The Virtual Classroom
and
Modes of Instruction
There are 5 basic modes of instruction,
or class types, for Adidam Academy
courses. Some involve scheduled class
meetings, and some do not. All the modes
are described below.
No matter where in the world you
are located, we try to provide a mode
of instruction that will allow you
to fully participate in courses and
be part of the Adidam Academy global
online learning community.
The Virtual Classroom
In all modes of instruction,
even those where students and teachers
meet in the same room, we make use
of an online Virtual Classroom.
Course outlines, materials, assignments,
recorded audio and video media, and
links to websites are stored in the
Virtual Classroom. Students can also
use the Virtual Classroom to connect
with each other and with the instructor,
using discussion forums, blogs,
email, and assignment uploading.
Access to the Virtual Classroom requires
a computer with connection to the internet.
We encourage students without computer
or internet access to contact Academy
Support for help in registering for
courses or participating in classes.
See our Contact
page for email and telephone information.
Modes of Instruction
(types of classes)
Adidam Academy students live on every
continent and in many time zones. We
want everyone to be able to participate.
These modes of instruction are the
different ways you can take an Academy
course.
Some of these modes may have features
that are new to you. Don’t worry! We’ll
make sure you get the help you need
to fully participate.
(Note: We cannot guarantee that every
course will be available in all modes)
“Synchronous” Modes (teacher
and students meet at the same time)
1. Physical Classroom:
Classes are scheduled to meet in a
specific room, face to face with the
teacher, with full access to the Virtual
Classroom. This mode will be available
whenever there are a sufficient number
of students in a particular area and
a local Academy instructor.
Contact Academy Support to find out
about local classes.
2. Virtual Classroom with
Teleconference: Classes
are scheduled to meet at a certain
time, using telephone conferencing
plus full access to the Virtual Classroom.
Teleconference classes may be recorded
and posted in audio format for later
listening.
3. Virtual Classroom with
Teleconference and Web
Conference: Adds a powerful
dimension to Mode 2 that allows you
to see live visual presentations, slide
shows, video, images, and documents
on your internet-connected computer
along with the telephone conference.
Web conferences may be recorded and
posted in audio and video formats for
later viewing and listening.
“Asynchronous” Modes (There
are no scheduled class meetings. In
these online correspondence-type courses,
you use online discussion forums, blogs,
email and messaging to communicate
with the teacher and other students)
4. Virtual Classroom and Scheduled
Correspondence: Courses
have specific beginning and end dates,
scheduled weekly topics with readings
and assignments, and full use of Virtual
Classroom online discussion forums,
blogs and email to let you connect
with the instructor and other students.
5. Virtual Classroom and Self-Paced
Correspondence: Just
like Mode 4, except you can start the
course any time and work at your own
pace.
_________________________________________
Frequently
Asked Questions
1. How can I find out which
modes are available for a course I’m
interested in?
Go to our Courses
page and click on a course number
and name. If registration for that
course is already set up, you will
go to the registration page and see
the different modes available for that
course.
2. I would like more information
about modes of instruction or the Virtual
Classroom. Who should I contact?
3. What is a Teleconference?
Teleconferences (or
conference calls) make it possible
for a number of participants to talk
together on the telephone. Each participant
calls into a conference center using
a telephone number and access code
provided by the instructor. The instructor,
or call host, can manage the call in
various ways.
It is usually possible to find inexpensive
phone rates to call our USA-based conference
centers from anywhere in the world.
4. What are Discussion
Forums and Blogs?
5. Discussion forums
and Blogs are easy-to-learn
online tools to exchange ideas, post
questions, offer answers, initiate
discussion topics, respond to others,
and offer help on any subject.
6. What is a Web Conference?
Web conferencing
is used to conduct live meetings or
presentations over the Internet. In
a web conference, each participant
sits at an internet-connected computer to see live visual presentations
and to interact in various ways with the teacher and other students. Normally,
everyone is also connected by phone
conference.
A webinar (from “web
seminar”) is a type of web conference
used frequently for live or recorded
presentations that may be interactive
or not.
7. How do I register for
a course?
Go to our Courses
page, pick a course, and click on the link for class schedule
and registration. If we are ready to take registrations
for that course, that link will take you to a page where
you will be able to start online
registration and payment.
If you need help, or if you wish to
register by phone, contact Academy
Support. See the Contact
page for information about how
to reach us.
8. How do I pay for a course?
Our secure online payment system will
take Visa, Mastercard, American Express,
and Discover (we cannot yet
accept direct bank transfers, but hope
to do that in the future).
You will be asked to provide your credit
card information as part of the online
course registration process. If you
have any further questions about online
payments, or if you prefer to register
by phone or email, please contact Academy
Support.
9. Are there any discounts
offered on courses?
Sorry, we are not offering discounts
on courses at this time except to second
congregation members of Adidam who are subscribers
to the Laughing Man Institute weekly education program.
Our courses are already priced to be
excellent value.
10. Is the Laughing Man
Institute weekly program going to continue?
Yes! And it will be enhanced. The
LMI program will provide important
supplements, updates, recitations,
and other educational services that
add to the core curriculum for the
second congregation. The core curriculum
for novices and student-beginners will
more and more be developed and offered
as formal courses within the Adidam
Academy. LMI subscribers receive an
automatic 20% discount on any Academy
course they take (except for 201),
including those in the 500 and 300
series.
11. Do you have a subscription
program for those who are not presently members of the second congregation of Adidam?
Not yet, but we expect to start one
in a few months. Check our website
for the announcement. Subscribers will
not only receive special products and
services but also discounts on courses.
12. Is there a way to
suggest a course I would like to take
in the Adidam Academy?
Definitely. We want to hear your ideas.
Just contact Academy Support. The
range of Teachings given by Adi Da
is vast, and our offerings this term
are only a beginning.
