Where to Start

Where to Start
If you have not done so already, you should read the Intro to get a general idea of the expectations of this course. The Intro describes the course's emphasis on Earth's Spheres, Earth System Science, Use of Technology, and Science as Inquiry. The Intro also tells you how your Participation will make the course a success. You will learn about Group & Team Formation. In addition, you will be introduced to the Assessment Overview and will become familiar with the other Course Sections.

After you familiarize yourself with the information in the Intro, you should read through each of the pages listed on the navigation bar to the right. These pages offer you tips to help you succeed in this course. Course participants will comprise a community of learners (Joining the Community). Participants will be coached and mentored by a facilitator (Knowing Your Facilitator). Additional support from an Earth scientist will be provided as the course progresses. You will be expected to engage in weekly online discussions (How to Sit in the Front, Virtual Cooperative Learning). The course is structured, but not conducted, in real time (Being an Online Learner) so that you may contribute anytime during the week. You will also get an idea of how learning in an online environment occurs in this course (Learning in an Online Environment). Your group and team discussions, ESS analyses, resources, and the classroom applications you design or locate will be archived in the virtual study spaces of the Classroom (Virtual Study Spaces).

Then, you should explore the two major areas you will use on a weekly basis. The first is the Outline, which includes the weekly assignment. The second is the Classroom, where all course communication occurs. The graphic below represents the virtual classroom. You will see this graphic in the Classroom and will use it to link to the virtual study spaces where you post your work.