Welcome to GE 102, a Distance Learning Internet-based course. I hope you have had a chance to read the introductory letter that I sent to you recently and are ready for a geographical adventure. Each week you will find a page similar to this one that contains assignments and due dates, ideas and terms, and reading assignments. Please follow the weekly schedule and complete your work by the due date, however note that there may be some weeks that you do not turn in anything to me because of an exam or on-going assignment.

This on-line course is subject to change as needed so you will find occasional changes during the semester. However, if you just follow the weekly assignments and don't rush too far ahead everything will work out. Thank you for your understanding.

Don't forget:  Put the course number - GE 102 - in the Subject  line of your email.  My email is automatically sorted by the Subject  line and therefore if you do not put GE 102 in this section, I may not receive your email.  Also, please put your name and the course number (GE 102) inside the email and on any documents that you send me.

Assignments:

• Read the syllabus and weekly outline.  Explore the website.  Also read the information on "Learning in an On-Line Environment"  linked off of the homepage.
• Your first assignment is to read the section on "How to Participate in a Thread Discussion" then navigate to WebCT's discussion area for GE 102 (World Regional Geography)  and introduce yourself to the class.  
• To do this, click on the "Discussion" icon on the WebCT homepage for this course.  Then click on the "Introduction" topic.  Next, click on "Compose Message" at the top of the page.  Type your introduction (or copy and paste it from a word processing program).  Once you have finished typing, click on "Post" at the bottom left side of the page.  Once you do this your message should appear.  
• To read someone else's introduction, just click on the title under the subject heading.  To reply to someone's message, click "Reply" at the bottom of their message.
• See my introduction to get an idea about what I am looking for.  Include in your introduction your name, email address, classification at UNA, major and minor, last book that you read but not a text book, and your hobby(s). 
• Secondly, complete the "Autobiographical Map" exercise.  Click here to view my Autobiographical Map.  Accompanying your map must be an explanation of what you have drawn and its relation to your experiences at that time of your life.  Explain why this place is important to you and how it shaped your following years.  You must write at least 350 words (Note:  my overview is 388 words so you have some length comparison).  MS Word allows you to get a word count by clicking on the drop down menu "Tools" at the top of the window and selecting "Word Count . . . .".
• The introduction and autobiographical map are due on Tuesday, August 26 by noon. 
• Please scan your map or create it in a draw program and then attach it to an email.  If either of these options is not possible for you, please drop it by my office.  Thanks.
• E-mail your address to me before August 24th.  I will respond to your emails as I receive them and at the same time establish a file of all email addresses so I can send information to everyone at the same time.  Don't forget the Subject  line!

Ideas and Terms:

Distance Learning, Virtual Learning, autobiographical map

Resources:   

World Map Quiz Study Guide (Quiz is September 9 -11)

Virtual Learner/Front of the Classroom