FLOSS4EduPacific

Introduction
In working towards the vision of a free education curriculum by 2015, COL in collaboration with the New Zealand Ministry of Education is hosting a capacity building and strategy workshop to launch a Pacific Chapter of the FLOSS4Edu initiative.

FLOSS4Edu (Free/Libre and Open Source Software for Education) is a rapidly growing Commonwealth initiative to tackle the dire shortage of free knowledge for education, and to build capacity in the use of free software tools for educators. WikiEducator's FLOSS4Edu project strives to build a thriving community of teachers sharing knowledge to widen access to quality learning opportunities. This workshop aims to ensure that the Pacific region can engage as equal partners in our information society leveraging the potential of relevant and accessible technologies.

Objectives of the workshop
The hands-on workshop approach is inspired by a Native American proverb:


 * Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I may not remember, involve me, and I'll understand.

The FLOSS4Edu Pacific Workshop aims to:


 * to build capacity focusing on the skills required for developing free content on WikiEducator so that participants can return to their home countries to present their own capacity building workshops;
 * to explore work done in New Zealand relating to the specific pedagogical requirements of eLearning for Maori and Pacific learners;
 * to introduce the range of free content resources and projects on WikiEducator which are freely available for use in facilitating capacity building workshops in country;
 * to establish and launch the Pacific Chapter of the FLOSS4Edu project;
 * to create the foundation for a community of support, during and after the workshop;
 * to collaboratively build a strategy for growth and sustainability of the Pacific Chapter of the FLOSS4Edu project;
 * to strengthen strategic networks in the Pacific region.

Details

 * Dates: 13 - 15 August 2007
 * Place: Wellington, New Zealand.
 * Accommodation: Portland Hotel, Wellington   (Let us meet in the Foyer of the Hotel, at 8:30 am sharp, on August 13, to walk over to the venue together)
 * Venue: Auldhouse Computer Training, Level 8, 11 Hunter Street
 * Facilitators: Dr Wayne MackintoshEducation Specialist, eLearning and ICT Policy, Commonwealth of Learning (COL); Jenny Williams, COL Project Manager for the South Pacific and Murray Brown, Manager, Information Communications Technology, Curriculum Teaching and Learning, Ministry of Education
 * Dignitaries: Ms. Karen Sewell, Secretary for Education, Ministry of Education; Lesieli Tongati'o, Pule Maata Pasifika (Senior Manager National Operations, Early Childhood and Regional Education).

Additional Information
As some of you asked, here is the weather link. WeathernetworkPlease click on International Cities on the left side

Who should attend?
COL aims to invite a representative from each of the Pacific Island nations and will confirm the invitation in writing through appropriate channels. Individual participants will commit to presenting an in country capacity building workshop using free materials that will be supplied by COL. This commitment is best demonstrated by a written or electronic confirmation that your institution will support you in presenting a workshop in your home country.

Workshop participants are:


 * educators with an interest in widening access to education through appropriate use of ICTs;
 * individuals who are passionate about education and learning as a common good for society;
 * people who believe that knowledge is a community resource to be shared;
 * collaborators who wish to work effectively in teams to achieve their aims;
 * individuals with basic ICT skills and a willingness to learn new skills;
 * skilled facilitators who are interested in sharing their knowledge and willing to involve / engage others (i.e., initially through presenting a similar workshop for a community).
 * strategic thinkers & doers

=Tentative Agenda=

Community-building activities will be embedded into this workshop. Please see the Community-Building Detailed Agenda.

Day 1 - Monday, 13 August 2007
Starting time: 9:00 am


 * Official opening and welcome address by Murray Brown, Manager Information Communications Technology, Curriculum Teaching and Learning, Ministry of Education;
 * Intro to WikiEd community by Dr. Wayne Mackintosh, workshop facilitator
 * Introduction to wiki technologies, their advantages and disadvantages;
 * How to register and create an account in the www.wikieducator.org website;
 * How to edit and format text within a wiki;
 * Resources and projects to support in country initiatives;
 * Closing remarks by Ms. Karen Sewell, Secretary for Education, Ministry of Education (to be confirmed)

Please note: Lunch will be provided on all workshop days

Approximate finishing time: 5:00 pm

Welcome Dinner
You are cordially invited to the Welcome dinner scheduled for arrival at 6:30 pm, for a 7:00 pm dinner (please now respond to Ms. Jenny Williams on location)

Day 2 - Tuesday, 14 August 2007
Starting time 9:00 am

Participants will work on real projects and ideas generated by the group.


 * How to create internal links; and
 * Uploading images in media Wiki;
 * How to communicate on the wiki and to use the discussions and talk features on WikiEducator;
 * How to manage collaborative editing with the ability to revert back to earlier edited wiki version and inherent WikiEducator features that prevail against content vandalism; and
 * Creation of External links within WikiEducator
 * Presentation by Karen Sewell, Secretary for Education, Ministry of Education

Approximate finishing time 5:00 pm

Day 3 - Wednesday, 15 August 2007
Starting time 9:00 am


 * Presentation to be confirmed by MOE;
 * Strategic planning for the Pacific Chapter of the FLOSS4Edu project;
 * Launch of the Pacific Chapter of FLOSS4Edu;
 * Free content project commitments listed;
 * Presentation by Lesieli Tongati'o, Pule Maata Pasifika (Senior Manager National Operations, Early Childhood and Regional Education)
 * Official closing.

Approximate finishing time 5:00 pm

Community-Building Activities will be integrated into each day of the Workshop
Suggested Time: 1-1.5 hours per day, focused on community-building for each of the 3 days. Please see the detailed agenda.

Day 1:
Morning: Afternoon
 * Why participate in Wikieducator? What's in it for me? my / organization? the value proposition
 * Short & Simple Intro to Copyright Issues - overview - what are the top issues, and why this discussion is important
 * Short & Simple Intro to OER's - overview - what they are, and why they're important
 * What is a WikiAmbassador - Part II (i.e., lecturette + homework --> reflection)

Day 2:
Morning
 * What is a WikiAmbassador - Part II

Afternoon
 * Who's going to support you? Is a buddy system a good idea?
 * WikiAmbassadors engaging others, including newbies

Day 3:
Morning Action planning
 * Chapter Formation, next steps - chartering & (COL) support;
 * Address Roles, Accountabilities & Responsibilities
 * Development of Core Capabilities Matrix - Part I (focusing on internal roles)

Afternoon
 * Development of Core Capabilities Matrix - Part II
 * Identify strengths, weaknesses, gaps (create Core Capabilities Matrix, to identify partnering and proposal development opportunities with other chapters
 * Assemble Buddy System and/or Rapid Development Teams
 * Wrap-up
 * possible Skype call (Randy Fisher - http://www.wikieducator.org/User:Wikirandy)

Confirmed Participation by Country

 * Canada
 * Kiribati
 * New Zealand
 * Niue
 * PNG
 * Samoa
 * Solomon Islands
 * Tonga
 * Tokelau
 * Tuvalu