Jan+Van+Handorf

Jan VonHandorf, Associate Director Athenaeum of Ohio Lay Pastoral Ministry Program Cincinnati, Ohio (w) 513-231-1200 (c) 859-250-7509 jvonhandorf@zoomtown.com
 * __Project Contact__**

//Archdiocese 101: An Online Introduction to the Ministries and Services of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati (AD101)//
 * __Project Title__**

For my Capstone Project I propose to reconfigure the current online course, “Archdiocese 101: An Introduction to the Ministries and Services of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati” (AD101), using the “Wikispaces Classroom” online platform.
 * __Project Description__**

In 2011 the Athenaeum of Ohio’s Lay Pastoral Ministry Program (LPMP) was awarded grant funding to develop an online course that would introduce new LPMP students to the ministries and services of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Working collaboratively, the LPMP administrative faculty developed “AD101” using the free version of the Moodle online platform to host the course. “AD101” opened with a pre-test to assess incoming student knowledge and familiarity with the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. Following completion of the four modules, a post-test was given to assess student learning as a result of completing the course.

Over the last two years “AD101” has been offered three times. Fifty-four students have completed the course. On average, student test scores increased 100% with an average score of 40% on the pretest and 80% on the post-test. Student evaluations of “AD101” have been overwhelmingly positive. Student comments include “Enjoyable,” “Very interesting and informative,” “Was fun and very informative,” “What has been most valuable is the accessibility of so many resources and information,” and “I was amazed by what I did not know.”

New course content will not be developed for the “AD101” wiki. However, new photos (creative commons)/graphics (Wordle/ImageChef) and possibly one or two 30-second videos will be created to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the wiki pages and engage student interest. Given that Wikispaces Classroom does not offer a “test/exam feature” as does the Moodle platform, Survey Monkey will be used to create the pre and post-tests for the wiki. To address the privacy issues associated with using an online platform, the “AD101” wiki will be marked “Private” and students invited to participate via email. Student passwords will be assigned by the wiki organizer.

Pending the success of “AD101” hosted on the “Wikispaces Classroom” platform, possible next steps could include offering parishes in the archdiocese access to the wiki with a module added that addresses their parish history, key personnel, and so forth. This would require working collaboratively with interested parish pastors and their support staffs. The parish version of the wiki could be linked to the parish's webpage/FaceBook page for easy access. In the event parishes in the archdiocese are interested in accessing the “AD101” wiki in the future, the pre and post-test links could be “turned off” during that time.

The LPMP administrative faculty has experienced significant and ongoing technological issues with the free version of the Moodle online platform that can only be resolved at the IT level. These issues are slow to be resolved and costly. Reconfiguring “AD101” using “Wikispaces Classroom”: (1) addresses the stability issues of hosting Moodle on the Athenaeum of Ohio’s server by moving the course onto the cloud; (2) gives LPMP administrative faculty access to online training videos and Wikispaces’ developers to address specific programming issues; (3) provides LPMP administrative faculty additional opportunities to incorporate Web 2.0 tools into the course to enhance student learning; and (4) introduces students to examples of ways Web 2.0 tools can be incorporated into ongoing adult education initiatives.

The introductory course, “Archdiocese 101” (AD101), is
 * __Project Goals__**
 * reconfigured using a “Wikispaces Classroom” platform,
 * updated to include Web 2.0 tools that facilitate student learning, and
 * posted on Wikispaces.com and ready to accept student enrollments by November 14, 2013.

The “AD101” online course
 * __Project Objectives__**
 * is user friendly;
 * engages students in peer-to-peer discussions sharing experiences and new insights; and
 * prepares students to begin academic studies and pastoral formation for ministry.

The target population for "Archdiocese 101" (AD101) is adult students (median age: 47) admitted to the Athenaeum of Ohio’s Lay Pastoral Ministry Program. Successful completion of “Archdiocese 101” is a graduation requirement for all students earning the non-degreed Certificate in Pastoral Ministry or the Master of Arts Degree in Pastoral Ministry.
 * __Audience Description__**

12 September – 02 October, 2013 Research the feasibility of using the “Wikispaces Classroom” online platform to host “Archdiocese 101.” Consult with LPMP Administrative Faculty and Staff regarding feasibility of Capstone project. Develop Capstone proposal. Person responsible: DDBC Student. Collaborators: LPMP Administrative Faculty and Staff.
 * __Projected Timeline__**

03 October 2013 Submit proposal for “AD 101” using the “Wikispaces Classroom” online platform to DDBC coach for approval. Person Responsible: DDBC Student.

