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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Note: This workshop is officially over - but you can access the content:
>> See our COEXPLORER COMMUNITY page for access!
What is this program about?
The CRITTERCAM ~ Online Workshop is an online education program for educators and will last for 2 weeks, November 8-19 (open for reading ahead early AM on Nov 6!). The presenters will share special content and materials, and the educators can interact with these experts (on CRITTERCAM) and with each other. The web site will remain open for the entire time, and for one month after (through Dec 19), to provide a community atmosphere for the participants.
Teachers will meet scientists, researchers, and other experts through on-line presentations who will be available for an open dialogue of questions, answers and exchange of ideas.
This online site is designed and managed by The College of Exploration.
How will this online workshop work?
An online workshop is modeled after traditional face-to-face workshops. For example we may have features such as speaker segments, a place to discuss classroom implementation, a cafe for informal chat and networking, a resource center, and a participant directory. All materials gathered and posted during the workshop series will remain accessible throughout the workshop (and remain online for some time in the future TBD). All the material created and contributed will serve as a resource for more learning programs in the future. Features are scheduled over a period of time such as days or a week, instead of hours to allow participants from all over the globe time to access and respond. There will also be a Help Desk available at all times.
When and how can educators join this workshop series?
There is an online registration page. It will be self-registration You can join in at any time!
>> See our COEXPLORER COMMUNITY page for access!
What about the TECHNOLOGY used here? (e.g., audio conferencing, streaming video, web-based conferencing software)
The main media used here is text-based, asynchronous conferencing where someone starts a conversation by posting (in writing) and then everyone that arrives after the posting can respond. Posts are made in order of time posted, so the result is much like a real dialogue. Discussion items are separated by subject and the person featured, so it's automatically organized and archived as well. However, we will be introducing other media such as Real Audio and Video streaming. For this you will require the FREE Real Player from Real Networks. [Make sure you click on the FREE DOWNLOAD... they have versions that cost - if they ask for payment, you clicked on the wrong one!] As well, our software (CAUCUS) allows uploading of images and other media files, so basically anything you can do on the web you can do here!
What are some guidelines for appropriate participation in an online workshop?
It's as simple as this: be thoughtful to other participants. We are building a community of learners here. We expect many diverse perspectives, experiences, and insights. This will enrich our discussions and overall learning over the length of the program. Be yourself, share your knowledge, and have fun. The only thing that the your hosts will not accept is hostile and obscene language, but we're confident that participants will use their good judgment and expect this environment to be friendly and supportive to everyone involved. As well, this is a professional development program for educators only - so, please, we ask that no children or students join.
What if I am interested in this a topic, but don't have a thorough background in this area/content?
Any adult who is interested in teaching and learning about the particular content area(s) is encouraged to attend.
What about ACCESS to the workshop?
This online series for educators takes place entirely in a password protected web site. .Click the Registration link. Only those educators that have User IDs and passwords will be allowed into the site.
For those who could not "attend" a particular keynote presentation, will it be recorded somewhere?
All presentations and all the "rooms" (and all dialogue) remains on the web and accessible for the full length of the program. Participants have ample opportunity to "attend" any aspect of the program they want. As a participant, you will have full archive and plenty of time after a keynote or event to go back and catch up on areas that you didn't have time to "attend" during the actual presentation week. And, participants can continue to interact with each other at any time.
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