Workshop schedule

Learning4Content
35th Online Workshop (Feburary 8-19, 2010)

Regional Caribbean Basic Wiki Skills and Collaborative Learning

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Workshop schedule

Important URLs

• You will find instructions for each day of the workshop in one of two places:
  1. Workshop schedule. (This page)
  2. Google groups. eL4C mailing list.
• Info on how you can edit your Google Discussion Forum membership to suit your needs here
• Help:Contents. WikiEducator main help page (Links to all tutorials, other help pages)
• Category:EL4C35. A collection of eL4C35 related wiki pages

Pre-Work

Pre-Work

1. Create an account on WikiEducator if you don't already have one by going through Tutorial 2.
2. Please download the print version of Learning4Content "Getting Started" instructions or read these directly on WikiEducator
3. Check to see if your name is listed on the eL4C35 participants list, if not you can register here.
4. Read the report on the world's largest wiki training initiative in education Learning4Content - The first 18 months (PDF 1.7 MB)
5. Please fill in, and sign, the learning contract which you can download in .doc, odt or pdf formats. Email to eL4C35

Day 1: Monday, February 8, 2010

Objectives: Day 1 - What is a wiki?

Today we will: Provide an overview of what wikis are, and show some examples of their different uses. discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using wikis to develop content, and introduce the main features of WikiEducator.

Instructions for Day 1

1. If you are new to wikis, take a visit the video on Wikis in plain English hosted on YouTube.
2. Read through WikiEducator's tutorial on What is a wiki?
3. Post your thoughts, ideas and feedback on the quality of open authoring approaches discussion here.
4. Explore all Workshop pages by clicking on the links displayed at the top of the page (eL4C35 Workshop navigation template). If you already have a user account, feel free to start posting on Wiki Discussions.

Day 2: Tuesday, Feburary 9, 2010

Objectives: Day 2 - Personalizing Preferences

Today we will: Point out the benefits and added features you get with registering a user account. Provide step-by-step instructions on how to personalize your user account preferences. Learn about WikiEducator and OER Foundation.

Instructions

Day 2 is a relaxed and easy session. There are no online discussion activities for today - so you will have time to catch up if you've fallen a little behind. If you get stuck or have any questions -- feel free to post these in the discussion forum or on the wiki question and support page.

1. Read through the benefits of registering an account -- If you don't have a WikiEducator user account, now is a good time to create your one.
2. Work through the instructions on how to personalize your own Wikieducator preferences.
3. Now that you have editing rights in WikiEducator, have a bash at introducing yourself on this Wiki page -- If you're not sure how to get this right, don't worry we'll spend more time tomorrow looking at the basics of wiki editing. A tip -- wiki's are about experimentation and trying new things -- have fun! If you get stuck, we'll help you.
4. Visit following Wikieducator portal pages:
   • WikiEducator Home Page
   • OER Foundation. (in progress)
5. Help WikiEducator keep track of the demographics of our community by completing this short online survey.

Day 3: Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Objectives: Day 3 - Editing basics

Today we will: Introduce two ways of editing: (1) WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) and (2) traditional wiki syntax; Outline the difference between published mode and editing mode; Encourage you to start editing your user page in WikiEducator.

Instructions

Hi everyone --- thanks for your thought-provoking inputs and stimulating discussions on the quality issues! Today you will start editing your User page in WikiEducator. There are no scheduled online discussions today – so this will be an opportunity to catch up if you’re behind and an opportunity to be creative on your User page!

First step

Your first task is to decide whether you want to learn using Rich Text Editing (RTE) or normal wiki syntax. To help you with this decision, we provide a comparison of the two approaches (Download print version). If you're not sure what to do, we recommend that you start with Rich Text Editing. In this online course we will support both approaches, but note that we use different tutorials for each method. 

Today you will learn about the two views of the wiki: (1) Editing View; and (2) Published View.

Instructions for Rich Text Editing (RTE)

Instructions for normal wiki systax

Work through Tutorial 3 - Editing Basics for RTE Now that you have edited your User page, go back and introduce yourself on this Wiki page. Format - Use Heading 2 as the format for your name Use the standard Wysiwyg editor features to format your text.

