Virtual Collaborative Learning - Learner' guide

Copyright (C) 2015 Wiztango Software India Pvt Ltd All Rights Reserved.
Virtual Collaborative Learning Facilitated
Learners Guide
v1.6

Copyright (C) 2015 Wiztango Software India Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
2
MAGMA global
? What do we all
wish to achieve
Page 3
The
Mindset
Page 4
The
Stakeholders
Page 8
The
Methodologies
Page 13
The
Output
Page 21
Technologies
Page 24
The
Activities
Page 16
Navigation
Page 27
who what when which where why & how
The Starting
Point
Page 32

3
MAGMA globalWhat do we all wish to achieve
Learn a relevant
subject and
topics
Must beEnhance our
communication
skills [LSRW}
Listening | Speaking
Reading | Writing
In the most basic sense,
And as a bonus, get an opportunity to collaborate
with professionals from interesting geographies & cultures

THE MINDSET
What? No way!!

5
MAGMA globalWhat are the Do’s & Don’ts
ASSUMPTION
We are all professionals and mature adults. We are here because we wish to be here and
we wish to learn together. We are not expecting someone to tell us right from wrong.
OPPORTUNITY
We each bring knowledge, know-how and experiences that certainly will benefit all.
By contributing towards the learning of all, we ourselves will gain.
Let us make our best efforts
KEEPING IN MIND
There are surely differences & similarities in behavior, language, accent, culture, interests,
challenges, etc.
Based on our interactions, it is a wonderful opportunity to self-reflect & to learn
We are free to speak on any topic as long as we maintain a professional manner
We DO NOT make personal requests during or after completion

6
MAGMA globalWhat should I be
be
& most important [KEEP YOUR WORD]
Patient
Proactive
Prepared
Punctual
Courteous
Respectful
Inquisitive
concise
active
humble
BOLD

7
MAGMA globalHow do I complain
IWNC
I Will Not
Complain
Message the Administrator
using WIZTANGO STREAM tab
Share the issue (s)
Offer a solution (if any)
Lets chat, agree &
implement
FYI suggestions, tips, recommendations are always welcome

THE STAKEHOLDERS
I am not alone

9
MAGMA global
My learning Buddy
Higher Learning Institute
ME
Facilitator
Industry Expert
Administrator
Helpdesk
Who are my learning stakeholders
External People
SME, Alumni, Mentor, etc.
Observers
My fellow Learners & Learning Buddies
We are all coming together to
enhance our skills

10
MAGMA globalWhat’ the role of the Facilitator & Administrator
Administrator’ role
1) Help-desk contact point
Technical problems, webinar access,
buddy contact, schedule
2) Observing & jumping in
3) Initiating discussions
4) Advising
5) Cheering
6) Administrating
The Facilitator and the Administrator are of course here to enhance
your learning experience, approach us, we are available
Facilitator’ role
1) Facilitating learning
sessions
2) Introducing topics
3) Initiating discussions
4) Giving feedback
5) Sharing resources
6) Learning related Q&A

11
MAGMA globalWhat are the Learner’ Profiles
Corporate Buddy Learning Buddy
PROFILE
• Working at a large global corporate
• Working professional
• Pretty busy with work
• Availability limited generally after work
& possibly weekends
• Looking to enhance position at
organization
Collaborative learning takes place with two groups of learners. We can group them as
the Corporate Buddies & the Learning Buddies. Both groups are here to learn, share, and
excel.
PROFILE
• Studying at a higher education institute
• Learning professional
• Pretty busy with studying & partying
• Availability relatively higher weeknights
& weekends
• Looking to obtain a good position at an
organization

12
MAGMA globalWhat about these Learning Buddies
This may be a unique concept for most of us and so there may be a few questions
How does a buddy get selected
MAGMA partners with higher Education Institutes
It is the role of the institute to introduce the
matching and interested candidates.
How do I scheduling a meeting w/buddy
On WIZTANGO, in the STREAM tab, a messaging
app is available to ping my buddy with a suggested
schedule and agenda
Do I speak only about the program
topics
We are free to speak on any topic as long as we
keep a professional manner
Are the same buddies available for the
entire schedule
Yes, in case for drop-outs, replacement candidates
may join
Do I have only one buddy
During the program, we will do our best to
mingle the buddies
Can I change my buddy
Yes, it is possible, message the administrator
stating your reasons
Can I speak with other buddies
Yes, it is possible, as long as the buddies are
willing to do the same
What is the mode of communication
We use SKYPE to have a audio, video, one-on-
one or group conversations

THE METHODOLOGIES
Not the typical blah, blah, blah….

