Week+1+semester

=Week 1=

Before we begin this online course, I think there are three things that will be extremely important to establish.
 * 1) Online Etiquette
 * 2) Weekly Discussion Expectations
 * 3) Sense of Community

This week, I will do my best to work with you in establishing these three items so we can move forward with the remainder of the course.

Online Etiquette
To engage with others in a 100% online course, you will need to brush up on some online etiquette. This week's first assignment will do that with the following online quiz: []

Once you have completed the quiz, note your score and share in this week's discussion "Etiquette, Discussion, and Community"

Weekly Discussion Expectations
Each week you will be engaged in discussion between your peers. In my training as an online facilitator and as an instructor for the past six years, I have learned that it is best if I facilitate the discuss from afar. Each week I will post a discussion topic that accompanies some sort of reading or video. You will be expected to post your thoughts in a concise, thoughtful manner and reflect on your peers' comments as well. **You will hear from me very little in the discussions. I will guide the discussion if I feel it is getting off-track, and will encourage it to go deeper if needed**.

Please keep three things in mind:
 * 1) Discussions are linked to pages....just like this week's discussion is found at the top of this page, next week's will be found at the top of that page.
 * 2) To participate in the discussions, click first on the topic I post, then post your reply to that discussion (do not start new discussions)
 * 3) Be sure to post your name at the end of each of your postings.

Each week, you will have an opportunity to summarize the discussion (10 points). Since the class has so many students, some of you will double up on the summaries. I think this will be alright as it will provide different perspectives on the week's topic. I will do the first week to model what I am looking for.

Sense of Community
If you have already completed the Course Introduction, you have made a great stride in contributing to this community....this is much better than strictly giving an introduction....it gives all of us an insight into your personality.