Work through Tutorial 3 – Editing Basics for normal wiki syntax Download a copy of Wikipedia's cheatsheet. Print a copy and keep this close at hand when you're practising your editing skills. This Cheatsheet summarises the basic wiki text we use to format text. Now that you have edited your User page, go back and introduce yourself on this Wiki page. Tip: After clicking the edit tab, take a look at the wiki text (syntax) used by the other contributors. This is a great way to learn how to use the wiki.

Day 4: Thursday, February 11, 2010

Objectives: Day 4 - Formating text in the wiki

Today we will: Introduce wiki text (syntax); Learn how to Bold and Italicise text, add Headings and Subheadings; Learn how to add bullets and lists. Complete the skills required for your first level certification under our WikiMaster typology

Now we're going to start having fun and you could qualify for your first WikiEducator certification! If you’re a little behind, don’t worry….just take it one step at a time and its easy enough to catch up on the first 3 day's work. We know that you are busy with other competing demands -- but WE can assure you that WikiEducator is a life changing experience!

Editing on WikiEducator

Have you managed to complete your first edit on your User page? It’s the page has your User Name – it’s always on the top right of your screen, with a little icon after you have logged in. For some folks, this may be the 1st time that you have published on the Web -- celebrate your achievement!

Instructions

Today we are moving onto the basics of wiki editing, that is formatting text (bold, italics, lists etc). We are also interested in hearing your thoughts and ideas for the content resource you are planning to develop under your learning contract. This will be our discussion activity for today.

1. Check that you have downloaded a copy of the cheatsheet and keep this close at hand while you're practising.
2. Create a sandbox and practice your skills: Work through Tutorial 4. If you like -- you can download and print out a copy of the instructions for setting up your sandbox. Some users find it easier to use printed instructions. If you get stuck -- let us know by posting your question in the discussion forum. We are here to help.
3. Tell us about the content resource you will be developing to fulfill your Learning Contract.

Day 5: Friday, February 12, 2010

Objectives: Day 5 - New pages and links

Today we will: Provide an overview of the structure of a wiki; Create internal and external links; Demonstrate how to create a new page; Explain the difference between red and blue internal page links; Explain piped links.

Tip: Remember to distinguish between:

1. External links to other websites and
2. Internal links to other pages in WikiEducator (blue link). (Note, that this is also the way we create new pages in the wiki. A new page (red link) is an internal link to a page which doesn't not exist yet <smile>. Not to worry -- you'll see how this works!

Instructions

1. Work through Tutorial 5 on New pages and Links
2. Be sure to check out the requirements for community certification under our WikiMaster typology. You're on track to achieving the status of Wikibuddy in our community!

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SUNDAY, FEBRURARY 14, 2010 @ 2 pm (PST) - COME AND JOIN US LIVE IN THE WIZIQ BOARDROOM

WIZIQ LIVE SESSIONL Launch HERE
Check your local time here
Quick tips on how to launch the session

Day 6: Monday, February 15, 2010

Objectives: Day 6 - New pages and links

Today we will: Introduce the syntax for adding images; provide an overview of more detailed image formatting (framed, thumbs, captions, placement, size etc); practice uploading images into our sandbox and User pages; provide some tips on where to find images Alert users to copyright requirements

WE trust that you had a good weekend. From experience we know that a few participants would have made good use of the weekend to catch up on some of the tutorials. Well done -- we know how hard it can be to find a little time during a normal working day.

After completing today's tutorial, you will have all the skills you need to develop an impressive user page. Today you should also spend a little time refining the text and layout on your User page. Be sure to include the layout features you have learned so far. That is bold, italics, headings, lists, internal and external links using pipes. (Tutorials 2, 4 & 5).

Let's see who will develop the best User page over today and tomorrow. Perhaps one of the participants in this group will become a future recipient of the WikiEducator User Page Expo.

Instructions

1. Work through Tutorial 6 on images.
2. Practice manipulating the placement, size and using captions for your images in your sandbox.
3. Work on improving your User page -- don't forget to include a photograph of yourself using your new skills on inserting images!

