Frequently asked questions
Is the course free?
Yes. There is nothing to buy and nothing to sign up for. The site does not ask for personal details or payment of any kind.
Do I need an account?
No. There are no accounts. Just read the notes.
Can I use the notes in my class?
Yes. The activity plans and the printable summary were written for that. Please check them against your own curriculum.
Where should I start?
Start with Tides, waves and erosion, because the rest of the course builds on it. Then read the habitat units in any order.
Are the numbers exact?
They are rounded, and the sources are named at the end of each unit. When a figure is widely quoted but cannot be checked, the unit says so.
Why are there no photographs?
The notes use tables and clear writing instead, which keeps pages small and quick to load on slow connections. A field exercise at the end of each unit encourages you to look at a real shore.
Is Tidewater Institute a school or a research centre?
No. It is an independent online educational resource. It does not give qualifications or run research.
How do I cite a page?
Give the title of the unit, the name Tidewater Institute and the date you read it. For scientific claims, it is better to cite the original source named in the “Basis of the facts” box.
Can I print the notes?
Yes. Every page is set up for printing, and the printable summary fits on one or two sheets.
How do I read the site with a screen reader or the keyboard?
Every page has a link at the top that skips to the main text, a clear heading order and tables with captions. You can use the Tab key to move between links and the Enter key to open the quiz answers. Text enlarges with your browser’s zoom setting.
Contact
Contact details are coming soon. We are preparing a way for learners and teachers to get in touch, and it will appear on this page when it is ready. Until then this site has no contact form and no public address.