Week 1 Introduction

If you've arrived at this page, you've done well and should give yourself a pat on the back. You're in the right place to begin your coursework for Week 1!

Starting next week we'll settle into a pattern, doing certain types of activities at each class "meeting". For the first week, though, we have a lot of groundwork to do in learning about how the course works and getting our field experiences set up. Your tasks this week appear on the "Weekly To Do List" below. Every week will have a similar list.

Wow! That's a lot of things to do. We'd better get started:-) Here's a step-by-step guide to each task.

 Post Introduction - What do I say and how do I say it?

What do I say?

Introductions are informal and give a sense of who you are and what your likes and/or interests are. Since we don't see each other, we need to know you as a person. Your introduction should include what you are teaching (or hope to teach), how long you have been teaching, why you are taking the class, and any interests or hobbies that you would like to share to help others get to know you. I have posted my introduction, so you can see how this works.

How do I say it?

 

The first thing you should do is sign onto the Conference Area in WebBoard, a system we will use for class discussions, posting assignments, and posting journals. You need to log onto it separately from Chemeketa Online. To log onto WebBoard use the following steps:

Go to the top or bottom of any page on this site and click on the "Conference" button. It will take you directly to WebBoard. Click on the "New Users" button. Fill in all the information items with the red dots.

It will be easier to remember if you use the same username and password you use when you log onto this course. I suggest you write your username and password down somewhere so you can find it, if you forget...not that this ever happens to me, you understand.

Notice that when you log on there is a little checkbox at the bottom which says "Remember my password." If you check this box from your computer, you will not have to enter your password every time you go to the Conference Area. Do not do this if you are using a computer in the library or in a lab!!

Once you are in WebBoard, click on the Introductions conference on the left side of the screen. (The left side of the screen is for navigating between the different WebBoard conferences; the right side is for reading and writing messages.) A blank area will appear on the right that allows you to type in your introduction. (Or, you may write your introduction in a word processing program, then copy and paste into the WebBoard window.) Your introduction should include

• what grade level you hope to teach or assist.
• how long you have been working in the schools,
• why you are taking the class,
• and any interests or hobbies that you would like to share to help others get to know you. Remember, we only know you through your introductions.

 

To post your introduction, click on the Introductions conference folder in WebBoard to open it, if you haven't already. Now click on the "Post" button at the top of the page. You should see a white box for you to type your message into on the right side of your screen. When you've finished typing you message, click on the Post button at the top of the message box. You will then be given a chance to edit your entry before the posting is complete. Yes, a spell checker is included!

 

If you want to reply individually to another student use the "Reply" button. Remember that when you "Post" a response it is evident when someone has added something to a conference, while the reply button attaches your response to the message you are reading and does not show up in the conference window. If you are entering an assignment, please label the assignment in the "Topic" window before you post. Example: "Lucy's Intro".

 

Please post your introduction by April 6, at the latest.

 

For additional information on posting assignments, discussions and journals on Webboard, just click here.

 

Set Up Field Experience

ED 100 is essentially a career exploration class, and there is no way to explore teaching as a career without spending time in schools. To this end, students in our class are asked to arrange a 3-hour-per-week volunteer time in a local school. This should be at or near the grade level you would most like to work with, and should involve time in a classroom (rather than, say, making copies in the office for 3 hours each week). Capitalize on connections you already have with schools: if you are a parent, for example, or a recent graduate from a particular school district, there will be teachers who remember you and would be delighted to have your help. You may also have a friend who is a classroom teacher, which would be another avenue to explore. (If you are currently working as an instructional assistant, your work time can be counted as field experience time for this class.)

Because we live in strange times, schools are rightly cautious about who they allow to volunteer. You can expect some kind of process to be in place for screening volunteers. This will take some time, so start working right away on setting up this placement.

Timeliness, appropriate appearance, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn are critical attributes of both good volunteers and good school employees. Going through the volunteer process itself will give you important feedback about the culture of your target school (and schools in general) and how you fit into that culture.

Criminal Records Check

Chemeketa Community College requires participants in all practicum classes to complete a valid criminal records check through the Oregon State Police. This will, unfortunately, cost you money (about $53). I apologize for this additional cost, but I am sure you can understand the rationale. Some schools will help you with this process. The only exceptions to this would be for students who are paid employees of a public school district in Oregon (and thus have already undergone a criminal records check). If you think you qualify for this exception, please e-mail me directly (lucy@chemeketa.edu).

All others, please follow the steps below.

Go to the local office of the Oregon State Police and request a criminal records check. Give them money. (Salem-area students can go to the OSP office at 3772 Portland Road NE, Salem, OR 97303-2500, Telephone 503-378-3070 x236.) The results will be mailed to you in about a week.

Don't open the envelope. Re-address the envelope to me:

Lucy MacDonald - Bld. 38
Chemeketa Community College
P.O. Box 14007
Salem, OR 97309-7070

...and pop it in the mail with correct postage. This document will become part of my file for you, and will not be shared except under those conditions prescribed by law. If there are concerns, I will notify you directly.

Do this right away. My target is to complete these by the 3rd week of the term. Thanks in advance for your patience with this part of the process.

 

Preview The Course

 

Take time to get to know how this course is structured and what is expected of you. The best way to preview the course is to read through the Syllabus and review the Course Schedule on the "Coursework" page. You might also want to go to the HELP Page and scan the Technical Support pages, the Users Handbook, and the Student Handbook. You will find links to the syllabus, seminars, Instructor Page, and Help Page by clicking on the Course Home Page tab at the top or bottom of this page. Please use the online technical support as much as possible as I am far from being an expert in that area. I also recommend that you print the Syllabus and Seminar Calendar. If you wish to contact me directly feel free to post a message in the ??? for Instructor conference. I check this daily.

 

 

Bookmark Important Places 

Bookmarks (also called "Favorites") allow you to go directly to a page without typing in a lengthy address or using the "Back" button multiple times. A bookmark to the class home page is especially helpful because there is not a direct link between the WebBoard Conferencing area and the class site.

To bookmark our home page, click on the "Course Home" link at the top or bottom of this page. In your browser's menu bar, click "Favorites", then "Add to Favorites", then "OK". Now each time you open the Favorites menu you will see our class homepage. One click and you'll be there! (Note: Netscape users will use a similar process, but will start from the menu item called "Add a Bookmark".)

 

Buy The Textbook

Purchase your books through the Chemeketa Online Bookstore.

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