Page 24 - digitalliteracy

1.2 How Technology Has Transformed the Way We Learn

When you log in to a course, any digital course materials will be linked within the classroom,
as well as from the Ashford University Student Portal. The textbook for this course is stored
on an e-reading platform called Constellation, which you can access through your Internet
browser on a desktop or laptop computer by logging in to the Student Portal or the Constella-
tion website (http://content.ashford.edu) or on portable devices such as smartphones or tab-
lets. You simply click the link to the text from the classroom to begin reading and interacting
with the materials. This digital format has several advantages for you as a student. You don’t
have to carry heavy textbooks; you don’t have to keep track of a paper syllabus; and your
course materials are available to you at any time, wherever you have Internet access.

You can also work with a digital textbook in ways you couldn’t (or were taught not to) with a
traditional book. You can highlight information you think is important, using different-colored
highlights. You can use the Search tool to find specific words in the text. You can also add your
own electronic notes (known as annotations) and move from one online location to another
by clicking highlighted text known as a
hyperlink, or just link, to obtain additional
information about a subject. Constella-
tion books include not only your digi-
tal text, but also videos and interactive
activities to supplement your reading and
clarify concepts you are studying.

Once you have accessed your materials,
there are many ways to use them. Aside
from reading your textbook on your
Internet browser, you can download your
book to multiple devices, including your
e-reader (e.g., Kindle, iBooks app, Nook),
or listen to the audio (MP3) files on your
MP3 player or phone. Features like this
have helped Chantal, the Ashford student
you met at the beginning of this module,
better juggle school, work, and family. For
example, she takes public transit to work
and can easily read her digital textbook Szefei/iStock/Thinkstock
Downloading audio files is a great way to listen to
while she travels. How can you use travel,
textbooks on the go.
waiting time, or other activities more
effectively to put more minutes into your
busy day? You can also download PDFs or print the materials to create a study guide for your-
self, share the materials with others, or simply keep them for future reference. Click the fol-
lowing link for tutorials and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding your digital course
materials on Constellation: https://content.ashford.edu/support.

You Decide Where and When to Study

Another way technology is changing the way we learn involves where and when we study. Your
Ashford courses don’t require you to sit in a specific room or be available at a specific time.
Classes don’t meet in a physical space but in a virtual classroom that exists electronically by

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