This course will become read-only in the near future. Tell us at community.p2pu.org if that is a problem.

Orientation 2 (Sept. 20-27)- The Need to Agree


Agreements

  • This is a six week course on student engagement in the classroom. Participants are expected to examine their own ideas about engagement, as well as to freely share with other participants about their experiences with engagement and the context of where, who, and how they instruct.
     
  • We need to agree. How much, and in what ways will we engage with each other as we go through this course? What are our protocols for engagement? What are our expectations for the course? What do we need to do and how do we need to behave in order for all of us to benefit from this learning experience and environment?
  • As the course instructor/facilitator, I have some ideas about protocols that may help us to remain “engaged” with each other and our learning. I am open to hearing your agreement or disagreement with any of these ideas. Online “engagement” while not new to me personally, is certainly new to me in a group context.  Let’s learn together about what works to engage and what causes “disengagement” with an online course while we learn together about engagement as a whole.



Protocol for Online Course


Can we agree...?

1.  Each of us will complete a portion (or more) of the given assignments by the sharing dates within the syllabus. In this way participants will grow some shared vocabulary of ideas that can be explored together.

2.  We will learn from each other and together draw up guidelines on what works when learning together, and what does not.

3.  We will remain focused on the idea of “Student Engagement” and remind each other that this is the learning focus whenever we are tempted to stray into the vast arena of learning as a whole (without making a connection to the idea of "engagement").

4. We will share openly, with candor, happily disagreeing without putting down the ideas of others.

5.  We will comfortably question the ideas of others to better understand what they mean and to deepen our own thinking in regards to engagement and the nature of engagement.

6.  We will try out ideas in our own classroom contexts, and bring back our experiences to share with the group.

7.   We will build a bibliography of videos, articles, books, people, and other resources so that our learning can be continuous within and beyond the course (not limited by instructor/facilitator choices).

8.  We will self and group reflect on our learning process and share ideas to make it better.

9.  We will be forgiving and assume the best of others  since online “texting” can be a messy method of communication and so easy to misinterpret.


If you agree, add a comment and state that you agree with this protocol.  If you do not agree, use the comments feature to discuss what you would add, delete, or adjust in this protocol and share your reasons with the group. You may also return to this section at any time during the course to add or further discuss these ideas and agreements.

Task Discussion


  • Michele   Oct. 8, 2011, 1:18 a.m.

    Hello,

    I agree to these terms and apologize for being behind schedule. I began my first teaching position this year as a Math and Science teacher at Chiloquin High School in Chiloquin, Oregon. I am trained to be an elementary teacher but had to accept this job out of the twenty other jobs that turned me down. 

    I love where I work and it is an interesting story about how I ended up where I am. I have a family as well and we have gone through many struggles. We are Native American and where I teach is on a reservation that is not federally recognized. It is a unique and interesting place. It is challenging and exhausting but I love the opportunity I have to make even the slightest difference in the lives of my students. I am very excited about finding ways to engage my students.

    Michele Saluskin

  • Nada   Oct. 1, 2011, 6:34 a.m.

    Hi every one!

    My name is Nada from Yemen ,I'm a computer science & IT instructor at college . I really hope to learn so much from this course .There might be different techiqes to use with studenst depeding on ages ,culture,social ,..etc

    It seems I'm late to post here!,I'm trying to catch up !

    I do agree with the terms declared above.I have noticed some posted good comments discussing methods to commuincate and enagage in this course!

    - We can create "goog+ circle" include all members in this course ,we can also have chatting or discussion points there..

    - Creating "wiki" can help to build a repository of all related content.

     

    Thank you & happy engaging :)..

    Nada

     

     

     

     

     

  • Bonita DeAmicis, Ed. D.   Oct. 7, 2011, 9:19 a.m.
    In Reply To:   Nada   Oct. 1, 2011, 6:34 a.m.

    Hi Nada,

    I hope you will join us at the webinar.  It should get all of us engaged more deeply in the topic.

