When you take a classroom course, you have to report to a certain room at a given time and from then on, the instructor is in charge! You listen to lectures, do lab experiments, and are assigned homework or reports due on a certain day at a certain time.

Online courses have some similarities to classroom courses- there are due dates, for example. The main difference is that you have to decide when it's time to check the course site, when you'll do the reading and homework, and when you'll enter into the discussions.

• On the first day of a new unit, log into the course site to see the unit's assignments. This will help you plan to complete them in the allotted time.

• Log into the course site at least three times a week and post to the discussion board regularly. (Specific guidelines will be given for each unit.)

• Read the assignment as early in the unit as possible.

• Do the self test to check understanding of key points. Reread the sections that are confusing.

• Go to office hours, or post a message on the discussion board if you have problems with an assignment. The discussions are our primary mode of communication.

• Don't leave the hands-on activity until the last minute! The results will be discussed online, and you need to complete it in order to join in the discussion.

• When you feel you are ready, take the unit quiz. You may take it a second time, if you wish.

• If you have an unexpected problem (travel, kids' school vacations, illness) that prevents you from completing work in a timely manner, be sure to let the class know. We're all counting on you!

Monday night: Look at the calendar for the unit to see what is required. Flip through the reading assignment and look at the hands-on experiment write-up.

Tuesday night: Read over the assignment and try out suggested web applets.

Wednesday night: Try the homework problems. Couldn't get one? Check the solutions on the course CD and post a question on the discussion board for the unit.

Thursday night: Bowling night, no school work

Friday afternoon: Do the hands-on experiment and look at the discussions already posted. Add my two cents worth. Ask a question about a classmate's results.

Friday night- Out on the town

Saturday afternoon- Try out some of the alternate hands-on activities

Saturday night- Go for a walk and see a movie

Sunday night- Think about how I'll teach this unit to my own students. Post some preliminary ideas.

Monday night- Work late on a project at the office, then dinner and a football game on TV

Tuesday night-Check the discussion board to see what's new and try the self test. Need to review one or two concepts!

Wednesday night: Read some of the class comments on implementation

Thursday night: Bowling night, no school work

Friday night- Out on the town

Saturday afternoon- Check out the instructor's comments on wrapping up this unit; revise my teaching ideas based on what others have suggested. Take the unit quiz.

Sunday night- Relax and get ready for the next unit!