Where to Start
This section is your "guide on the side." As a result of offering the course for a number of years, we have discovered some helpful hints for you as an online learner. You can use this page as a tutorial for how to be an online learner. First, we suggest that if you have not done so already, read about the course and the subject:

• the Intro to get a general idea of the expectations of this course
• the course's emphases on Earth's Spheres and Earth System Science.
• how your Participation will make you successful in the course
• how you will be graded in the Assessment Overview
• about the other Course Sections

After you familiarize yourself with the information in the Intro, read through each of the pages listed on the navigation bar to the right. These pages offer you tips to help you succeed in this course. Use the bullets below to explore each section and return using the navigation bar for this section that will continue to appear on your right.

• Course participants will comprise a community of learners (Joining the Community).
• Participants will be coached and mentored by a facilitator (Knowing Your Facilitator).Additional support from an Earth scientist will be provided as the course progresses.
• Throughout the course, you will complete team assignments online with your teammates (Creating Interdependence)
• You will be expected to engage in weekly online discussions (Sitting in the Front).
• Two effective ways for you to learn in this course are by Showing What You Don’t Know and Helping Others.
• The course is structured, but not conducted, in real time (Being an Active Learner) so you may contribute anytime during the week, and yet still Learn Cooperatively.

Be sure to explore the two major areas you will use on a weekly basis. The first is the Outline, which includes the weekly assignment. The second is the Classroom, where all course communication occurs. The Assessment Overview is a handy reference that is linked to the Outline.

[ Where to Start ] [ Joining the Community ]
[ Knowing Your Facilitator ] [ Creating Interdependence ]
[ Sitting in the Front ] [ Showing What You Don't Know ]
[ Helping Others ] [ Being an Active Learner ]
[ Learning Cooperatively ]

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