     

    :)Bonita

  • Jessica Powell   Sept. 26, 2011, 8:06 p.m.

    I agree to these terms. ~ J. Powell 9/26/2011

  • Ryna   Sept. 26, 2011, 3:25 p.m.

    I agree!

  • scienceteacher01   Sept. 25, 2011, 11:04 p.m.

    I agree!

  • Anonym   Sept. 25, 2011, 9:30 p.m.

    I agree.

  • Tasha Martin   Sept. 25, 2011, 1:34 p.m.

    Yes I agree!

  • Mireille   Sept. 25, 2011, 10:56 a.m.

    Regarding Agreement

    Yes I agree.  I would love to participate any way I can

    Mireille
    Toronto, Canada

  • Mireille   Sept. 25, 2011, 10:47 a.m.

    hello everyone

    I'm not as engaged as perhaps I should be I'm still figuring out how to use this site.   Is there a way we can get online using Skype (I'm unable to use Google voice - I live in Canada)  to collaborate our strategy and support one another??

    If not possible has anyone use this site before?  Would suggestions would you make that helped you be engaged in his process.

     

    Mireille

    Toronto, Canada

  • Bonita DeAmicis, Ed. D.   Sept. 26, 2011, 12:11 a.m.
    In Reply To:   Mireille   Sept. 25, 2011, 10:47 a.m.

    Hi Mireille,

    I could skype with you.  Let's figure out a time that would work for us both. My skype name is bdeamicis.

    :)

  • Amanda   Sept. 26, 2011, 7:19 p.m.
    In Reply To:   Mireille   Sept. 25, 2011, 10:47 a.m.

    Hi Mireille!  If you use Google Plus, there's also the Hangout feature.  Pretty sure it works internationally as well.  Hope that helps!  

  • AnnetteV   Sept. 25, 2011, 4:57 a.m.

    Hi Bonita

    Further to your message to me about whether a wiki could be a good vehicle for information I did a little google search.  I found that another organisation has already created an excellent wiki on student engagement - orginated in 2008 and still currently being updated.  It looks very comprehensive - full of resources, articles and ideas!  http://letsgetengaged.wikispaces.com/Home

    As a guest there were a lot of pages I could view, with only some not being accessible.  The layout and formatting of the "Lets get Engaged" wiki is great and it is very easy on the eye!

    At the risk of sounding cheeky, why would one reinvent the wheel when there is already an amazing wiki already created on student engagement? 

    Perhaps this could be an opportunity for a collaboration happening where the P2PU perspectives and discoveries could be added  to the "Lets get Engaged" wiki (with permission from the creator).  Alternatively have our own wiki and have links to each other's wiki so information, wisdom and experiences are shared.

    A super-wiki could be born?

  • Mireille   Sept. 25, 2011, 10:50 a.m.
    In Reply To:   AnnetteV   Sept. 25, 2011, 4:57 a.m.

    Hello Bonita

    I like the idea of this course creating their own wiki and linking it to the other one.  That way we would be able to share resources that apply to this course.

    On the other hand if the other wiki is okay for us to join them and we can our resources there then I will go along with that although my preference is for us  to create our own.

    Mireille

    Toronto Canada

  • Bonita DeAmicis, Ed. D.   Sept. 25, 2011, 1:23 p.m.
    In Reply To:   AnnetteV   Sept. 25, 2011, 4:57 a.m.

    Hi,

     

    Sounds like Mireille and Annette both are up for a course wiki, potentially linking to the "lets get engaged" wiki at wikispaces.  I think it is an excellent idea. We could do this on a task in the course, but we may enjoy wikispaces more as a resource-collecting place.

    Would one of you like to take on creating and managing a course wiki as your course final project (instead of the lesson plan)?  It is easy to make a wiki on wikispaces.  Someone should be the manager to contact the let's get engaged wiki and to accept course members and their postings into our wiki.  In addition there would likely be some need for occasional clean up/ organization on the wiki.  Is either of you interested?  If so, let me know--then make the wiki and give us all the link to sign up. Once I have the URL from you, I will put the link to it on our main navigation page for ease of access.

