FAQ

* How does the course work?
This self-guided course is delivered entirely online, via this website. There are a total of 9 learning activities for you to complete over ten weeks. Each week is organized around a particular topic or theme relating to Web 2.0. You will decide when and where to complete each week's activities (anywhere you have Internet, any day of the week and any time of the day), and you will be responsible for "keeping up." You are encouraged to form "buddy groups" to work through the content together -- sharing, helping and encouraging each other.

*** What are these "Tasks" you keep talking about?**
The tasks are **doable learning activities** related to Web 2.0 tools and concepts. You will complete 1-2 tasks per week. Detailed instructions for completing each task will be provided as you work through the course, linked from the Syllabus page. Each week will introduce (or expand upon) a new tool or concept through one or more **discovery exercises**, followed by a **learning** **task**. The discovery exercises are "where the learning really happens" and are necessary for you to complete each task successfully.

***How long will it take me to do the work each week?**
The tasks themselves are varied in intensity -- some tasks and weeks will be more involved than others. The content is organized into themes/tools. There are a number of additional variables that will affect this, but the general answer is __an average of 2 hours a week__, depending on:
 * Your general level of computer literacy
 * Your experience with Web 2.0 tools to date
 * Your interest in and excitement about the tasks and tools
 * Your basic "lifelong learning" stance

* Who can take this course?
This course is offered at no charge to faculty and staff members at Paideia School. Other individuals can contact Kathy Bailey for permission. All participants must have previously taken an online web 2.0 course or be an intermediate technology user.

* What are the dates for this course?
The spring session will start in September 2009. All assignments must be completed by November 2009. It will be offered again Summer 2010.

* How do I register for the course?
 To register for the Fall 2009 course, please see the Registration page--read over the page carefully and fill out the from at the bottom of the page.

* How do I get PLU credit?
This course is approved for **2 PLUs**. When you have completed the course, **You Pi 2.1 Coach** will review your wiki to determine whether you have met the necessary objectives.

* What technology do I need?
You need an Internet-connected computer. Any other equipment that you may need, including a headset, is available through the technology department.

* Where do I go for help?
By design, you should be your own first help resource throughout the course. Throughout this “discovery learning” experience, you will likely encounter a number of small challenges, depending on your level of Web 2.0 experience to date. Each time you teach yourself something, find a solution or accomplish a task, you will feel empowered and be that much more tech savvy!
 * Most sites offer highly understandable Help files, FAQ pages and tutorials.
 * Use your "human network:" Colleagues, Pi 2.1 coaches, and students. In "real life" we seek help from experts when we need it! But remember, if your expert helper does the work for you, you won't be learning.
 * The Paideia Technology Department is available M-F 8-4.
 * Learn more about Web 2.0 tools at WikiPi

* What if I fall behind?
Because some weeks may be more challenging than others, and because we all have responsibilities and priorities and unexpected derailment, the course is designed to allow for a bit of flexibility in completion. Each week's "due date" is not a drop dead date, and you will have a full week after the official "end" date to complete any outstanding tasks. That being said, please do not interpret this flexibility as an invitation to procrastinate -- you should not be chronically behind. If you are having technology-related issues, please connect with someone in the technology department or attend a tutorial (when provided). If you are having life-related issues, contact Kathy or Amy.

* How will I/you track my progress?
You need to check off each task as you finish them on the Google Spreadsheet. Your wiki sandbox page will also serve as your portfolio, a living artifact demonstrating your completion of the course.

*How long do my written responses need to be?
This is not something to stress about...
 * A few sentences is fine, a paragraph is fine, a page is fine...
 * Make sure you at least cover the questions asked, then expand on it as much as you like.

* How can I protect my online identity as I work through the course?
Transparency of practice and sharing your experience is one of the tenets of 21st century teaching and learning on the web, but there are a couple of ways you can keep your "digital footprint" to a minimum, if you have concerns.


 * As part of your course prep, you will set up a Google account. You can create a Gmail account with an address/username that does not display your actual name. You can use this account to register for all of the tools you will be exploring during the course.
 * You can set up your wikipage so that your page and username do not include your actual name. Only your Pi 2.1 coaches and other participants will be aware of who you "really" are.