On-Line Learning

WEEK ONE LECTURE- How to Become an online Student: If you are taking more than one class from me the Orientation will look quite similar. You will however need to read through each one. They differ slightly in content .

Note: You may benefit from printing out lecture materials as opposed to reading them on screen. Many students find it easier.

I. If you have never taken an online course, you will, no doubt, find the environment very different from a face-to-face (f2f) class.

Taking an online class requires a different preparedness on the part of the student than does taking an on campus class.

For example:

Going to an online class can be done any time night or day.

You don't have to be in class at specific times.

Your education can now fit around your life, family, and
work requirements.

Because of this unique feature, to be successful online, you will need to be highly self-motivated and have the ability to work independently.

Did You Know? Because of the complexities of technology, and the format of online education, more time is required to complete any online course when compared to a f2f class. Many students find that they need to log on to the class site 3-4 times per week to be highly successful.

If you are new to the online environment, learn more about what is expected of you in this environment and how to become an online student, visit: Tips on How to Succeed in an Online Course http://distancelearn.about.com/od/distancelearning101/a/studentsuccess.htm

Now, you are ready to assess how well prepared you are to work in this medium.

Complete these short assessment quiz/surveys to assess your psych and technical skills for an on line class. You will use this information when you get to the discussion assignment for this week.

http://web.crc.losrios.edu/dems/ready2learn/tech.htm

II. Other Things To Consider In An Online Environment

While there are some important benefits to taking classes online, there are also some drawbacks.

Because you don't communicate f2f with students or the instructor in the class, you can not see the non-verbal cues that are normally involved in interpreting emotions in f2f encounters.

To ensure that we do not misunderstand each other in the written word, many web sites address guidelines for netiquette (online etiquette) in the posting and sending of messages on line. Netiquette covers rules for maintaining civility in online interactions.
It is important that we treat each other as professional colleagues especially when responding to someone's work.

To get an idea of what Netiquette involves , visit the Core Rules for Netiquette.

http://www.albion.com/netiquette/corerules.html or for the complete guide visit http://www.albion.com/netiquette/

The last site has an excellent "quiz" to test one's knowledge on netiquette and excellent "Core Rules" on online communication. Remember to treat other classmates as you yourself would want to be treated.

Here are some Rights and Rules taken from Growing UP Digital, (Tapscott, 1998). See what you think:

You are entitled to express your opinions
You are entitled to an audience
You are expected to learn
You are expected to teach
You have a right to disagree (respectfully)
You have a right to respond
It is your privilege to change your mind
It is your privilege to remain silent

When all else fails, you can insert emoticons, also referred to as "smiley faces". Because of the increased chance of being misunderstood on line or the tone of the message getting misconstrued, it is sometimes good to use emotions to inflect the tone that is intended. Here are a few of the web sites with the latest emoticons

For the basic emoticons go to http://www.muller-godschalk.com/basic.html

Link to other emoticons http://www.muller-godschalk.com/emoticon.html
You might like to view this site when you have time. It's sort of informing but has noting to do with this class requirements. http://netforbeginners.about.com/cs/makeemoticons/?once=true&

Here is another view . See what you think. http://www.mit.edu:8001/people/cordelia/smileys_edit.html

History of the Aging Network

There exists today a "coordinated " system of services for older adults in America that is outlined in the Older American’s Act (OAA) (you will see later that some disagree on the coordination). Refer to your handouts in week one to follow this discussion and make sure you have a very basic understanding the intensions of this act.

The OAA was first passed in Congress in 1965. It provides programs that benefit older Americans. It is designed to assist the more frail and provide services that help them to remain independent. It is important for you to understand that the Older American's Act provides funds for many of the services you see in your community. Such as home delivered meals, transportation programs (such as dial-a-ride), health screenings, and many more programs (but does not include any heath care programs). You may have noticed that services for older adults differ from one community to the next. This is because not every community needs the same services. Area Agencies conduct surveys to individualize services to the needs of each community. The idea is that each geographic area has different and unique problems to solve. For example, residents of a rural community many need more transportation services than a metropolitan city with bus service might need. Using a questionnaire, the elderly residents are asked to explain their needs. The surveys are then used to develop a plan for each area.

Log on to http://www.n4a.org/answers-on-aging/ for information on state and community programs. Use your back button to return to this page.

After the Federal government passed the OAA, they needed a method of distributing funds to the states. So states were invited to participate by creating aging networks. This would enable them to receive federal funds for older adults. In California, that led to the passage of the Older Californians Act and the creation of today's California Department of Aging.

Visit the California Department of Aging and check out the programs available in California. http://www.aging.ca.gov

For Californians, Federal monies from the OAA are administered by the California Department of Aging .The Department then issues grants to 33 area agencies that provide leadership in programs at the local level. Click here see what area agencies are http://www.n4a.org/about-n4a/?fa=aaa-title-VI They are located all through out the united states.

Refer to your handouts - Overview of the Older American's Act, Organization of the Aging Network, and California State Area Agencies.

Summary: The Older American's Act of 1965 provided the structure for California to pass the Older Californians Act and set up an Area Agency system. There are 33 of them in California. They are under the direction of the California Department of Aging. The Area Agencies create needs surveys to determine the needs of each community and then provide funds for local programs.

To get us all started and on the web site this week's materials are very short. So now all you need to do is go to the Assignment Link and look for your assignment under

Web Discussion Topics
Assignments
Instructions for Posting to the Discussion Link

Return to: Orientation: Class Home Page American River College: Home Page
E-Mail: Instructor Gerontology Program Home Page

	Because you don't communicate f2f with students or the instructor in the class, you can not see the non-verbal cues that are normally involved in interpreting emotions in f2f encounters.
	To ensure that we do not misunderstand each other in the written word, many web sites address guidelines for netiquette (online etiquette) in the posting and sending of messages on line. Netiquette covers rules for maintaining civility in online interactions. It is important that we treat each other as professional colleagues especially when responding to someone's work.
	To get an idea of what Netiquette involves , visit the Core Rules for Netiquette.