Facilitator Training and Certification Course Syllabus

The FOR-PD Facilitator Training and Certification Course is designed to provide future facilitators with the knowledge and skills they need to become successful online facilitators for the Florida Online Reading Professional Development Course (FOR-PD).

In order to become a facilitator, one must first apply and meet the minimum criteria established by the project. Applicants must have knowledge of reading education and methods. Those applicants who meet the criteria will be invited to join the FOR-PD Online Facilitator Training and Certification Course. Before becoming a FOR-PD facilitator, applicants must successfully complete the online training and certification course. FOR-PD accepts applications and offers the course each semester.

The Training and Certification Course consists of seven lessons. Five of these lessons focus on providing background information on the FOR-PD project, online professional development, and the tools and techniques used in online facilitation and learning. The last two lessons explore the FOR-PD course content and give future facilitators hands on practice.

Each lesson includes at least one written assignment and a quiz. A score of 80% or better is required on all seven modules to complete the course. An electronic certificate (PDF) is emailed to participants upon successful completion of the course, and the district staff development office is notified.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of the Online Facilitator Training & Certification course, participants are expected to demonstrate mastery of the following skills:

1. Describe the FOR-PD course and the goals of the course.
2. Identify advantages of online learning.
3. Identify potential disadvantages of online learning and describe ways each disadvantage can be addressed.
4. Identify the role and responsibilities of the online class facilitator.
5. Describe techniques for facilitating an online course.
6. Identify and use online tools such as chat, discussion boards, email, and the WebCT grade book.

Course In-service Points:

Upon successful completion of the seven lessons in this class, participants should be eligible to receive 25 in-service points. The staff development office of your school district awards in-service points not FOR-PD. FOR-PD simply suggests the number that might be awarded.

Course Evaluation:

Participants will be expected to complete at least one written assignment and a quiz at the end of each lesson. In addition they are required to participate in activities that allow for practice using components in the course from both a participant and facilitator point of view.

An 80% success rate on each quiz and written assignment is required. On those activities that are not graded, participation is the requirement.

The facilitator of the training course will grade the written assignments using the rubric provided for that assignment and will offer feedback. The quizzes are self-correcting, and provide immediate feedback. Quizzes may be retaken three times only.

The content of each lesson may include links to outside resources and experiences with a variety of online tools.

Lesson Objectives:

Lesson One - Introduction

After this lesson you should be able to do the following:

• Identify what the acronym FOR-PD represents.
• List the topics covered by the FOR-PD facilitator training & certification course.
• Identify the basic elements of each lesson in the FOR-PD facilitator training & certification course.
• Download, read, and print Adobe Acrobat PDF files.
• Describe the elements of the Course Menus
• Use the FOR-PD discussion tool.
• Use the FOR-PD quiz tool.
• Use the FOR-PD course email tool.
• Use the FOR-PD chat tool.
• Describe the technical support features we offer to assist you with the course.

Lesson Two - What is FOR-PD?

After this lesson you should be able to do the following:

• Locate the FOR-PD Website.
• In your own words, briefly describe the FOR-PD Project for a colleague or friend.
• In your own words, briefly explain why the FOR-PD Project is important to Florida.
• Describe the FOR-PD course, the expectations, and the requirements.

Lesson Three - What is Online Learning?

At the end of this lesson, you should be able to do the following:

• Define online staff development.
• Identify at least three advantages of online staff development for Florida educators.
• Identify at least two possible drawbacks/challenges of online staff development.
• Identify techniques for overcoming some of those drawbacks/challenges.
• Describe one interactive review technique.

Lesson Four - The Role of the Facilitator

After completing this lesson, you should be able to do the following:

• Describe, in your own words, the role of the FOR-PD facilitator.
• Identify when each of the following tools might be used throughout the course:
  • Discussion boards/Threaded discussions
  • Group email
  • Individual email
• Describe ways the FOR-PD facilitator may provide assistance to the project.
• List tips for being an online facilitator.
• Describe situations when a facilitator would NOT want to answer participant questions immediately.
• Discuss facilitator best practices in regards to the FOR-PD course.
• List and describe the FOR-PD facilitator expectations.
• Explain facilitator duties:
  • Before the course begins
  • During the first week of class
  • Throughout the remainder of the class
  • After the course closing date

Lesson Five - Online Class Tools and FOR-PD Support

After completing this lesson you should be able to do the following:

• Describe four online tools that are available in the FOR-PD course and when to use them.
• Describe one online tool available only to FOR-PD facilitators and how to use it.
• List and describe several methods of support available for FOR-PD facilitators.
• Describe how to get staff development/in-service points for completing the FOR-PD facilitator course.

Lesson Six - Lesson Two of the FOR-PD Course

After this lesson you should be able to do the following:

• Describe the Lesson 2 content of the FOR-PD course.
• Take, and pass with 80% accuracy, a quiz on the content presented from Lesson 2 of the FOR-PD course.
• Utilize what you have learned about facilitation from previous lessons in the required discussion.
• Offer constructive feedback to a participant's Literacy Log / Reflection Journal entry.

Lesson Seven - Lesson Three of the FOR-PD Course

After this lesson you should be able to do the following:

• Describe the Lesson 3 content of the FOR-PD course.
• Take a quiz on the content presented from Lesson 3 of the FOR-PD course.
• Utilize what you have learned about facilitation from previous lessons in the required discussion and Literacy Log feedback.