Title: Week Zero Lesson
Course: EPS 201: PSYCHOLOGY OF LEARNING (B) > Section: Week Zero: Introduction and learner support

Introduction and learner support

Topic-level overview | Topic/week/section | 0
Topic name: | Introduction and learner support
Aim of the week: | The aim of the week is to have the facilitators as well as you introduce yourselves and get to know the rules of online learning.
This topic covers:
1. About us and learner support
2. Introductions and your learning environment
3. Netiquette
4. Online learning rules
Intended outcomes:
At the end of this week, you will be able to:

1. Identify available learner support systems
2. Introduce yourselves and your learning environment
3. Demonstrate an understanding of netiquette in learning
4. Identify online learning rules

Overview of student activity

Overview of student activity:
1. Acquainting yourself with available learner support systems
2. Introducing yourself to your colleagues in the discussion forum
3. Commenting on netiquette
4. Familiarising yourself with online learning rules

Some important questions

Some important questions
Which learning resources/ references will scaffold the students’ learning? | The  course outline and the module
How are students enabled to access the resources? | Through the institutional LMS and OER Africa website
Where in this topic are students expected to work collaboratively? |
How has an inclusive approach been incorporated in this topic? | Varied activities for the learners and e-moderator prompting lurkers
How will feedback on topic be obtained from students? | Online posts in discussion board.
How will student feedback be used to improve topic? | The e-moderator will consider the feedback from students when setting assignment deadlines, choosing learning activities and resources taking into account the individual differences and context of the learners.
At which point(s) will students receive formative feedback on the work they have done in the topic? | By the end of week zero

Constructive alignment of topic level outcomes with module level outcomes, learning activities and assessment

Constructive alignment of topic level outcomes with module level outcomes, learning activities and assessment
Intended topic learning outcomes: | No of module-level outcome | Activity where students engage with this outcome | Where and how is this outcome assessed?
At the end of this week, you will be able to:
1. Identify available learner support systems |  | E-tivity 0.1 | Welcome forum
1. Introduce yourselves and your learning environment |  | E-tivity 0.2 | Interactions in the discussion forum
1. Demonstrate an understanding of netiquette in learning |  | E-tivity 0.3 | Interactions in the discussion forum
1. Identify online learning rules |  | E-tivity 0.4 | Interactions in the discussion forum

Module-level outcomes addressed:

Module-level outcomes addressed:
Week 0 is an orientation week where by you will be required to quickly access the system and socialize online with your facilitators and colleagues. It is designed to prepare you for later engagements in the course.
Purpose of the topic/week/section:
This week is intended to help you familiarise yourself with learner support systems, get to know your colleagues, rules for online learning and netiquette. This is hoped to be an ice-breaker and make you feel at ease with your colleagues and facilitators.
Over to you: (a description of the process of the section)
In week 0, we are going to explore the learner support systems, familiarise ourselves with the ground rules and netiquette, get to know your colleagues and create a community of learners who can support you during the course.
Pre-topic activity: | Number of hours | 30 minutes
Familiarise yourself with the Learning Management System
Face to face time: (if applicable) | Number of hours | 1 hour
You will meet your lecturers (also called e-moderators in online learning) to give you a general overview of the course and expectations of blended learning.

E-Tivity 0.1

Online activity: | Number of hours | 30 minutes
What should students do? | E-tivity 0.1 After acquainting yourself with the LMS, identify three learner support services available for your use. Post your answer to discussion forum 0.1
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum 0.1
By when should they do it? | Within the first day of the week 0.
E-moderator/tutor role
Going through the learners posts, welcoming them and giving a clarification on the usefulness of the services.
How are the outcomes in this week assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
By the number postings in the discussion forum
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This is an introductory part of the module which is meant to enable you to familiarise yourself with learner support systems.

Etivity 0.2

Online activity: | Number of hours | 1 hour
What should students do?
E-tivity 0.2

1. Introduce yourself to your colleagues in the discussion forum and write a brief bio that;

- tells your fellow students something about your background
- explains why you believe that psychology of learning will benefit you as a teacher
- identifies what you believe to be your greatest strength academically

2. Post your bio in the discussion forum 0.2  by the second day 12h00.

3. Read what the other students have posted and comment on at least two of their bios, suggesting how you might work together to exploit your strengths for each others benefits.

4. Post these comments in discussionforum 0.2 by 21h00.
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum 0.2
By when should they do it? | Within the second day of week 0.
E-moderator/tutor role
Ensuring that the learners are focussed on the content of the e-tivity

Encouranging every learner to participate
How are the outcomes in this week assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The number of interactions in the discussion forum
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This is an introductory part of the module which is meant to enable you to know one another, create a community of learners.

Etivity 0.3

Online activity: | Number of hours | 30 minutes
What should students do?
E-tivity 0.3

1. Access the LMS and read on netiquette.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of online manners by commenting on some of the manners that you find appropriate and you were not aware of.
3. Post your answer in to discussion forum 0.3.
4. Go through what your friends have posted and comment in the discussion forum
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum 0.3
By when should they do it? | By the end of the third day of week 0.
E-moderator/tutor role
Encourage the learners to participate and summary the key points on netiquette
How are the outcomes in this week assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The number of interactions in the discussion forum
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This is section is linked to the sections on creating a community of learners.

Etivity 0.4

Online activity: | Number of hours | 30 minutes
What should students do? | E-tivity 0.4 Access the LMS and outline the online learning rules that will be applicable in the course during interactions with your colleagues and the e-moderator. Post your answer to discussion forum 0.4. Read and comment on the posts from your colleagues.
Where do they do it? | Discussion forum 0.4
By when should they do it? | By the end of the fourth day of the week 0.
E-moderator/tutor role
1. Encouraging learners to participate and summarising the key points.
2. closing the discussion.
How are the outcomes in this week assessed? | Number of hours | 30 minutes
The number of interactions in the discussion forum
How does this section link to other sections of the module?
This is an introductory part of the module which is meant to enable you to know online learning rules that will be applicable during interactions in the learning communities.

Total number of hours | 6 hours