Pre-workshop+Planning+(D1)

__ Section II: Pre-workshop Planning __
 * Team Member D1 **

As a first start, there should be a beta test for the whole program to make sure that things work according to the plan. Piskurich (2005)explains that a beta test are “design tests” that intend to check how the pieces of the course fit together (p.238). In the beta test invite the target manager, IT coordinator and two or three of the target Head of Departments/ Supervisors. It is preferable that the facilitator administers the instructions. This will give the developer “more time to watch reactions and make notes and allows [the developer] to focus all [his/her] attention to the audience and their reactions” (Piskurich, 2005, p.239). Send memos to the participants to explain what is expected from them and what kind of feedback you need. Preferably, create a list of questions to be sent to the participants ahead of time.
 * (Developer) **


 * __ Preparing participants: __**

Start by arranging a meeting between the trainees, yourself and the materials that will be included in the training program. Pre-requisite skills: Check that participants have the required knowledge in computer basics. Check that participants know how to browse the Internet and open a website. Check that participants can speak, read and write the language of instruction. Check that participants know how to operate a video camera. Check that participants know how to upload a video on YouTube. Check that all participants have emails for communication.

If a trainee needs any additional computer support, arrange a one-to-one based instruction with one of the IT team members to cover the required computer skills. If a trainee has limited language proficiency, arrange for a translated transcript of the video as well as printed handouts of the material and send it ahead of time.


 * __ Participants Groupings __**

Trainees will be divided into small groups (8- 12 persons per group) according to the subject matter they teach or the levels they teach; i.e. class teachers that teach multiple subjects will be in one group. This grouping will help them apply the intended instruction to their field area and will help during discussion. To make the groups heterogeneous distribute the supervisors and the directors. Participants with limited language proficiency should have a bi-language fluent team member next to them to help them. If there are sufficient members of the IT team, distribute one per group. Otherwise, add the IT members to groups that have members with limited computer knowledge.

Send a memo or an email to all the participants explaining what is the course about and the objectives that you will be focusing on. This will help them prepare and organize their ideas so they will be more familiar with the content.
 * __ Giving participants advance information __**

Make the trainees more comfortable with the material by sending them links to setting up a Wiki on YouTube ahead of time. This will help decrease some of the difficulty that might rise during the course. Send the following link to all the participants Upload a video on YouTube: [] Setting up a Wiki : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NRbbskf3cA

References:

Piskurich, G. M. (2005). Rapid instructional design: Learning ID fast and right, (2nd ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass/Pfeiffer.