ECD MOOC Orientation Module Downloadable Packet
ECD MOOC Orientation Module Downloadable Packet
Table of Contents
MOOC Orientation Module ........................................................................................................................................... 1
Orientation Module: Welcome! ..................................................................................................................................... 2
Lesson 1: The Online Professional English Network ...................................................................................................... 3
Lesson 2: Diversity and Inclusion in the OPEN Program ................................................................................................ 4
Lesson 3: Canvas User Orientation ................................................................................................................................ 7
Lesson 4a: Online Learning Success Strategies .............................................................................................................. 8
Lesson 4b: Avoiding Plagiarism .................................................................................................................................... 10
Lesson 4c: Discussion Tips for MOOCs ........................................................................................................................ 11
Lesson 5: Certificates and Badges................................................................................................................................ 13
Lesson 6: Support During the MOOC........................................................................................................................... 13
Lesson 7: Safeguarding Program Participants .............................................................................................................. 15
Orientation Quiz........................................................................................................................................................... 18
© 2024 by OPEN. 2024 MOOC Orientation Module Packet for the Online Professional English
Network (OPEN), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S.
government and administered by FHI 360. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons 1
Attribution 4.0 License, except where noted. To view a copy of this license, visit
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Orientation Module: Welcome!
Dear participants,
Welcome to the orientation for the English for Career Development self-paced course! This module will help
prepare you to get the most out of your professional development course.
6. Support
This page provides an overview of options for finding course content or technical support, should you run into any
challenges while taking the course.
This orientation module is optional, but we recommend that you read these materials before you start Module 1,
as they will help you get the most out of your course.
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Lesson 1: The Online Professional English Network
The Online Professional English Network (OPEN) offers professional development courses for English language
teachers and educators, as well as other professionals around the world. The goal of the program is to increase the
capacity of participants to use English effectively in their professional contexts, increase access to openly licensed
learning materials, increase understanding of U.S. society, culture and values, provide opportunities for mutual
exchange, and build the capacity of participants to apply what they have learned within their educational and
professional communities.
Who
The OPEN program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State , Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, with
funding from the U.S. government, and is administered by FHI 360.
The professional development opportunities offered through the program are designed and taught by a variety of
partners, including universities, non-profit companies, private sector partners, and consultants. Together, the U.S.
Department of State, FHI 360, and our partners offer online professional development opportunities to English
educators and learners in over 100 countries.
What
OPEN offers online courses on a variety of topics, including teacher training topics such as Critical Thinking,
Educational Technology, Assessment, and Teaching English to Young Learners, among others, as well as English for
Specific Purposes (ESP) courses such as English for Media Literacy, English for Journalism, and English
Communications for Health Professionals, among others. The program also produces webinars and free materials
that participants can adapt for personal or professional use.
Where
OPEN professional development opportunities are offered entirely online. Courses are offered asynchronously via
the Canvas learning management system (LMS), webinars are offered via Facebook Live, and other opportunities
are available via the OPEN Community of Practice.
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Lesson 2: Diversity and Inclusion in the OPEN
Program
"Diversity Makes Humanity Rich" by the English Access Scholarship Program is licensed under CC BY-ND.
This image shows a diverse group of people and says, "Humans come in all varieties of races, ethnicities, religions, colors, philosophies, gender
representations, political affiliations, ages, abilities, intelligences, and values. Celebrating diversity is about embracing the depth and variety of
life and is essential to build 21st century skills such as understanding difference, being tolerant, and how to live in multicultural communities."
INTRODUCTION
You are joining a massive learning community of thousands of individuals from around the world. In this
community, we encourage sharing, listening, and understanding. We work together to create a diverse, equitable,
inclusive, and accessible learning environment where all feel welcome and included.
WHAT IS DIVERSITY?
Diversity means the representation of different identities in a group. Every person has many unique characteristics
based on identities such as race, ethnicity, culture, gender, sexual orientation, age, socio-economic status, physical
or intellectual ability, religion, political beliefs, and many more. Learning communities that explore and respect
diversity create more positive and enriching experiences for everyone.
WHAT IS DISCRIMINATION?
Unfortunately, people are often mistreated because of their identities. Discrimination is the practice of treating a
person or group differently. As members of the OPEN learning community, we should all work to build respect and
understanding in our interactions and the work that we produce.
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WHAT IS EQUITY?
Equity is the process of offering each individual what they need to succeed. Equity is different from equality.
Equality is when every individual is treated the same. In a learning environment that focuses on equality,
participants might all be treated the same, but each individual may not receive the specific resources and support
they need to succeed.