    :)Bonita

  • Mireille   Sept. 25, 2011, 1:51 p.m.
    In Reply To:   Bonita DeAmicis, Ed. D.   Sept. 25, 2011, 1:23 p.m.

    I have no problem in doing this.  I just need to learn wikispaces. 

    How would you like the wiki to be named?

    what suggestions do we have to create a criteria for quality resources. 

    how would you like to divide the resources

    would you also like to have weekly updates.

    One important thing is that there needs to be away to have this site transferred to the next administrator.

    these are just a couple of my questions.

    I love wikis.  I'm doing several on pbworks.com   I'm also creating a several more as part of my personal learning environment.   I'm not familiar with wikispaces but I see no problem getting up to speed

    Let me know how you wish to approach this so this site can be the foundation from which we build, develop and grow from.

    Let me know and I can get one uip by the end of this week.

  • Bonita DeAmicis, Ed. D.   Sept. 25, 2011, 2:33 p.m.
    In Reply To:   Mireille   Sept. 25, 2011, 1:51 p.m.

    That is fabulous, Mireille!

    My answers to the above questions are:

    Name it something that works for you since you are the organizer. It is possible Annette would like to take on this project with you.  Always worth asking:)

    We can discuss in our course, in google plus, or elsewhere, what we believe the criteria ought to be for the wiki, although I have found wikis to remain relevant without an over-emphasis on criteria.  Perhaps the wiki audience has not yet become large enough for distracting things to be typically a problem-is that only my experience?  My only caveat on criteria would be to disallow, or create a separate wiki-area, for anything that is about commercial selling of products. Would you agree?

    For organization, I have found with wikis that you start a page and make a few general categories (perhaps based upon my course outline) and then see where it goes from there.  It is an organic process. As the main organizer you could feel free to make decisions and check in with the group when it seem appropriate to do so.  

    On the future administration question, it could be that we, as a group, would like to lock it down afterwards so that we have a resource that we can keep returning to without it being changed.  Or maybe course participants will want it to be ever-organic. I would raise that question toward the end of the course to see what folks think.

    If you prefer using PBworks.com, I have no problem with that.

    Thanks for stepping up to the plate.  I look forward to seeing what happens.  Will this be your course culminating final project?

     

    Thanks,

    Bonita

     

     

  • karen   Sept. 25, 2011, 5:48 p.m.
    In Reply To:   Mireille   Sept. 25, 2011, 1:51 p.m.

    Here are a couple Wikispaces tips.

    If you start your wiki here, since we're K-12 teachers, we can get an ad-free version  at no charge.

    Also, I find Wikispaces very easy to use (easier than PB Works for me, but very similar). Here is a "quick start guide" if it's helpful to anyone. (There's also great help resources on the site.)

    Thanks for thinking about sharing for future iterations of the course. If you link it in your "External Links" here that will help ensure that. Also, I generally make my wikis open to editing for anyone which also helps with sharing. (In my expereince, there is very very little problem with spam or vandalism on Wikispaces unlike other wikis.)

    Lastly, note that all content on Wikispaces is open licensed for sharing, so make sure that what you post is original and that you are willing to share.

    Have fun!

  • AnnetteV   Sept. 26, 2011, 4:26 a.m.
    In Reply To:   Bonita DeAmicis, Ed. D.   Sept. 25, 2011, 1:23 p.m.

    Hi Bonita and Mireille

    I don't mind helping Mireille with creating a Wiki!!  

    Of course you people in the northern hemisphere are getting on with things whilst I am asleep down here in the southern hemisphere so I feel a little behind the times!  :)

    I have joined the "Lets get Engaged" wiki and shall ask the creator/manager if we can somehow collaborate with their existng wiki or link with a separate P2PU wiki.  Will see what he thinks about the whole idea and get back to you.

    Cheers, Annette

  • AnnetteV   Sept. 24, 2011, 2:40 a.m.

