Unit+1+-+Orientation

Unit 1 - Orientation Week
This introduction to the online environment involves a short series of assignments designed to familiarize participants with the course and the delivery system. Course participants will explore the course, introduce themselves to their classmates, email the course instructor, have a short discussion about their current understanding of the course content, and set a goal or goals for their growth in the course.

//**Overview**// The orientation unit for this course focuses on your understanding of online learning and the use of online delivery systems to effectively achieve learning. You will review articles on both online learning as well as school policies and practices. The first article will introduce you to online learning and give you some insight into the uses and development of online learning over the years. The second article will prepare you with prior knowledge or information you might need to understand the content of the course. You will explore the course and try out various content delivery features that we will be using throughout the course. You are encouraged to continue to explore all the features of the delivery system and increase your comfort level with taking an online course.


 * Nice work! I like how your orientation addresses both the CMS and a bit about the course content. This session looks great. **

//After completing this unit, you will:// //Read the following articles:// retain moodle course text
 * Goals**
 * become familiar with the objectives of the course, and take the initial steps towards accomplishing them.
 * understand the expectations for participation in an online course begin to develop the habits necessary to meet them.
 * increase your proficiency with using an online delivery system, and be able to fully participate in an online course using that delivery system.
 * introduce yourself to your fellow classmates, and begin to develop an engaged online learning community.
 * Readings**
 * This [|E-Learning]Article from Wikipedia will introduce you to the concept of e-Learning. As you read over the article, think about the potential for learning in the online environment, and the importance of discussion among your classmates in the richness of that learning. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E-learning
 * This article [|Legal Limits and Moving Targets] by Aimee Bissonette appeared in the Summer 2007 issue of Threshold Magazine (a publication of Cable in the Classroom). As you read over the article, keep in mind that your school district already has an existing set of policies and this course is designed to help you consider aspects of them that might need updating or expanding.
 * Activities**

Go to the Discussion Forum for this unit and post your first message to introduce yourself to your classmates and to describe your present school environment. Your message should convey three things:
 * Discussion**

1. Describe who you are as a person and as an educational leader. 2. Communicate something about what you learned from the content of the readings in this unit. 3. Identify some ways in which an online course could help you make some decisions about your school Internet policies. After you have posted, be sure to return often to read what your classmates have to say and to return comments to them. Post at least one thoughtful and substantive comment to a classmate.