Just like in the graphic below, where each person gets a specific stool to help them see over the fence, each person
in an equitable learning environment receives support that meets their specific needs, so that everyone can learn
together.
WHAT IS INCLUSION?
Inclusion is the recognition and appreciation of the unique talents and skills of each individual in a group. In an
inclusive learning community, everyone learns together, regardless of their identity, background, or abilities. An
inclusive community is proud of its diversity and celebrates the unique contributions of its individual members.
WHAT IS ACCESSIBILITY?
According to “Disability and Health Inclusion Strategies” from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), “accessibility is when the needs of people with disabilities are specifically considered, and products,
services, and facilities are built or modified so that they can be used by people of all abilities.”
Our learning community must be accessible so that everyone can participate equitably. For example, some learners
might not have the internet connectivity to watch a long recorded video. To make a video accessible, we include a
downloadable script of the video that they can read offline. We add closed captions so that learners who are deaf
or hard of hearing can access or watch the video while reading the words spoken at the bottom of the screen.
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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN THE OPEN PROGRAM
The OPEN Program strives to create an inclusive and accessible learning environment for all participants. As a
participant of this program, you will have the chance to learn from your classmates’ diverse perspectives. Studies
have shown that students in diverse and inclusive learning environments have stronger problem-solving and critical
thinking skills, a more positive self-image, and greater respect for others. They are also more prepared to enter the
workforce and contribute to their communities. As a member of the OPEN community, we hope this experience
helps you feel valued, respected, and engaged in the process of learning!
REFERENCES I
Americans with Disabilities Act, 29 U.S.C. § 2201 (1988)
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/STATUTE102/pdf/STATUTE-102-Pg1044.pdf
Disability and Health Inclusion Strategies. September 15, 2020. In Center for Disease Control and Prevention
Disability and Health Promotion. From: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability-
strategies.html*
*Reference to specific commercial products, manufacturers, companies, or trademarks does not constitute its endorsement or recommendation
by the U.S. Government, Department of Health and Human Services, or Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; This material is otherwise
available on the agency website for no charge.
REFERENCES II**
**This content is copyrighted, and cannot be adapted in any way, or distributed after the end of this course. It is not
Public Domain or Creative Commons-licensed, and therefore not for public use. Please do not save a copy for your
personal use, and do not use it after the course ends.
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Lesson 3: Canvas User Orientation
Get Started with the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS)
• Update Your Canvas Settings All new Canvas users should read this information. Click on your name at the
top right corner to view your settings at any time!
• Update Your Notification Preferences Canvas can send you Notifications about course activities to your
email, and your cell phone. Read the information found by clicking the link, then go to Account in the top
left corner to customize your Notification preferences.
• Search Canvas Guides Find helpful information! Canvas Guides provide you with all the information you
need to use Canvas.
Additional Tutorials
• Collapse and Expand Modules Learn how to manage the modules in your course; simplify your view of
modules.
• Reply to a Discussion Explore how to reply to your instructor or peers in a discussion board.
• Manage Your Personal Files Canvas users get a small amount of storage to store files such as assignment
drafts and readings.
• How do I drop the course? If you want to drop this course, read this lesson to find out when and how you
can do that.
• The login URL for this course is https://moocs.openenglishprograms.org/. Be sure to bookmark that link
for quick reference later.
• Supported Browsers Find out what browsers work best for this course (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge).
Accessibility Statement
Canvas provides a user experience that is easy, simple, and intuitive. Special attention has been paid to making
Canvas screen-readable. The Rich Content Editor encourages users to create accessible content pages (i.e. text
formatting is accomplished using styles). Canvas is designed to allow limited customization of colors and schemes
to be accessible for all users. The National Federation of the Blind granted Canvas the Gold Level Web Certification
in 2010. Find more information by visiting the Canvas Accessibility information page on our website.
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Lesson 4a: Online Learning Success Strategies
"Untitled" by NordWood Themes via Unsplash is licensed under the Unsplash License.
Taking a class online is quite different from sitting in a classroom. Without the dedicated class time and
in-person interactions, it can be difficult to focus on the material and assignments. Below are useful
Online Learning Success Strategies to use when taking an online course for the first time, or to review
even if you've taken online courses before.
• Making Time
o Set aside a specific study time each week and make this a time that you honor and commit to every
week.
• Your Learning Space
o Have a dedicated study space with reliable internet. Maybe this is your home, or a relative’s home. It
could be a public space, such as a café. Whatever it is, make it work for you, and try to minimize
distractions. This will be your “classroom.”
