1. Do we have to log in on separate computers, or can we log in on one? (can we share one microphone and headset?) You really need your own computers because you will be asked to log-in as a guest using your name. That is part of the facilitator's attendance tool.
2. Do we have to log in early because I may be a bit late? The Adobe Connect room will open between 4:30p.m., but the actual session will start promptly at 5:00 p.m.
3. If we do log in early, what are we doing until 5:00? You will be asked to test your sound. Once you’re logged in, your facilitator’s will acknowledge your attendance and give you directions from there. While you are waiting for the session to begin, you can preview a power point that will familiarize you with Adobe connect. You can use that time to test your headset and make sure you have sound. An email is usually sent out a few days prior to the course dates with explicit instructions how to join the PDA Orientation Session Course that you registered for.
4. How long will the Orientation Session be?This is a tricky question! It will depend on our participants and how tech savvy you all are and how many questions. Our virtual Sessions usually run about 1 - 2 hours in length. We usually ask participants to call (if using conferencing) and simply log-into the orientation Adobe Connect Session (by clicking on a website link that will be provided in an email a few days before your actual session begins. We'll ask that you log-in between 4:45p.m. and 5:00p.m.) While you are waiting for the session to begin, you can preview a power point that will familiarize you with Adobe connect. You can use that time to test your headset and make sure you have sound. An email is usually sent out a few days prior to the course dates with explicit instructions about joining the orientation session.
5. Will there be any more of these types of "meetings" throughout the course where we log in at the same time? I would check your facilitator's course syllabus which can be found on our FDLRS/Springs website at: http://www.marion.k12.fl.us/district/fdlrs/educators.cfm click on the name of your course, and click on the course syllabus. 6. Is the reading course for differentiating all online or do we have to go to Reddick?The Differentiating Reading Instruction: Making it Explicit course is on-line, however, this PDA course REQUIRES that you have two to three face-to-face meetings throughout the course. We are also using the Adobe Connect Program to attend VIRTUAL Meetings online, therefore participants who would like to attend those meetings from the comfort of their homes or local library must have a high-speed Internet Connection, a headset/microphone in order to participate.
7. Are these courses the one that enables you to become reading endorsed?There are three courses offered prior to the one we are offering. This Differentiating Reading Instruction course is the only one offered free through FDLRS. The other courses are available either through your district Staff Development office, university course work, or other online programs. The Differentiating Reading Instruction: Making it Explicit course will be a blend of online (primarily) coupled with at least one to three face to face sessions. In order to be successful with this particular course (it comes later in the series of required courses) we highly recommend that you have completed at least two of the first three required courses. The application of skills required in this module actually builds on the foundation of the previous reading course. If you have any questions about the requirements toward becoming reading endorsed, you should contact the Teacher Liaison in your county. There are three courses offered prior to the one we are offering. This Differentiating Reading Instruction course is the only one offered free through FDLRS. The other courses are available either through your district Staff Development office, university course work, or other online programs.
8. What type of connection do I need in order to take the PDA Online Courses? If you currently use a wireless connection we recommend that your computer is connected to a High Speed Internet Service Provider, and NOT a DSL (Dial-up) connection. The program we use for our Orientation and Mid-Module Sessions is Adobe Connect. Adobe Connect works best if your computer is hardwired to the internet rather than using a wireless connection. It also works best if you don't have any other programs, including email, open during the session.
9. Will my computer require any special programs to access the PDA Online Courses? You will need the following plugins or programs to be able to complete PDA Courses Modules.
Get the required Adobe Acrobat Reader free by clicking on the icon to the left and following the instructions on the page.
Get the required Adobe Flash Player free by clicking on the icon on the left and following the instructions on the page.
Many of the documents on this site are Microsoft Office Word documents. Word is required to open these documents. Download a free trial clicking on [[javascript:leaveSite('http://www.trymicrosoftoffice.com');|Office 2007 free trial]].
