<html> <head> <style></style> </head> <body class='hmmessage'> <div style="text-indent: 0px !important; ">Hi All,</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; "> </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; ">Yesterday I did my 2 hour workshop and one hour presentation at the CUELA Tech Fair. I want to thank all of you who helped me solve some of the problems I was having with the software.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; "> </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; ">My one hour presentation about OLPC and volunteering was great. Folks were interested, asked a lot of questions, and learned a lot. Some were even talking about the possibility of applying for the Contributors Program.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; "> </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; ">The two-hour workshop about software was a bit disappointing. It has been a long time since I have done anything in that timeframe. I found that I rushed through a lot of things and I actually finished about 30 min early. There was no way to warn folks that they needed to bring their laptops and usb thumb drives and, though some did, we had to rely on the XOs and the Dell PCs that were in the lab. Also the internet connection we were supposed to have failed. </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; "> </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; ">However I did introduce them to Sugar, explained the ins and outs of making the live CDs and usb SoaS, had them try Etoys on the XOs or their laptops, made Etoys to go usbs for those who had brought sticks, and downloaded it to those who didn't but had their laptops with them. Two of them also asked me to me download Maple_Syrup to their laptops.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; "> </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; ">I wrote myself a note based on the workshop which I will paste below so you can learn from my mistakes! Actually, I knew I should do all of the things listed. Some were impossible, due to circumstances which I could not control. Some of the things, I did do. Some I just forgot! Yesterday I was swearing, "Never again to 2 hour workshops," but now, I think I would like to try it again.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; "> </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; ">I will put some notes into my presentation and post it so you can borrow freely from it if you like. Give me a couple of days. I'll also put the list I have here on the wiki when I figure out where it should go. If anyone wants to add to it, please do. Please remember, this is a generic guide, not specific to any particular workshop.</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; "> </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; ">Grannie B/Caryl</div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; "> </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; "> </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; "> </div><div style="text-indent: 0px !important; ">General things to do to make a better hands-on workshop Before the workshop: Know what the facility will be like size and set up of room type of equipment what will you need to bring Participants will need to know several days before whether to bring a laptop or netbook (if they have one) what blank media they will need to bring CDs or DVDs usb thumb-drives (size) Be sure the facility is ready Equipment working properly Nearby restrooms opened Find out how to get help if needed Spend time at the beginning: Introduce self and topic Slides (a few) Housekeeping notes restroom location break policy explain about assistance with cleanup at the end Have participants introduce selves. Ask things that would be helpful to know for the workshop such as... what level and subject do they teach? what computers do they use? what software do they use and what do they do with it? what would they like software to be able to do for them and/or their students what are their reasons for choosing this workshop? Overview and background of what they will be learning in the workshop (slides) Set up working groups of at least 2 participants Some ways to set it up by abilities (bend the line) by grade and or subject (sort) participants choose random (draw #s) During the workshop: Break the tasks up into small modules Encourage participants to wait for instructions Be sure all participants understand what they are supposed to be doing Enlist co-presenters or assistants to help Take photos! Enlist co-presenters or assistants to help At Close of the workshop: Participants finish project and return to their origninal places Put away all equipment and materials Return furniture to its original position if it was moved Quick review (slides) What they did What they can do with their project (feedback) What else would they like to be able to do Suggestions for other workshops Other resources Congratulate them for their accomplishments Thank them for coming Hand out anything else you have to give them before they leave ## </div><div> </div> </body> </html>