• Thinking About Your Goals
o Develop your study goals. What do you want to get from your course? Maybe you want to improve
your classroom or receive a promotion with your new skills.
▪ Whatever this goal is, write it down and focus on it during your course.
• Assignments and Deadlines
o When you receive the syllabus, look over each module and make note of all assignments. Use a
calendar, either a paper one or online, to chart out your assignments and set deadlines for yourself.
▪ Canvas has a calendar feature that will store all your class-related deadlines, and you are
encouraged to use this. Canvas also offers a Notifications feature that will alert you, via
email or SMS, about upcoming due dates.
• Create a Community
o Online learning can be just as much of a community as the classroom. Interact with your colleagues
and fellow OPEN participants as much as you can! In discussions, sign your name and indicate your
country so other participants know who and where you are (example: Danielle - USA).
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• Technology
o Understand the technology. Become familiar with the technology now, so you won’t have problems
later.
o If you have technical difficulties, don’t wait to ask for support. Ask for help early. (See Lesson 6 for
details on how to get help.)
• Do Your Work!
o Complete all your assignments and projects. Treat this as you would in a physical classroom, with your
instructor and peers relying on you to complete your work, participate in discussions, and finish your
projects.
• Start Early
o Do not wait until the last minute to complete assignments! No late assignments can be accepted after
the course end date. Remember that the MOOC is conducted in Eastern Time (ET), which may be
several time zones ahead or behind you.
Online learning allows you to be responsible for your own success. Ultimately, it is up to YOU to stay organized,
manage your time, ask questions, and complete all assignments on time.
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Lesson 4b: Avoiding Plagiarism
One strategy for success in OPEN courses is to be aware of American academic culture. You may find that some
aspects of these courses are different from how you are used to learning in your own country. For example, in
American academic culture, plagiarism is an important issue.
Plagiarism is the use of ideas, information, or words that you read without giving credit to the source. Most of the
time, plagiarism is unintentional, but even if you don't mean to take credit for other people's work, you still have to
be careful to give credit to any resource you use when writing or creating material, even in an online discussion.
You will get the most out of discussions with your peers if you write up your responses based on your own personal
experiences and opinions. Since your peers will be responding to you, including uncredited information from an
outside source may take the discussion off topic.
"Untitled Photo" by Green Chameleon via Unsplash is licensed under the Unsplash license.
Below are some tips for avoiding plagiarism during your online course.
Citing Sources
Giving credit, or citing a source, means that you show whose ideas you used in your writing. According to
the Purdue Online Writing Lab (2016), “When citing, provide the author’s name when you first introduce
your quote, summary or paraphrase of his or her text (e.g., ‘Harris writes,’ ‘According to Rodriguez’).”
Learner-centered instruction fosters autonomous learning and a sense of ownership over the learning
experience, resulting in higher participation and more collaboration between participants (Brown, 2007,
p. 52).
According to Harmer (2007, p. 51), Task-Based Learning (TBL) “is a natural extension of communicative
language teaching. In TBL, the emphasis is on the task rather than the language”.
You must cite the source of any information that is not common knowledge. An example of common
knowledge is that the sky is blue. So, if you want to include any specific information that you learned
while reading or studying, you must cite the source of that information. This rule applies to quoting,
summarizing, and paraphrasing other sources in discussions and assignments.
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Lesson 4c: Digital Citizenship in MOOCs
Online communities are similar to the communities we live and work in, but online communities may include
people with different beliefs, identities, cultures, viewpoints, and experiences. Online communities have
socially acceptable practices that encourage respect and collaboration, referred to as digital citizenship.
Socially responsible citizens in online communities engage in behaviors that politely respect differences and
promote a positive learning environment for all. Guidelines for digital citizenship incorporate the basic rules
of polite, appropriate, responsible conduct in online communities. The OPEN Program’s digital citizenship
guidelines incorporate the basic rules of polite, appropriate, responsible conduct and are designed to ensure
that our course communities are creative, engaging, and respectful spaces for all learners.
As a participant in this program, you are required to read these guidelines thoroughly and reference them
when posting discussion responses, responding to peers’ posts, engaging with your facilitators or OPEN
Program staff using Canvas messaging or email, and in any other situation where you are responding to or
providing feedback on another person’s experience or opinions. The goal of online discussion forums is for
you to share and learn from one another. What you share in discussion forums should contribute to a learning
environment that helps all participants become more effective as English language speaking professionals.
By participating in course discussions, you agree to uphold these guidelines. If a post or response violates
these guidelines, we will remove the post. If a participant makes multiple posts that violate guidelines, he or
she may be removed from the course.
