Virtual Engagement: Online Classroom Resource for Students and Parents

Online Professional Development Workshop

Syllabus
Goal
Participants in this workshop will be provided with a basic knowledge of online spaces (wikis) used to
augment traditional communication and content delivery methods for students and their
parents/guardians.
Description
This is an online professional development workshop for teachers. The purpose of the workshop is to
provide participants with an overview of wiki design and utilization, specifically when utilized to
supplement traditional classroom communication methods.
Facilitator: Mr. Damon Johnson
Phone: 657-215-1906
E-mail: dj02109@georgiasouthern.edu
Instructional Objectives
Participants in this workshop will be able to

Identify three (3) online wiki-building products

Design an effective online space to augment traditional course materials
Model digital citizenship through digital access and technology integration
Engage students and parents allowing for multiple methods of interaction

Workshop Materials
Prerequisite readings for participants are listed below. As shown, the referenced article and blog are
available on the internet at no cost. They both provide background information relevant to the
workshop objectives.
50 ways to use wikis for a more collaborative and interactive classroom [Web log]. Retrieved
from http://www.smartteaching.org/blog/2008/08/50-ways-to-use-wikis-for-a-morecollaborative-and-interactive-classroom/
McCrea, B. (2010). Wikis: Pulling it all together online. The Journal. Retrieved from
http://thejournal.com/articles/2010/10/20/wikis-pulling-it-all-together-online.aspx
Additional References
Woods, D. & Thoeny, P. (2007). Wikis for dummies: A reference for the rest of us! Hoboken, NJ: Wiley
Publishing.
Wikis in Plain English [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dnL00TdmLY

Standards
ISTE Standards for Teachers (ISTE StandardsT) are the standards for evaluating the skills and knowledge
educators need to teach, work and learn in an increasingly connected global and digital society. The
objectives of this workshop align with the ISTE Standards below:
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate
experiences that advance student learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual
environments.
2. Design and Develop Digital-Age Learning Experiences and Assessments
Teachers design, develop, and evaluate authentic learning experiences and assessments incorporating
contemporary tools and resources to maximize content learning in context and to develop the
knowledge, skills, and attitudes identified in the NETSS.
3. Model Digital-Age Work and Learning
Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global
and digital society.
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture
and exhibit legal and ethical behavior in their professional practices.
5. Engage in Professional Growth and Leadership
Teachers continuously improve their professional practice, model lifelong learning, and exhibit leadership
in their school and professional community by promoting and demonstrating the effective use of digital
tools and resources.
Activities
The workshop is scheduled for 30 minutes with the following activities and durations below included.
The facilitator will present the workshop via join.me online sharing software. Participants will be emailed the login information for join.me and the prerequisite readings prior to the workshop.
Duration
5min

Activity
Introductions
Facilitator will provide a voice
introduction and overview

Assignment
Participation Each participant will
identify him/herself by name and
career in an Online Chat

5min

Readings

10min

Demo/Presentation
Facilitator demonstrates
account/page creation and
shares a completed exemplary
Wiki site via WebEx
Resource Review
Facilitator provides information
on two (2) additional Wiki
creation products

Participation Open Discussion of

findings from prerequisite readings
via Online Chat
Task Participants create a Wiki
account/page and share URL with
facilitator

Evaluation
Participant must
post
identification
information
Participant must
cite a finding
from the readings
Participant must
post the URL of
the Wiki page

None

None

5min

5min

Closure
Facilitator will provide
information on assessment
survey

None

None

Workshop Assessment Follow-Up Activity

Participants will be asked to complete a survey within one week of the workshop, via Survey Monkey.
The survey responses will be used to determine whether the objectives of the workshop were met.
Expectations

Pre-Workshop Communications: The facilitator will e-mail all prerequisite readings to

participants one week prior to the workshop. In addition, participants will be emailed login
information for the join.me session.
Attendance: Attendance is mandatory for successful completion and verified by the posting of
an introduction during the workshop. Failure to post an introduction results in a status of Did
Not Attend for the participant.
Facilitator/Participant Interaction: Participants are expected to utilize email for any pre- or postworkshop communication with the facilitator. All e-mails will be responded to within 24 hours.
The facilitator will guide the join.me session during the workshop.
Academic Honesty: Participants are expected to maintain honesty and integrity in their
interactions. Substituting individuals on behalf of a participant is a clear violation of
expectations.
Technology: Attendees will need access to the internet, e-mail, and https://www.join.me.
Failure of technology is not a valid reason for an excusable absence.

Additional Resources
ISTE Standards: http://www.iste.org/standards/standards-for-teachers
PBworks Online Team Collaboration: http://www.pbworks.com/
Wikispaces Classroom: https://www.wikispaces.com/content/classroom
Wikidot: http://www.wikidot.com/