Forums allow students to share ideas with classmates since they do not see each other in person. Forums are graded like quizzes and most modules have at least one forum. In forums, students must respond to a prompt with a complete answer, read and respond to two other posts with full sentences, and stay on topic. Some forums require creating projects like Prezis or Vokis, for which students post a link instead of the full project file. The Learning Block forum provides daily tips from the teacher. Students can also use the Getting Started forum to ask questions.

2. Forum
Why do we do the online forums in Earth and Environmental Science?

3. Share what you learned with the class.

4. What does a Forum do for me?
• Forums are a place for sharing ideas with classmates.
• Since we don’t see each other, the Forum is a fun way for the class to
discuss topics. It is important that your comments be in-depth. Only
writing “I agree” will not get your any points. You must also stay on
topic and be respectful. Please post early or on time, so that others
may have the chance to respond to your postings.
• The Discussion boards are excellent for creating a dialogue between
you and other users. It is less formal than a blog post, and is similar to
the “reply to all function” in an email.

5. It is your presentation to the class.

6. Are the Forums Graded?
• Forum grades count like quiz
grades. Some forums are just
asking for your ideas, and others
require you to create a project
such as a Voki, a Glogster, or a
Prezi.
• You will be learning some new
skills and creating some really
nice things.
• Most modules have a forum, but
not all.

7. Is there a forum with every
module?
No. Only certain modules have a forum.
Modules 1, 4, 5, and 6 do have a forum. In the Honors class, Module 7 has a forum. After the
midterm, the forums show up in these modules: 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, and 17.

8.  1.1 Four Branches of Earth Science
In this lesson you will view one video that provides an overview of Earth Science and then a short video clip on each of the four
main branches that are typically associated with Earth Science. Please click the video page below and pay close attention to each
video as it plays.
 1.1 Earth Science Videos Page
 1.1 Formative Activity Page
 1.1 Forum on the Four Main Branches of Earth Science
 _______________________________________________________
4.2 Famous Quakes Forum
 Page4.2 Earthquake Resources Page
 File Earthquake PPT No Sound File
 Quiz 4.2 Earthquakes Formative Assessment Quiz
 Forum4.2 Earthquake's!! Forum
Be sure to complete all parts of each forum.

9. First, you respond to the prompt.
• Put your answer to the prompt
on the forum and be sure that
you have answered each
question completely and in full
sentences.
• Read the posts that your
classmates have put on the
forum.
• Then respond to two other
people’s post. You must use full
sentences and tell what it is that
you agree or disagree with and
why.
• Just writing, “I agree”, Good job”
or any other short response will
not earn any points.

10. What if it is a project?
• Follow the directions to create
the project, such as a Prezi, a
powerpoint, a Voki, or a glogster.
• These almost always cause files
to be too large to upload.
• No worries. You will post a link
to your project instead of the
whole project.
• How do we post a link to our
projects?
• Imagine that you have created a Voki (a
talking cartoon). So, while you are still on the
site, you Name and Save your work. Then,
you click on the Share feature. A list of ways
to share will come up. Choose the url address
option. Copy that address and paste it onto a
Word Document. Save that word. doc to
your computer by giving it a name. For
example Your Name 5.2 Voki non-renewable
energy resources.
• Go back to the module assignment page
where you got the assignment and upload the
word.doc.

11. The Learning Block
Forum
Each day, your online teacher will post
information that will help you as you
work through the course. Your online
teacher will post helpful ways to
remember new concepts, reminders
about important information, celebrate
successes, and tips, tricks, or hints for
completing your work. In short, you'll
want to check the Learning Block daily
so that you do not miss out on lots of
extra help!

12. NCVPS Getting Started
Getting Started Questions & Concerns
As you go through your Getting
Started module, you'll have some
questions. This is where you'll
want to post those questions. Your
teacher will answer them in a
timely manner.

13. Module One - What is Earth Science?
1.1 Forum on the Four Main
Branches of Earth Science
Now that you know about the four
main branches of Earth Science,
identify a specific topic from each
branch that you are looking
forward to learning more about
and give a short explanation for
why you want to learn about that
topic.

14. Module Four - Plate Tectonics, Earthquakes,
Volcanoes, and Mountain Building
4.2 Earthquake's!!
You will research major
earthquakes and pick one to
answer the following questions:
1. What is the location of your
earthquake?
2. What was the Richter scale
reading?
3. How many lives were lost?
4. When did the earthquake
occur?
5. In your opinion, should
people build and live near major
fault lines?

15. Module Five - Non-Renewable Energy
Resources
• Review the overviews on coal, natural
gas, fossil fuels, and oil
• Choose the fossil fuel that bothers you
the most. In the text of your Voki,
explain what it is and what harm it
causes the environment.
• 5.2 Create a Voki.
• WATCH THIS VIDEO ON HOW TO
CREATE AND EMBED YOUR VOKI
• Go to www.voki.com, create an
account (it is free), next, create your
own voki that reads the fossil fuel that
you picked and the information above.
• Once you are ready to post to the
forum, hit "add a new discussion
topic", name it, hit the <> button and
embed your voki using the embed
code from the voki you created.
• Review two of your classmates' vokis
and make a comment!

16. Module Six - Renewable Resources
6.3 Ten ways you can reduce
your use of fossil fuels.
•Please use this forum as a
collaborative activity by listing
10 ways you can reduce fossil
fuels.
• Read the posts from other
students and respond to at least
two.
•Check back periodically to
interact with each other and
come up with new ideas.
Try to have at least one unique
method in your list that none of
your classmates have thought
of!

17. Every Forum is Important