Course
Plan: The course is structured according
to the precepts of andragogy (see flow diagram) to help students maximize
learning and mastering the subjects in each unit. The course contents is
divided into large Sections, corresponding to natural disasters according
to their occurrence in nature and their triggering mechanisms; for
example, (1) disasters occurring in the hard surface shell of the Earth
(the Lithosphere), (2) those that involve the water envelope of the planet,
(3) disasters occurring in the atmosphere, (4) disasters that affect the
biota (the biosphere), (5) disasters that result from direct human activities,
and (6) disasters that are triggered by phenomena or objects
from out side planet Earth (extraterrestrial). Sections are divided internally
into Units, representing individualized natural disasters that result from
particular geological processes; for example, earthquakes, volcanoes and
landslides are the units included in the section covering disasters involving
the lithosphere (see diagram below).
Each unit contains
a Unit Plan which is made of three components:
(1) Contents
(a
list of topics to be studied). This component of the unit plan corresponds
to the question of WHAT to study.
(2) Activities
(specific readings and web site links -browsing- you must do). An often
worry that students have is: How many levels of links should I do?
A very close indication that you have mastered the subject covered in the
unit is when you are able to address the items listed in the abilities
sections of each unit. So this component corresponds to the question of
HOW to study in andragogy. The activities can range from simple reading
to web-adventures to online questioners to special field trip suggestions.
(3) Abilities
(a list of learning competencies that were acquired through the activities).
This component can be viewed as a study guide and a preparation for the
evaluation. They should guide you into how well prepared you are. The abilities
component of the unit plan corresponds to the question of FOR WHAT purpose
in pedagogy.
You must submit the Acknowledging Syllabus Form to receive the user name and password to access the website for the Course Plan containing a plan for each section.