The course orientation is your introduction to the course and the online environment. Normally, a short series of assignments designed to familiarize you with the course and the delivery system are used. As you explore your course, you can introduce yourself to your classmates, email your course instructor, and have a short discussion about your current understanding of the course content. You will be asked to set a goal or goals for your own professional growth in the course.

In this tutorial, you’ll get to quickly move through each unit with a short set of activities that can be done quickly. In an instructor facilitated course that provides content rich professional development, you’ll have more substantial readings of quality content in each unit. Discussion questions will be deeper and more thoughtful postings and participation will be expected from you. An authentic course project which asks you to use the information you are learning will also expected.

After completing this unit, you will be able to:

• 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.

Watch the You Tube video e-Learning Behaviors: How People Learn Online which briefly discusses the differences between online and face to face learning.

Link: http://youtube.com/watch?v=TI5FMtWqmKM

Go to the Student Lounge section of the course. Post a brief introduction of yourself to your classmates.

Think about the objectives of the course your reasons for taking the course. Post a goal or a set of goals that you would like to accomplish by taking this course.

Link: http://www.spcollege.edu/ecampus/cyberadvisor/quiz.htm

Online Readiness Discussion

Consider what you learned from your review of the list of the features of online course management systems and the results of your readiness quiz.

What is your evaluation of your own readiness for online learning?

How did the experience of participating in this unit change your readiness?

To participate in the discussion, go to the Orientation Discussion Forum and add your comments.