Online Classroom Users Guide

Here you will find some basic issues and questions related to the Online classroom.

• Logging In
• Changing Your Password
• Finding Notes and Other Resources
• Fun Extras
• Sections
• User Tips

Logging In

Logging in is simple if you follow the rules. Goto http://mysciencekit.com/content/login/index.php

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Changing Your Password

You were assigned a password by your teacher. It was made simple but unique so that there is some privacy, but your parents could easily check on your progress from home. It is suggested that you keep your password as it is, but if you choose to, you may change it.

Please follow the following rules:

• Make some record of what you are changing it to. That way, if you forget, you have some place to find it.
• Choose a password that you will easily remember.
• Use numbers or letters or a combination of the two.
• Tell your parents your new password.
• Don't share your password with your classmates.

In order to change your password:

1. Log in
2. Click on the class in which you are enrolled.
3. Scroll down on the left and look for the section called "Administration" in the left hand margin.
4. Click on "Change Password"
5. Enter your old password. Then enter your new password twice.
6. Click on "Change Password" and your password is changed.

If you lose this password, you will have to get me to reset your password to something else.

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Finding Notes and Other Resources

Once you have logged in and entered your class, you should see that each unit has a section called "Additional Resources for Students." These are things like notes, online text, (not written by me), Spanish resources and Listen and Learn More resources. Click on what you need.

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Fun Extras

Occasionally in a unit, I will find something to add to the learning experience. These items can be found in the "Additional Resources for Students" section.

Listen and Learn More: These are links to streaming audio. You will need Real Player to hear them. To download and install it, go to Downloads. These are not graded exercises they are just put there to help you expand your learning and knowledge base and hopefully stir some curiosity. All or most of these items are streaming from the "A Moment of Science" website which is a program on National Public Radio.

News: Occasionally, I will find online news articles related to the topic we are studying or have studied. Click on these titles to learn more.

Spanish Resources: Where available, I have put links in for finding information on the topic written in Spanish. This is meant as an alternative reading language for those who wish to read in Spanish.

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Sections

Each unit in the online classroom has the same sections so that finding what you need will be easier. I will explain these sections here.

Heading - This section simply offers you a reprsentative image and brief introduction to the topic.

Learning Activities - This section includes links to classwork and project activities that we will do in class. Whenever, you are in class and using the site, I will most likely direct you to this section. Here, you can find online texts written by me, online worksheets, online lessons, project descriptions and submission areas, among other things.

Additional Resources for Students - This section is meant to help you when you are studying. There are usually several resources listed here. Along with in class power point notes, you can find other information related to the topic. Think of this as your useful links section.

Tests and Quizzes - This is the assessment section which has four different types of items. I have included pratice tests which are provided online through textbook companies. These are not for a grade, they are mean to help you prepare for the tests. Upon completion you will recieve a score to let you know how familiar you are with the topic. Please do not confuse these with inclass tests.
Also, next to these, there are links to Standardized test practice. These are very similar, but are written in the fashion of the CRCT and are meant to prepare you for the standardized tests and also expose you to that type of question writing.
The next section consists of practice quizzes. These are flash quizzes that you can't get wrong. You simply take them and cannot progress until you get them right. These often come from the notes and are meant as way for you to review your notes.
Finally in this section, are links to in class tests and quizzes which are entered into your grade. If there is an essay for the test, it will also be found here.

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User Tips

• To get to the topic we are studying quickly, always click on "Jump to Current Topic."
• If you get tired of scrolling, click on the small white square at the top left corner of a topic and only one topic will be displayed. When you click on "Jump to Current Topic" that topic will be displayed.
• Remember to always take your tests three times. I only use the highest grade, so taking them more than once can only help you.
• If you are uploading a file for an assignment, remember two things: it cannnot be larger than 2mb and you can only upload 1 file. If you upload more than one file, the new file will overwrite the first file and the first will be lost. Be careful.

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