Contents

Chapter 1: Learning on the Internet

• Understand the many advantages of learning online
• Understand the many challenges as well
• Practice emailing an instructor and entering an online classroom discussion
• Consolidate what you learn here by discussing it with others

Chapter 2: The Electronic Classroom/Meeting Room

• Understand what course management/meeting room software is and what it offers you as a learner/commuincator
• Recognize the skills necessary to participate fully in any online activity
• Practice using several different discussion forum software products
• Practice using a simple template to build a glossary of terms (optional)
• Practice using free journaling software (optional)
• Practice starting your own personal journal for online learning and project management
• Consolidate what you learn about the electronic classroom/meeting room by discussing it with others

Chapter 3: Internet Basics

• Understand what the Internet really is and how it can benefit you
• Understand how the Internet came to exist and why
• Understand the differences between the Internet and the World Wide Web
• Understand what an ISP is and how to choose the right one for you
• Visit two Web sites that review ISPs
• Understand what a browser is
• Download the latest version of your browser
• Install a range of plugins used in online learning and communication
• Understand hyperlinks and hypertext, how they work and how they can help you
• Break down a URL into its component parts
• If you need it, practice using a mouse, clicking on links, and surfing the Web
• Look for patterns in your own use of the Internet
• Explore three Web sites that serve as guides to the Internet
• Learn about books that can deepen your understanding of the Internet
• Consolidate what you learn about the Internet by discussing it with others

Chapter 4: Email

• Consolidate what you know about email and how it can help you
• Explore various free email software programs
• Deconstruct an email address
• Recognize the skills necessary to use an email program efficiently
• Visit several Web tutorials about email
• Practice sending email
• Consolidate what you learn about email by discussing it with others

Chapter 5: Netiquette (Internet Etiquette)

• Understand the accepted standards for online behavior
• Recognize common emoticons and abbreviations
• Understand the copyright issues unique to the Internet
• Know the rules for determining when a document enters the public domain
• Explore Web sites on netiquette
• Explore Web sites on emoticons
• Explore Web sites on Internet ethics and privacy
• Consolidate what you learn about netiquette by discussing it with others

Chapter 6: Learn Basic HTML Codes

• Understand what HTML code is and how it can help you as a learner
• Deconstruct a basic HTML code
• Learn and practice more than a dozen common HTML codes for use in assignment presentations
• Consolidate what you learn about HTML by discussing it with others

Learner Tool Kit

• Online dictionaries
• Online thesauri
• Online encyclopedias
• Online grammar guides
• Maps online
• Government statistics
• More than half of all U.S. government documents
• Full texts of thousands of books, from Aesop's Fables to Shakespeare's plays
• Audio recordings of thousands of politically significant events
• Virtual Museums
• Online reference resources
• Glossary templates
• Template for online group guidelines
• Other educational sites (e.g., climate conditions, fun, utilities, live Web cams)