Welcome!
EDS 618
Welcome to Online Learning!
☺
Overview of the Course
Because this is an Introductory course, we will
be investigating a wide range of issues in the
field of Cognitive Impairments. We will make
a broad sweep across the field, covering a wide
variety of different topics related to CI. I hope
these topics will expand your knowledge base
in the area of CI and will encourage thoughtful
reflection regarding individuals with cognitive
impairments and their friends and families.
Readings, continued
I realize that this course entails a lot of
reading. Please understand that your primary
vehicle for learning in an online course is
reading.
In addition, please realize that you will not be
attending “class” for three hours each week;
therefore, the readings are even more critical.
I’m so happy to have the opportunity
to share this online teaching and
learning experience with you, and I do
mean that we will be sharing it! I hope
that you will learn from me, but I
expect to also learn from you, and
most importantly, I am counting on
you to learn from each other.
Overview: Assigned Readings
In an online course, all your information will
come from readings from your text and from
supplemental reading materials. This makes it
critical that you complete all of the assigned
readings in a timely manner. You will get out
of an online course exactly what you put into
it. Please keep up with the reading ☺!
Overview: Text
The text we will be using is:
Taylor, R.L., Richards, S.B., & Brady, M.P.
(2005). Mental retardation: Historical
perspectives, current practices, and future
directions. Boston: Pearson
It is very important that you get the textbook.
We will use it extensively in this course.
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Overview: Assigned Readings Can
Be Found Under External Links
Overview: Learning Units
On our course website, you will see a Tab
called External Links.
By clicking on the External Links Tab, you
can access all of the additional readings for
this course.
The readings are in alphabetical order. Just
click on the name of the author, and the fullfulltext reading will magically appear. ☺
EDS 618 is divided into eleven Learning
Units.
Some Learning Units are designed to be
completed in one week; others in two weeks.
Each unit is designed a bit differently! Some
units include focus questions; others have
individual activities; still others have small
group activities. Be sure to read through each
Learning Unit carefully!
Overview: Discussion Boards
Overview: More About
Discussion Boards
Every unit contains Discussion Board Forums.
Your participation on the Discussion Board is
vital.
vital. This is our major vehicle for
communicating with and learning from each
other.
You are required to post ONE original
response to each Discussion Board forum.
You also are required to post responses to
TWO of your peers’ postings.
Please post your response to the Discussion
Board early (especially, if you’d like others to
respond to your posting)!
If you post at the deadline, it is unlikely that
you will get many responses to your posting.
You may post as often as you want to ☺!
You are not expected to “go back” to a
previous Learning Unit to read late postings –
though you certainly may do so if you want.
The Value of the Discussion Board is
that . . .
Overview: Activities
It is our critical link to one another!
You will be able to participate when it is
convenient for you!
You will have the opportunity to share
valuable personal and professional experiences
that will serve as great examples to your peers.
It will assist us in creating a community of
learners ☺!
There are activities embedded within some of
the Learning Units. I hope you will have fun
and learn a lot from these activities.
Some activities are to be completed
individually; some in small groups.
You may feel free to form your own small
groups; but, if you are having problems finding
a group – I will provide assistance.
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Overview: Focus Questions
Focus questions are embedded in some of the
Learning Units.
The focus questions cover information from
the assigned readings and from assigned
websites.
Please respond to the focus questions via the
Assignment Manager.
If you have problems with the Assignment
Manager, please let me know immediately.
Peer Partners!
I will assign each of you a “Peer Partner” so
you won’t feel “alone” in this adventure.
Each peer dyad will have one member with
prior experience in online instruction.
Please exchange phone numbers and ee-mail
addresses with your peer partner as soon as
possible.
Please help and support each other whenever
necessary ☺!
Overview: Critical Issues
Research Report Assignment
The Critical Issues Research Report
Assignment is your “big” project in this course
– it is not due until the last week of class.
As you read the information presented in the
course, be thinking about a topic you would
like to explore in greater depth.
You can read about this project in detail under
the “Assignments” tab.
Hope This Has Helped!
Hope this overview has helped you to
understand (at least, sort of ☺) how this course
will work.
Please do not feel overwhelmed – we have
sixteen weeks together!
I am very patient (and kind and flexible), and I
am prepared to help you every step of the
way!!
My Commitment To You!
My Expectations of You!
I will be as available as I can possibly be.
I will assist you when you need help.
I will respond to ee-mails as quickly as
possible. If you don’t hear from me – I likely
didn’t receive your ee-mail. Try, try again!
I will read everything that you contribute.
I will be excited by your accomplishments.
I will learn from you!
You will be an ACTIVE PARTICIPANT in
this learning experience.
You will engage yourself and your peers
through the assignments and activities.
You will “stay with the class” – don’t get
behind and don’t work ahead.
You will read and post on the Discussion
Board frequently!
You will contact me if there are problems.
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In Summary
Whether this is your first time or tenth time
taking an online course, I think that you’re in
for a great adventure. And, I believe we all
will have some fun along the way! ☺
Again, welcome! I look forward to meeting
you “online!”
online!”
Thanks!! Pam
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