1) The document provides instructions for students taking an online course about Costa Rica, including noting to read announcements from their teacher daily, completing assignments by midnight on Fridays of each week, and contacting their teacher if they have any questions. 2) It explains how to access assignments and grades, submit speaking assignments, and find important course resources like the schedule of assignments and Blackboard IM. 3) Students are advised to spend 2-3 hours daily on the course, completing the number of assignments due that week by dividing the total by 5 to stay on track.