A rare opportunity for experienced E-moderators to further to develop their skills and techniques in creating and running successful online learning groups.

If you have been moderating or tutoring online for at least one year ( 3+ modules) this course is for you. If less, you will benefit more by undertaking our regular e-moderating course first.

We use the Janison Toolbox Platform VLE but the experience will apply to any bulletin board or online tutorial work. You will be in the company of fellow experienced practitioners.

The programme is entirely online and runs asynchronously for 5 weeks. You will need to log on most days and hence have regular internet access during the period.

Since 2000 ATIM has run over 100 courses for over 1500 professionals teaching in Higher Education worldwide. On one course we had participants from every continent, except Antarctica! E-learning is no longer new and is being coming part of many universities day-to-day activities.

As educational professionals improve their understanding of the online environment and develop their practice they look for ideas on how to deal with issues over and above the basics. Gilly Salmon’s scaffolding, 5 step model (2000), has been well received and provides structure to aid building and running effective online courses. On this course we apply the model beyond basic threaded discussion forums.

Getting groups started online depends on well structured course and discussion design and engaged participants. Sustaining groups and enabling them to collaborate effectively requires effective time management and pacing, sound collaboration methods, effective use of e-moderating techniques.

This course is centred on discussion between participants and the exchange of ideas, experiences and opinions whilst undertaking challenging e-tivities. It provides opportunities to give and receive feedback from peers. Learning is achieved through group interaction using online discussion forums, blogs and Wiki’s and other collaboration methods.

The Beyond E-moderating course is aimed at academic and staff who are already involved in online teaching and have at least one a year’s experience in running online courses (for example, 3 + modules) The programme accommodates lecturers and tutors with a wide range of prior skills and knowledge. Initially this course based in the Janison VLE, giving participants the opportunity to experience this platform from the participants’ perspective.

The course provides a series of group activities which are carefully paced throughout the 5 weeks. Your course will be facilitated by an experienced e-convenor under the overall direction and guidance of course directors Dr Gilly Salmon and David Shepherd.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to buy the companion text book, ‘E-Moderating: The Key to Teaching and Learning Online, by Gilly Salmon, at a special reduced price (see Application form) though recommended, this is not a requirement.

You will need good access to the Internet, preferably from both office and home, and a flexible and open approach to exploring e-learning. You will not need a high level of technical skill to get started. If you can log on to Web sites, point and click and write emails you can benefit from the course! You will need good continuous access to the internet.

Willingness to log on at least 5 times a week over the 5 week period and take part. The course requires a minimum of 25 hours overall.

You must be available to start on the start date and we would prefer you to log on and start on that date. You’ll get the most out of the course if you can log on regularly for an hour or so most days.

Prof Gilly Salmon is Professor of E-learning and Learning Technologies at the UK’s University of Leicester. She heads up the Beyond Distance Research Alliance and has developed the on and offline ‘Media Zoo’ (www.le.ac.uk/beyonddistance). She has been involved in online teaching and e-moderating since 1989. She has now been responsible for designing and delivering online e-moderator training for around 700 individuals across universities and corporate training facilities. Critically, she believes that e-moderator development should be undertaken in the online environment itself, and has proved it can be done. Her books ‘E-moderating and ‘E-tivities’ are educational best sellers. E-moderating.com

David Shepherd is involved in development and e-convening a large number of online e-moderating courses and has trained over 400 e-moderators. He is a management development consultant, helping teams to improve their performance. He is a Director of All Things in Moderation Ltd.

Please complete as fully as possible

Completion of this application form does not guarantee a place on the course. Your application will be considered in the light of the number of applicants and you will be notified by email of the results of your application. No payment will be sought unless you are accepted onto the course.

The cost of this course is £395 + VAT per course place. Payment can be made directly to ‘All Things in Moderation Ltd’ and posted for the attention of:

David Shepherd
All Things in Moderation Ltd
99 Falmouth Avenue
Highams Park
London E4 9QR

Further details from David Shepherd