ONLINE TRAINER CERTIFICATE COURSE
accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management, ILM, approved by the Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht, ZFU
General Information
This course is a must for any trainer or tutor who is to deliver collaborative, interactive training online. After a one day face to face workshop, each student attends this course online through virtual classrooms in the Abacus Virtual College. This can be accessed over a telephone line that connects the student’s computer to the Abacus Virtual College or via the Internet using software supplied by Abacus. The course is accredited by the ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management), a nationally recognized, independent, awarding body in Great Britain, which accredits institutions and awards certificates to students whose course work meets their high standards.
Aim
To equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to
- effectively use CMC (Computer Mediated Communication) software.
- be able to provide basic technical support needed by first time users of CMC as a training and education medium.
- help them plan, design and deliver CMC based training.
Objectives
Successful students will be able to achieve the following
- Have a good understanding of the differences between face to face and CMC tutoring skills
- Effectively use CMC software to deliver training
- Recognise and develop strategies for effectively dealing with problems typically encountered
- Facilitate discussion and collaborative learning through CMC
- Produce a pilot CMC based training module.
Equipment Required
Each participant must have access to a computer running Windows 95/98/ 2000/NT/XP or an Apple Mac - in either case with access to the Internet. ( A CD-ROM drive will be an advantage.)
Duration
10 weeks
Course Dates (subject to changes):
April 18 - July 02, 2005
September 12 - November 26, 2005
Costs
€ 1200
which cover 10 weeks intensive online tutorials, two face-to-face workshops and course material.
For more information please contact:
Abacus Learning Systems
Abacus House,
15, Acacia Park, Bishop's Cleeve,
Cheltenham, Glos GL52 7WH UK
Phone: +44 (0)8700 780519
Direct Line: +44 (0) 7711 983778
Fax: +44 (0)8700 780520
Technical Support +44 (0)7000 443578
Christel Schneider, Dipl.-Päd.
> Christel.Schneider@virtualcollege.co.uk
> learning@abacus-uk.com
> www.abacus-uk.com
Module 1
One Day (prior to course beginning) Initial Face-to-Face Workshop
- getting to know each other
- receiving course materials
- introduction to Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)
- opportunities to practice on a computer
- discussion of concerns or problems that could occur
- possible solutions of problems
- completing an initial online task
Module 2
Exploring CMC Weeks 1 - 3 Online in the Abacus Virtual College
- practice using CMC
- first exercises
- introduction to features of the software
- gaining confidence using it
Module 3
CMC in Training Weeks 4 - 7 Online in the Abacus Virtual College
- reading relevant material in the Abacus Virtual College online library,
- carrying out tasks designed to enhance your skills in using CMC,
- exploring CMC as a communication medium,
- identifying and discussing the main issues in the use of CMC in training,
- considering styles of CMC delivery,
- identifying the benefits and drawbacks of CMC,
- experiencing CMC as a student,
- exploring the CMC tutor’s role,
- choosing a project to complete during Module 4,
- producing and agreeing with your tutor on a project proposal.
Module 4
Personal Project Weeks 8 - 10 Online in the Abacus Virtual College
By this stage, you will be confident in using CMC as a participant and appreciate some of its advantages and disadvantages. You will also have practiced using CMC in a tutor role. In this module you will work on your project. This must be of relevance and practical use to your organisation and may be:
- a course module for delivery by CMC,
- a more general report about the advantages, disadvantages and feasibility of the wider use of CMC by your organisation,
- some other relevant area of the study of CMC that has been agreed with your tutor.
Although you will be working on your own project (which must be a personal rather than group effort) you will be encouraged to use the benefits of CMC to:
- discuss your project ideas,
- learn of the project ideas of others,
- give and receive help in developing ideas and finalising work,
- discuss issues with your tutor and receive tutorial support,
- as far as possible, progress from a draft to the final version of your project.
By the end of this module you should have written and posted the final version of your project, a minimum length of 3000 words.
Module 5
Final Face-to-Face Workshop
This will be tailored to participants’ needs. These might change as the course progresses. The content will be discussed before the final face-to-face workshop. This day might include:
- reviewing the feelings expressed on the initial face-to-face workshop
- reviewing the group process experienced during the course
- exploring the lessons for tutors to be drawn from this
- presentation by you about your individual project discussing your plans for the future of CMC.
