GENERAL INFORMATION FOR THE REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE DISTANCE LEARNING (DL) STUDENT:

DL courses are designed for anyone who has scheduling problems, work-schedules that conflict with normal class times, or any reason they may have. Some students are concerned about the transferability or status of DL courses. The course content, college credit and transferability are equivalent to those offered in the classroom.  The first step to success is your Distance Learning MANDATORY course orientationon August 23, 2010. Here is the Orientation Process:

1. Once you have your Blackboard access setup, enter Blackboard and go to the Syllabus for this class and download (print) yourself a copy. Read it thoroughly as it contains all of the information you need about this class.

2. Go to http://dl.austincc.edu/students/#Orientation and read this page, especially the part titled "Succeeding in a Distance Learning Class".

3. If you are unfamiliar with Blackboard I highly recommend that you take some of the offered Blackboard training tutorials from your Blackboard main page. That's it!

REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE 2331 is an interactive training system that combines electronic learning materials with online instructor guidance and expertise. It is accessed via the Internet from the student's computer at home or work or in an ACC lab, any time. Concepts are presented through the textbook, the Textbook’s Publishers Web site, information on the instructor's Web site, and Blackboard.

You will cover the same material as in a regular class. You must have access to the Internet and an email account. The primary framework for instruction is the Internet. The Interactive capabilities such as email and listserv, access to library on-line, office hours, discussion forums, facilitate student-to-instructor communication. This asynchronous learning allows students who have other responsibilities to participate in course offerings. Being able to send a message to the instructor at any time, instead of traveling to the campus during the instructor's posted office hours, makes it possible for those who have limited or no time beyond the normal class time to talk to the instructor.

Course content is delivered in Blackboard. This syllabus, assignments, core course information, announcements, structured student activities, and discussion information are all located in Blackboard. You will view web pages, send and receive email, download files, and upload files you have created using ACC’s Blackboard system. If you do not have an ACCeID you will need to activate it by going to the First-time login link at http://www.austincc.edu/acceid/step1.htm.  Go to http://acconline.austincc.edu/for student entry into Blackboard.  You will need your student ID and password to log into Blackboard.  Blackboard access is available the first day of the semester.

You must be able to communicate with the instructor by email.  You need an individual account, which is not shared with anyone else.  In EVERY email message you send me, the subject line must include RELE 2331, DL.  Also your first and last name must be included somewhere in the message.

Tests will be taken on-campus in the Testing Centers. Testing center information is at http://www.austincc.edu/testctr/.  You must have your ACC ID in order to take a test in an ACC testing center.  Additional information about testing will be available in Blackboard.

As the online instructor I will monitor your progress and advise you as appropriate via email, telephone, or chat room discussions. You will be evaluated by means of tests, assignments, and projects.

GRADING:

Grades will be based on the following areas of performance:

Exams consist of +/- 50 multiple choice and definition questions. All of the exam questions will be taken from the Chapter Quizzes in the Workbook and definitions in the textbook.

Exam One       100 points (20%)        Chapters 1-6

Exam Two      100 points (20%)        Chapters 7-11

Exam Three    100 points (20%)        Chapters 12-15

Exam Four      100 points (20%)        Chapters 16-18

Exams Total   400 points, or 80% of Total Grade.

Discussion Board Participation will total 100 points (20%).
 

Exams plus Participation equal 500 points. Letter grades are earned as follows:

A=450-500points// B=400-449 points// C=350-399 points// D=300-349 points// F= Below 300 points.

All test grades will be posted to your Blackboard online grade-book within 48 hours of the assignment due date.

IMPORTANT DATES FOR FALL 2010:

Exam One       No later than September 15, 2010                Chapters 1-6

Exam Two      No later than October 13, 2010                      Chapters 7-11

Exam Three    No later than November 17, 2010                  Chapters 12-15

Exam Four      No later than December 8, 2010                    Chapters 16-18

REQUIRED TEXT/MATERIALS

 TEXAS REAL ESTATE BROKERAGE – A Management  Guide– McAdams, Sobeck and Cyr. Publisher - Dearborn (ISBN-13: 978-1-4277-7086-8). ALSO PURCHASE THE WORKBOOK UNDER THE SAME NAME. We will cover the entire book in one semester. You may purchase this book at any ACC bookstore.  It is also available at other bookstores in Austin as well as online.  To find the best price go to: http://www.bestwebbuys.com.   The ACC bookstore online is at http://austincc.bkstore.com/bkstore/content Or call them at 1-800-325-3252.

Books also available at:

Bevo’s (Rio Grande) 1202 West Ave.                       477-2992

Bevo’s (Northridge) 11900 Metric Blvd.                  837-9565

ACC (Rio Grande) 817 W. 12^th. St.                           474-2607

CLASS OUTLINE/CALENDAR FOR FALL 2010

This is a suggested study calendar for this course – Exam dates are fixed as shown below. You may take the exams at anytime you feel ready but no later than the dates shown for each:

COURSE RATIONALE:

This course will benefit anyone who is thinking of owning or operating a real estate brokerage business. The course will concentrate upon the management and organization aspects of the real estate brokerage business.

COMMON COURSE LEARNING OBJECTIVES/OUTCOMES:

1. Learn about the Real Estate Brokerage Business
2. Review License and Agency Law
3. Review the legal environment
4. Review the organization and management aspects of the Real Estate Brokerage Business
5. Discuss the role of the salesperson
6. Learn about ethics and policy and independent contractors
7. Study listing management
8. Study market operations
9. Review the finance and appraisal aspects of the business
10. Learn about compensation and sales management
11. Review basic financial concepts
12. Learn to build a business plan and market the brokerage office
13. Chapter objectives that appear in the textbook

Through completion of the above course objectives the student will prepare himself to successfully compete in the real estate industry.