10. What is PDA?
PDA stands for Professional Development Alternatives - It is an online professional development program that utilizes online training modules and local facilitators to provide instruction relevant to meeting the needs of students with disabilities in Florida classrooms. Seven of the modules provide instruction in the seven major ESE competency areas that were established in July 2002, and Differentiating Reading Instruction for Students: Making It Explicit aligns with and extends current Florida reading initiatives and satisfies requirements for Competency 4 and 5 of the Reading Endorsement. The program was developed through the collaborative efforts of Florida's Bureau of Expectional Education and Student Services (BEESS). Bureau of Educator Certification, the Florida Center for Interactive Media and the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) Administration/HRD Project. PDA is administratered statewide by FDLRS Administration/HRD Project and implemented locally by nineteen local FDLRS Associate Centers around the State of Florida.
11. What does it cost to enroll in a module? The PDA Modules are offered at no cost to Florida educators. Participants can register for an online course module through FDLRS/Springs at: http://www.marion.k12.fl.us/district/fdlrs/educators.cfm or if you're not in the FDLRS/Springs service area and need another FDLRS location, please check out the "Local Contacts" on the PDA website at: http://www.pda-ese.org
12. May I enroll in a Module offered by a FDLRS Associate Center not serving my school district? Yes, since this is a FDLRS Network, statewide, on-line initiative, you are welcome to register for a Module offered through a FDLRS Associate Center not serving your school district. However, before deciding to do so, please check with your LOCAL FDLRS Center PDA Coordinator to make certain the Module in which you are interested is not being offered in your FDLRS region at that time. Also, it will be necessary for your local PDA Coordinator to assist you in registering correctly for a Module offered by another FDLRS region, and to act as your local contact as you participate in that Module. Please go to http://www.pda-ese.org, click on Contacts, and then on Coordinator with e-mail access.)
13. May I begin a Module after the official starting date? While it is preferable for all participants in a PDA Module to begin the Module on the official starting date, there may be special circumstances that prohibit a participant from beginning at that time. Allowing a participant to enter a Module after the starting date is up to the discretion of the local FDLRS Center PDA Coordinator.
14. Is on-line experience required prior to participation in a PDA Module? No on-line experience is not required. Your FDLRS Center PDA Coordinator, Facilitator, and designated Technology Specialist, will provide you with the assistance you need to effectively begin and participate in a Module.
15. Do I have to log onto the same computer to access my on-line course Module?
No, you will need access to a computer and the internet on a regular basis in order to participate in a Module. However, this computer does not have to be in your home. The on-line Modules are accessible from ANY COMPUTER with appropriate internet access.
16. Do these Modules award college credit? Since PDA is not affiliated with any college or university program, college credit cannot be awarded for the satisfactory completion of any PDA Module.
17. Will I receive a grade for the satisfactory completion of a PDA Module? Grades are not awarded for completion of any Modules. Evaluation is done on a Pass/Incomplete basis. Satisfactory completion of any one Module awards in-service points, a Certificate of Completion, and will forward that documention to the appropriate district staff development personnel.
18. How many Modules may I enroll in at any one time? Because of the level of the content of each of the Modules, and the amount of work required for satisfactory completion of a Module, registration is limited to one Module at a time. However, if special circumstances are present, it is up to the discretion of your local FDLRS Center PDA Coordinator to decide if enrollment in more than one Module is appropriated for you.
19. How many hours will it take me to complete a PDA Module? It is important that participants schedule time each week to work on Module content and assignments. However, the number of hours it takes to complete a Module satisfactorily varies with the experience and content knowledge that each participant brings to the Module.
20. May I complete the Module at my own pace, and receive my credit prior to the published ending date? You are welcome to work at your own pace and save your work to your desktop, submitting it according to your Facilitator's guidelines/course syllabus task assignment schedule, however, credit cannot be awarded to any participant prior to the official Module completion date.
21. Am I certified to teach in ESE after completing a PDA course? No. You will need to contact the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Teacher Certification to determine what you will need to meet certification requirements.
22. Where do I find out information about the ESE K-12 Subject Area Exam and how do I sign up? The Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) site lists information about specific subject area exams, exam dates, test registration, practice test order information, etc on their website at: http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/ftcehome.htm .
