An Orientation: General Psychology Online

The Course Menu Shown on the far left is the menu used to navigate our Psychology course.

Ask a Question The first menu option, 'Ask a Question,' is where you can get your questions about the course answered. Not only will you learn the answer to the question, but so will your classmate.

The 'Ask a Question' Option As the semester progresses, you will see a list of questions that other students have asked. To read their questions (and the answers), click on the underlined message title.

The 'Ask a Question' Option Have a question of your own? Click on the 'Thread' button (shown circled) to start your own message in which to ask a question. Put in the subject line a brief description of your question. When done typing, click on the 'submit' button to post your question.

My Info The second menu option down is 'My Info.' Click here to: * See your grades * Update your address Having a working address where I can reach you is critical. I send out s during the semester, keeping students up to date on changes and new resources (e.g., for tests).

Updating Your Address 1) Click on 'Personal Information' 2) Click on 'Edit Personal Information' 3) Record your address, then scroll down to the bottom and click on the 'Submit' button.

Support In addition to getting help through 'Ask a Question' and office hours, you can also make use of free on campus peer tutoring, by students who have previously completed the course with an 'A' or 'B.' Find out more by clicking on the third from the top menu option, 'Support.'

Learning Units The fourth menu option down is 'Learning Units.' Each chapter is organized into a learning unit. The learning units consists of activities designed to get you involved and thinking about the psychological topic. You will be starting with Learning Unit One, and then working your way through to 'Prepare for Exam #1'

Learning Unit: Step One The first step in each learning unit is read and respond to that chapter's critical thinking question... where you share your thoughts and opinions with others. To see the critical thinking question, you will go to the lesson unit and then click on the blue, underlined title 'Step 1: Critical Thinking & Reflection.'

Seeing the Critical Thinking Question After clicking on 'Step 1: Critical Thinking & Reflection'... You will see the above image. It shows you that you are looking at the Thread titled 'Critical Thinking & Reflection: Introduction and Research Methods.' Note that the thread title is underlined. By clicking on the thread title, you will see the first message. This message specifies your writing topic...

Responding With Your Thoughts The first message explains the writing assignment and presents the critical thinking question. After reading about the assignment, you can begin writing by clicking on the 'Reply' button shown circled above. When done, you will click on the 'Submit' button.

Discovery: Reading & Activities The second step in the learning unit is to (1) Read the assigned textbook material, and (2) complete the related activities in the Student Study & Review Guide. The completed Study Guide assignments count as part of the upcoming exam #1 (pass/fail take home portion).

Discovery: Reading & Activities Available as part of the reading assignment is the opportunity to: - Click on the underlined 'View the Learning Outcome for Chapter One' to see what you are expected to master. - Click on the underlined 'View the PowerPoint for Chapter One' to see an overview of the chapter material.

See & Hear About Psychology The Discovering Psychology: Updated Edition online video series introduces you to each of the psychological topics. In addition to your reading the textbook and completing the study guide, these video presentations are a required part of the course.

Share What You Have Learned Write up a short evaluation of the psychology video topic watched... Or you can discuss how a population movie (that you recently watched) illustrates psychological concepts from the chapter. When ready to start, go to the learning unit and click on the underlined title, 'Step 5: Complete and Evaluation.'

Completing an Evaluation The Assignment Files section provides examples of a successfully completed evaluation. Also listed are popular movies that could be watched and related to the textbook chapter. Write up your evaluation in your word processor (e.g., MS Word), but then copy your written evaluation and paste it into the Comments box shown above. Attached files will not be graded... your assignment must be pasted into the comments section.

Self-Evaluating Your Mastery Once you have finished reading the assigned material, have completed the study guide activities, watched the Discovering Psychology online videos, and reviewed your notes.... It is time to self-evaluate your level of mastery. This is done by going to the learning unit and then clicking on the link (e.g., Step 6: Self-Evaluation). The questions you miss will help you know how to focus your time in preparation for the learning unit quiz.

Optional: Further Practice & Assessment If the prior Self-Evaluation indicated further studying is needed... you can make use of 'electronic flash cards'... in addition to reviewing your notes and re-reading textbook material. Finally, you can take another practice quiz... answering as many or few questions as you wish... with instant feedback after every question (for a total of 60 questions). To make use of either above option, you would click on the underlined link 'Flash Cards and Practice Quiz.'

Flash Cards & Another Practice Quiz After clicking on the link, you will be given the option of working with the flash cards or taking the other practice quiz. Flash Cards Practice Quiz

Flash Cards The flash cards cover all of the terms introduced in the textbook chapter. Flip the Card Over See the next or prior card

Another Practice Quiz The practice quiz provides you with another opportunity to assess your knowledge. Select Your Answer Move on to the next question Get Instant Feedback Read the Question

Graded Quiz After working with the learning unit material (e.g., reading the textbook, completing the study guide, watching the related Discovering Psychology videos, and taking the Self-Evaluation)... It is time to take the learning unit Quiz. To start the quiz, click on the link (e.g., 'Step 7: Take Quiz #1'). The quiz is timed... you have only ten minutes to complete it... taking longer may result in a zero.

Exchange of Ideas Now that you have almost completed the learning unit, it is time to return back to the original critical thinking question presented at the very beginning. This time though, you will go to the discussion area and after reading what your fellow students posted, reply to the initial thoughts of at least two students. Your replies will reflect what you have learned & your perspective, evaluate what the other student shared, are to be two paragraphs in length, and considerate in tone.

Reflecting on Your Learning Experience Having completed the learning unit, share your experience with how it all went...

Extra Credit By clicking on the fifth course menu option down, 'Extra Credit' you can see all of the extra credit opportunities announced during the semester.

Course Info The sixth course menu option down, 'Course Info' is where the course syllabus is located. Be sure to print out a copy of the syllabus, as it explains the policies and procedures for the course, in addition to the exam and assignment due dates.

Course Info Important: The three exams must be taken at the Proctored Testing Center. The Proctored Testing Center is on both campuses (San Elijo and Oceanside). Students will have approximately a week in which to take an exam. The operating hours for the Proctored Testing Center will be announced as we approach the first exam. As students are served 'First Come – First Serve'... do not wait to the last minute to take the exam.... Failure to take an exam during the specified time period may result in a zero...

About Instructor The seventh course menu option down, 'About Instructor' is where you can get your instructor's contact information (in addition to it being listed in the syllabus).

Announcements The bottom course menu option, 'Announcements' shows you the course announcements.

Hope you found this course orientation helpful