     

     

     

     

     

  • I agree to the protocols.  I really like No.7 - that we will all end up with a bank of information and resources about student engagement to look over when we need inspiration in the future!
  •  

     

  • Bonita DeAmicis, Ed. D.   Sept. 24, 2011, 9:41 a.m.
    In Reply To:   AnnetteV   Sept. 24, 2011, 2:40 a.m.

    Hi Annette,

    Your comment and others make me wonder whether we should either:

    1.  Set up a group wiki

    or

    2.  Set up a wiki page right here on the course.

     

    What are your thoughts on this?

  • Anonym   Sept. 20, 2011, 9:04 p.m.

    I whole heartedly agree.  I'm glad to see that there are standard operating procedures we will all follow.   I've had trouble thus far with the website.  I see the assignment to post a comment but it's taking me a bit to figure out what I need to click to post.  Hopefully I'll remember next time it is the upper right corner of the page!!!  Looking forward to working and interacting with all of you.

  • Bonita DeAmicis, Ed. D.   Sept. 21, 2011, 12:08 a.m.
    In Reply To:   Anonym   Sept. 20, 2011, 9:04 p.m.

    I know that feeling, Kelly.  It took me a bit to remember those gray buttons at the top.  Once past that, the rest is a breeze:)

  • Noah Koch   Sept. 20, 2011, 12:24 p.m.

    I agree, sounds great, let's do this.

  • Amanda   Sept. 19, 2011, 5:25 p.m.

    I also agree to these protocols.  Love the one about "comfortably question"-my students could really practice that as well!

  • Julie Berlin   Sept. 19, 2011, 4:58 p.m.

    I agree with the stated protocols.

  • Deya Castilleja   Sept. 19, 2011, 4:49 p.m.

    I agree with the protocol.

  • Mireille   Sept. 19, 2011, 2:40 p.m.

    I agree to all of the requests.

    I love the one on how text can be messy and that learning can disconnect for a while

    I do have a question

    Where are we going to put all the resources.  I was going to great a wiki for my learning but if there is one will be get participation access.

    bare with me I'm learning this community so I haven't got it all yet.

    Mireille Massue
    Toronto, Canada

  • Bonita DeAmicis, Ed. D.   Sept. 19, 2011, 9:42 p.m.
    In Reply To:   Mireille   Sept. 19, 2011, 2:40 p.m.

    Hi Mirelle,

    Welcome!

    I think creating a wiki to gather our learning in one spot is a great idea.  I know there is an "engagement" wiki on wikispaces.  We could also ask if they would like us to join their wiki and add our ideas to theirs. It could become a class project, which would be an excellent outcome and resource.

    No problem if you do not get it all yet. (Do any of us?)

    :)Bonita

  • karen   Sept. 22, 2011, 1:50 a.m.
    In Reply To:   Mireille   Sept. 19, 2011, 2:40 p.m.

    Another option is to compile resources right here in the P2PU course. Generally most tasks are editable (or can be made so) so that everyone can add additional materials, resources, etc. right into a task.

    Bonita could also set up a separate task page for this purpose.

    One advantage of this is that then all that good info will be captured here for future course iterations!

    Of course, wikis have their own advantages. :) If you do go the wiki route, make sure to include a link here so future participants can benefit from your collective knowledge and add to it too!

  • Tom   Sept. 23, 2011, 5:43 p.m.
    In Reply To:   karen   Sept. 22, 2011, 1:50 a.m.

    Is there any way to see that one has already viewed comments--or do they always appear as new (not read)...I'm not finding it particularly easy to navigate through some of the pages here, but perhaps that is just my not being familiar with where to look and what to look for...

    Tom

  • Grant   Sept. 19, 2011, 9:28 a.m.

    I agree to the terms and am excited to get started!

  • Tracy Q   Sept. 19, 2011, 4:28 p.m.
    In Reply To:   Grant   Sept. 19, 2011, 9:28 a.m.

    I echo the agreement and agree to all terms of the course.


    Tracy Quarnstrom