Frequently asked questions
Do I need to send my topic work to my tutor?
In the topic pages, you will be directed to complete questions in your obook. These are to help you process what you have read. Often there will be worksheets for you to use to record your answers, though you do not have to use these if you do not want to. You might prefer to build your notes independently. You do not need to send the answers to these questions to your tutor and you should use the answers in the 'Check your answers' section to help you feel secure about your understanding.
Can I study the modules and take assignments in any order?
You will need to study the modules and take the assignments in the order they appear on the course. There will be parts of the course such as quizzes (prerequisites) which you will need to complete before the next assignment becomes unlocked. Each assignment will appear locked until the previous assignment has been graded.
Do I need to take the assignments in test conditions?
No. All of the assignments in the Year 8 course should be approached as open-book assignments. The assignments are formative (also known as 'assignments for learning') which means that they form part of your learning and they do not need to be taken under test conditions.
Where can I find the answers to the textbook questions?
You will find answers to most of the worksheet questions in the 'Check your answers' section. This will help you check the accuracy of your reading and of the knowledge you are gaining. However, there will be some tasks on the worksheets that do not have a right or wrong answer as you will be researching something, or thinking something through independently. You will also find that most of the optional activities, whether for support or enrichment, are explorations of one kind or another - they might be research-based or creative. So again there are no answers for these activities. If you feel you are very uncertain about anything you have done in a module, note it down and ask your tutor in the mid-course review.
What happens if I get stuck?
Make sure you have read carefully through the relevant pages in the coursebook - it's always a good idea to re-read a section because you might have missed something! Make the most of the support activities, as sometimes seeing the information in a different form or approaching it from a different angle can help you to process it. Use the answers in the 'Check your answers' section to help you too. If you have done all of this and are still struggling then do email your tutor.
How do I log in to the Active History website?
The username and password for the Active History website can be found here.