Table of Contents

Requirements

Understanding the Information Superhighway

2.1 Before You Drive

Your ability to be a successful distance education student depends on a general “good fit” between you and the learning environment. The congruence is a combination of both human and equipment ability. Human attributes receive further discussion in Sections 3 and 4. However, computer equipment needs to meet minimum operating standards in order to prevent trouble on the road to successful course completion. A few simple checks will prevent breakdowns and ensure your equipment is in compliance with minimum distance education requirements.

Minimum Operating Standards:

• A Pentium PC or comparable Macintosh computer
• 128 MB of memory
• A 56k or faster modem access to the Internet through an ISP (Internet Service Provider)
• A current web browser--your choice. Click on any of the buttons below to link to more information.

Other equipment requirements relate to the physical workspace used for learning. Is there a regular time and place where study is the routine behavior? Students need a designated spot as a way to help trigger good study habits--helping to optimize learning opportunities available through distance education. You will want to create a place for active learning.

Visit the Metro State Self-Assessment link, designed to assist you in deciding whether online course learning is appropriate for you. Also visit the Metro State link to Online Courses link.

2.2 The Internet

Much like the idea of roadways connected so well you could possibly make a cross-country road trip from one home address to another, the Internet ables you to communicate and share information through a cross-country network of connections. Just as there are mile markers, traffic signs, operating laws, and safety features for motor vehicle travel, transfer of information on the Internet also has a structure and set of rules.

For more details about the Internet (for such terms as browser, search engines, and security), see

Roadmap96 at http://www.webreference.com/roadmap/intro.html
Roadmap96 is a text-based, 27-lesson, Internet training workshop designed to teach new "Net travelers" how to travel around the rapidly expanding (and often-times confusing) "Information Superhighway" without getting lost.

Basic Guide to the Internet at http://www.internettutorials.net/internet.html
A brief discussion of the Internet and its components

When you connect to the Internet, you have a virtual address and are connecting through a server. You can then potentially interact with information on other servers—which have an address—or other computers connected to the Internet; they too have a virtual address. However, you need to know the address of where you are and where you want to go. Internet addresses are often in the form of [www.mscd.edu] or [www.google.com]. Your computer will then interact with the server, which will know how to “map” your trip. Thankfully, you don’t have to chart your route! Destinations could include web sites, email boxes, or chat rooms. The possibilities are infinite.

The Internet can be used to share files, send mail, obtain news, market products, do research, publish articles, and even have a voice conversation much like using the telephone. Again, the possibilities are infinite. However, the purpose of this Driver’s License Handbook is to emphasize utilizing the educational potential of the Internet. Different from simple information gathering or entertainment, educational uses of the Internet make course materials available to students (syllabi, assignment descriptions, due dates, contact information, et cetera.). In addition, the Internet can facilitate research, communication, and project completion. The connection between computers is revolutionizing how we learn.

For example, using the Internet, you can participate in a dialogue with peers in other cities, states, or even countries of the world. A group of students could conduct an interview with a person having expertise in a specific topic—without incurring the expense of travel and lodging. Virtual field trips could be available for touring based on students’ individual schedules and availability. Students could read periodical articles while sitting in their own home. Census Bureau or other government databases containing rich depths of information can be accessed while in a remote rural location—nowhere near a large library. Resources to assist in the learning process are no longer limited by time or distance.

But, again, you need to know the address location of information.

 

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2.3 E-mail

Internet users have specific addresses for their computer. However, Internet users can also have a specific address for sending and receiving messages known as electronic mail (e-mail). E-mail addresses are different from Internet addresses. E-mail addresses include the “at” sign @ while website addresses often begin with “www.” Similar to the information needed by a local post office (snail mail), e-mail needs a “mailbox” address for storage until users pick up their mail. A variety of software programs are available for e-mail sending and receiving.

While e-mail is relatively convenient to use, it does not substitute other methods of communication during a distance education course. You are always welcome to set an appointment to meet in person or over the phone. Just like face to face interaction, the social conventions of courtesy remain in effect for electronic communication. E-mail can enhance communication because of its low cost and speed. Also, the text of an e-mail can be saved electronically and used for other purposes. However, there are possible negative consequences to the use of e-mail. For example, there are no guarantees of security and confidentiality when using e-mail. Also, there is the potential for confusion or misunderstanding in such a text driven form of communication.

The purpose of this Driver’s License Handbook is to emphasize utilizing the educational potential of e-mail. All students using e-mail need to recognize the value of the written word as a means of communication. Distance education courses rely on written communication skills as a means of interaction, to convey information, and to determine if learning is taking place. Therefore, distance education students will write more often, which can be more challenging than oral discussion. Students in distance education courses need to demonstrate good writing skills and/or be willing to develop the ability to communicate and express thoughts and feelings in writing. Distance education courses may be one way to build writing confidence; students with good writing skills may be most adept to the distance education learning environment.

While you may use personal e-mail to send jokes, discuss events of the day, or informally share information, successful distance education students use e-mail beyond entertainment. E-mail occurs in a professional manner—much like you would write a memo or formal letter. Always begin an e-mail with the subject. Also provide a salutation, use proper writing conventions, and properly sign the document. Using e-mail properly promotes educational purposes as well as develops aspects of professional networking skills.

