OnLine Trainer Course General Information This course is a must for any trainer or tutor who is to deliver collaborative, interactive training online.  After a one day face to face workshop, each student attends this course online through virtual classrooms in the Abacus Virtual College.  This can be accessed over a telephone line that connects the student’s computer to the Abacus Virtual College or via the Internet using software supplied by Abacus. The course is approved by the ILM (Institute for Leadership and Management) as a Development Award, a nationally recognized, independent, awarding body in Great Britain, which awards certificates to participants whose course work meets their high standards. Aims To equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively use CMC (Computer Mediated Communication) software be able to provide basic technical support needed by first time users of CMC as a training and education medium help them plan, design and deliver CMC based training Objectives Successful students will be able to achieve the following have a good understanding of the differences between face to face and CMC tutoring skills effectively use CMC software to deliver training recognise and develop strategies for effectively dealing with problems typically encountered facilitate discussion and collaborative learning through CMC produce a pilot CMC based training module. Module 1 One Day (prior to online course beginning) NOTE: Is highly desirable but not essential to attend this day Initial Face-to-Face Workshop    getting  to know each other receiving course materials introduction to Computer Mediated Communication (CMC) opportunities to practice on a computer discussion of  concerns or problems that could occur possible solutions of problems completing an initial online task       Module 2 Exploring CMC    Weeks 1 - 3 Online in the Abacus Virtual College     practice using CMC first exercises introduction to features of the software gaining confidence using it Module 3 CMC in Training Weeks 4 - 7 Online in the Abacus Virtual College     reading relevant material in the Abacus Virtual College online library carrying out tasks designed to enhance your skills in using CMC exploring CMC as a communication medium identifying and discussing the main issues in the use of CMC in training considering styles of CMC delivery identifying the benefits and drawbacks of CMC experiencing CMC as a student exploring the CMC tutor’s role choosing a project to complete during Module 4 producing and agreeing with your tutor on a project proposal          Module 4 Personal Project Weeks 8 - 10 Online in the Abacus Virtual College     By this stage, you will be confident in using CMC as a student and appreciate some of its advantages and disadvantages.  You will also have practiced using CMC in a tutor role. In this module you will work on your project.  This must be of relevance and practical use to your organisation and may be a course module for delivery by CMC a more general report about the advantages, disadvantages and feasibility of the wider use of CMC by your organisation some other relevant area of the study of CMC that has been agreed with your tutor Although you will be working on your own project (which must be a personal rather than group effort) you will be encouraged to use the benefits of CMC to discuss your project ideas learn of the project ideas of others give and receive help in developing ideas and finalising work discuss issues with your tutor and receive tutorial support as far as possible,  progress from a draft to the final version of your project By the end of this module you should have written and posted the final version of your project  a minimum length of 1,500 words.          Module 5 Final Face-to-Face Workshop          This will be tailored to students’  needs.  These might change as the course progresses.  The content will be discussed before the final face-to-face workshop. This day might include reviewing the feelings expressed on the initial face-to-face workshop reviewing the group process experienced during the course exploring the lessons for tutors to be drawn from this presentation by you about your individual project discussing your plans for the future of CMC advantage. Duration        10 weeks