TCEA Thinkfinity FAQ's

• General Thinkfinity Information
• About Thinkfinity Training Sessions
• Scheduling and Hosting Thinkfinity Training Sessions
• Training Logistics and User Information

General Thinkfinity Information

1. Once I have completed a two-day training, does that give me the option of doing training at our ESC on Thinkfinity web site and resources?
2. Are these trainings free for the school districts?
3. Is my ESC paid for each training that I do? 
4. What are the advantages of going through this training with TCEA instead of teaching myself?
5. I noticed that there is a TRN-1 and a TRN-2 training session available. Do I need to attend both days?
6. What are my responsibilities as a Field Trainer?
7. I'm not a certified teacher, can I still attend a training session?
8. What is a Thinkfinity Field Trainer?
9. What is a Thinkfinity Certified Trainer?
10. What are the qualifications of a Thinkfinity Field Trainer?
11. What are the qualifications of a Thinkfinity Certified Trainer?
12. How do educators become Thinkfinity Field Trainers?
13. How do Field Trainers maintain their status?
14. How do educators become Thinkfinity Certified Trainers?
15. How do Certified Trainers maintain their status?
16. Are Thinkfinity trainers paid for conducting trainings?

1. Once I have completed a two-day training, does that give me the option of doing training at our ESC on Thinkfinity web site and resources?
   Yes, once you complete a TRN-1 training session, you will be able to deliver official Thinkfinity end user training. The sessions would be rostered and documented and you would have access to the trainer tool toolbox through your user access as a Field Trainer.

2. Are these trainings free for the school districts?
   Yes, these training sessions are free to attendees and to the school district hosting the session.

3. Is my ESC paid for each training that I do? 
   No. We do not provide stipends for end user training sessions. However, we do provide stipends for those trainers who move beyond being a Field Trainer and become a Thinkfinity Certified Trainer (TCT). To become a TCT, you must complete several processes (see explanation below of a TCT).

4. What are the advantages of going through this training with TCEA instead of teaching myself?

   • Access to the Trainer Tool Box (lots of resource materials like PowerPoints, collateral information, certificates, How To documents, etc.)
   • Becoming a part of the Texas Field Trainer Network (events, networking socials, discussion boards, etc.)
   • Receiving Updates and newsletters via TCEA Thinkfinity
   • More thorough knowledge of the site

5. I noticed that there is a TRN-1 and a TRN-2 training session available. Do I need to attend both days?
   No, you do not need to attend both days.

Day 1 is the TRN-1 Session (Basic) designed for educators who would like to become a Thinkfinity Field Trainer to train end users. A portion of this session will provide an overview of the Thinkfinity program and instruction on locating and integrating Thinkfinity's online educational resources to support student learning. In addition, the training curriculum for end-user sessions will be defined and attendees will compare various training scenarios for end-user sessions. Attendees will also receive access to free training resources through Thinkfinity's Trainer Toolbox, as well as Thinkfinity's database management system to track and review training data.

Day 2 is the TRN-2 Session (Advanced) designed for Thinkfinity Field Trainers interested in expanding their knowledge of Thinkfinity resources and strategies for successful and engaging professional development to support end-user training. The minimum time requirement for a TRN-2 is six hours, and attendees must have successfully completed a TRN-1. Attendees will have opportunities to collaborate with other professionals to discuss various training strategies and to create customized training plans for implementing Thinkfinity within their communities.

6. What are my responsibilities as a Field Trainer?
   Responsibilities of a Field Trainer are:

   • Conduct end user training sessions at your school and district
   • Register your training sessions
   • Roster the attendees
   • Complete the training survey and follow-up forms
   • Provide awareness and spread the word about the free resources available on Thinkfinity

   Field Trainers who have conducted official* Thinkfinity Training within the previous 12 months are considered "active" and will retain Field Trainer status as long as they:

   • Continue to conduct at least one official* Field Training session per 12-month period — from the time they initially earn Field Trainer status.
   • Train at least five (5) participants (can be in multiple sessions).
   • Receive an average score** of 4.0 on their training survey(s).

   Note: See the question "What is an "official" training session?" below for the definition of an official training.
   See the question "How do Field Trainers maintain their status?" below for information on how to maintain status.
   See the question "What are the survey score requirements, and how are they calculated?" below for information on how survey scores are calculated.

7. I'm not a certified teacher, can I still attend a training session?
   Yes.

8. What is a Thinkfinity Field Trainer?
   A Thinkfinity Field Trainer is an educator who has been trained to deliver Thinkfinity training to end users (TCH), helping them integrate Thinkfinity resources into the curriculum to enhance student learning.

9. What is a Thinkfinity Certified Trainer?
   A Thinkfinity Certified Trainer is an educator who has been trained to deliver Thinkfinity training to end users (TCH) and conduct Train-the-Trainer sessions (TRN). Certified Trainers are the top-tier trainers within Thinkfinity State Training Networks and are recertified annually to make sure they are up-to-date on the Thinkfinity program and resources.

10. What are the qualifications of a Thinkfinity Field Trainer?
    Every Thinkfinity Field Trainer has successfully completed Thinkfinity Trainer Training (TRN) to master the skills necessary to train end users. In addition, each year Field Trainers meet minimum training requirements to retain their Field Trainer status.

