FutureU Student Web Book Contents — Volume 1

Make the Most of Learning Online
Volume 1: Getting Started with Online Learning

Contents

Chapter 1: Learning on the Internet

  • Understand the many advantages of learning online
  • Understand the many challenges as well
  • Practice emailing an instructor and entering an online classroom discussion
  • Consolidate what you learn here by discussing it with others

Chapter 2: The Electronic Classroom

  • Understand what course management software is and what it offers you as a student
  • Recognize the skills necessary to participate fully in the online components of any course
  • Practice using several different discussion forum software products
  • Practice using a simple template to build a glossary of terms related to a course
  • Practice using free journaling software
  • Practice starting your own personal journal to consolidate what you learn as you go
  • Consolidate what you learn about the electronic classroom by discussing it with others

Chapter 3: Internet Basics

  • Understand what the Internet really is and how it can benefit you as a student
  • Understand how the Internet came to exist and why
  • Understand the differences between the Internet and the World Wide Web
  • Understand what an ISP is and how to choose the right one for you
  • Visit two Web sites that review ISPs
  • Understand what a browser is
  • Download the latest version of your browser
  • Install a range of plugins used in online learning
  • Understand hyperlinks and hypertext, how they work and how they can help you as a student
  • Break down a URL into its component parts
  • If you need it, practice using a mouse, clicking on links, and surfing the Web
  • Look for patterns in your own use of the Internet
  • Explore three Web sites that serve as guides to the Internet
  • Learn about books that can deepen your understanding of the Internet
  • Consolidate what you learn about the Internet by discussing it with others

Chapter 4: Email

  • Consolidate what you know about email and how it can help you as a student
  • Explore various free email software programs
  • Deconstruct an email address
  • Recognize the skills necessary to use an email program efficiently
  • Visit several Web tutorials about email
  • Practice sending email
  • Consolidate what you learn about email by discussing it with others

Chapter 5: Netiquette (Internet Etiquette)

  • Understand the accepted standards for online behavior
  • Recognize common emoticons and abbreviations
  • Understand the copyright issues unique to the Internet
  • Know the rules for determining when a document enters the public domain
  • Explore Web sites on netiquette
  • Explore Web sites on emoticons
  • Explore Web sites on Internet ethics and privacy
  • Consolidate what you learn about netiquette by discussing it with others

Chapter 6: Learn Basic HTML Codes

  • Understand what HTML code is and how it can help you as a student
  • Deconstruct a basic HTML code
  • Learn and practice more than a dozen common HTML codes for use in assignment presentations
  • Consolidate what you learn about HTML by discussing it with others

Student Tool Kit

Reach all of the following resources from a single page:

  • Online dictionaries
  • Online thesauri
  • Online encyclopedias
  • Online grammar guides
  • Maps online
  • Government statistics
  • More than half of all U.S. government documents
  • Full texts of thousands of books, from Aesop’s Fables to Shakespeare’s plays
  • Audio recordings of thousands of politically significant events
  • Virtual Museums
  • Online reference resources
  • Glossary templates
  • Template for online group guidelines
  • Other educational sites (e.g., climate conditions, fun, utilities, live Web cams)