Course Description
This course is designed to allow teachers the opportunity to work with Epsilen eCourse tools prior to designing courses used in conjunction with classroom instruction. Epsilen offers a robust environment that includes a customizable toolset for teachers. This course will offer teachers the chance to analyze the tools available and make choices regarding which tools will best serve their students' needs. Online discussions will take place focusing on best practices.
Communication Strategy
Face-to-face meetings are no longer required for this course. Communications will include use of course email, QuickNotes, forums, and chat in order to emphasize the use of the Epsilen environment. Chat will be available throughout the course, and all moderated chat dates and times will be listed on the course calendar.
To contact the course facilitator through
QuickNotes, navigate to
www.epsilen.com/gworden and use the form at the bottom of the page.
Communication should take place not only directly with the course facilitator, but with your online course-mates. Please keep in mind that communication and collaboration are key factors in any web 2.0 environment.
Please contact Mrs. Worden via phone regarding urgent issues only. 817.598.2915, ext. 3054 (Participants will likely have to leave a voicemail. Critical issues may be directed to any member of the Technology Department staff at 817.598.2915.)
Recommended Readings
Recommended readings may be located by clicking the left navigation button within the course labled 'Resources.'
The Weatherford Independent School District Acceptable Use Policy
User Manual: Courses (Faculty Version)
Student Guide to Project Share
The Children's Internet Protection Act (URL)
Ten Tips for Effective Online Facilitation (URL)
Additional Epsilen training (ePortfolio-centered) may be accessed from
Shared Objects on the right of the instructor's ePortfolio at
www.epsilen.com/gworden. If you do not already have the access key, please click the
Training folder and use the available form to request one.
Course Outline
Course Objectives
Teachers will participate as both students and instructors throughout this course allowing them to gain understanding of the eCourse environment from both perspectives. Objectives include:
Learning to navigate the Epsilen eCourse
Hands-on experience with eCourse tools
Evaluation / selection of tools
Building eCourses for Multiple Learning Styles
Course Topics:
Pre-Course Meeting (Orientation)
Course Invites / Joining Courses
Overview of Course Tools
Introduction to Footprints and Take Notes Feature
Weeks 1 and 2 - Learning the Tools/Student Participation
Necessary Skill Sets
Digital Citizenship
Communication Tools
Collaboration Tools
Weeks 3 and 4 - Build Your Own Course
Participants must:
Create an eCourse for either Tutorials or a virtual 'Homeroom.' Participants will be required to invite Gena Worden to your course and assign a minimum role of 'Assistant.' This is a passive role and will be used to verify completion of assignments and to provide support as necessary. Following the course, you may change this role to 'Guest.'
The course must include:
Syllabus (to meet the minimum requirements for this particular course please include a course description, communication strategy, plagiarism statement, and expectations)
Resources:
Ideas for resources include:
Bell Schedules
Campus maps
Your classroom number, extension, and tutorial times (both face-to-face tutorial times as well as online)
Classroom rules
Document copy of your standard course syllabus
URL link to student portal
URL link to Weatherford ISD Home page
URL link to your ePortfolio (remember that students may click your name within the course wherever it appears to access your corner and your ePortfolio)
URL link to the campus Home page
Study tips, guides, ppt presentations that may reinforce your subject
A copy of the WISD Acceptable Use Policy
Drop Box:
Create a drop box for:
Late work
Extra Credit
Anything you consider relevant to your course
Your Choices:
Footnotes, Wiki, Blogs, and Discussion forums, Quizzes and Tests, Custom Tools
If you choose to disable/remove any tools from the navigation bar, please use the Take Notes form we created during the Orientation
(Take Notes Assignment - Blended Learning) to list the tools removed with a brief explanation regarding your choice to remove the tool. This note should be sent to Gena Worden for review so appropriate credit may be given on the final assessment.
Roundtable Meeting - Course Completion and Credit
Return to Student Role
Roundtable Discussion
Course Survey / Final Assessment
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a violation of the Weatherford Independent School District Acceptable Use Policy and the Epsilen Terms of Service. Course participants are asked to keep in mind one of our core values, 'We practice ethical behavior and personal integrity,' and are advised that plagiarism will not be tolerated.
The Weatherford ISD Acceptable Use Policy is accessible using the Resources navigation button on the left of the course screen.
The Epsilen Terms of Service Agreement may be accessed by clicking the appropriate link at the bottom of the screen.
Expectations for Participation
Teachers enrolled in this course are asked to particpate in a wide variety of learning activities including all aspects of the Epsilen eCourse environment. Each teacher will experience the course as both a student and a facilitator. Several chat sessions will be scheduled on the course calendar. Teachers are not required to be present at every chat session scheduled, but are encouraged to participate in at least two scheduled events.