Read Me First

"Read Me First" explains the structure of the course website, the sections of the course, the components in each section, and the navigation tools used in the course website. It also briefly discusses how to study and succeed in a distance-learning course.

This is an Internet course. All your lessons will be on the web, as well as your assignments and any other materials related to the course.

If this is your first web based course, relax. A module has been developed for each week of the course. Each module is set up in exactly the same way and consists of  reading assignments, written assignments, and bulletin board topics. Whenever you see words or phrases underlined in blue, click on the blue words to link to another site. The "Back" button at the top left corner of the screen will return you to your previous site.

The first module (the week of May 14) includes a link to the FGCU Technology Orientation. This site will help you learn the technology skills you will need to be successful in Internet based courses.  From the Technology Orientation site, there is a link labeled "Activate Your Account". If you are a student at FGCU, you will be given an account to access technology resources at FGCU. If you are a new student, you need to activate your account. Once you have successfully activated your account, you can access FGCU's student Email, Computer Labs, course materials electronically reserved at FGCU's Library, and various other resources that require user authentication. Another link from the Technology Orientation site labeled "Web Skills" provides tutorials on web tools utilized in this class. This tutorial focuses on three key topics.

Internet Basics- has a glossary of mysterious terms and a review of browser basics.

WebBoard- is a message board used for communication with your professors and fellow students.

FGCU web site- At FGCU the web site is an extension of the campus. You can review the catalog, register for classes, conduct research, vote in student elections, and sign up for workshops. The list is endless. This tour will acquaint you with some of the favorite spots on the virtual campus.

If you have already taken a web based course, then you should know the routine. Try to help other students who may be having problems. Use the bulletin board, e-mail, or telephone to interact with other students in the class. Many students complain about the lack of socialization in web based courses.  Those of you who have taken web based courses before know that is not true. For the novice web based course student, you will be pleasantly surprised to find out how much you can learn about your fellow students.

The instructor for the course is Dr. Ginger Patterson.  You will learn more about Dr. Patterson and how to contact her from the course web site.  I will serve as her technology assistant. If you have any questions, concerns, or just wish to chat, please contact me. My office phone number is (941) 590-7500. You may also contact me via e-mail at the following address: tburkett@fgcu.edu.

Tony Burkett, M.S.

Good Luck! Hope you enjoy the course and the web based experience.

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The course website or the course is divided into four major sections -- About the Course, Schedule, Syllabus, and Students.

"About the course" section includes faculty information, course objective, required textbook, grading policy, etc.

"Schedule" provides you with a complete list of topics and assignments for the whole semester.

"Syllabus" section provides you with detailed weekly agenda for the course, including reading assignments and written assignments. There is also a link to the weekly discussion.

"Students" section provides you with each student's email address and/or personal picture. It serves as a place where you can communicate with your instructor and peers electronically.

The following course website's organizational chart gives you a clear picture of what's in the course and how they are connected.

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Navigation tool

A consistent navigation tool bar is used on all pages in the course Web site. Navigation in a website can be confusing and problematic if the provided navigation tools are not consistent across pages. Every text page in this course has a top and bottom navigation bar, which leads you to sections of the course and sometimes leads you back to the main section page. The following sample webpage illustrates the navigation tool in this course website and the general structure of webpages in this course.

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 How to succeed in a distance learning courses?

Much of your success in university courses - whatever level of study - will depend on maximizing your study skills, organizing your time and understanding what is expected of you. This section provides you with useful information on how to take responsiblity for your own learning, how to manage your time, and other study skills. Visit FGCU's distance learning web site:

How to succeed in a distance learning courses.

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Take responsibility for your own learning

A touchstone of effective learning is that students are in charge of their own learning; essentially, they direct their own learning processes. In a discussion of indicators of engaged, effective learning, Jones, Valdez, Nowakowski, and Rasmussen (1995) describe characteristics of students who are responsible for their own learning. One characteristic is a student's ability to shape and manage change, in other words, self-directed. Covey (1989) recognizes the importance of self-directedness, which he calls proactivity, by including it as one of the habits characterizing highly-effective individuals: "It means more than merely taking initiative. It means that as human beings, we are responsible for our own lives. Our behavior is a function of our decisions, not our conditions. We can subordinate feelings to values. We have the initiative and the responsibility to make things happen" (p. 71).

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More Information on Study Skills

The following links provide information on methods for achieving success in your study.
 

Study Skills Self-help Information
 

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