’s Signature Date
Division Dean’s Signature Date
Semester/Year Subject/Course/Section
Units Being Attempted* Grade Units Awarded*
Directions for Faculty: You will need to keep a record of the meetings held with the student. A
Student/Faculty Meeting Record sheet follows.
*See end of document for units/hours breakdown.
1.
2.
3.
4.
1.
2.
3.
4.
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Faculty/Student Meeting Record
First Student Meeting:
Date Initials
Final Student Meeting:
Date Initials
Follow-up Student Meetings:
Date Initials Amount of time spent with student
Sample Units and Hours Required
UNITS
ATTEMPTED
LAB HOURS
0.5
24 to 28.5
1.0
48 to 57
1.5
2.0
72 to 85.5
96 to 114
2.5
120 to 142.5
3.0
144 to 171