Showing posts with label "online course". Show all posts
Showing posts with label "online course". Show all posts

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Information Fluency Online Classes: Begins February 9, 2009

Powersearching in a Web 2.0 World Power-Searching In a Web 2.0 World

| 4 weeks | $99

This is a 4 week overview class suitable for beginning, intermediate, and advanced searchers.
  • We use discussions, open-book quizzes, interactive glossaries, and learning games to teach information fluency.

  • You will learn to search, evaluate, and ethically use online materials

  • We will help you locate materials specific to your needs.

  • We will show you how to investigate the credibility of the resources you find online.

  • We will help you create a personal search engine based on the online materials you select.

  • Our materials are designed to help you teach these skills to your own audience.

  • Join us! It's fun!

Introduction to Google Docs Beta Introduction to Google Docs

| 1 week | $40

This is a one week introduction to the essentials of Google Documents designed for those who have never used Google Docs. If you're using Google Docs and need some guidance we can help you learn how to use this powerful (and complex) online tool.

  • Learn to create and share online documents using Google's powerful and free document sharing tools.

  • Learn to use earlier revisions of a document.

  • Learn how to create a webpage from a Google document.

  • Ask questions and find answers working with an online facilitator.

  • Access a rich set of educator resources that will help you teach with Google Docs




Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours a week will this take?

Courses take about 5 hours per week. (You can certainly spend more time if you wish.)

Will I be working alone or with a group?

You'll be working with an online teacher who monitors the course on a daily basis. Our classes are fully moderated. That means you're working with a facilitator and other members of the class to learn together. You'll be able to get help, ask questions, and learn from both the facilitator and other participants.

What if I've never taken an online class?

We have an information rich, but low pressure learning environment. This class is a good introduction to learning online. Many of your classmates will be taking their first online course. Try it!

How will we learn online?

We take a hands-on approach. We use the Moodle online learning management system to organize and present our courses. Moodle is a popular online learning environment used around the world.
  • You follow a set of instructions that explain the goals and objectives of the course.

  • You watch online videos demonstrating essential concepts.

  • You refer to a glossary of technology terms to acquire a professional vocabulary.

  • The PowerSearching class uses discussion forums, learning games, and open book quizzes to introduce the concepts.

  • All classes have a Question and Answer forum that is monitored daily by your instructor.

What kind of technology do I need?

  • You need a reliable Internet connection.

    • We recommend a high speed connection.

    • Those using dial-up connects will need patience as the web-based materials load.

  • You need a MacIntosh or PC with an updated web browser.

    • MacIntosh with Safari or Firefox

    • PC with Firefox or Internet Explorer.

    • (Most other browsers work with our Moodle learning management system.)

    • You will also need an up dated version of Adobe's free Flash Player.

  • It is very convenient if you have access to an Internet computer at home and at work.

    • However this is not a requirement for success.

What kind of computer skills do I need?
  • You should be able to navigate the Internet with your web browser.

  • You should be able to use email.

  • You should be familiar with word processing fundamentals.

  • You should be interested in learning new communication concepts.

  • By the end of the course you'll know more about both the course topic and web 2.0 concepts!

  • It really help to be curious!

How long will I have access to the materials?

We leave the course open for at least three months after the class end date. You can return and browse the resources on your own schedule.

Is Course Credit is available?

  • Illinois Educators can earn CDPU's for our courses.

  • Educators from outside of Illinois can earn CEU's

  • No additional charge for credit.

    • However you must complete the required number of course assignments.

  • You can audit this class. (But you'll learn more with full participation.)

  • (College credit is not available at this time.)

Can I preview the courses?

Yes, follow the link below. When prompted, login as a guest. This allows you to see an outline version of the courses without enrolling.

How do I enroll & pay?

Follow the link below to set up your personal 21CIF Moodle account.

  • After you set up your account we will send you a confirmation email.

  • You will then be able to enroll and pay for the class of your choice.

  • We accept major credit cards.

    • We use a PayPal based secure payment system.

    • You do not need to become a PayPal member to use this system.

    • Your credit card information is not stored by PayPal or Information Fluency Partners.

  • When you complete the payment and registration process you will be able to login to your class.

  • The full course is available on the course opening date.

  • To pay by invoice contact: carl@21cif.com.

Do you have free materials?

Yes, almost all of our materials are free online at 21cif.com. You'll find many years of research based curriculum materials on our site. We support our research project by offering online classes, conference presentations, and custom online programming for educational and corporate clients.

Click here to visit our list of online classes. (Login as Guest to preview the courses)

21st Century Information Fluency and Moodle

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Google Documents (Fully Facilitated 5 Day Online Class)


Moodle Based Fully Facilitated!

Login as guest:
Gdocs

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions
:

How much time will this take?

Plan for at least 5 hours of instruction (about an hour a day). It will be easy to put in more time than that. We hope you'll find the information so interesting that the time will fly by.

