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Welcome to the Course Overview. You should have no problem using this web-based learning program, whether you have previous computer experience or not. Step-by-step instructions will lead you through the entire course. We suggest you read this page before you start the course topics.
In this single-page overview, we emphasize the following seven components:
Use the above links to review each section thoroughly. Once you finish with the Overview, you should be ready to start learning!
The navigation system of TNEEL-SS has different ways to proceed through the course based on a user's preferred learning style, which we discuss in the next section (2. Learning Styles). Essentially, there are two ways to navigate through the course: topic-based navigation and case-based navigation.
In the following diagram, the navigation plan on the left is topic-based whereas the one on the right is case-based.
Figure 1. Topic based and case based navigation paths in TNEEL-SS
The topic-based and the case-based navigations are very similar to each other - both of them have 5 parts, i.e. the log-in, learning topic selection, pre-test, learning section and the post-test. Each part has multiple web pages. The only difference is in the learning section. The topic-based learning starts in the library and ends with application to clinical cases. The case-based learning lets learners start by solving clinical cases. During this problem solving, learners can go to the library to read about issues presented in the case.
Regardless of your selection of topic-based or case-based navigation, you should solve the clinical cases as a learning activity and for supplementary practice. In order to provide relevant reading material during the problem solving procedure, each case page has a relevant library index. Click on an index item to go to the relevant library section. Figure 2 shows a sample web page for case-based learning.
Figure 2. A sample web page for case-based learning
Adults tend to learn best when material is presented according to their preferred learning style. You can take the Learning Styles Questionnaire, compliments of K. Lawson and Jossey-Bass, Inc, to help you identify your preferred learning style.
You might want to choose different learning styles for different topics and change your learning style when you feel like it. The Preferences page (Fig. 3) allows you to select/change your learning style each time you log in. There are 6 learning style options on the Preferences page - topic based, case based, thinker, doer, feeler, and observer. We recommend that you select a learning style when you begin learning a new topic and continue with the same learning style throughout that topic. Doing so is beneficial for you because it allows you to go through a topic in a consistent learning style.
Figure 3. Preferences page for learning styles and media file locations
Because of the limitations of current dial-up modem speeds, it would take an unbearably long time to download movies and sound files, and the quality could be very poor. You can solve this problem by selecting "CD" on the Preferences page (Fig. 3). You can obtain the multimedia CD from the continuing education office where you registered for the course. When you select "CD", please put the disk in your CD-ROM drive and leave it there while you view the course.
Many web pages have indicators to help with navigation. These indicators reside either in the "page header" or the "index bar" (Fig. 4). All library pages contain an "index bar". A click on an item in the index bar leads to the relevant section of the library page.
Figure 4. An example of a page header and index bar on a library page
The page header has two functions: indicating where you are and leading you to the next section. Figure 5 shows the page header of a web page. It indicates that the learner is currently studying the "Comfort" topic and "Pain Management" subtopic. The "BACK" and "NEXT" buttons lead you to the previous page you have visited and the next page you need to visit, repectively.
Figure 5. An example of the page header
There are seven buttons on the black strip at the bottom of the page header (see Fig. 5). You can click the button labeled TNEEL MENU to return to the main menu page. Clicking on the buttons labeled OVERVIEW, AUTHORS, GLOSSARY, SEARCH, HELP or PROGRESS leads you to the web page where you can read the course overview, learn about the authors, obtain definitions of terms listed in the glossary, do a course-wide search for a word, get help for technical problems, or obtain information about your learning progress.
After you successfully log into the web course, the first web page you see is called the "TNEEL Main Menu". From there, you click on each topic for which you registered, to go to the learning hub for that topic. At the learning hub, click the items in each learning step section in the order you choose. Figure 6 shows a sample topic hub page.
Figure 6. A sample Topic hub page
This web course includes a pre-test and a post-test for each topic. The pre-test is composed of multiple choice and/or true-false questions, while the post-test contains open-ended, short essay questions.
The main purpose of the pre-test is to let you evaluate how much you already know about the topic before you start to learn. Therefore, the first step of your learning is to take the pre-test. After you complete the pre-test and click the SUBMIT button, which is always located at the bottom of the test page, a web page appears that shows you the correct answers and your choices.
Similarly, the purpose of the post-test is to let you know how much you learned from the web course. Therefore, take the post-test only after you finish the entire topic. After you complete the post-test, a web page called "post-test evaluation" appears, with your answers and the answers or comments written by prudent clinicians. There is also a list of important points that you should have mentioned in your answers. You are required to check your answers against these points by clicking the small square on the left side of each point you included in your answer. After you click it, a check mark appears in the small square. To uncheck a point, click the small square again to make the check mark disappear.
Figure 7. A sample post-test evaluation page
In a conventional paper-and-pen test, test takers have no way to change their answers once they submit it. In this web course, the post tests are designed such that you are not allowed to change your answers after you submit them. However, you still can come back to a post-test to finish unanswered questions if you want to return to the learning materials for additional study.
As an adult learner of a continuing education course, you do not have to take the pre and post tests. Since it is beneficial for your learning if you answer the questions and, especially, to compare your answers to those provided by prudent clinicians, we encourage you to complete both pre and post tests for each of the learning topics you selected.
The Progress page (Fig. 8) contains information about the progress of your learning. When you finish the course, there is a button to click which sends an e-mail to your CE office to report your learning progress. In order to reduce unnecessary workload for your CE office, we recommend that you e-mail your CE office only after you complete all the topics for which you registered. After you click this button, a small window appears, with the question: "Are you sure that you want to notify your CE provider?" Click "Yes" to notify the CE provider and "No" to return to the progress page.
Figure 8. The Progress Page
Finally, when you complete all topics for which you registered, please click the "Complete Course Evaluation" button and let us know your opinions about the course. Your input will be used anonymously for research purposes. We highly value your opinions and will use them for future improvements of the web course. Thank you.
Copyright © 2002-2003 D.J. Wilkie & TNEEL Investigators
