Last modified: March 2009

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Learning and Assessment is one of the core courses in the M.Ed. degree. The on-line section of this course differs slightly from a classroom-based section in that there are no class meetings and all course activities are done via the Internet. However, the prerequisites for the course (RSCH 7100), the major objectives, and course grading policies are the same. Additionally, whereas a classroom-based course requires a minimum level of class attendance and participation, the web-based course requires participation via technology. This can sometimes provide challenges that are not faced by students in on-campus courses and requires a level of personal discipline (and patience) beyond that to which you may have become accustomed as a graduate student. During the 2009 summer semester, 1-hour audio chats will be held via Wimba/BlackboardVista (to be called BlazeView, formerly WebCT) on Monday and Wednesday evenings at 8:30pm. These times are equivalent to scheduled class times and attendance is mandatory.

The course materials consist of a materials available directly on the web or through the "Articles and More" link in the "Resources" category on the Odum Library homepage. The syllabus and course materials can be accessed by selecting "Edsyc Interactive: Courses" and then selecting "Dr. Huitt's materials" under PSYC 7010. You will also see a link to BlazeView; you can also access the syllabus and course materials as well as Power Point presentations with an audio narrative for many of the topics discussed in the course. BlazeView will also be used for posting on study questions via a bulletin board and accessing a live classroom for audio chats. Times for the audio chat sessions will be provided in an email at the beginning of the semester and posted on the "Main" topic on the BlazeView bulletin board.

The minimum requirements for participation in the course are:

1. Be admitted to graduate studies at VSU. The link is http://www.valdosta.edu/gradschool/
2. Completion of RSCH 7100: Educational Research (or its equivalent)
3. A computer and access to the Internet (a 56K or better connection)
4. An ability to access the internet, download files, use e-mail (including the ability to send attachments), and other basic computer/internet skills
5. A browser supported by VSU.
6. The plug-ins necessary to view Power Point presentations (PowerPoint Viewer is available for those who don't have Power Point)
7. The plug-in necessary to run Real One Player presentations (Basic Player).
8. The software download necessary to run Yahoo Messenger.
9. The self-discipline necessary to operate in graduate-level course without a lot of supervision.

• Take a quiz on your readiness to take an online course developed by the University System of Georgia.

First Steps:

1. After you have registered for the course, contact Dr. Huitt at whuitt@valdosta.edu, giving him your email address so that you can be added to the course list.
2. Read the syllabus.
3. Decide if you wish to purchase the required course materials at the Copy Center on the first floor in the Education Building. The materials are in two packets: Part I and Part II; each costs about $30. All materials can be downloaded from the web, but many students find it easier to simply purchase the materials rather than reading them on their computers or printing them at home. These can be mailed to you if you are out of town. Call 229-245-4386 or 229-333-5925 and ask to speak with Blanch in the Copy Center.
4. Download any browsers or plugins you will need for the course as listed above (If you have problems, see below).
5. Look over the course materials.
6. Look over "The Core Rules of Netiquette" by Virginia Shea.
7. Logon to Blackboard (the link is on the left hand side of the page when you select PSYC 7010 on the Educational Psychology Interactive homepage). Your ID is the first part of your VSU email address (e.g., "whuitt") and your password is your birthdate in mmddyy format (or your Banner Pin if you have changed it). Your first activity is to make a posting introducing yourself so that I know you have logged-on properly. If you do not know your password or if you want to change your password go to http://www.valdosta.edu/webct/password.shtml. (Note: this may not work properly prior to the beginning of the semester because it has to be set up by the technology folks.)

If you don't know your VSU account name, follow these steps:

1. Go to the  VSU Home Page and click on the Registration and Advising (Banner) entry. 
2. Log into Banner just as you did to register for classes using your Social Security Number and Birthdate [mmddyy format] (or Banner Pin if you have changed it). 
3.Follow the menu entries (Personal Information, Email Address) to access your VSU username and a temporary password. 
4.Click on the "change your password" on that form and select a secure password you won't forget. 

Time Involvement:

A normal 3-hour graduate course meets for 3 hours per week (6 hours during the summer semester) with an expectation of 2 to 3 hours of additional work per hour of class time. The total time involvement for the fall or spring semester is likely to be between 9 and 12 hours per week, including the weekly audio chat; the summer semester web-based course is therefore likely to be 18 to 24 hours per week, including two weekly audio chats. 

Successful Study Habits:

The course consists of a series of modules that address specific course objectives. There are a series of steps that students have found helpful as they learn to master the course material:

1. Go to BlazeView and read the study questions for the designated week; determine the specific content or skill to be learned.
2. If you think you already know know something about the material make a few notes from your own knowledge. For example, one of the terms you need to be able to define is "education." Take one minute (but no more) to make a few notes about your definition of education.
3. Write down a few key words about information that you might need to learn.
4. If available, look over the Power Point presentation for the material (a presentation with audio is available via Blackboard for some of the course materials.) Actively compare what you are reading to your initial notes and questions. 
5. Read the required articles or complete the required computer activities. Again, actively compare what you are reading to your initial notes and questions.
6. Answer at least two study questions posted on the BlazeView bulletin board; read other postings and respond to at least one.
7. Prepare a summary for the reading, making sure to cover all the points in the study questions.
8. Participate in the weekly audio chat with the instructor and other students about the week's readings. You should be prepared with specific questions you want answered.
9. Have this material readily available as you write you exam answer. Note: All exams are open book, open note. You may talk with others as you think about your answer; however, once you start writing an outline or your paper, you are on your own.

Does this sound like a form of SQ4R? If you are familiar with this study method, you should recognize the steps. Prior to this course, some students have formed the habit of simply reading the required materials and then repeating back what they have memorized. The exams, as well as the lesson plan or 10-page paper that you will do in this class, however, will be graded, in large part, on your ability to analyze and evaluate information and give examples and applications in an educational setting. In some cases, especially on the final exam, you may also be required to synthesize information and provide original solutions to problems faced by educators. Sample exam questions and answers, as well as sample papers, are provided that exemplify the requirements for this course.

I am looking forward to working with you this semester. It is important to get off to a good start; procrastination can be an ulcer-producing activity in an online course. As soon as I get your email address I will provide additional instructions on what to do next.

If you have problems downloading the programs, here are some actions you can take:

• Disable the popup blocker by going to the tools menu in Internet Explorer. From there, selected the “Turn Off Popup Blocker” option.

Try again to download the program. If still not successful, try this.

• Go to the control panel and select the “Network Connections” option. Right-Click on Local Area Network and select “Properties”. From there, select the “Advanced” tab and disable the firewall. Once the firewall was turned off, try again to download the software again.

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