Getting Started
For this unit to work, we need
your input, your experiences and your discussion.
The learning environment is designed to be a place of cooperative
learning to develop our ideas of knowledge and the contestation
of knowledge systems in the use and management of resources. Let's
face it, how can we seriously talk about a subject like this if
all we do is tell you what we think and don't provide an opportunity
for a contestation of knowledge to occur right here in the learning
environment?
So check out the following information to provide a guide to getting
started:
Office
Classroom
Where do I start?
Things to read
Explore or guided tour
Practising what we preach
Contributing to your own learning
Using the resources
The lecturer's job
Office
The 'office' where you currently are reading this information will
provide an overview for all the information and parts of this unit
which you will need to work with.
Classroom
The 'classroom' is where you will find an introduction to the subject
matter and learning experiences that make up this unit. Here you
will be expected to interact with your lecturer and your fellow
students. This is a very different unit. It requires you to actively
contribute your knowledge to all aspects of the unit's resources.
Where do I start?
Begin in the classroom. Find the Wilderness through the window
and explore this for the beginning focus on issues to be discussed.
Interact with your fellow students in the Tutorial discussion forum
and complete your first assessment. At this stage you should make
yourself familiar with the other issues which can be explored in
this unit as you will need to choose two for further exploration
soon.
The "Wilderness" will introduce you to the theoretical underpinnings
of this unit - the four key questions. The Key Questions text and
your book of readings will be helpful in your study at this stage.
There will be more tutorial discussions for you to engage with here.
You will also need to begin contributing to the Glossary and Bibliography
as you explore old and new ideas.
The next part of your journey will begin your exploration of the
issues and you will need to select a minor and major issue - these
will be the focus of your next two assessments. Some readings are
provided in your book of readings to get you started here.
Things to read
Whilst there is a lot of information available, you will need to
look elsewhere, either on the web, in the book of Readings or other
readings, texts and articles to get a fuller grasp of the material
we discuss. 'Key Questions',
your text, ties everything together to provide you with a background
for your approach to the various issues discussed. We also wrote
it to provide some underpinning knowledge you will need to help
you make sense of the things we discuss.
Explore or guided tour?
The unit is based around a number of resources and forums for discussion.
If you feel confident, go and explore the different sites and check
out the resources we have provided. If you are a little more hesitant
- read about these resources first.
Practicing what we preach!
In the process of developing the unit, we have tried to 'practice
what we preach' and implement a way of studying this unit which
encourages you and the other students to be part of the learning
process. Rather than being passive recipients of the knowledge we
might possibly be able to pass on, we are keen for you to be an
active agent in the learning process, contributing your ideas and
understandings to the whole gamut of issues we address. The point
is that we consider you to have experiences and knowledge that we
may not have that would be a valuable contribution to the learning
of the group. The problems are huge in doing this. First of all
we need to get across to you that we really mean it! We want
you to contribute and be an active learner in this unit.
Contributing to your own learning
You may not be used to having to contribute to your study and may
find it difficult and/or embarrassing to do so. Hopefully we have
been able to develop a learning environment which will enthuse you
and encourage you to be involved. If you are having problems though,
contact the lecturer and you can talk it through with them.
Using the resources
The resources and website developed
for this unit are designed to provide you with as much or as little
structure as you need. If this is your first time learning on the
web, you might find our suggestions and guidance useful to help
you navigate the information available. On the other hand we have
tried to make the resources as free and accessible as possible to
enable you to create your own learning if you feel comfortable with
this environment.
The lecturer's job
The lecturer's job in running this unit is to provide his or her
own input to the discussions that exist, to encourage you to be
involved and to guide you in the 'rules of engagement' required
for your involvement to be worthwhile.
|
