About a year and a half ago, teachers and students around the world were forced online to deal with the pandemic. As a result, a lot of people have decided that they have tried online learning and found that it’s terrible.
However, I’d like to offer this seminar as a way of challenging that conclusion by showing you that the emergency remote learning you may have endured is quite a bit different from online distance learning (ODL).
From October 4-29, I’d like to invite you to spend about 2 hours each week in an online asynchronous seminar on “Buiding Community in Online Distance Learning.” This free seminar is specifically for teachers with little or no training in online learning. It will give you the chance to learn experientially as you collaborate with colleagues to gain new knowledge, conduct research, solve problems, and create content in an online environment.
What technology do we need to know?
You need to some basic computer literacy and an ability to communicate in English speech and writing.
What technology do we need for the seminar?
You’ll need Internet access for 2-3 hours each week through a standard computer or smartphone. You’ll also need a Gmail address.
Is this only for teachers of specific subjects?
No. Teachers of all ages and subject areas could attend. Of course, if you teach very young children, or if you teach computer science at a university, some parts of the training won’t apply. But this is designed to help you work with colleagues from a lot of areas.
Will we need to buy or subscribe to any apps?
Nope. Some apps in this program will have Pro or Extended versions that you can buy, but you could reproduce all parts of this seminar without buying any extra apps.
What are the exact dates and times for meeting?
The seminar is asynchronous, so you can work at the times that are convenient for you from any time zone.
Is this a self-study program?
No. Even though we won’t interact through live video calls or webinars, we’ll be working together to learn through collaboration, research, and problem-solving.
Can we get a certificate?
Yes. If you complete all of the assignments, you’ll get a digital certificate of participation from the Araketke-Bereket Charitable Fund (the program sponsor). If your final project demonstrates the learning goals, then you’ll receive a digital badge with a link evidence of your learning.
How can we apply?
Fill out the application here. Completing the application doesn’t guarantee you a space in the seminar. I’ll prioritize people who meet all of the requirements to enter and are currently teaching or planning to teach onlne. I’ll let you know if you’ve been accepted by October 3.
