| Beg. Word Reading | Help | - | |
| Help | [Orientation] Support | Lesson | Practice | - |
You can tuneup your browser to best use the Academy modules by
personalizing your preferences, found under the edit section in the pull-down menus.
Email
You can also email any part of the modules through an email program other than the one integrated in your browser: Select the text you wish to send,
choose Copy under the Edit menu, select your email program
and paste the selected text into an email message addressed to your instructor.
Printing a page
The second main reason for javascript errors is that the browser has JavaScript disabled. JavaScript can be disabled manually, or in some cases as part of the installation procedure. Refer to your browser documentation or help files to find out the precise method used for enabling JavaScript.
Network Connections
1. By going to the complete table of contents, which covers the entire module:
Glossary Words
Make sure your browser in set up for your email address, enabling you
to send your assignments through the web.
If you are in a computer lab--or on a computer other than your own--the email preferences may be
set to someone else's email address. As a backup, keep a printed copy or email yourself a copy of any email you send to your instructor.
You can print responses to questions or other pages in an Academy
module. To print: select Print under the File menu. The current
page will then print on a printer that is configured to work from your computer.
Font Size
Your browser may offer several features which
you may find helpful in using an Academy module. For example, you can enlarge or decrease
the font size of your browser. Different browsers and different versions of the same browser place this option in
different places.
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Java
JavaScript errors normally occur for one of two reasons:
The first is that the browser is too old to support JavaScript.
Check to ensure that you are using a current browser.
The Academy modules are designed to be distributed from a wide variety of computers
and network configurations. If you are viewing the modules through a high speed
connection (e.g. 28.8+ K dial-up or a T1, T3 direct connection) you will likely
take advantage of the streaming media options for listening and watching the
presentation and other content. If you are using a slower connection (such as
28.8 K dial-up), here are a few tactics for improving your experience
while learning from the Academy Modules.
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Navigating the modules
Getting Started
Every module has four main sections:
Orientation, Support, Lessons, and Practice.
Absolute beginners should read the
orientation section and then go directly to the first lesson.
Tips for quick navigation around the module:
As you become familiar with the module structure, you'll notice there's various paths to allow you
freedom to move around the module.
There are three basic navigation paths available.
The navigation bar at the top of the pages tells you which module and lesson you are working on--in this case, PBS Lesson 2
The bar also provides three easy methods for navigating the module:
2. By directly going to the level you need (Orientation, support, lesson, or assessment.)
3. By using the arrows on the top and bottom of the right hand side of the page. These arrows
allow you to go forward one page (right arrow), back one page (left arrow), or to the table of contents
(lines and dots in the middle) for the level you are using.
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Glossary words or terms that appear in the text body are underlined.
Click the underlined glossary item to see the definition. While viewing a
glossary definition, click "Full Glossary" at the top of the top left of
the definition window to view the entire module glossary.
Module Structure
You do not have to follow a linear path through the modules.
Indeed, such a plan may lead to confusion. The support level of the module is
designed to SUPPORT your learning. The modules's content is contained in the lessons.
If you attempt to answer the directed questions and assessment in the support level before completing the lessons, then, you
may undergo some
frustration, since the questions test material not yet covered.
Therefore, it makes sense for most users to access the lessons BEFORE attempting
the support level tasks, unless you wish to use the questions as a pretest.
As the title suggests, the support level is designed to assist you as you learn!
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Media and Transcripts
The content in the lesson preview and presentation is
available in both media and transcript formats. The media format uses the Real
G2 player to present the content as audio and synchronized images. Most users prefer the media format,
however the media content is also
replicated as a transcript for users unable to use Real G2 or prefer to
print the content. Clicking on any image in the transcript provides an enlarged
view of the image.
Streaming Media
A feature of the Academy Modules is the audio lectures accompanied by synchronous graphics. To experience these media presentations you need the Real G2 player. You can download it free from Real Networks. Your computer must have a sound card to enable you to hear audio files. If you are using a computer that is incapable of audio, you can still benefit from the
Academy modules by using the low bandwidth "transcript" options. The table below
shows acceptable hardware and software configurations for experiencing Academy
modules. Be sure to print out the handouts from the presentation page before you start.
Features
Platform Required
Software Required
Interactive Text
and GraphicsWIN '95+ / 16Mb
Netscape 3x+ (or) MSIE 4.x+
MAC 68K or later / 16Mb RAM
Netscape 3x+ (or) MSIE 4.x+
Streaming Audio and
Synchronous Graphics
Pentium 120+ / 16+ Mb RAM
(32+ Mb RAM preferred)
Netscape 3x+ (or) MSIE 4.x+ &
Real G2 Player
(
download)
Mac PPC 166+ / 16+ Mb RAM
(32+ Mb RAM preferred)
Netscape 3x+
&
Real G2 Player.
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