Please carefully read the General Guidelines for Creating a Respectful Learning Environment and the
Specific Guidelines for Responding to Discussion Prompts and Your Peers below. Use these during your
course and post a question in the Content Support Discussion if you have questions or concerns.
• Respect and learn from different experiences and perspectives: Another participant’s perspective may be
very different from your own, but everyone is here to learn. It is important to respect different experiences
and acknowledge that others may be seeing things from a different perspective. Please don’t try to
“correct” another person’s lived experience since OPEN courses are not a place to discuss politics or
policies related to war, conflict, disaster, etc.
• Be considerate, even if you disagree: If you feel that you cannot continue a discussion without arguing or
making accusations, stop engaging in the discussion. Remember that all discussion assignments in MOOCs
are optional, and they do not impact your grade. If you think a statement might be rude or offensive but
are not sure, do not share it.
• Be aware of your tone: Tone refers to how you say what you say. Because it is difficult to interpret tone in
online communication, it is best to adopt a neutral tone. Avoid a joking tone. Jokes may not be understood
by all your classmates and may offend them.
• Be kind: Be as polite in an online discussion forum as you would be if you were talking face-to-face.
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SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR RESPONDING TO DISCUSSION PROMPTS
AND YOUR PEERS
• Read first: Read all comments and previous questions that have been posted. Your question may have
already been answered.
• Stay focused: Stay on topic, and don’t post irrelevant thoughts, discussions, or photos. These can be
disruptive to your classmates. If you are unsure, reconsider your post.
• Participate! Don’t be a lurker, or someone who reads what other people write, but doesn’t contribute
their own thoughts. Your thoughts are important; share them with your peers.
• Don’t cross-post (posting the same comment in multiple forums) or copy someone else’s comments. Your
work should be yours alone and should be original to you.
• Quote your classmates and bring context to your thoughts: If you refer to what another classmate said,
quote your classmate. You can say, “When [NAME] said, ‘QUOTE’, it reminded me of….” This will help
others understand your point and keep them from having to look for the original statement while helping
you practice academic skills.
• Use professional language: Do not use abbreviations, slang, or cursing and do not type in ALL CAPS. Use
italics or bold for emphasis and avoid overusing exclamation points which may come across as anger.
Proofread your work before you share it, and do not correct the phrasing, spelling, or grammar of your
classmates unless they specifically ask you to do so.
• Write only about your own personal experience and relate your posts directly to the discussion prompt.
Before posting, ask yourself “Is what I am sharing related directly to the prompt, and will it contribute to a
positive learning environment?” Speak from your personal experience, be specific, and give examples.
• Provide thoughtful, relevant, and engaging input: Some helpful ways to respond include expressing
empathy, asking follow-up questions related to the discussion, and sharing your own experiences.
• Avoid expressing your opinion about someone else’s experience: Try responding with what you have
learned or how you relate to their situation. Don’t simply say “Yes, I agree” or “No, I disagree.” Try to help
others understand your thoughts and be inspired to contribute their own.
• Avoid broad statements about politics, identity groups, or who may be “wrong” or “right.” A comment
such as “my work as a teacher is difficult because the other side keeps attacking us” does not focus on
personal experience. To contribute to a learning environment, this individual could instead share the
impact of the situation, such as “teaching is difficult because the school building and classrooms have been
destroyed. I hope to learn techniques for how I can teach in a way that is trauma-sensitive for children.”
Some of the above information was adapted from "Tips for using Discussion Forums in MOOCs" by MoocLab, accessed Sep 8, 2017.
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Lesson 5: Certificates and Badges
Participants who successfully complete this MOOC will receive a digital badge and certificate through Badgr. More
information about how to collect your certificate and badge will appear after you complete Module 5.
In order to earn a certificate and badge, you will need to complete all required activities with a score of 70% or
higher. This does not include activities labeled "Optional."
You must move through the course in sequential order. That means you must click through pages in the order they
appear on the Modules page. Pages will be locked until you have viewed the preceding page. Locked pages will
appear in gray font, while unlocked pages have black font:
In the image above, the student needs to contribute to the Module 1, Task 1: Building Community Discussion before
he/she may move on to Module 1, Task 2: Course Pre-test.
Similarly, you must earn at least 70% on graded quizzes in order to unlock the next content page or module. You
may take a quiz as many times as you'd like. If you do not pass the first time, you can retake the quiz until you
receive 70% and can move on in the course.
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Lesson 6: Support During the MOOC
There might be a time when you need help during your course. Please read below to find answers.
