PrintAbout the Orientation
In addition to introducing the basic concepts covered in this course, this orientation serves as your guide to the structure of the course and to the online learning environment.
Objectives
At the successful completion of the Course Orientation, you should be able to:
- navigate between this course text and the Canvas course management system;
- articulate your expectations about how and what you will learn in this course;
- understand how and what the instructor expects you to learn in this course;
- locate key information about the course, including assignments, due dates, technical information, places to get help, and course policies;
- understand course policies, including academic integrity; and
- know how to communicate with the course instructor and fellow students.
Each lesson in this course will have a table of requirements (example below) where the assignments can be found along with how to turn them in. This table will appear on the first page of the lesson.
To get started with the course, complete the required steps below. You may find it useful to print this page.
Notes:
- If you are new to the Penn State World Campus, please carefully review ALL of the steps.
- Experienced certificate and MGIS students are likely familiar with steps 1 - 5. Feel free to review them, but focus on steps 6 - 10.
- You have until the end of Lesson 1 to complete the Orientation; it is not graded but you need to understand what is covered in the orientation to complete the course successfully!
Checklist:
| Requirements | Where to Complete | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Checklist | After reviewing this checklist, click on the orientation "Learning Environments" link to continue. (Or use the "Learning Environments" link at the bottom of the page.) |
| 2. | Learning Environments | Read the orientation "Learning Environments" page. |
| 3. | Course Website (Course Text) |
Read the orientation "Course Website" page. |
| 4. | Course Management System (Canvas) |
Read the orientation "Course Management System" page. |
| 5. | Configure Course email | See the directions on the orientation "Course Management System" page. |
| 6. | Comments and Coursemail | See tips on the orientation "Course Communication" page. |
| 7. | Meet Your Classmates and Post your introduction in Canvas |
See directions on the orientation "Meet Your Classmates" page. |
| 8. | Five Things to Know | See the tips on the orientation "Five Things You Need To Know About GEOG 850" page. |
| 9. | Course Readings | Readings are found in the Lesson 0: Orientation module in Canvas. |
| 10. | Syllabus | Click on the "Syllabus" link in the menu above and review the remainder of the course topics, assignments, and policies. |
Once you complete the above checklist, you're ready for Lesson 1!
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the course, please post them to our Questions and Answers Discussion/General Forum (not email), located in the Orientation module in Canvas. I will check that Discussion Forum on a regular basis. While you are there, feel free to post your responses if you are able to help out a classmate.
If you need to contact me regarding a personal or professional item (absence, special situations, work related issues, etc.) please use Canvas Email by clicking on the Inbox icon in the Canvas main menu.