RUSA Professional Development Online
RUSA has begun to provide online continuing education opportunities via a Moodle server and contracting with specialists in the field of library reference and user services. The pages in this portion of the RUSA Web site can provide an introduction to what's in store for those who register for an online course.
To find out about current course offerings, use the Events link above and look for course titles in the lefthand column on that page.
Things to Consider ...
To be a successful student in this RUSA Online CE course, you need to have regular unlimited access to a computer and to the Internet. At a minimum, we recommend using at least a Pentium II-based PC or a G3 PowerMac machine, using Firefox 2 or higher, Internet Explorer 5 or higher, or current versions of Safari or Opera. You will also need a reliable Internet connection. You will have a better experience if you have high-speed Internet access like cable, DSL, or LAN-networked T1 lines. If you experience frequent busy or dropped signals, you may have difficulty completing courses on time and participating in chat sessions. If you are able to take the course on your computer at work, check with you information services people about your Internet capabilities.
Work Habits
You must login to your online course and interact several times a week. This can include reading online, working on assignments, participating in discussions (in chat sessions as well as threaded disucssions), and responding to e-mail. If you're not accustomed to routinely accessing the Internet, it may be difficult to motivate yourself to do the work. You must be disciplined enough to keep your coursework current.
Most of the material you're required to read for this course is online and you must read it carefully. Some students just print out the syllabus and key information to read offline. It's important to realize you can't just skim over the content and be able to have a clear understanding of when assignments are due and what is expected of you.
Most communication in an online class consists of written messages between you and the instructor and discussions among class participants. If you have difficulty with an assignment or have questions, you must be willing to "speak up" to inform the instructor. Good typing skills also are a plus.
Sometimes learning new programs or applications on the computer can be frustrating if they don't work exactly as you expect. Taking an online course may require you to learn new techniques beyond just e-mail for interacting with other students in the class. If you take the class with colleagues or are acquainted with someone who is taking the course, by all means, practice using a Moodle Forum once you're registered, or join a Yahoo! group and use chat room facilities there.
Schedule
One of the major reasons people register for online classes is for the convenience of being able to take the course without having to travel to the course location. The convenience has to do with fitting your schedule, not reducing the time you will spend. You are still required to spend about the same amount of time on coursework as for any normal course or workshop. Set aside time for visiting the course and finishing a module. Before logging off, be sure to visit the discussion thread area and contribute your experience and understadning to the discussions. When everyone adds something to the discussion, it can lead to deeper understanding of what is presented in the module. Check the chat rooms to see if anyone is there and ask if you can "join" if possible.
In real terms, what does this mean? In a four-week course, there are two modules to work through and at least two hours for a chat with the instructor. Probably four hours minimum per week.
It's often tempting to wait until the last minute. If you're a procrastinator, you may have already learned that sometimes things don't work quite as well as you had hoped. With online courses, it's better to get your work done a little ahead of time so if problems do occur, they can be resolved prior to the deadline.
Qualities of a Successful Web Course Student
Successful Web course students are committed to their studies. While Web courses offer more flexibility and convenience, they can be more demanding of time and energy than regular courses or workshops. Web course students need to:
- Know how to use technology (e.g., email, use a Web
browser, learn to navigate through the course).
- Login regularly to participate in the class - at
least 3 times per week. Some students login as much as twice a day.
- Commit approximately 4-6 hours per week.
- Use good time-management skills and exercise
self-discipline to ensure enough time to study and complete all assignments.
- Take notes as they study.
- Enjoy communicating in writing and reading the
writing of others.
- Seek help when problems arise.
Good communication is an essential element of the RUSA Professional Development curriculum. You must be willing to share your thoughts, experiences, and ideas with the group and carefully consider your responses with professional respect and courtesy.
|
