Structure

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The Structure of Academy Modules

The structure of this module is the same as the structure of all modules developed by the Academy. While the content, activities and assessments will vary, the features of each module will be the same. The structural design of the modules resulted from extensive research by Academy staff of online courses and web-based supports used in traditional courses. After examining a wide array of online features, a structure was agreed upon and subjected to review by individuals experienced in developing online instruction. The structure was also reviewed by the Academy Board of Governors and jurors for the content areas.

You will note in reviewing the conceptual model for the modules that the structure includes four levels:

Level I:
Module Orientation

Level II:
Module Support

Level III:
Module Lesson

Level IV:
Module Practice

Level I: Module Orientation

The Module Orientation level includes features that introduce you to the focus of the modules. The intended sequence is from left to right, however you can review the features in whatever sequence you prefer. Once you have gained experience in working on modules you will determine which sequence works best for you.

Content Map
The content map conveys a brief schemata of the module content and places this module in the larger context of all modules to be offered in the content area. The "Content Map" will illustrate to you, the relationship of this module to all other modules in the particular content area.

Introduction
The introduction uses a story approach to set the stage for the instructional emphasis of the module. The focus is on interventions to assist teachers in meeting the instructional needs of students.

Critical Questions
The critical questions further specify the content and issues the module is intended to address. They cause you to think about what you will gain from studying the module.

Structure
The structure feature that you are currently reviewing is designed to introduce you to the organizational structure of the Academy modules. The structure is the same for all modules. For this reason you may choose to review this feature the first time you are assigned to complete a module and skip it when starting another module. Or you may wish to spend more time reviewing the module structure and return to the feature periodically to be certain that you are completing each feature as intended.

Help
Help contains information to assist users in understanding how to use the module and overcome technical difficulties. Careful attention has been given to designing online modules that are user friendly and technically stable. However, the Academy cannot control all problems that may arise relative to the institution's server or the computers made available to students locally. Participating instructors may want to share information on a local source for technical support.

Level II: Module Support

The Module Support Level contains features you can access that are designed to enhance the instruction offered at the lesson level. These supports are not targeted to specific lessons; rather they represent module level resources that are tied to the lesson level of the module. For example, many of the Level II support features represent the aggregate of parallel features embedded in the lessons. This is true of the Directed Questions and the Glossary.

Syllabus
The Syllabus relates to all the lessons in the module and contains an overview of the module content, goals, a module organizer, the content map, an outline of the module content, estimates of the time that you should anticipate spending on the module and directions for navigating through the online module. The Syllabus serves the same function in a module that a syllabus serves in a course.

Readings
Support Level Readings represent an aggregate of all readings required for the individual lessons in the module. When the readings appear in the lessons, they will either be in abstract form or the full text will be presented. You will have the option of reading from the monitor or printing a hard copy of the selections. If at a later time you wish to review a reading you can return to the reading list at this level and search for the reading rather than having to return to the specific lesson in order to access the selection.

Research
The Research feature represents a brief discussion of the research literature pertaining to the module topic. It is not intended to be a comprehensive review of the literature; rather it is intended to provide you with a frame of reference for the research related to the topic of the module. In content areas where several modules will be developed, the research feature will be cumulative. After having completed all modules in a content area, you will have had an opportunity to review summaries of research central to that content area.

Directed Questions
The Directed Questions in the support level are a composite of the Directed Questions appearing in each lesson within the module. The Directed Questions are designed to allow you to assess your understanding of key concepts presented in each lesson. The format involves the presentation of a question. Once you enter your response to the question you are able to access a series of exemplary answers. This allows you to make a judgment about your understanding of the question and the quality of your answer. At the Module Support Level an aggregate of all the Directed Questions presented at the lesson level can be accessed. They are grouped here primarily for review purposes. If you at a later time wish to review the key elements of the module, you can access the Directed Questions and respond to the questions. If you experience difficulty, you may wish to review the lesson containing the content related to the questions on which you had difficulty.

Glossary
A Glossary is presented for each lesson. At the Module Support Level, the Glossary is a composite of the terms and definitions appearing in each lesson within the module. Each entry in the glossary is defined in a manner directly related to its use in the lessons.

Assessment
The Support Level Assessment contains evaluation items similar to a final exam. They are assessments that cause you to integrate what you have learned from completing all of the lessons in a module. The items are designed to assess your overall understanding of a module. Assessments also appear at the lesson level where the assessments are specific to concepts and skills taught in a lesson. Module level assessments are intended to assess a more comprehensive level of understanding than the assessments at the lesson level.