MOOC Support
If you are unsure how to do something in Canvas, please check the Lesson 3: Canvas User Orientation page for
videos and user guides.
The Content Support Discussion Board is a space where you can ask a facilitator questions about the course.
If you need technical support, email the OPEN team: [email protected]. Please note that this inbox is
monitored Monday - Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern time. If your message is sent outside of these hours,
you may need to wait for a response. For the fastest possible response, please use [email protected] and
not the Canvas Inbox feature. The Canvas Inbox is not monitored often, and responses may come more slowly.
When you submit your support request, please provide as much detail as possible and be as clear as possible when
describing the situation. Also, please be sure to include the following information:
• Your name
• The course you are enrolled in (English for Career Development)
• What browser you are using (Google Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer, etc.)
• Device you are using (laptop/desktop, tablet, or cell phone)
• Screenshots, or still images captured by your phone or browser, if possible. These are very helpful, especially
with technical problems. If you receive an error message and you are unable to include a screenshot, please
copy the message or text that is displayed.
• If you are having difficulties with a specific part of the course, please specify the module, lesson, or task that
you are having trouble with.
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Lesson 7: Safeguarding Program Participants
As a participant in the OPEN Program, you can expect a safe learning environment. Safeguarding is our
commitment to preventing harm and protecting (or guarding) your safety as a program participant. This page
explains how OPEN will provide a safe environment, and how you can report harm, if it occurs.
SAFEGUARDING PROTECTIONS
The OPEN Program cares about each participant’s safety. The following safeguarding principles protect participants
from harm:
• FHI 360 staff, partners (including course instructors), volunteers (including mentors or facilitators) and
other participants should never threaten, harass or harm you. You can find some examples and
definitions of harmful behaviors in the glossary provided at the end of this page.
• FHI 360 staff, partners (including course instructors), volunteers (including mentors or facilitators), and
other participants should never send you inappropriate texts, emails, social media posts or any material
of a sexual nature. Communication from and on behalf of the OPEN Program should be program related
and appropriate for a learning environment.
• FHI 360 staff, partners (including course instructors), volunteers (including mentors or facilitators), and
other participants should never ask you for money, favors, or sex in exchange for program benefits. The
OPEN Program is completely free to all participants and the benefits and expectations of the program are
shared openly with participants.
• FHI 360 staff, partners (including course instructors), volunteers (including mentors or facilitators), and
other participants should never ask you for sex acts in exchange for money. This includes requests made
through electronic communication like chat messages, discussion posts, email, SMS messages, etc.
As an online program, OPEN follows specific procedures to protect personal information and safeguard
participants. These actions include:
• Requiring all program staff, instructors, and volunteers (including mentors or facilitators) to complete
training on how to protect participants' safety and personal information.
• Monitoring discussion boards for any posts or comments that violate safeguarding policies.
• Securely storing your personal information, including your full name and email address.
o Your personal information will only be available to authorized users of our systems.
• Only using your personal information, such as your name and email address, for legitimate purposes
related to your participation in the program.
o Your personal email address will not be shared with course instructors, volunteers
(including mentors or facilitators), or other participants unless you choose to share it directly.
Instructors and participants use the Canvas inbox feature in the learning management system to
communicate safely while courses are in session.
o Global and Regional course participants who are eligible to join the OPEN alumni Community of
Practice (CoP) may continue to interact safely with other instructors and other participants in the
CoP, without sharing personal email addresses.
• Providing information about safeguarding to participants and clearly communicating to participants
how they can report safeguarding concerns (see below).
15
This work is an adaptation of “Podcast Meeting Virtual.” by Mohamed Hassan licensed under the Pixabay. license. This adaptation is licensed CC
BY 4.0 by FHI 360. Image description: OPEN Safeguarding.
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GLOSSARY - EXAMPLES OF HARMFUL BEHAVIORS
Bully (v.): to hurt or frighten someone else, sometimes forcing them to do something they do not want to do
Exploit (v.): to use someone unfairly for your own advantage or benefit
Humiliate (v.): to make someone feel ashamed, embarrassed, or feel that they are in a lower position, often
around others
Offend (v.): to cause a person or a group to feel hurt, angry or upset by something said or done
Physical Violence (n.): any act that causes physical harm such as hitting, fighting, pushing, shoving, slapping or
throwing objects
Threaten (v.): to say that you will cause trouble, hurt someone, or take another negative action, if you do not get
what you want
Yell (v.): to shout something or make a loud noise, usually when you are angry, in pain or excited
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Orientation Quiz
Note: The final page of the Orientation Module is an optional and ungraded quiz, which must be completed in
Canvas.
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