>>Lillian Miller: This Gateway Janux course will present you with a very unique social
learning environment. Before you continue, I would like to point out some of the key
features of the course that will help you to understand how this site is structured.
As you may have found, this Introduction unit is designed to provide you with pertinent
information about the Gateway course and the Janux platform. The Getting Started unit is
available to assist you in navigating other university processes as a student at OU. Next,
you will find a brief Campus Highlights unit, offered to help you acclimate to your new
campus environment. Units 1-10 in this Janux site correspond with
the chapters from the course book, “Sooner Citizen.” When you are exploring these units
that are listed on the left navigation panel, it may be helpful for you to first visit the
Overview tab. There, you will find a video that gives you a brief overview explanation
of the unit first. You will also find multiple topical videos from a campus guest lecturer.
These videos will help you gain pertinent information as a learner in this community,
and expose you to top faculty and administrators on the University of Oklahoma campus.
As you scroll down the Overview page, you will find Required Resources. Here, you will
be able to view the learning objectives and the “Sooner Citizen” chapter connected
to that particular unit. If you keep scrolling down, under Assignments, you will find a study
skill that is to be exercised while you watch the guest lecture videos for that unit.
The Additional Resource will provide you with supplemental information to assist you in
completing this task. Also located under Assignments, you will find the unit check: A quiz you can
take after interacting with the material in the unit.
Back on the left navigation panel, you will find various subtopics underneath the Overview
tab. These subtopics will give you the opportunity to participate in Reflect, Engage, and Impact
activities meant to further your understanding of the unit material. Once on the page, start
with the Reflect activity, to allow yourself a moment to recall previous experiences and
former knowledge. Next, click on the Engage and Impact activity. Here, you may be asked
to engage in an activity by watching a video, going over a scenario, visiting a link, or
referring back to your chapter reading. Afterwards you may be prompted to share in a discussion
with other students, or to submit your conclusions to your instructor. As a learner engaging
in open discussions with other students, it is important that you are aware of your own
attitudes, your biases, and your beliefs and offer respect for other students’ perspectives as you
provide focused and clear communication on the specific topic being addressed. Please
review the ground rules for online communication to get a better idea of what is expected of
you in this environment. Finally, as you progress through this course,
you can visit the Campus Resources tab to access common rubrics for the course as
well as electronic versions of the complete "Sooner Citizen" textbook and the Graduation
Planner. I am glad that you have joined us in this Gateway Janux community. I hope you
find it to be a supportive social environment and a stimulating learning experience.