WHAT IS THE OWL? Business Communication & Professional Development

PURPOSE: To give students A tool to increase communication skills in a business environment.

What is the OWL? Online Writing Lab on Blackboard Learn - Online Instruction & Testing - 4 Core Modules, 6 Supplemental Modules -Study Module, Post-test

ACCESSING THE OWL 1. Log into your Blackboard Learn course link. 2. Click on “OWL: Online Writing Lab” (left side of page) 3. 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, 6 Supplemental, 2 extra credit  Study Module (Learning)  Post Test (What do you now know)

FOUR CORE MODULES Mechanics Module Composition Module Writing Style Module Critical Thinking Module

FOUR SUPPLEMENTAL MODULES Résumé Module Cover Letter Module Module Presentation Module

TWO EXTRA CREDIT MODULES Report Module Citation Module

TIME DEDICATION Core  Module: Unlimited study time – designed to take 1 ½ hours to comprehend fully  Tests: 20 minutes max Supplemental & Extra Credit  Module: Unlimited study time – designed to take 1 ½ hours to fully comprehend  Test: 10 minutes max

Important Notes Points Are Usually Lost Because:  Last day computer crashes, Internet loss  Incompatibility issues; can’t access UTSA server (usually over the weekend, or holiday) DO NOT USE WI-FI !!!!!

ASSESSMENTS (Tests/Quizzes) You may access the study modules for as long and as often as you wish Assessments may only be taken ONCE

OWL EXAMPLE Accessing Critical Thinking Core Module

ANATOMY OF A TEST

SUPPLEMENTAL MODULES From the “Get Started” Page:

SUCCESS TIPS Use Firefox or Chrome Browser Plan Ahead – Deadlines not extended Read all Instructions Don’t Stop Once Assessment started Use Table of Contents, Breadcrumbs, Course Menu, Drop Down Menu, & Icons

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.

WHAT IS THE OWL? Business Communication & Professional Development