This Facilitators Guide to Learning4Content Workshops is a work in progress.

Before the Workshop

Below are a few checklists to help you prepare.

Pre workshop checklists

The timing will vary depending on circumstances. The "deadlines" offered below are therefore just notional.

You will have confirmed to COL your availability
COL will have confirmed with the hosts that they will comply with the conditions
COL will have booked your flights/travel and accommodation
You can then establish contact with the workshop host (organisation representative / COL Focal point)
Fill in the dates of the workshop on the Face-to-Face workshop schedule
Create a new wiki page for the workshop

You will contact the workshop host and advise on:

venue requirements
selection of participants
handouts and printing
- make sure they have obtained the actual PDF lesson notes for all 11 lessons by downloading them, or to be sure, email them zipped up (comes to about 1.7MB))
- make sure they have copies of the learning contracts and registration forms to distribute to participants

You should have received the participants list, if not, encourage the workshop host to send it, with full details for each participant
When you have the participants list:
- Fill in the participants details on the table of the workshop's wiki page, add any venue details etc
- Send an introductory email to the participants (usually this helps identify typos in email addresses etc). You can provide supporting information about the learning contracts and encouirage them to complete the registration form
- Join them to the email groups
Check on the IT issues (as explained previously)
- Internet access
- Accounts to log on and access Internet, etc, if required
- Check IT policies allow access to the required sites
- Check you have an account for your computer if required

Check all arrangements in place
Follow up on the learning contracts
Remind them about printing handouts
Send a draft schedule and agree on the timing (when the workshop starts and ends each day, official opening and closing, etc)

Agree with the host organisation, via the COL Focal Point person, on the final schedule timing, etc.

You will by this stage know who will be formally opening the workshop. You can think of a few relevant comments to make in your speech or opening remarks. It will be useful to do some prior research into the host organsiation and those of the participants, and have some initial feeling for potential collaboration using the Wikieducator.

Arrange transport in advance
Check on availability of Internet access at hotel - you will find it useful in the evenings
Visit venue and check facilities
Check handouts are ready
Verify IT issues are all resolved
Test facilitator laptop with projector and Internet access