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 and Earth System Science. The Intro also tells you how your Participation will make the course a success. 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 left. 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. Throughout the course, you will complete team assignments online with your teammates (Creating Interdependence), so you will be expected to engage in weekly online discussions (Sitting in the Front). Two effective ways for you to learn in this course are by Showing What You Don’t Know and Helping Others. The course is structured, but not conducted, in real time (Being an Active Learner) so that you may contribute anytime during the week, and yet still Learn Cooperatively.

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.

[ Where to Start ] [ Joining the Community ]
[ Knowing Your Facilitator ] [ Creating Interdependence ]
[ Sitting in the Front ] [ Showing What You Don't Know ]
[ Helping Others ] [ Being an Active Learner ]
[ Learning Cooperatively ]

[ Home ] [ Intro ] [ Outline ] [ Classroom ]

HTML by Chris Kreger
Maintained by ESSC Team
Last updated August 04, 2000