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Index
7 answers
The Big Picture
- Exploring Issues in the Big
Picture
- The Big Picture from a
Time Management Perspective
- From the Big Picture Back
to the Issues
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7 Answers about Getting Started
| 1. What is the
purpose of this manual? |
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This manual has two related purposes:
- To help you to explore issues well.
- To help you to succeed in this course.
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| 2.
Do I need to study this manual? |
- Yes.
- However, you don't need to read the whole manual now.
- For a start, go through it quickly to see which parts to read
now and which to come back to later.
- Refer to it often as you work through the first section of Module
1.
- Keep coming back to it later, especially in the rest of Module
1 and at the beginning of each other module.
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| 3. What do I need to do to succeed? |
- Be organized.
- Work in a fast but focussed way.
- Use the tips provided in this manual and in the module materials.
- Don't worry if it takes "too long" to do the first
section or the first module, but be sure you are working efficiently
by the end of the first module.
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The challenging part is the beginning, because you
will be getting used to a course that is probably quite different
from anything you have done before.
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| 4. How important
is the World Wide Web for this course? |
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It is not essential to use the Web for this course, but it is quite
helpful, even if you can only do so from time to time by visiting
a public library. You need to keep up with current issues in your
roles as a citizen and a social studies student, and one of the
most useful media for that purpose is the Web.
All students in this course are encouraged to use the recommended
Web links:
Both sets of Web Links are organized in a way that makes it easy
to find your way around. For example, the Socials 11 Web Links include
sets of links for each section and for the final project, "Debating
an Issue."
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| 5. Where should
I write my answers? |
- Where you are prompted by blank lines after a question, answer
there.
- Otherwise, answer in a way that suits the way you are doing
the course (usually either on separate paper or in a computer
file).
- Do not write on any course materials that will be reused by
other students.
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| 6. How should I organize my
materials? |
- No matter how you are doing the course, you will probably need
a binder with lots of tabbed dividers. For example, you could
use a divider in front of everything you are using for an assignment
or project-directions, notes, clippings, etc.
- If you have a computer, you could set up module folders. Each
of them could include a folder for each section assignment and
project. Within each folder you would keep notes, files that you
have downloaded from the Internet, and perhaps the answers that
you will be submitting.
- Keep your system current. Do frequent maintenance.
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| 7. What other equipment and
supplies do I need? |
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Nothing is essential, but useful items could include:
- A pen and notebook that you keep in your pocket so that you
can make entries whenever you come across ideas for the Issues
Log (discussed later in this manual)
- Some form of time planner to help you plan, monitor, and analyze
your study time
- Audio/video tapes, so that you can tape the news, documentaries,
and other programs related to current issues
- Place markers to make it easy to come back to your spot in the
textbook and other print materials
- A globe or simple maps that you can refer to when following
current events
- A dictionary
- Encyclopedias such as the Canadian Encyclopedia, published
by McClelland and Stewart on CD-ROM (for Windows and Macintosh)
- Publications, including a range of newspapers and magazines
- Television, radio, and telephone
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Suggestion: B.C.'s Knowledge Network broadcasts
many programs that
are relevant for social studies students. For a free program guide,
phone
431-3222 from the Vancouver area or toll-free 1-800-663-1620.
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