14
MAGMA global
To achieve the
best learning
outcomes, we
focus on the
bottom half of
THE LEARNING
PYRAMID
% indicates rate of retention
Source: National Training Laboratories, Bethel Maine
What do some of the learning experts believe
Generally, we are used to learning in a standard pattern, but

15
MAGMA globalHow do I enhance my communication skills
Strong communication skills are a must to achieve success in our career
Communication skills can be divided into two distinct segments
RW
Reading &
Writing
LS
Listening &
Speaking
o To have good LS skills, it is necessary to first develop strong RW skills
o RW is all about practice
o I have the opportunity to initiate and manage a written dialogue or debate.
o On any given topic, my objectives are to first read all relevant documents and
then to share my opinions and thoughts in a meaningful and concise manner.
o Sometimes I may offer counter points to other’ opinions as well as having to
defend mine
o RW practice will tune our minds to formulate our opinion and thoughts for LS
o LS too is all about practice
o I have the opportunity to initiate and manage as many one-to-one and group
conversations and meetings
o On any given topic, my objectives are not only to speak about my thoughts and
opinions in a meaningful and concise manner but to also listen
o We must keep in mind there are no perfect accents, some efforts are required
to overcome listening challenges
o A good practice is to take notes and sharing the summary of the meeting

THE ACTIVITIES
Yeah, I got stuff to do…

17
MAGMA globalHow does the learning happen
All together fixed time schedule
have social discussion & debate | attend
webinar lectures | take assessments
Self paced free schedule
watching videos | reading documents |
asking questions | sharing research |
initiating discussions | participating in a
discussion
Collaborative free schedule
one on one meetings |group conversations|
complete project & assignments
Learning
methodology
is divided into
3 segments

18
MAGMA globalHow do I participate in activities
reading
documents
accessing
webpages
asking
questions
being an
initiator
watching
videos
be a player
FREE time or Self Scheduled activities for me by me on WIZTANGO
In the RESOURCES tab, videos
are available for viewing. About
the video content, be sure to
share comments and questions
in STREAM.
In the STREAM tab, at any time
before, during or even after
completion do not hesitate to ask
a question. Not asking is indeed a
wasted opportunity and may
result in others also not learning.
In the RESOURCES tab, PDF, PPT
document formats are available
for viewing. About the content,
be sure to share comments and
questions in STREAM.
In the STREAM tab, at any time
initiate a discussion by sharing
thoughts related to the topics. A
high degree of chance for learning
to happen thru such originations.
In the RESOURCES tab, web URLs
are available for accessing.
About the content, be sure to
share comments and questions
in STREAM.
Everyone has an unique
perspective and opinions. In the
STREAM tab, at any time respond
to a discussion by sharing
thoughts related to the topics.
Don’t just be a spectator

19
project &
assignment
group
conversation
one-on-one
meeting
Weekly, completing assignments based on a set of topics and a
program-long project are part of the learning agenda. Either on SKYPE,
collaborating with my buddies or sometimes on my own. Description,
learning objectives and deadlines are all shared in the ACTIVITY tab on
WIZTANGO.
Organizing a one-on-one meeting on SKYPE with my buddy is one of
the ongoing activities. There is no limit to the frequency of online
meetings. Scheduling a meeting is my initiative but confirming
availability or proposing a change in schedule is up to my buddy.
Collaborative activities by me and my learning buddy on SKYPE & WIZTANGO
Some of the assignments may require to be conducted in a group
conversation on SKYPE. Be a leader by taking the initiative to
schedule the meeting and conversation.

