This course is delivered entirely online, and mastering our learning management system (LMS) is crucial for your success. This section will walk you through the key features and functionalities you'll use daily.

Our LMS is your central hub for everything related to this course. Let's explore its main areas:
- Dashboard/Home Page: This is your starting point. It provides an overview of your courses, upcoming deadlines, and recent announcements.
- Course Navigation Menu: Located typically on the side or top, this menu allows you to access different sections of our I&S course:
- Modules: This is where all our weekly content is organized. You will progress through these modules sequentially.
- Announcements: Check here regularly for important updates, reminders, and class-wide messages from your instructor.
- Assignments: Find details for all graded assignments, including submission instructions and rubrics.
- Discussions: Participate in forum discussions with your classmates and instructor.
- Grades: Track your progress and view feedback on your submitted assignments.
- Syllabus: Access the complete course syllabus with detailed information on policies, grading, and schedules.
- People/Roster: See who else is in the course.
- Content Area: This is where the actual lesson materials are displayed – text, videos, interactive elements, and activities.

Effective communication is vital in an online learning environment. Here’s how we’ll stay in touch:
- Course Inbox/Messages: Use this internal messaging system to send private messages directly to your instructor or classmates. This is the primary channel for individual queries.
- Discussion Forums: We will use discussion forums for whole-class questions, debates, and collaborative activities. Your participation here is often part of your grade, so contribute thoughtfully and respectfully.
- Announcements: As mentioned, the Announcements section is for instructor-initiated messages to the entire class. Enable notifications to ensure you receive these promptly.
- Virtual Office Hours: Your instructor may schedule regular virtual office hours via a video conferencing tool (details will be provided in an announcement). These are opportunities to ask questions in real-time.

To ensure your work is received and graded correctly, please adhere to these guidelines:
- File Formats: Unless otherwise specified, submit assignments in common file formats such as PDF, Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), or Google Docs (ensure sharing settings allow access). Check each assignment’s specific requirements.
- Naming Conventions: Name your files clearly using a consistent format, for example: YourName_AssignmentTitle_ModuleNumber.pdf (e.g., MariaGonzales_HistoricalAnalysis_Module1.docx).
- Deadlines: All assignments have strict deadlines. These are typically displayed within the LMS calendar and on the assignment page. Late submissions may incur penalties as outlined in the syllabus. Plan ahead to avoid last-minute technical issues.
- Submission Process: Always use the designated "Submit Assignment" button within the LMS for each task. Do not email assignments unless explicitly instructed to do so. After submission, verify that your assignment has been successfully uploaded.

Take some time to click around the LMS after completing this section. Familiarity with the platform will greatly enhance your learning experience.