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Q. How will this online workshop work? Do I need to show up at a certain time?
A.
The conservation and the coral reef world online
workshop for educators will last for 4 weeks. An online workshop is modeled after traditional face-to-face workshops. For example we may have features such as speaker segments,
workshops, a cafe for informal chat and
networking, a web-library with a resource center, an interactive participant directory, an open space forum where participants can create and facilitate their own discussion topics. All materials gathered and posted during Online Workshop will remain accessible throughout the entire four week period. 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.
The same workshop has been offered at two previous different times. July 23 - August 17, 2001 or
October 1 - October 26, 2001
Q. Who is organizing this?
A. This online workshop is being organized by The National Geographic
Society's Sustainable Seas Expedition, and the College of Exploration. Funding has been made possible by NGS Geography Education Outreach in collaboration with the Sustainable Seas Expedition and the College of Exploration.
Q. The conferences are scheduled over a 4 week period. Can people join the online activities
after the start date?
A. Yes - but, the workshop will be ongoing from day one and there will
be new topics, new presenters, new sessions, and new features all the way until the end. However, the full proceedings will be available onsite at all times. you will be able to
catch up and join in a discussion even if it started days or weeks ago... but it will require more time. We really would like everyone to be there for the whole time from the beginning.
Q. Will I be able to introduce my own agenda?
A. The main program area is programmed by us - the organizers. However
the break out sessions and Open Space are completely participant driven conference space. For example an Open Space, is a large group meeting process. The way it works is that anyone may
start a discussion anytime. Those that start a topic must be willing to facilitate and moderate that item to the end of that discussion. Experienced online facilitator mentors will be
available if anyone worries about their ability to do this, however, there will be written guidelines available as well.
Q. Will you use a variety of media such as Audio Conferencing, or Streaming Video?
A. The main media used 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. We will however be introducing other media such as real
audio and possibly video streaming. Our software allows uploading of images and other media files, so basically anything you can do on the web you can do here!
Q. What are some guidelines for appropriate participation in an online workshop?
A. 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 course of the conservation and the coral reef world online workshop for
educators.
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.
Q. What if I am interested in this a topic, but don't have a thorough background in
Oceanography and haven't been involved before?
A. Anyone who is interested in joining the efforts to learn more about
the oceans and ocean data are encouraged to attend.
Q. Who will be able to access the workshop?
A. conservation and the coral reef world online workshop for educators takes place entirely in a password protected web site.
You must apply through one of the partner organizations. Click the Registration link on the home page. Only those educators that have logins and passwords will be allowed into the site.
Q. For those who could not "attend" a particular presentation, will it be recorded
somewhere for playback?
A. Because it is on the web over four weeks, 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 the event to go back and catch up on areas that
you didn't have time to attend in the four weeks.
Q. What is required in order to be able to participate?
A. Time, commitment, energy and you will need a browser and access to the
World Wide Web. The minimum browser required is Netscape 3.1 or Internet Explore 3.02 or higher. If you use AOL, version 3.0 or higher.
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