20
webinar
assessment
social
discussion &
debate
Weekly one or two webinar lectures lasting between 45 to 60 minutes
are conducted by our facilitator. The objective of the webinar is either
to introduce the topics or to discuss assignments and questions raised
by the learners. Some of the lectures may be available on video at a
later date. Webinars are conducted on GOTO MEETING.
Fixed Schedule activities for me on WIZTANGO & GOTO MEETING
Once a week, we will have an online social discussion and debate
lasting between 45 to 60 minutes. It will be conducted by our
facilitator. Participation is necessary to benefit from the live debate
and discussion. It will be available in the STREAM tab on WIZTANGO.
We will have an online assessment on the topics of the week. The
assessment may contain a combination of multiple choice and essay
type of questions. It may be of a fixed time duration and schedule.
The duration of the assessment is generally between 30 to 60
minutes. It will be available in the ACTIVITY tab in WIZTANGO.

THE OUTPUT
Hmmm.. Is it already over

22
MAGMA globalWhat are the learning outcomes
A new set of
learning
colleagues
Empathy with
a new culture
Better
knowledge of
a core subject
Enhanced
communication
skills
A comprehensive
report
Program feedback
Project & Assignment
feedback
Rankings
Assessment results
Certificate of
Completion

23
MAGMA global
An experience resulting in hands getting raised
to mentor the next set of learners
What ‘s our opportunity to achieve
The first step…

TECHNOLOGIES
My learning space

25
MAGMA globalWhich technologies do I need
Voice discussions requires the SKYPE
application. It is available for free as a
download on your PC or as an app for smart
devices. Register yourself and remember to
share your id on WIZTANGO
WIZTANGO, my learning platform is
available for free on the cloud.
Registration happens via an invitation
email.
It is also available as a free App for
smart devices.
Attend webinar sessions on GOTO MEETING.
Clicking on the webinar URL will automatically
download the application on to your PC. The URL
is available in your WIZTANGO AGENDA tab.
After clicking on the URL, follow the instructions
to complete the process. It is also available as
free app for smart devices.

26
MAGMA globalWhat’ the recommended technology environment
Accessing the learning
environment requires a PC.
Recommended Microsoft
Windows 7.0 and newer
EMAIL NOTIFICATIONS
consider settings for daily digest
versus all notifications
Email account
RECOMMENDATION
For registrations, getting a private
email account on Google GMAIL,
Hotmail or Yahoo mail
Browser WIZTANGO SKYPE GOTO MEETING
Microsoft
IE
NO
All OK
Version 8.0 or
newer
Mozilla
Firefox
Version
19 – 36
Version 34 or
newer
Google
Chrome
Version
19 – 41
Version 36 or
newer
Apple
Safari
Version
7 - 8.0.3
Version 6.0 or
newer
RECOMMENDED BROWSERs
MINIMUM INTERNET SPEED
256Kbits/second
Needless to say internet access is a must
In certain instances, if a PC is
unavailable , smart-phone or tab can
also be used. Explore the ANDROID
& iOS App-store to download apps.
It is possible that these Apps may
have limited functions as compared
to the web based version.

NAVIGATION
Not getting lost

28
MAGMA globalWIZTANGO Top Level
My profile &
settings
My account
details
My informal
discussions
Click on & off for a
quick tour of the
page

29
MAGMA globalWIZTANGO Learning level
List of Program
topics, schedule,
webinar URL..
My documents, videos,
web pages
My assignments,
assessments,
feedbacks
List of my
stakeholders
Click on Schedules to
access the learning level

30
MAGMA globalGOTO MEETING for Webinars
Presentation
Audio
settings
Facilitator video Online chat
List of attendees &
microphone mute
option
NOTE | Bi-directional Audio Video chats
require a strong internet connectivity &
higher internet band-with

31
MAGMA globalSKYPE for voice conversations
Contact list
Search by
name or ID
Video or voice
chat
Group
conversation
Written chat
Video chats & group conversations do require a strong
internet connectivity & higher internet band-with

THE STARTING POINT
Are you ready | Get SET

33
MAGMA globalHow do I get started
Registration is the first step in getting started,
keep a look out for your WIZTANGO invitation email

34
MAGMA globalHow do I prepare for the start
A list of the topics with
objectives, schedules and
stakeholders might have been
made available – click on the
AGENDA tab to view
For preparation, video links,
web pages, presentations, or
other documents might have
been made available – click on
the RESOURCES tab to view or
download
My experiences, background,
interests, what I hope to get
from my learning journey –
thinking about what interesting
stuff I could share with my
learning stakeholders and then
go ahead and share it in the
STREAM tab
Preparation is another key factor for success,
take your time to familiarize

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