Day 7: Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Objectives: Day 7 - Collaborative Editing

Today we will: Introduce the idea of Wiki ethics, explore the Recent changes page and how we can monitor every edit in WikiEducator, take a look at the diff & history links, and learn how to Revert a page to previous versions.

Many educators are concerned about the openness of wiki editing. However, a wiki is a powerful technology designed for mass collaboration. Every edit is recorded including any images uploaded to the site which means we can restore or revert any changes made to a page.

A side note for anyone who may have fallen a little behind, don't give up, the finishing line is in sight! Besides, today is a little more relaxed so use this time to catch up on images. To be fair, images are perhaps the most complicated syntax in the wiki, so once you have mastered images you are well on your way to achieving success!

Instructions

1. Today, you should work through Tutorial 7 on collaborative editing where you will learn a few neat tricks on how to monitor activity in the wiki;
2. You will also learn how to revert an edit which you should practise on your user page.

We're looking forward to our assignment tomorrow where we will use one of our communication tools in the wiki. Please do your best to update your user page as we will ask participants from this group to provide feedback and suggestions on our respective user pages in the wiki using these communication tools.

Day 8: Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Objectives: Day 8 - Communication and Interaction

Today we will: Learn how and why to use the Discussion or Talk pages, and explore some useful features like the Watchlist, and the My Contributions link.

Today we will learn and experiment with a few powerful features in the wiki.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Work through Tutorial 8 on Communication and Interaction Tools (see link below)
2. Test the feature of adding a discussion item which relates to a content page in the wiki. See the discussion activity linked to the talk page of our course schedule (this page).
3. Leave a personal message on the User page of at least three different participants who have listed their user pages. To do this -- you need to go to the respective User Page by clicking on a blue coloured link under the surname of our participant list. Then click on the "Discussion" tab of the User page concerned (top of the page). Comment on something positive you have seen on User Page, particularly if you have some ideas for improvement. If you're do receive a message from one of the participants -- send a reply to by clicking on their User Name which is displayed in the automatic signature below the message.

Have fun -- this is a great way to communicate with your fellow WikiEducators!

Day 9: Thursday, February 18, 2010

Objectives: Day 9 - Pedagogical templates

Today we will: Explain the concept of using "instructional devices" (iDevices) as sub-elements of an educational resource; Show you how to insert a WikiEducator pedagogical template.

WikiEducator is a community of Educators. One of our core community values is the belief that educational content is different. An educational resource is different in terms of its purpose, structure and format when compared,for example, to a newspaper article, or a novel.

Those of us with experience in distance education and asynchronous learning will be familiar with the educational elements we embed in our teaching materials, for example learning objectives and in-text activities etc. Working through our WE tutorials you would have noticed the special layout we use for learning objectives, discussion activities, teaching tips. In wiki jargon -- we call these pedagogical wiki templates. Today you will learn how to set up these pedagogical templates in your pages.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Work through Tutorial 9 on Creating and Using Pedagogical Templates.
2. Insert at least one pedagogical template on your user page -- this will be required later for your certification as a Wikibuddy. You may want to explore the list of all the Pedagogical Templates or download the cheatsheet for pedagogical templates.

Day 10: Friday, February 19, 2010

Objectives: Day 10 - Thinking about structure

Today we will: Explain the parent - child relationship for creating structured content; Show you how to create a sub-page

We're going to keep our learning to a minimum for the last day of our workshop (it's Friday).

We will focus on creating sub-pages in the wiki (and leave out navigation templates and categories for the time being - which are also discussed in Tutorial 10). The ability to create sub pages is very useful for educators because, very often, educational materials have a hierarchical structure or may need to be sequenced according to a process.

The best way to refine your wiki skills is to develop teaching materials. You know what they say: "If you want to learn something -- teach it!"

Chat to you soon and have a great weekend!

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Work through section on creating subpages in Tutorial 10. (No need to work through the other sections -- however, creating subpages is an important skill for content development).
2. Don't forget about your gift of knowledge to a friend :-). Send an email to three friends or colleagues telling them about your experience in WE and send a personal invitation for them to join an upcoming training session. Remember to include a link to the L4C home page and the registration page.
3. WE appreciate your feedback, add as much as your wish to our WikiDiscussions thread: WikiQuestions & Feedback. Help us to improve the workshop.