Orientation

Distance learning is often defined as taking place when the instructor and student are separated by physical distance. I like to add the twist that the student and instructor are separated by time as well as physical distance. Distance learning is very flexible! In some cases, such as this course, you have the opportunity to log on and participate in lessons at times that are most convenient to you. 

Please note: For this course, please upload ALL files to Elearning as Rich Text Format (RTF) rather than word docs.

When you save an assignment in Word, you have the option of choosing "Save As" from the file menu. When you do that, you can select the "File Type" in the window that pops up. Please use the drop down menu under "File Type" to choose Rich Text Format (RTF) before you upload any files to Elearning.

Ordering Your Texts

One important thing for you to do if you have not done so is to order your texts for this course. The required texts for this course are:

Parsons, R. D., & Brown, K. S. (2002). Teacher as Reflective Practitioner and Action Researcher ISBN: 0534557112.

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association 6 ^th Edition (2009). APA

Lesson Activities

• Order your text books from a bookstore of your choice.  Your options include (but are not limited to):
  • The UWF Bookstore (you can call 850-474-2150 for availability or check online using the course number.)
  • Amazon (http:://www.amazon.com; you can search using the ISBN number.)
  • Books-A-Million (http://www.booksamillion.com; you can search using the ISBN number.)
  • Barnes & Noble (http://www.barnesandnoble.com; you can search using the ISBN number.)

  Note: When selecting a book vendor, please take into account the estimated shipping date.  You will need your textbook by week 2 to begin participating in the course.

• You do not need to wait for you books to come in to start reading and participating in the course. The first 2 chapters are provided for you within this website!

Lesson Activities

• If you haven't already, explore the links of this website. Start by exploring each of the links that are always at the top of every page in this course. Once you've become familiar with the links and where they go, explore deeper into the site using links within each section and make sure you are comfortable with navigating in Investigative Strategies. This week is light on work, so that you have the time to really make yourself at home with this website.

Library Online Training

One of the most important resources that can help you successfully complete the research series is the University library. The library provides basic orientations (an overview of the services that the library provides) and individual research consultations (to assist you in locating resources at the library).

The library also provides online tutorials that you can access via the Internet at any time. You should review the list of tutorials on the library website to familiarize yourself with the range of resources that are available to you and the tutorials you will complete as part of this class. If you have questions about what resources are available, refer to the library website. You can obtain assistance by phone (refer to the Departments page) for phone numbers or via the Internet (using the Ask-A-Librarian link).

Lesson Links

• Website for the John C. Pace Library: http://library.uwf.edu
• Library Instruction page: http://library.uwf.edu/reference/instruction.shtml#TYPES
• Online Tutorials for Using Library Resources: http://library.uwf.edu/Research/OnlineTutorials/

Lesson Activities Please upload ALL files to Elearning as Rich Text Format (RTF) rather than word docs.

• Please note: For this course, please upload ALL files to Elearning as Rich Text Format (RTF) rather than word docs.

  When you save an assignment in Word, you have the option of choosing "Save As" from the file menu. When you do that, you can select the "File Type" in the window that pops up. Please use the drop down menu under "File Type" to choose Rich Text Format (RTF) before you upload any files to Elearning.

• Visit the library's website (http://library.uwf.edu), and familiarize yourself with the range of resources that the library provides.
• Visit the Library Tutorial on choosing a topic , and complete the online questionnaire to check your learning.  After you complete the quiz, save the results and upload the file to the dropbox in eLearning.  (Note: You can save the results by using the save as command on the file menu in your Internet browser.) If you are unable to save the results from your browser, save the confirmation message from your email program and upload the file to the Week 1 Lesson 1 dropbox.
• Visit the Library Tutorial on concept mapping , and complete the online questionnaire to check your learning.  After you complete the quiz, save the results and upload the file to the dropbox in eLearning.  (Note: You can save the results by using the save as command on the file menu in your Internet browser.) If you are unable to save the results from your browser, save the confirmation message from your email program and upload the file to the Week 2 Lesson 2 dropbox.

Need Help?  Have a question but can't find the answer? Here are some options:

• Check the list of frequently-asked questions.
• Email Dr. Barry*.

*Remember to include the course name and your name in your message.

To Page 3

Updated on January 3, 2010