Exceptional & Tech. Getting Started (Transcript) - previous page disabledreturn to mainnext page disabled
   
Image 01 SECTION ONE: The module design

This multimedia tutorial is designed to assist you to navigate the modules developed by the Online Academy. The tutorial is accompanied by graphics that will further orient you to the design and structure of the modules.

At first glance the modules may seem complex. However, once you are familiar with the structure of the modules and the available navigational options, you will more easily understand the modules and control your learning experience.
Image 02 The structure of each module is identical . While the content, activities, and assessments vary, each module contains the same four levels: Orientation, Support, Lesson, and Practice. Let's look at each level to understand its purpose.
Image 03 The orientation level includes materials that introduce the module you are about to complete. The Introduction explains the instructional emphasis of the module. The Critical Questions specify the content and issues the module is designed to address. These questions promote you to think about the content of the module. The Content Map indicates how this module fits into the larger context of the Academy modules in the content area. The Structure section expands on the material of this tutorial, describing each feature of the module. It may be helpful to read the structure section the first time you complete a module and then skip it when working through subsequent modules. The Help section will assist you to overcome technical difficulties.
Image 04 Think of the support level as containing materials designed to SUPPORT the instruction offered at the lesson level. Each section of the support level is designed to assist you as you work through the lesson content.

The Syllabus is much like a typical course syllabus. It provides a comprehensive outline of the module. The Readings are collected here for easy access, but are most useful when read as part of the lessons, where they appear either in abstract or full text format. The Research section briefly discusses the research literature pertaining to the module topic. The Directed Questions section is a composite of all the questions used in each lesson of the module. You might use the directed questions as a source of review AFTER you have completed the module. You may prefer to use the questions as a pretest. You are not expected to correctly answer the questions before completing the whole module.

The Glossary is also a composite of the terms and definitions that appear in each lesson within the module. It is designed to be referenced as part of a lesson. The Support Level Assessment is similar to a final exam designed to assess your overall understanding of a module. The Assessment can also be a valuable tool in the future should you wish to check your understanding of what you have learned through the module.
Image 05 The Lessons are the heart of the module. Each lesson is an instructional unit that provides learning experiences designed to engage and inform. Each lesson is independent, yet interrelated with other lessons in the module. The number of lessons within modules varies from three to five. Each lesson has three levels: Supports, Instructional, and Assessment.

At the lesson level, the Supports section focuses on a specific lesson. Hence, the Outline indicates what is covered in the lesson, while the Notes provide a summary of the key points in the lesson. The Glossary and Readings include only the terms and references used in that particular lesson.

The Instructional section delivers the lesson content. The material is presented via a multimedia presentation similar to this tutorial. The Preview introduces each lesson, like an advance organizer. The primary vehicle for presenting the basic content of the lesson is the Presentation, a multimedia lecture with audio and graphic illustrations. Both audio and text versions are available to provide choices for alternative modes of instruction, however, we encourage you to use the media presentation. The Presentation Transcript is a text version of the lecture presentation that includes the same illustrations as the audio version. The Activities Section allows you to practice what you are learning. Most of your time will be spent in the Lesson level.

After you complete a lesson, you need to assess what you have learned. Two methods of assessment are available for each lesson. The Directed Questions evaluate your understanding of the lesson in a non-threatening manner. After you answer each question, compare your response with the exemplary answers provided. The Assessment, comprised of multiple-choice questions, is instructional in nature as well, designed to provide you feedback on your performance. You can check your own assessments and then, if your instructor requires you to do so, email your work directly to him or her. You can also print hard copies of the assessments for your personal records.
Image 06 The last level is for Practice. The practice exercises vary in type, allowing you to practice the interventions or applications taught through the module.
Image 07 Now let's review the four levels and their purpose. The Orientation level provides introductory information to acquaint you with the material you are about to study. You will likely only visit the Orientation level once. The Support level is designed to assist you as you complete the lessons. Don't attempt to isolate the Support level material from their lessons. They are designed to work together. The heart of the module is found in the Lesson level. After you have mastered the content presented in the lesson, you can put your skill into action in the Practice level.
Image 08 SECTION TWO: Navigating the modules

