Are you ready for a new learning experience?
This year, you will be taught in a blended learning environment. This means that you will receive part of of your instruction in class and the other portion online. As an educator, I like to combine my favorite parts of teaching in a traditional classroom, with the benefits of e-learning, to create a hybrid teaching methodology that allows me to reach more of my diverse learning population.
What can you expect in a blended learning environment?
Interesting in learning more about a blended learning environment? Check out the video below:
What can you expect in a blended learning environment?
- In-person classroom activities facilitated by your teacher.
- Online learning materials, often including pre-recorded lectures, podcasts, videos, etc. from your teacher, guest teachers/speakers, and/or content experts.
- Structured independent study time guided by the subject material and focused on developing/strengthening skills.
Interesting in learning more about a blended learning environment? Check out the video below:
Now that you know what you can expect from a blended learning environment, I would like to introduce you to CourseSites by Blackboard. This tool will help us create and maintain our e-learning environment. Let's get started.
1. Click on the link for your class period. (New users will see a welcome page that invites them to create a profile.)
2. Fill in your information to register for CourseSites (first name, last name, email address, & country)
3. Create a username with a password. Note: Your username must contain your first name. (Password must be at least 10 characters-contain at least 1 number, an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, and a special character. Passwords are also case sensitive and must not contain spaces. Passwords can contain a maximum of 32 characters. Please write down your password.)
4. Complete the Verification. (After reading the Terms of Use, check "Yes, I agree to the Terms of Use." If you don't agree to the terms of service, you will not be granted access to some tools. You do not have to sign up to receive emails from them. Finally, check "I'm not a robot.")
1st period, click here to join your online class in CourseSites
4th period, click here to join your online class in CourseSites
6th period, click here to join your online class in CourseSites
7th period, click here to join your online class in CourseSites
After registering for CourseSites, you can click here to visit https://blackboard.coursesites.com/ to access CourseSites.
5. When you log in for the first time, you should arrive on the Courses page. Here, all of your courses should be listed for you to access. For most of you, you will only see your period's English Language Arts class. Using a bouncing purple circle, CourseSites will give you a brief tutorial that will introduce you to it's features and resources. Click on the purple circle to move through the tutorial. In this section, you will learn how to search and filter to find your courses quickly and add a course to your favorites for quick access.
1. Click on the link for your class period. (New users will see a welcome page that invites them to create a profile.)
2. Fill in your information to register for CourseSites (first name, last name, email address, & country)
3. Create a username with a password. Note: Your username must contain your first name. (Password must be at least 10 characters-contain at least 1 number, an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, and a special character. Passwords are also case sensitive and must not contain spaces. Passwords can contain a maximum of 32 characters. Please write down your password.)
4. Complete the Verification. (After reading the Terms of Use, check "Yes, I agree to the Terms of Use." If you don't agree to the terms of service, you will not be granted access to some tools. You do not have to sign up to receive emails from them. Finally, check "I'm not a robot.")
1st period, click here to join your online class in CourseSites
4th period, click here to join your online class in CourseSites
6th period, click here to join your online class in CourseSites
7th period, click here to join your online class in CourseSites
After registering for CourseSites, you can click here to visit https://blackboard.coursesites.com/ to access CourseSites.
5. When you log in for the first time, you should arrive on the Courses page. Here, all of your courses should be listed for you to access. For most of you, you will only see your period's English Language Arts class. Using a bouncing purple circle, CourseSites will give you a brief tutorial that will introduce you to it's features and resources. Click on the purple circle to move through the tutorial. In this section, you will learn how to search and filter to find your courses quickly and add a course to your favorites for quick access.
6. Next, click on the link for your course (ex. 7th Period English Language Arts (General)). This will open your course and allow the tutorial to continue. You should be greeted with a Welcome announcement from your instructor. You should also be able to see any course material, assignments, resources, etc. that your teacher has made accessible to you. A black box should appear that highlights the location of your course calendar, grades, messages, and participation sections. (Click on the black box when you are finished.)