Welcome to FDLRS/Springs PDA Wiki!
PDA Course Modules Questions & Answers:
1. Do we have to log in on separate computers, or can we log in on one? (can we share one microphone and headset?) You really need your own computers because you will be asked to log-in as a guest using your name. That is part of the facilitator's attendance tool.
2. Do we have to log in early because I may be a bit late? The Adobe Connect room will open between 4:30p.m., but the actual session will start promptly at 5:00 p.m.
3. If we do log in early, what are we doing until 5:00? You will be asked to test your sound. Once you’re logged in, your facilitator’s will acknowledge your attendance and give you directions from there. While you are waiting for the session to begin, you can preview a power point that will familiarize you with Adobe connect. You can use that time to test your headset and make sure you have sound. An email is usually sent out a few days prior to the course dates with explicit instructions how to join the PDA Orientation Session Course that you registered for.
4. How long will the Orientation Session be? This is a tricky question! It will depend on our participants and how tech savvy you all are and how many questions. Our virtual Sessions usually run about 1 - 2 hours in length. We usually ask participants to call (if using conferencing) and simply log-into the orientation Adobe Connect Session (by clicking on a website link that will be provided in an email a few days before your actual session begins. We'll ask that you log-in between 4:45p.m. and 5:00p.m.) While you are waiting for the session to begin, you can preview a power point that will familiarize you with Adobe connect. You can use that time to test your headset and make sure you have sound. An email is usually sent out a few days prior to the course dates with explicit instructions about joining the orientation session.
5. Will there be any more of these types of "meetings" throughout the course where we log in at the same time? I would check your facilitator's course syllabus which can be found on our FDLRS/Springs website at: http://www.marion.k12.fl.us/district/fdlrs/educators.cfm click on the name of your course, and click on the course syllabus.
6. Is the reading course for differentiating all online or do we have to go to Reddick? The Differentiating Reading Instruction: Making it Explicit course is on-line, however, this PDA course REQUIRES that you have two to three face-to-face meetings throughout the course. We are also using the Adobe Connect Program to attend VIRTUAL Meetings online, therefore participants who would like to attend those meetings from the comfort of their homes or local library must have a high-speed Internet Connection, a headset/microphone in order to participate.
7. Are these courses the one that enables you to become reading endorsed? There are three courses offered prior to the one we are offering. This Differentiating Reading Instruction course is the only one offered free through FDLRS. The other courses are available either through your district Staff Development office, university course work, or other online programs. The Differentiating Reading Instruction: Making it Explicit course will be a blend of online (primarily) coupled with at least one to three face to face sessions. In order to be successful with this particular course (it comes later in the series of required courses) we highly recommend that you have completed at least two of the first three required courses. The application of skills required in this module actually builds on the foundation of the previous reading course. If you have any questions about the requirements toward becoming reading endorsed, you should contact the Teacher Liaison in your county. There are three courses offered prior to the one we are offering. This Differentiating Reading Instruction course is the only one offered free through FDLRS. The other courses are available either through your district Staff Development office, university course work, or other online programs.
8. What type of connection do I need in order to take the PDA Online Courses? If you currently use a wireless connection we recommend that your computer is connected to a High Speed Internet Service Provider, and NOT a DSL (Dial-up) connection. The program we use for our Orientation and Mid-Module Sessions is Adobe Connect. Adobe Connect works best if your computer is hardwired to the internet rather than using a wireless connection. It also works best if you don't have any other programs, including email, open during the session.
9. Will my computer require any special programs to access the PDA Online Courses?
You will need the following plugins or programs to be able to complete PDA Courses Modules.