10 October 2013 Develop guidelines for students to access the “AD101” wiki, post replies to assignment questions, and participate in discussions. Develop storyboard for one or two short Animoto videos to embed in course (possibly to replace “Blue Mass” picture in Module I; “LPMP Students” picture in Module IV). Configure course settings/look and feel. Research the feasibility of dividing students into project groups. Person responsible: DDBC Student. Collaborators: LPMP Administrative Faculty and Staff.

17 October 2013 Identify and contact group of current LPMP students to serve as LPMP student test group. Develop overview of course pages. Develop bank of photos (creative commons permissions) and Web 2.0 components. Insert into course pages. Create post-test survey instrument. Decide if students will be divided into project groups and configure course accordingly. Review progress with LPMP Administrative Faculty and Staff. Person responsible: DDBC Student.

24 October 2013 Troubleshoot course pages and revise as needed. Continue developing Web 2.0 components and inserting into course pages as needed. Test post-test survey instrument and revise as needed. Divide/do not divide students into project groups. Person responsible: DDBC Student. Collaborators: LPMP Administrative Faculty and Staff.

31 October 2013 Present course to test group of students and DDBC Coach for comments and suggestions. Person responsible: DDBC Student. Collaborators: Test group of students, DDBC Coach.

07 November 2013 Review suggestions/revisions. Thank reviewers. Make revisions as needed. Develop course evaluation using Web 2.0 survey instrument. Person responsible: DDBC Student.

14 November 2013 Finalize “AD101” course on “Wikispaces Classroom” online platform. Post to DDBC wiki. Person responsible: DDBC Student.

21 November 2013 – 15 December 2013 Develop online tutorial for accessing/navigating the “AD101” wiki. Person Responsible: DDBC Student. Collaborators: IT Consultants.
 * __Continuation of Project Timeline following Completion of Capstone Project__**

4 December 2013 Send email to new LPMP students informing them “AD101” opens January 6 and include the link to the online tutorial. Each individual student password is included in the personalized email. Person Responsible: DDBC Student.

6 January – 14 February 2014 “AD101” using the “Wikispaces Classroom” online platform is opened for student login and participation. Person responsible: DDBC Student. Collaborators: LPMP Administrative Faculty and Staff.

July – August 2014 “AD101” is opened to new LPMP students. Person responsible: DDBC Student. Collaborators: LPMP Administrative Faculty and Staff.

In developing the course “AD101,” Web 2.0 tools may include, but are not limited to: Wikispaces Classroom, Animoto, FlickR (creative commons photos), FaceBook link, Wordle/Image Chef, and Survey Monkey (pre and post-tests, student course evaluation). In the "Continuation of Project" phase SnagIt, Screencast, and email will be used.
 * __Technology To Be Utilized__**

There is no charge to educators to use “Wikispaces Classroom.” Up to 100 student accounts can be created using this option. The LPMP student enrollment projection for each course offering is fewer than 40 students.
 * __Projected Budget__**

Approval for the development of “AD101” using Wikispaces Classroom has been received from the Director of the Athenaeum of Ohio’s Lay Pastoral Ministry Program.
 * __Departmental or Administrator Approval__**

**Please post your project proposal below in the following format:**
 * Project Title
 * Project Description
 * Project Goals
 * Audience Description
 * Projected Timeline
 * Technology To Be Utilized
 * Projected Budget
 * Do you need Departmental or Administrator approval? If yes, please indicate the steps you have taken.

Proposal Deadline: October 3, 2013

__ Note __ : Projects should be carried out in a two-month period following the Proposal deadline. All projects should be completed by November 14, 2013.

Link to Completed Project http://archdiocese101.wikispaces.com/

Link to Jan Von Handorf Essay Page

Link to Jan Von Handorf Article Page