Information to improve your network training sessions

It was wonderful to communicate with several groups on next week's Open Network Technology Training.  I thought I should summarize and share a few great questions asked by some groups. I hope you find them useful.

Q: Will we use our own group BB Collaborate to deliver the network training session?

A: No. We will use ETC Community's BB Collaborate Virtual Space to deliver the network training sessions at:

Where: ETC Community BBCollaborate

Your group can use your group's BB Collaborate to rehearse.

(Group 6 will use different platform.)

Q: Should I sign up for the sessions?

A: Since we are required to attend at least ONE session other than our own.  It would be great if you can sign up the sessions you plan to attend so the groups know how many audiences may attend. In the past, most students participate 3 sessions.

·      Sign up online at http://tiny.cc/u8hdex

·      See the sign up results at: http://tinyurl.com/mlelwnn Or Results 2

Q: Are all group members required to present at the training session?

A: It is your group decision.  It is very challenging to deliver "synchronous" online PD.  More people would be much easier to manage the online PD.

Q: If I understand it correctly, we use PowerPoint to present to online PD.

A: Not exactly! Our network training session should focus on how to engage the audiences in active and interactive learning by integrating ONLE/PLE instructional strategies.  Just using PowerPoint slides and talking about the slides do not meet the requirements. Engaging your audiences.  Asking them questions and they respond are acceptable.  Why not engage your audiences in UGC and/or social sharing by social tagging, social networking etc. network learning activities. See previous students' recorded sessions: http://tiny.cc/g3idex

Q: Are PowerPoint slides required?

A: It is not.  It doesn't hurt to have.

Q: What are the common mistakes that previous students encountered?

A:

·      Lacks of rehearsal resulted in unfamiliar with BBCollaborate technical features.

·      Audio problem. Be sure to test your audio quality.

·      Showing video clips during the session. Streaming video quality was poor. No audio.  Consider providing a link to the audiences; they can watch later or on their own computers. Or uploading the video clip to BBCollaborate rather than playing directly from your computer. 

·      Audio echo problem. When not using microphone, de-select the talk button to avoid any echo. If possible, use headsets.

·      Just presentation not engaging the audiences. Be creative with your session.  It is more than just about deliver content. Integrate "interactive" instructional strategies to make your session more engaging. Rather than you talk; the audiences listen.

·      Ran out of time.  We have 30 minutes only, including Q & A. Be sure to rehearse.

·      Have one person to facilitate the conversations in the chat room.

Q: If I understand it correctly, I can attend these training sessions after I graduate from the ETC program.

A: That is correct.  Frequently, we have many ETC alumni come back to the program to attend these training sessions because they indicate this is the best way to learn emerging technologies and the integration. So stay close contact with ETC Community by subscribe ETC Listserv and/or ETC social network. For more information see: https://sites.google.com/site/etccommunity/

Q: I know some of our fellow teachers would be interested in some training topics.  Would it be appropriate to invite them to attend the session?

A: Yes.  Remind them to sign up the sessions.

Q: I think my school and school district would be interested in these online PD.  Is it possible to become a partner with ETC?

A: Yes. Please have your school or school district to contact me at Chih.Tu@Nau.Edu.  In fact, currently, ETC partners with Flagstaff Unified School District (FUSD) to deliver theses online PD series for FUSD teachers.