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= = =Welcome= =media type="youtube" key="-0qsdzxz0UM" height="355" width="425"= How we started.

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=Open Professional Development=

Welcome to our collaborative space for this open staff development course. **We encourage all of you to utilize any and all resources posted here, use the discussion tabs to ask questions, post suggestions, and engage in conversation together throughout the course.**

We look forward to working with any teacher interested in learning more about social software and its educational benefits. Therefore, **if you are interested in participating with us, please** **[|join this space]****.** You must join the space and have a wikispace account in order to edit any pages within the wiki. In joining:
 * You will be prompted to enter a username and password.
 * If you currently have a Wikispace account your request to join the space will be sent immediately.
 * If you don't yet have a free Wikispace account, then you will be asked to join Wikispaces (there is a link on the same page). You then create a username, password, and enter an email address. In order to participate in our class, you do not need to create a space.
 * We will be able to connect 9 people through Skype audio. Darren and I will be broadcasting audio through Ustream and use the chat set up on that page of the wiki.

Once you have completed these steps the next time Darren or Robin log in, they will see your request and add you to the group.

Thank you for your interest in learning more about this exciting medium. We look forward to learning with you.

Darren and Robin (Click here to learn a little more about your instructors)

=How To Connect=
 * Audio, video, and a chat back-channel for the class can all be accessed on this page.

=Details, Details, Details...=

If you are a teacher, administrator, or technology specialist that would like to learn more about the many free, online tools that can be used to enhance your teaching, then consider yourself personally invited to join us. We'd love to have you and look forward to an exciting, open, and collaborative experience.
 * **When** - See the  Google Calendar here or subscibe: [[image:calendar_plus_en.gif link="http://www.google.com/calendar/render?cid=qqrfvqgcphh9v6sqffovm1efso%40group.calendar.google.com"]]
 * **Skype** - If you don't have a Skype account, you will want to create one ahead of time (free), as Robin Ellis will be moderating a [|Skype] chatroom throughout the class. To join in, send her a quick message through Skype: **robin.ellis1**. We recommend you use a headset for the conversations throughout the course, using one will minimize the echoing effect you may experience.
 * **Class Wiki** - Our class wiki (with schedule and future participant portfolios) will be available here: http://openpd.wikispaces.com/. To join in on the action, please join our class wiki.
 * **Attendance** - For teachers //not// receiving in-service credit, **perfect attendance is not required**.
 * **Come One, Come All** - While this class is intended to help newbies learn more about the educational uses of Web 2.0 technologies, experienced users are equally welcome (and appreciated, as the sum of our knowledge is what truly makes these new technologies so appealing).

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