Level III: Lessons

The instructional lessons are the heart of the module. Most modules will include three to five lessons. Each lesson is an instructional unit. Whereas Levels I and II contain support features that are resources and that relate to the total module, Level III contains the lessons for the teaching components of the module. The features in Levels I and II are informational in nature and noninteractive. They are important to the module but they are not instructional. The lessons in level III are designed to both engage and inform you. They provide the learning experiences. Each lesson is independent, but at the same time interrelated with other lessons in the module.

The lesson supports are similar to the module supports in Level II except that they focus on specific lessons. They are designed to prepare you for the instructional component of the lesson. They contain resources that will assist you in progressing through the lesson successfully. While you are encouraged to review the lesson supports before beginning the instructional components you will gain experience in completing lessons and decide on their own preferred sequence.

Outline
The outline provides you the most detailed reference on what will be covered in a lesson. An outline is provided for each lesson.

Notes
Notes are accessible as a resource. This allows you to review all of the notes as a summary and to print a copy if you prefer.

Glossary
The Glossary within this level includes only terms that you need to understand in order to successfully complete the lesson you are working on. (The glossary in Level II is a composite of all terms contained in the several lessons within the module). You will be able to access individual glossary terms during the lesson presentation and when reviewing other resources.

Readings
Readings are listed for each lesson. You will be able to read the selections from the monitor or make hard copies.

The instructional components include the Preview, Preview Transcript, Presentation, Presentation Transcript, Activities and Notes. Collectively they approximate a multimedia lecture.

Preview
The Preview introduces each lesson. It is much like an advance organizer. You are provided information on what you will learn as a result of completing the lessons. You are also reminded of what you learned in the previous lesson. The purpose is to assist you in creating a learning set as they approach the lesson.

Presentation
The Presentation is a multimedia lecture with audio and graphic illustrations. The intent is to retain the features of a quality lecture, but to integrate the features with interactive activities and assessments. This is the primary vehicle for presenting the basic content of the lesson. You are directed during the presentation as to when to complete the activities.

Presentation Transcript
The Presentation Transcript is a text version of the lecture presentation. Both audio and text versions are presented to accommodate student preferences for alternative modes of instruction. Both formats are used throughout the modules whenever appropriate. The Presentation Transcript includes the same illustrations as are included in the audio version.

Notes
You are also able to access the notes in a text format. For this reason they are included as a lesson support as well.

Activities
Activities, while also considered as lesson supports, are an important instructional feature of each lesson. Activities will be designed to allow you to apply what you are learning and to practice. Activities will vary in design and in the kinds of responses required. Examples of the types of activities included are information collection, simulations, and case studies as well as data-based, probability, analytical, application, and product development activities.

Assessments take two forms. One is the assessments designed to evaluate your understanding of the lesson. The other takes the form of Directed Questions that are intended as a quick review to allow you to check on your general understanding of the skills, concepts and content covered in the lesson.

Directed Questions
The Directed Questions are less comprehensive than the lesson assessments. They allow you to check on what you have learned but they do not represent the in-depth assessment that occurs as a consequence of the lesson assessments.

Assessments
The Assessments are an integral part of all lessons. They are designed to provide you feedback on your performance. The intent is for the assessments to be instructional in nature. Criteria and examples will be provided so that you can grade your own assessments. The types of assessments will vary depending on the nature of the understanding or skill being assessed. Assessment options include recall/factual, application, decision making, and product development.

While not a resource, the reporting feature allows you to share reports of your work with your instructor or to merely print hard copies for your personal records. For example, you will be able to make copies of your responses to assessments and activities. When the capability to print a hard copy of the your work exists you will be provided instructions as to how to print a copy. If the instructor elects to have you send a copy of your work to them, instructions for transmitting the report via e-mail will be given.

Level IV Practice

After completing all lessons in the module, practice exercises will be available. The practice exercises are designed to allow you to practice the interventions or applications taught through the module. Guidelines will be included allowing you to determine if you are carrying out the practice satisfactorily. There will be no requirements as to when the practice exercises should be carried out. Many of the practice activities will require you to apply skills in classroom situations. Practice exercises will vary in type. Examples of practice activities include application, generalization, and replication of solutions.