ALPG's Teaching Information

Teaching Information

for The Live Oak Experiential Church's Pagan Learning Group [APLG]

This information is designed to help teachers get to know us a little better and understand what and how we need things. Please take a few moments and read all of the information about how to teach. If you have any questions concerning any of this please e-mail me directly at: SMarie.LiveOak@juno.com, or e-mail our teaching coordinator at: wtchybecca@aol.com. Even if we've been talking about teaching, please send either one of us a note that just says, "Yes - to teaching." WitchyBecca will send you a 'plain text' e-mail information request. This is just basic information like name, address, and phone. It is kept strictly confidential. Please fill that out and send it back ASAP. We can't start anything until you fill it out. Thank you very much for volunteering your time and efforts.

1.     What subjects can I teach?
     We review this individually, but basically, anything you know VERY WELL and can be taught in an e-mail or on-line environment. We do not restrict classes to a certain path or religion. However, a class must have at least 5 students before we activate the class. We may do a general request in the group for interest, if there is interest then we'll proceed.
2.     How do e-mail classes work?
     Actually, it's quite simple. We've set up a few 'class rooms' (special closed e-groups) at e-groups.com. Just before a class is scheduled we 'un-lock' the class room and let you and your students in. When all of the students have arrived you receive an e-mail notification that you're up and running. You type in your welcoming statements and begin classes. When class is over we will move everyone out of the 'class room' to set it up for the next teacher / class. Note: we do not yet have on-line classes set up, however, will notify everyone if/or as soon as we do. For more information on how e-mail classes work, just click here.
3.     What special things do teachers need to run classes?
     Very little. The Teaching Coordinator and I will be moderating the group with you (to help you keep control of the class) however, we most likely won't participate unless we are also an enrolled student. 'Teaching' the class is up to you. The only thing you'll need is a special e-mail address (to help you keep things organized). We have set a system up to help us keep track of our teachers and will tell you what your 'handle' needs to be. You can pick what ever server you desire. Your handle will be uniquely yours for as long as you're with APLG as a teacher. We do ask, however, that you only use it when you're in class. If, for any reason, you decide to stop teaching, let us know immediately and deactivate your e-mail. Then we can assign that handle to the next teacher.
4.     What kind of preparation work do I need to do?
     The more you can do, the better. Remember, you are the teacher and even us administrators may not understand the subject you intend to teach.
a) Start by thinking about your subject and divide it into appropriate sub-topics for teaching (an outline). Send your outline to the Teaching Coordinator (see link above to WitchyBecca).
b) After the outline is approved, prepare your class notes. This can not be more then three - four typed pages per class. If you can also do this in html format it would be greatly appreciated. Your class cannot begin until ALL of the class notes are posted to the home page. If you wait for me to get this done (sending me only typed pages) it will take a while as I'm over worked now. If you do this yourself it will get done quicker and it will have your flavor to it. You will need one contents page - this page can have graphics. You will then need a separate page for each class - these pages can not have graphics (special considerations will be made for certain classes). For ideas, go to our class listings page and look at what's already been done. Sending me typed format must be in IBM plain text format. Either way when your notes are prepared send them to me personally (not on the group) via an attachment to an e-mail. DO NOT mail me hard copy, typed pages and expect me to also do all the typing.
c) Once all of this is posted all you have to do is wait - and then teach.
5.     What is the step-by-step format for e-mail classes?
a) Once a week you will type a general <header>. This should announce what class notes the students need to download, print and read. Then, after the <header>, type the special things that are shared only with your class.
b) After this the fun begins. Your students will then respond with ideas, questions and comments. It will be up to you to respond to each of these. Yes, it does involve a little bit of typing but really no more then an on-line environment. As you will all be in group together, each student will also learn by what's being said in general. Sometimes this is going to be a lot. Sometimes everyone will understand and it will be quiet (as disappointing as it may sound - quiet is good - it means you are doing a good job).
c) Just before you move on the the next subject, ask if everyone understands and is ready to move on. Then proceed with the next class.

How and Why Did This Get Started? There were actually three things that got all of this started.

I was individually teaching some friends and the e-mail was starting to get overwhelming as many of them were asking the same questions.
Shortly after starting that I joined a group called NightMoon. I was surprised and honored to be offered an on-line 'Teaching Job' with them. The ideas started percolating!
People at church were asking for more. They wanted a forum that they could get in on that would be focused on just learning Pagan skills and ideas.

I believe from here the God/dess and my Gemini nature took over and before I knew what was really happening I jumped in with both feet. The rest is visual/virtual history.

Blessed Be
Reverend Dawn's Heart

This is information I need from teachers and staff. Because some of this is personal information, that you may not want to post to the group, e-mail respond to me personally: SMarie.LiveOak@juno.com Please copy the questions to an e-mail, put your answers to them, below the question. Thank-you.

What I need is as follows:

REAL NAME:

MAGICKAL NAME:

MAILING ADDRESS:

SHIPPING ADDRESS (If different then mailing address):

PHONE NUMBER:

BEST TIME TO CONTACT:

TIME ZONE YOU ARE IN:

E-MAIL ADDRESS:

ICQ # (if you have one):

BIRTH DATE, BIRTH TIME & BIRTHPLACE:

SHOE SIZE:

WRITE A SHORT BLURB ABOUT YOURSELF (50 - 100 words and let your egos fly):
This will be posted to the web so make sure you don't say anything you don't want millions of people to know about you.

WHO WROTE MOBY DICK:

*TEACHERS* WHAT SUBJECTS CAN YOU TEACH (in order of your passion/desire):

*TEACHERS* WRITE A SHORT BLURB ABOUT YOUR SUBJECT (20 - 50 words):
This will be used as ad copy so write it as an ad and make people WANT to take your class.

PHOTO: If you have one, please send a digital photo, in .bmp, .gif or .jpg format, as an attached file to this information. Again I will be posting these, so smile pretty.

WHAT TRADITION DO YOU MOST CLOSELY FOLLOW:

FAVORITE PERSON:

FAVORITE MUSIC:

Classes: Herbalism 101 (preparation) | PathWorking | Ritual Design

Other Sites Linked To From Here: Live Oak Church | eGroups.com | Goddess 2000 Project | Wiccan Ware