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Student Guidelines

These guidelines are intended to answer questions and inform the students of the NALS Online Study Group of what is expected of them.

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1	There is an Assignment Schedule posted on the NALS website. Be sure you check it regularly so that you study the right material. You will notice that the first session of the Online Study Group (“OLSG”) will start on August 7, 2007, and continue every Tuesday through September 25, 2007. All NALS certification exams will be given nationwide on September 29, 2007. The second session of the Online Study Group (“OLSG”) will start on January 8, 2008, and continue nearly every Tuesday through February 26, 2008. All NALS certification exams will be given nationwide on March 1, 2008. The Study Group is free to anyone who wants to attend, and it is open to both NALS members and nonmembers.
2	You will need to obtain the necessary resource books directly from the publisher. The moderators will be using the most current resource books available. Information to order current resource books can be found on the NALS website (www.nals.org) or contact the Education & Certification Manager, in the NALS Resource Center.
3	You are expected to read all chapters pertaining to the assignment. In addition, it can be helpful to you to answer any review questions that might be found at the end of a textbook chapter. The moderators will not go over these review questions. But if there is any answer you cannot find or do not understand, you should ask the moderators at the beginning of the class.
4	A few days before each Tuesday class, you should go to the NALS Online Learning Center and click on the topic. By clicking on the topic, you will be able to view, download, or print the questions prepared by the moderators for the upcoming session. The moderators will go over these questions and answers during the class.
5	If you would like to receive a transcript of the class, be sure to type in your email address in the chat box, then press SEND so that it appears in the log. A staff person from the Resource Center will send the transcript to you usually the following day.
6	If you do not know the answer to a particular question, it is OK to say you do not know or do not understand. There are no grades given and you shouldn’t be embarrassed if you don’t know the answer. The important thing is that you are participating and learning. (Also, you must participate every few minutes or the computer will think you “fell asleep” and will automatically log you out of the room. Then you will have to log in again.)
7	Do not hesitate to ask questions about the topics you are discussing. It might even be helpful to another student if you share something of your personal experience that will help them remember the word or subject you are discussing.
8	A certificate for two (2) hours of CLE will be posted beside the topic on the website schedule. Simply click on the CLE hours and print it out for yourself.
9	If you have never attended a CLE session in the Online Learning Center, it might be a good idea to participate in one to see how it all works. If you need instructions on how to get into the Online Learning Center, contact the Education & Certification Manager.
10	The moderators will appreciate it if you do not move ahead to the next question before the discussion has ended on the previous one. This helps the class stay together and eliminates confusion about which question is being discussed.
11	The moderators (and the other students) will also appreciate it if you do not chat about matters not related to the assignment. We expect the students to consider this like any other class they might attend, with a little conversation at the beginning, but when the “bell rings” and the teacher says it’s time to get to work, everyone is ready to get down to business. After all, this is a STUDY group and its primary purpose is to help you attain your certification.
12	You might be tempted to “private chat” with other students, but please keep in mind that private chatting is like whispering in a regular classroom. It takes you away from the discussion and it also is rude to the moderators and other students.
The NALS Education Committee wishes you success as you accept the challenge to become certified.