Tasks

//**Part I (Sept. 13 - Sept. 19) Due by 11:00, Sept. 19**//
There are five tasks to complete for Part 1. I've estimated you'll need about two hours to finish Part 1, but if you're having difficulty please email me at sbowen@k12albemarle.org.

__**Wikispace Navigation**__ [|Navigating in a Wikispace]
 * Tasks:**
 * 1. View the tutorial on navigating in our wikispace, Dynamic PLC. Just click on the link below and use your browser's back-button to get back to this wikipage.**

(This page doesn't need to be formal or lengthy and you are welcome be as creative as you'd like.)
 * 2. Please create your own individual page within Dynamic PLC to introduce yourself. //Go to "New Page" and create your page.//** Try to include things that will help us get to know each other like where you work, your role in your building, what interests you in the field of education, and/or your professional goals. It's okay to include personal information like hobbies, family, and pets.

__**Netiquette; Collaboration and Developing your online voice**__
 * Tasks**
 * 3. View the tutorial about online etiquette, or "netiquette" by clicking on the play button on the video below.**

media type="custom" key="6846885"


 * 4. Read the article, "Netiquette" by clicking on the link below.**




 * 5. Visit your colleagues' pages in our wikispace by clicking on their links in the left-hand toolbar. Use the discussion tab to post comments or questions about their information.** This may seem a little awkward at first, but as we move throughout this course you will become more comfortable with online discussions and your conversations will feel more natural. //Please try to post a comment on at least three members' pages. I will be reading and posting as well.//

//Feel free to review the navigation tutorial for how to use the discussion tab.//

//**Part 2 (Sept. 20 - Sept. 26) Due by 11:00, Sept. 26**//
__//**Dynamic PLC**//__
 * In this section you will develop a rubric or guidelines for an effective online professional learning community.** **Through online discussion, your team will** **identify the characteristics that you believe should be part of a successful PLC. While you're working in this section try to think about how this will be helpful when you are developing a wikispace for your own students.**


 * There are four tasks in this section.**
 * 1. Read the article posted below, "Effective Tone".**




 * 2. Follow the link below to an online resource for the five characteristics of a successful PLC. There are five sections that correspond to the five characteristics on the left hand toolbar. Choose three of these links: click and explore.** Exploring five links is optional, but not required.

[|Attributes of a successful PLC]


 * 3. Reflection: Create the heading "PLC Characteristics" in your personal page and under that heading post your thoughts on the resources you've explored.** (Don't forget to click the EDIT and SAVE buttons :-) I've listed some questions below that may help you get started.
 * How have your experiences within professional learning communities been different from what is described as a successful PLC?
 * Are there instances when the tone of an email or communication has impacted your feelings about a colleague or administrator? If so, in what ways?
 * Do you have ideas that you would add to either resource that may help your team begin to develop a rubric or guidelines for your own PLC?


 * 4. Post your top three requirements for a successful PLC on the PLC page.** First, click on "PLC page" on the left hand toolbar of our wikispace, type your name in bold print, and post your ideas without bold print below your name. We're posting our ideas on this page instead of using the Discussion tab so that we can see all of our ideas at once.

//**Part 3 (Sept. 27 - Oct.3) Due by 11:00, Oct. 3 with instructor feedback by Oct. 10**// __//**Developing Wikispaces**//__
 * In this section you will become the expert! By following the links in the Help section, you will create your own wikispace and set it up exactly the way you want it to be.** Because this is practice, set up your wikispace as though you are setting up a PLC wiki for your building, specialist, administrator, or grade level team. While setting up your pages, consider a few of the following:
 * **Will you establish norms or guidelines?**
 * **Will you need places to discuss items?**
 * **Will you want a calendar or agenda items?**
 * **Will you post resources your PLC will need for planning and collaboration?**
 * **How will you ensure that everyone is contributing?**
 * **Who will you invite?**

I will walk you through the first steps and then you'll be ready to take the lead. If you would like to work with a partner, one of you will need to send an invitation to the other partner. You will be able to give that member permission to act as a creator on your page. Let's get started.


 * 1. Click on the //Help// button on the top right toolbar of this page.** Here you will find everything you need to set up your own wikispace. I recommend exploring almost all of the links; this gives you an overview of how wikispaces works.
 * 2. Click on the //video tours// link under the //Intro// section on the //Help// page.** This should help those of use who need to see and hear how things work.
 * 3. Begin creating your own wiki!** If you have questions that aren't covered in the //Help// section, please send an email to me at sbowen@k12albemarle.org and I'll do whatever I can to help. It may seem a little intimidating to take this step, but once you get started and realize you can't break anything you'll be just fine.