Now you understand the purpose of the four levels, let's examine the options available to navigate through them.
Image 09 There are three basic paths through the module:
  1. Table of Contents (ToC)
  2. Forward and Back Arrows
  3. Via the level (i.e. Orientation, Structure, Lesson, Practice) you wish to access
All three paths are easily accessed from the navigation bar at the top of each page. The navigation bar tells you where you are, and provides navigational options for the module.
Image 10 The left-hand side of the navigation bar tells you which module you are accessing. Underneath the module name is a link to the help menu.
Image 11 The middle of the bar tells you which lesson and section of the module you are accessing. Underneath is a navigational path to all four levels-click Orientation, Support, Lesson, or Practice to go directly to that level. Note that the level you are currently accessing is enclosed in a square bracket.
Image 12 The right hand side of the bar contains two navigational paths through the module, either page by page, or via the table of contents. The right hand arrow moves you forward one page, the left-hand arrow takes you back a page. The middle image-ToC-links to the table of contents. Many users find ToC the easiest navigational path through the module. You can access any section of the module directly from the Table of Contents. Underneath the ToC link is the page number you are currently accessing plus the total number of pages in the module.
Image 13 In short, the navigational bar at the top of each page is all you need to take you around the module. Let's review the information available there: The most comprehensive view of the module is via the table of contents (ToC), which is accessible from every page and allows direct transition to any page in the module. Note that from the Table of Contents all four levels are visible: Orientation, Structure, Lesson, and Practice, as is every section of each level.
Image 14 SECTION THREE: Putting it all together

You have now completed the first two sections of the Getting Started tutorial. Now let's practice together a method for working through an academy module. Once you complete a module in the designated order, you will find the navigational method that works best for you.
Image 15 My first step is to go to the Orientation level to read the introduction. The brief overview of the module's content lets me know what to expect from the module. Next, I return to the Table of Contents then select the Critical Questions. I read the questions to ascertain the focus of the lessons.
Image 16 Next I go into the Support level, and open the syllabus. I decide to print out the syllabus to keep as a handy reference as I work through the module. I skip over the rest of the Support, since I know that the material collected there is to support the lessons, and besides, I'm anxious to get started!
Image 17 I return to the ToC and select Lesson 1. I view the outline and the notes to see what I am going to learn in this particular lesson. I skip the glossary, since I will use that as a tool to lookup terminology that is unfamiliar to me. Next I go to the readings, print out the citations, and trek off to the library to read them.
Image 18 When I return, I'm ready to go straight to the lesson 1 preview and then the presentation. I open the module and go straight to the ToC, then directly to the link I want: Lesson 1 preview. The screen gives me the option to run the preview through the browser or through the real player. I'm working from a Mac G3 and I know the real player works for me, so I opt to view the presentation in the real player. You need to work out what works best on your computer. If you have problems, go to the help menu, which is linked from the left-hand corner of the navigational bar.

I note that there is hand out for this lesson, so I print it out and keep it beside me. Now I'm ready to begin the presentation.
Image 19 During the lesson, the instructor refers to a term I don't understand, so I make a note of it, and later check it in the glossary.
Image 20 After I complete the whole lesson, I return to the ToC then click on activities. I complete the first task then click to
Image 21 compare my answer to the one provided.
Image 22 I find that I did well. My instructor requires me to email my activities to her,
Image 23 which I do directly from the screen, by completing the mailer form. I'm careful to enter my email address correctly, as well as that of my instructor! I then complete the second activity, check my response and send it off to the instructor.
Image 24 Next I complete the directed questions. There are five questions in this lesson. After I complete each question I check my answer with the one provided. I then email my answer to my instructor. I can email each one individually, or wait and send them all together at the end of the exercise.

Finally I complete the assessment, which is multiple choice.
Image 25 I have now completed the first lesson of the module. I have four more lessons to do! After I complete all five lessons, I return to the
Image 26 Support level assessment, and complete the final assessment. This assessment covers material from ALL the lessons in the module, so I am a little apprehensive about how well I will do. I return to the Support level and review the glossary to make sure I have understood all the terms. I look back over the directed questions, which help me to review the material covered in the lessons. Finally I complete the assessment from the Support level.
Image 27 You have now completed the getting started tutorial; you're ready to explore the Academy modules on your own.
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