In this supplementary module, you will find documents which will help you as you navigate through this course. If you need extra help with an assignment, click on the links below.
Course Icons and Glossary
The course icon library can be accessed for definitions of each icon used in this course.
You can access the course glossary by clicking on the glossary icon from the top of the topic pages in the course. Note that this link only appears on the main course pages and not on any of the documents or presentations that are linked to the course.
Resources
This section contains procedures for some tasks you may be required to perform on your computer in order to complete this course. It also contains helpful resources for working with others and completing assignments.
Your Journal
A journal is a place where you can write your thoughts and ideas. It is a great way to gain insight and to gain clarity on what is being discussed. Throughout this course, you will be required to keep a journal. Your journal will play a very important role in understanding the content. In this course, there will be assignments where you will respond to a posed question, write your thoughts on a topic, take notes, create charts, complete a vocabulary activity, or simply brainstorm and jot down ideas. Each journal assignment will provide you with directions on correctly naming your journal files. You will submit your journal entries to the Journal dropbox.
Tips for Writing a Reflection
To reflect is to ponder. It is thinking with a purpose and a focus. Reflection provides insight and is an opportunity for growth.
Reflection takes place before, during, and after. You reflect before you move into a new phase, a new topic, etc. because you want to take the time out to understand what you may have learned previously, what you may want to do differently, or how you want to progress forward. It is always wise to reflect in the midst of experiencing something new or learning something new because you are able to stop and ask yourself, “Am I understanding the material?” “Is this meaningful?” “What have I learned so far?” Reflecting while reading helps you maintain a focus and a goal. Reflection is also done after the fact. When you reflect afterwards, you are focusing on what you have obtained as well as gained – “What did I learn?” “Why is this important?” “Did I gain any insight on the topic, experience, or about myself? “What will I do differently?”
As you are instructed to reflect, use the questions below to help guide your reflection:
• What is the focus of my reflection?
• What do I already know?
• What have I learned? What have I learned so far?
• What was meaningful? What was significant? What was insightful?
• How does this relate to me?
• What can I take from this?
Remember, reflection is a practice that is essential and aids in revealing the relevance of the material. Reflection creates connections and adds meaning to your experiences.
Annotating Texts
Quality annotation starts with pre-reading, during-reading, and after-reading strategies. In the interactivity, click each active-reading strategy to explore how each can help you in reading the works in this course:
View a printable version of this interactivity.
Connecting to the Text
By annotating a text, you are physically connecting with it; however, you are also mentally connecting with it. There are three ways a reader can connect with a text:
Text-to-Text: You might discover that the text you are reading is similar to another text you have read. Maybe the characters, plot, setting, or theme is the same.
Text-to-Self: Something you read might remind you of something in your own life or might reflect your own feelings.
Text-to-World: The text might resemble or recount actual world history or events.
eMediaVA℠ Videos and Learning Objects
This course utilizes videos and learning objects from eMediaVA℠, a digital media distribution system. When possible, these videos and learning objects have been included in course files; however, due to copyright, some videos and learning objects must be viewed on the eMediaVA℠ website. For information about your username and password for this resource, please contact your course instsructor.