ADOBE CONNECT TIPS FOR AUDIO CONNECTIVITY
10. What is PDA?
PDA stands for Professional Development Alternatives - It is an online professional development program that utilizes online training modules and local facilitators to provide instruction relevant to meeting the needs of students with disabilities in Florida classrooms. Seven of the modules provide instruction in the seven major ESE competency areas that were established in July 2002, and Differentiating Reading Instruction for Students: Making It Explicit aligns with and extends current Florida reading initiatives and satisfies requirements for Competency 4 and 5 of the Reading Endorsement. The program was developed through the collaborative efforts of Florida's Bureau of Expectional Education and Student Services (BEESS). Bureau of Educator Certification, the Florida Center for Interactive Media and the Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS) Administration/HRD Project. PDA is administratered statewide by FDLRS Administration/HRD Project and implemented locally by nineteen local FDLRS Associate Centers around the State of Florida.
11. What does it cost to enroll in a module?
The PDA Modules are offered at no cost to Florida educators. Participants can register for an online course module through FDLRS/Springs at: http://www.marion.k12.fl.us/district/fdlrs/educators.cfm or if you're not in the FDLRS/Springs service area and need another FDLRS location, please check out the "Local Contacts" on the PDA website at: http://www.pda-ese.org
12. May I enroll in a Module offered by a FDLRS Associate Center not serving my school district?
Yes, since this is a FDLRS Network, statewide, on-line initiative, you are welcome to register for a Module offered through a FDLRS Associate Center not serving your school district. However, before deciding to do so, please check with your LOCAL FDLRS Center PDA Coordinator to make certain the Module in which you are interested is not being offered in your FDLRS region at that time. Also, it will be necessary for your local PDA Coordinator to assist you in registering correctly for a Module offered by another FDLRS region, and to act as your local contact as you participate in that Module. Please go to http://www.pda-ese.org, click on Contacts, and then on Coordinator with e-mail access.)
13. May I begin a Module after the official starting date?
While it is preferable for all participants in a PDA Module to begin the Module on the official starting date, there may be special circumstances that prohibit a participant from beginning at that time. Allowing a participant to enter a Module after the starting date is up to the discretion of the local FDLRS Center PDA Coordinator.
14. Is on-line experience required prior to participation in a PDA Module?
No on-line experience is not required. Your FDLRS Center PDA Coordinator, Facilitator, and designated Technology Specialist, will provide you with the assistance you need to effectively begin and participate in a Module.
15. Do I have to log onto the same computer to access my on-line course Module?
No, you will need access to a computer and the internet on a regular basis in order to participate in a Module. However, this computer does not have to be in your home. The on-line Modules are accessible from ANY COMPUTER with appropriate internet access.
16. Do these Modules award college credit?
Since PDA is not affiliated with any college or university program, college credit cannot be awarded for the satisfactory completion of any PDA Module.
17. Will I receive a grade for the satisfactory completion of a PDA Module?
Grades are not awarded for completion of any Modules. Evaluation is done on a Pass/Incomplete basis. Satisfactory completion of any one Module awards in-service points, a Certificate of Completion, and will forward that documention to the appropriate district staff development personnel.
18. How many Modules may I enroll in at any one time?
Because of the level of the content of each of the Modules, and the amount of work required for satisfactory completion of a Module, registration is limited to one Module at a time. However, if special circumstances are present, it is up to the discretion of your local FDLRS Center PDA Coordinator to decide if enrollment in more than one Module is appropriated for you.
19. How many hours will it take me to complete a PDA Module?
It is important that participants schedule time each week to work on Module content and assignments. However, the number of hours it takes to complete a Module satisfactorily varies with the experience and content knowledge that each participant brings to the Module.
20. May I complete the Module at my own pace, and receive my credit prior to the published ending date?
You are welcome to work at your own pace and save your work to your desktop, submitting it according to your Facilitator's guidelines/course syllabus task assignment schedule, however, credit cannot be awarded to any participant prior to the official Module completion date.
21. Am I certified to teach in ESE after completing a PDA course?
No. You will need to contact the Florida Department of Education Bureau of Teacher Certification to determine what you will need to meet certification requirements.
22. Where do I find out information about the ESE K-12 Subject Area Exam and how do I sign up?
The Florida Teacher Certification Exam (FTCE) site lists information about specific subject area exams, exam dates, test registration, practice test order information, etc on their website at: http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/ftcehome.htm .