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Test Drive the Real World Syllabus |
Spring 2008: March 30 to May 4: Sundays from 1:30pm to 5:30pm I. Workshop Description Practical in nature, this six-week workshop series is specifically designed to give you hands-on experience with real world issues and tasks. Discussions and assignments will match your in class training by giving you the opportunity to immediately apply what you learn. No prior experience is required with any of the software used or concepts addressed throughout this workshop series. All majors welcome! This workshop is intended to help you further develop the communication and technical skills you already – and gain new skills that will be highly marketable after college. So don’t worry if you have no idea what a wiki is or what web 2.0 means – that’s what this workshop is for! Open to current juniors, seniors, graduate students, and recent alumni, the workshop series will be taught by Jesse Schibilia, Senior Instructional Designer (Office of Instructional and Research Technology) and Jocelyn DeAngelis Williams, SCILS lecturer. You will examine and develop your own communication skills, helping you to become a better presenter, a more productive group member, and a more prepared professional. The main focus of this workshop series will be applying these communication techniques as you learn basic web design skills, incorporate some basic Web 2.0/social software and networking tools into your communications arsenal, and work collaboratively as a group with other workshop participants. “Homework” each week will take the form of a Team blog or wiki. Homework is due each Saturday by noon to give the professors time to review it. You will have access to the professors between sessions for any questions you might have. You will also have access to a course site for resources, how-to screencasts, and discussion/chat with other workshop participants. The workshop series is not graded – after all, you don’t receive grades in the real world. You will, however, receive a certificate of completion in recognition of your time, effort, and learned skills. II. Learning Objectives At the end of the workshop students will be able to: · Running an effective meeting · Design basic web pages using common software and strategies · Understand group dynamics and workplace politics · Handle workplace conflicts professionally and successfully · Use social networking tools (to make a podcast, a wiki, a short video that you can upload, etc.) III. Course Outline Week 1: Introduction to the six-week workshop, overview of resources site, development of groups, and communications self-assessment. Homework: Team blog about the different communication styles each member possesses and strategies for working together most productively during the program.
Week 2: Discussion of the workplace as a Communication Lab – module on working in groups; effective meetings; partnering; handling conflict. Interactive application of concepts. Homework: Team blog the action plan (who does what when) for the final project that includes each team member’s responsibilities.
Week 3: Web design – the grand tour. Hands-on basic introduction to web design – specifically designed for those with little or no prior experience. Topics include: web design principles, design software, design/project management, web 2.0 as a concept (brief understanding of what it is and why this is different from Web 1.0).
Homework: Team blog the draft sketch of your website (narrate it in words, draw it out on paper and scan it in, or draw it out in software) that includes an outline of content and an outline of the page design.
Week 4: More on web 2.0 and social networking tools – how to use selected tools (podcasting and RSS; creation of a short video for vodcasting/YouTube; online collaboration tools/wikis; screencasting, etc.) Examine the power of these tools in the workplace and set the stage for you to use these tools yourself. Homework: Team blog that showcases a short/basic/simple Web 2.0 tool created by the team.
Week 5: Lab week/Content production – this week you will produce your site and use the tools discussed throughout the workshop. Help will be available and reiteration of “how-tos” etc. Homework: Finalize web site for presentation; prepare written analysis of communication successes and challenges experienced in the teams.
Week 6: Student presentations and feedback; evaluation of the program; ideas for further programs/training. IV. Workshop Instructor Contact Information For more information and for any questions, please contact the Professional Development Office at SCILS at: Tel. 732-932-7169 Email: mandrich@rutgers.edu Drop by: 192 College Avenue, Room 104
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