Prepare for your academics before the term begins!
BU101 is a free online academic skills program that you can complete at your own pace before your classes begin. Build your technology, scheduling, notetaking, studying, research, and writing skills. Get a sneak peek at a course syllabus and, if applicable, develop additional skills in university science, math, and statistics.
COMPLETE BU101
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ABOUT BU101
The lessons in BU101 vary depending on the version that you choose. Below are the 5 core lessons in the majority of BU101 versions:
- Tech Skills and Assignments
- Check your technology systems, set up email, upload/download documents on Sakai, explore Teams and Lifesize for online video calls, and test Sakai features such as forums, test & quizzes, and gradebook. Preview Brightspace, the upcoming Learning Management System.
- Planning your Term
- See a course syllabus, plan a course term using sample course syllabi, and explore time management strategies for on-line and on-campus courses.
- Preparing for Class
- Explore reading, notetaking, seminar/lab, and study strategies and practice notetaking using real course lectures.
- Academic Integrity
- Learn about academic integrity expectations and resources and complete a quiz that provides you with real student situations.
- Research and Writing
- Explore expectations for university academic writing specific to your program of study and learn about valuable resources such as the Brock Library.
Optional lessons include science prep, math prep, and statistics prep which are available in relevant BU101 faculty versions.
Although highly recommended, you are not required to complete BU101. Some course instructors may award a participate grade to students who complete BU101 and it’s best to complete BU101 before courses start, to make the most of your time, troubleshoot your technology, and identify strategies that you will use for your courses.
All students are invited to join BU101, not just incoming first-year students. You can also explore as many BU101 sites as you like and complete as many activities as you like!
No, BU101 is not a course; it is a resource. BU101 is hosted on Sakai to help you familiarize yourself with the platform because many of your courses will be hosted on Sakai and use its features.
Completion of BU101 is optional as a resource to help you prepare for your courses at Brock. Some professors may award participation grades for completing BU101, so we recommend that you complete BU101 in August before classes start.
You can explore ANYTHING on the BU101 site and explore as many versions as you wish. Not completing BU101 has no negative impact on your success at Brock, aside from lost participation marks if your professor is granting them for your course.
HOW TO COMPLETE BU101
BU101 will be available for completion on Brock University’s learning management system (Sakai) beginning July 2022.
Most faculty versions of BU101 give you five lessons to complete which may take between 5 and 8 hours. Not all faculty versions of BU101 are the same so time to complete may vary.
Lessons to complete include technology challenges, planning your term challenges, informational videos, and quizzes to test your understanding.
Since BU101 is fully asynchronous*, you can complete tasks in smaller sessions, leaving and returning as it fits your scheduling and learning style.
BU101 also offers optional lessons. You can explore these lessons based on your individual interests and return any time during the year.
* Live in-person and virtual support will be offered July-September. See ExperienceBU for details.
Absolutely! You can click on another version from this Orientation page or click on another version from BU101 under “After BU101: Next Steps” on the BU101 site.
If your professor is granting participation grades for completing BU101, please complete the version that your professor requests. If you have different professors requesting different versions, please complete required lesson activities for both versions of BU101.
Each version of BU101 offers a certificate of completion that you can access from the BU101 site Certification tab. You can save or print the certificate from this tab.
Each certificate is unique to the version of BU101 you choose, so ensure that you’ve completed the correct version if your professor is granting a participation grade.
If you have any questions, email Learning Services at learning@brocku.ca
BU101 HELP & SUPPORT
We are here for you!
Live BU101 Support Sessions: In-Person and Virtual
Support sessions will be offered starting in July. Visit ExperienceBU to see upcoming Learning Services events and RSVP
Email us
You can also email orientation@brocku.ca or Learning Services learning@brocku.ca with your concern or question.
Tech Support
If you need help with your technology, please contact Brock’s ITS Help Desk: IT FAQs