While e-mail may be an effective form of communication, it also has potential for misinterpretation. Humans on the receiving end of the message may react negatively or inappropriately to the communication. Therefore, it is important for e-mail users to modify their communication style to avoid unwanted side effects. Please see the Netiquette section of this Driver’s License Handbook for more details. Your success as a student will depend on your adherence to social norms and appropriate rules of behavior for electronic communication.

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2.4 Instant Message/Chat/Bulletin Board

Sometimes the rapid speed of e-mail may not be enough!

When you know the other person is online, or if you do not want to click through a few steps to read, reply, and send the e-mail, instant messaging (IM) is a popular alternative. IM allows users to send notes back and forth with someone who is online. The message opens up a small window where each user can type in messages that both users can see. AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, and Yahoo are examples of popular IM programs. Many programs will also allow you to send files, exchange web page addresses, and create homepages.

Even more prompt is the use of chat. In a chat “room” each user can see what each other is typing at the precise moment of typing—mistakes and all! Communication with users who are all online at the same time is known as synchronous discussion.

Electronic bulletin boards the communication feature for asynchronous discussion (meaning you do not have to be online the same time as someone else to read and post messages). Using special communications software at a web site, users can post and reply to messages, which are sorted based on topic. Other names for bulletin boards include forums, discussion, message boards, and web boards.

Chat and bulletin board communication are fundamental features of social work distance education courses. Fortunately, the two features are available through the MetroConnect® portal and the WebCT® course environment.

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2.5 The MetroConnect® Portal

If the Internet is like a connection of roadways, there are "restricted access roads" too. The areas may be for specific users or those who pay a toll for use. One restricted access site available to all Metro State students--free of charge--involves the MetroConnect® portal.

The MetroConnect® portal is self-service communication system that delivers a full-range of campus services online.

MetroConnect® is a secure portal system providing an easy way to:

College policy available at http://www.mscd.edu/policies/ecommunication.htm states,

“E-mail and personal portal announcements are an official means of communication to students, faculty and staff within MSCD. Therefore, the College has the right to send communications to students, faculty and staff via e-mail and personal portal announcements and the right to expect that those communications will be received and read in a timely fashion.”

The Social Work Department will utilize MetroConnect® to its fullest potential. For example, electronic copies of syllabi will be available for every course. Even onsite course instructors can send out announcements, emails, and relevant documents to students. The Student Association of Social Workers can make announcements to help foster a sense of community.

For more information and to access full range of MetroConnect® services, go to
http://metroconnect.mscd.edu/

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2.6 WebCT Vista® Course Environment

While MetroConnect® is available to all Metro State students, only students in Metro State’s distance education courses are eligible to enter the restricted access site for WebCT Vista®. Limited access to certain roadways on the information superhighway is not always a matter of financial concern. Sometimes access is an issue of protecting privacy. Only authorized students, faculty, and administrators may enter certain areas within the WebCT Vista® site. Information about your learning is kept confidential.

After students are registered for online courses, students may begin logging into WebCT Vista® the first day of a semester by going through the MetroConnect® Portal. Log in and then use the >Courses tab to gain access to course materials and delivery features. Students have individual identification names and passwords. WebCT Vista® offers students a suite of online services that enhance the way students communicate with the instructor(s) and colleagues.

For Help 24/7/365, contact the online Metro Ask-IT Help Desk
or call 1-877-352-7548 (1-877-35AskIT).

An additional purpose of this Driver’s License Handbook is to emphasize utilizing the WebCT Vista® features and support as a student in a course delivered through WebCT Vista®. Summary descriptions of specific features appear below and students should be familiar with the operation of each feature PRIOR to attempting the written and driving tests. This Driver’s License Handbook is also useful for understanding the general navigation of social work courses in WebCT Vista®.

Social Work Department Template Layout Design
The MSCD Social Work Department uses a template layout design for its distance education courses. In other words, all the social work online courses “look” the same and follow the same navigation pattern as every other social work course.

Beginning with the Course Tools on the navigation bar, each course will consistently provide the following features. Each feature is vital to successful completion of social work online courses. Some courses may have additional features depending on various assignments or interactive exercises. Below is a list and description of each of the basic features in each course in the order in which they appear in the Course Tools on the navigation bar.

Scroll your mouse over various sections of the navigation bar to view descriptions

Clicking the arrows on the far right will expand or collapse the viewing window, allowing you to adjust the width of your viewing area in the browser window.

Course Tools

Course Content: The HomePage where weekly announcements and notes of interest from the instructor are posted. Check them often!

Syllabus: Similar to organizing materials for an onsite course, the syllabus opens as the Course Notebook. Together, all the sections provide the policy, assignment details, and schedule table pages.

Tabs in the Course Notebook

Syllabus: the standard learning contract between students and their instructor.

Details: a narrative of the requirements for each assignment.

Table: structures all the activities and materials from week to week
(i.e., dates, readings, assignments due, discussion topic, lecture notes, supplemental learning materials such as handouts, video, web links)

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Understanding

Rules of the Road

Sharing the Road