Do I have to login at a specific time each day?

The course is completely time shifted. It's designed so that participants can enter the online classroom 24/7 and still interact. This let's you fit the class to your schedule. We'll go Monday - Friday, with the following Saturday to wrap things up.

What will I learn how to do?

  • Create a Google account

  • Upload documents to Google docs

  • Share a Google document with a colleague

  • View the revision history of a shared document (a wiki like function of Gdocs)

  • Publish a shared document as a web page that automatically updates when the source document is edited.

  • We also have an optional independent study module on how to use Google Docs offline.

How is this course taught?

Instruction includes the use of illustrated webpages and video. Additionally Dennis O'Connor will be facilitating this class. (Dennis is a highly trained online teacher.) There are discussion forums where participants can share ideas. The instructor will also be monitoring the class for questions and be available for trouble shooting help.

What about teaching resources?

You will find many resources with ideas for teachers and librarians interested in using Google Docs in the classroom.

How long will I have access to this course?

The course remains open to you for at least three months so you can continue study and have access to the resources.

How do I register?

  • First establish an account on http://21cif.mrooms.net. Note the graphic on the course home page. (Each person taking the class should create their own account.)

  • Next login using your established username and password.

  • Click into the Gdocs online classroom.(Found in the Information Fluency Category.)

  • When you first enter you'll be presented with a PayPal registration page.

  • Click through to pay for the class by credit card.

  • You do not need a Pay Pal account to use this secure system. (We do not store your credit card information.)

  • Once you have paid you'll be returned to the Gdocs class.

  • The next course begins December 1, 2008
We hope to see you online!

Thursday, September 11, 2008

The Essential Role of Information Fluency in E-Learning and Online Teaching

I've been researching and writing about Information Fluency since the turn of the century. My work is published on the 21st Century Information Fluency Portal: http://21cif.imsa.edu You'll find modular online learning content including games, micromodules and assessments on the portal. (Free for all educators.)

I include information fluency training in all of my online classes. I introduce power searching and website investigation to the graduate students studying in the E-Learning and Online Teaching Certificate Program at UW-Stout ( http://www.uwstout.edu/soe/profdev/elearningcertificate.html ) because I believe that Information Fluency is a foundation skill for all online teachers and learners.

dif model

What continually surprises me is that most educators (including those with advanced degrees) lack formal training in this field. Unless I'm working with a Library Media Specialist, most have little experience in searching, evaluating, and ethical use of digital materials.

Curiously, most educators think they are competent searchers and evaluators, when they are really just beginners. Their disposition is to ask for help rather than search for answers. With simple instruction many radically improve their ability to search, and evaluate. This is empowering and greatly increases learner satisfaction. Instruction in copyright and fair use is also part of the program.

At the same time I push the idea that it is everyone's duty to teach website evaluation and ethical use as part of any online curriculum. Too often educators assume someone else should have done the job by the time their students walk through the door. The application of information fluency to all curriculum areas is profound. Students given even rudimentary instruction in Information Fluency immediately benefit.

As online teachers and learners we work in a computer where information is just a few keystrokes away. I hope we can promote the disposition in all online teachers and learners that skilled use of Internet resources is the essential learning skill of our times.

Dennis O'Connor
Program Advisor
E-Learning & Online Teaching
School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Wisconsin's Polytechnic University
oconnord@uwstout.edu
530-318-1145 (Cell)
Skype: wiredinstructor2

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Information Fluency Online Classes






Search Help, Evaluation and Digital Ethics for School, Business and Home

Courses Starting Soon...

Need to create a back to school training?

Use our modular content to snap together your own unique training course.

Power Searching in a Web 2.0 World

Next session starts September 22, 2008 (4 Weeks $99) View as Guest | Enroll | Course Description

Website Investigator: An Introduction to Information Forensics

Next session starts October 6, 2008 (2 Weeks $68) View as Guest | Enroll | Course Description

Receive 21cif newsletter for announcements about these and other courses. To subscribe to our newsletter, click here.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Online Courses in Information Fluency!


Search Help, Evaluation and Digital Ethics for School, Business and Home

Courses Starting Soon...

powersearching and wsi

Need to create a back to school training?

Use our modular content to snap together your own unique training course.


Power Searching in a Web 2.0 World

Next session starts Aug 4 (4 Weeks $99)

View as Guest | Enroll | Course Description


Website Investigator: An Introduction to Information Forensics

Next session starts Aug 11 (2 Weeks $68) View as Guest | Enroll | Course Description


Receive 21cif newsletter for announcements about these and other courses. To subscribe to our newsletter, click here.

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Website Investigator (Moodle Based Online Course)


Website Investigator: An Introduction to Information Forensics
begins Monday, July 14th. (2 Weeks $34) View as Guest - Register

A facilitated online learning experience in Web Site Investigation. Game Based, Challenging, Fun!