1. Upon registration, each participant will receive a welcoming email as well as directions for downloading the necessary course materials to be used on his/her platform of choice. (Professional development modules are provided at no additional charge). Additionally each participant will be asked to forward a brief summary (CV) describing his/her educational background and applicable work experience.
2. After reviewing the CV's, the online instructor will contact each participant to discuss the plan for achieving the competencies that are to be developed via the online workshop. In general, the workshop module's format will provide the structure that helps to integrate course elements and ensure that all learning objectives are met. Each course module contains detailed descriptions up front of what learning outcomes participants will be required to demonstrate by the end of the online workshop. (Note: A participant's specific interests and needs (if any) as well as his or her current skills may result in the use of a more individualized approach.)
3. Online teaching and learning will be conducted via the Internet and mediated through technology. Essentially it may be considered to be organized and structured self-education. In this instance the professional development modules define the course; the online instructor facilitates learning by offering guidance and feedback; but participants themselves choose the schedule of study, allocate time, and use their own learning procedures and resources. In some aspects, this approach resembles traditional education, particularly as regards the course goals, objectives, syllabus, content, and learning outcomes, for these must be congruent for both on site and online formats.
4. Assessment will involve having participants demonstrate that learning has occurred in a way that is observable and/or measurable. Activities that allow for observable and/or measurable assessment are either specified or implied in almost all of the topics comprising each of the professional development modules. All participants will be required to submit their projects, portfolios and diaries to the online instructor for review and comments. The instructor's critiques will serve to validate success or failure with regard to meeting program objectives
5. A Certificate of Accomplishment will be awarded to participants upon completion of each online workshop.