7. On the left side of your Course home page, you will see a section listed Details and Actions. This will show you the roster for the course, provide you with a link to join a session for the course room (via Blackboard Collaborate), view your attendance, view archived announcements, in addition to viewing course/institution tools (books, etc.).
8. To exit out of your course's home page, click the purple X.
9. With your course tab closed, you can now explore CourseSites. On the left are menu pages to grant you access to the Institution (Welcome) Page, your personal profile, the Activity Stream, your courses and organizations, the calendar, your messages, grades, tools, in addition to the option to sign out. Check out each section to see what it contains. I will define the purpose of each menu tab for your reference. When you feel familiar with CourseSites, move on to the next step.
Institution Page
Activity Stream
Courses
Organizations
Calendar
Messages
Grades
Tools
Sign Out
10. The second menu tab in CourseSites (under the Institution Page) should be your name (not your username). Click on this section to open your personal profile. Feel free to add a picture, fill in the basic information, as well as any applicable additional information. You can also adjust the preferred language and notifications options. However, do not list your home address or phone number. You do not need to fill out any information in the Contact or Job Information sections.
11. Now that you have learned the basics about CourseSites, you are ready to complete your Orientation Module. This will provide you with a hands-on experience that will teach you how to complete your learning modules, assignments, and assessments. Click on the Courses menu tab. Click on the link for your course (ex-7th Period English Language Arts (General). Under Course Content, click on the folder titled Orientation Module. A series of documents, assignments, assessments, and a discussion forum should expand. Start with the first document to learn how to work through your modules.
(Note: For your convenience, I have also included tow abbreviated versions of the Orientation module below.)
7. On the left side of your Course home page, you will see a section listed Details and Actions. This will show you the roster for the course, provide you with a link to join a session for the course room (via Blackboard Collaborate), view your attendance, view archived announcements, in addition to viewing course/institution tools (books, etc.).
8. To exit out of your course's home page, click the purple X.
9. With your course tab closed, you can now explore CourseSites. On the left are menu pages to grant you access to the Institution (Welcome) Page, your personal profile, the Activity Stream, your courses and organizations, the calendar, your messages, grades, tools, in addition to the option to sign out. Check out each section to see what it contains. I will define the purpose of each menu tab for your reference. When you feel familiar with CourseSites, move on to the next step.
Institution Page
Activity Stream
Courses
Organizations
Calendar
Messages
Grades
Tools
Sign Out
10. The second menu tab in CourseSites (under the Institution Page) should be your name (not your username). Click on this section to open your personal profile. Feel free to add a picture, fill in the basic information, as well as any applicable additional information. You can also adjust the preferred language and notifications options. However, do not list your home address or phone number. You do not need to fill out any information in the Contact or Job Information sections.
11. Now that you have learned the basics about CourseSites, you are ready to complete your Orientation Module. This will provide you with a hands-on experience that will teach you how to complete your learning modules, assignments, and assessments. Click on the Courses menu tab. Click on the link for your course (ex-7th Period English Language Arts (General). Under Course Content, click on the folder titled Orientation Module. A series of documents, assignments, assessments, and a discussion forum should expand. Start with the first document to learn how to work through your modules.
(Note: For your convenience, I have also included tow abbreviated versions of the Orientation module below.)
Orientation Module (Abbreviated)
- Go to Coursesites (https://blackboard.coursesites.com/)
- Log into Coursesites (Ex-Username: reyganreed, Password: @Henderson123)
- Upon entry into Coursesites, click on the Courses menu page (see Slide 1)
- Click on the name of your class period (Ex-6th Period English Language Arts (Gifted)) *see Slide 2*
- Click on Walking to Freedom (this will reveal your first module (Diversity and Discrimination) inside of a lesson folder) *see Slide 3*
- Click on Diversity and Discrimination Lesson Folder (three assignments will appear) *see Slide 4 & 5*
Orientation for CourseSites (Step-by-Step)
Video Tour of CourseSites
Use this link if you are having problems accessing the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=315&v=auzwH1mK2TY