11. What are the qualifications of a Thinkfinity Certified Trainer?
    Every Thinkfinity Certified Trainer has successfully completed Thinkfinity Trainer Training (TRN) and Certified Trainer Training (TCT) to master the skills necessary to train both end users and Field Trainers. In addition, each year Certified Trainers participate in recertification training to remain up-to-date on the Thinkfinity program and resources. They must also meet minimum training requirements that demonstrate their excellence and commitment to providing quality training.

12. How do educators become Thinkfinity Field Trainers?
    An educator must successfully complete a Thinkfinity Train-the-Trainer session (TRN), conducted by a Certified Trainer or National Thinkfinity Trainer, in order to qualify as a Thinkfinity Field Trainer.

13. How do Field Trainers maintain their status?
    Field Trainers who have conducted official* Thinkfinity Training within the previous 12 months are considered "active" and will retain Field Trainer status as long as they:

    • Continue to conduct at least one official* Field Training session per 12-month period--from the time they initially earn Field Trainer status.
    • Train at least five (5) participants (can be in multiple sessions).
    • Receive an average score** of 4.0 on their training survey(s).

    Note: See the question "What is an "official" training session?" below for the definition of an official training.
    See the question "What are the survey score requirements, and how are they calculated?" below for information on how survey scores are calculated.

14. How do educators become Thinkfinity Certified Trainers?
    Educators must successfully complete each of the following steps in order to qualify as a Thinkfinity Certified Trainer:

    • Become a Thinkfinity Field Trainer
      Participate in Thinkfinity trainer sessions: TRN-1 and TRN-2.
    • Demonstrate outstanding training skills as a Field Trainer
      After completing TRN-2, successfully deliver at least two official* sessions to a minimum total of 10 teachers and earn a survey average** of at least 4.5 out of 5.0 for each session.
    • Become a Certified Trainer Candidate
      Participate in the two-day Certified Trainer Workshop (TCT-1 and TCT-2).
    • Demonstrate exemplary training skills as a Certified Trainer Candidate
      Within the 12-month period following the Certified Trainer Workshop, deliver at least three (3) official* Thinkfinity training sessions to a minimum total of 30 teachers or trainers and earn a survey average** of at least 4.5 on a 5.0 scale for each session.

15. How do Certified Trainers maintain their status?
    To maintain certification status, Certified Trainers must meet the following training proficiency requirements:

    • Attend recertification training (TCT-R) within 12 months of the date of TCT-2 training (not within one year from the day certification was earned) or within 12 months of the date of the last recertification training. TCT-R is a three-hour Web conferencing session, conducted quarterly.
    • Conduct at least three (3) official* training sessions to a minimum total of 30 attendees, receiving a survey average** of at least 4.5 for each session in the 12-months following the most recent TCT-R session.

16. Are Thinkfinity trainers paid for conducting trainings?
    Thinkfinity trainers are not compensated by the Verizon Foundation for conducting trainings. However, trainers receive benefits such as access to resources, communications and an online management system for training; membership in a national network of educational technology staff developers; and opportunities to be recognized nationally as a Trainer of the Month or Trainer of the Year. Additionally, Trainers get to share a meaningful, high-quality resource with colleagues and students to help improve educational outreach and activity in the community.

About Thinkfinity Training Sessions

1. What is an "Awareness Session"?
2. What is a "TCH-P" training session?
3. What is a "TCH-C" training session?
4. What is a "TRN-1" training session?
5. What is a "TRN-2" training session?
6. What is an "official" training session?
7. Why does a Training need to be official?
8. What are the survey score requirements and how are they calculated?

1. What is an "Awareness Session"?
   An Awareness Session is a training lasting less than 90 minutes, and is intended to introduce Thinkfinity to an audience of educators and others interested in learning more about the program. Trainers may conduct Awareness Sessions for decision-makers at the building, district, regional or organizational level to familiarize them with the Thinkfinity Program prior to training; for educators as an introduction to Thinkfinity.org and its resources; for members of a school board or parent organization to showcase the resources that teachers will use with students, etc. Awareness Sessions may be conducted by both Field Trainers and Certified Trainers.

2. What is a "TCH-P" training session?
   A TCH-P (Partial) is a training session designed and customized for an audience of primarily pre-service or classroom teachers, or other building-level educators who teach and support K-12 students in the school environment. The minimum time requirement for a TCH-P is 90 minutes, to cover a portion of the "complete" Thinkfinity training. It can comprise a variety of components, including but not limited to: a basic overview of the Thinkfinity program and Verizon's partnership with premier education and literacy organizations to provide free, standards-based, high quality, Web-based resources; navigation to resources from one or more of the 7 Partner sites and the Thinkfinity Literacy Network; use of the Thinkfinity search engine; and integration of Thinkfinity resources within the context of a lesson to enhance student learning.
   
   NOTE: "Complete" Thinkfinity training, covering all of the above components, is represented in TCH-C. TCH-P sessions may be conducted by both Field Trainers and Certified Trainers.

3. What is a "TCH-C" training session?
   A TCH-C (Complete) is a training session designed for an audience of primarily pre-service or classroom teachers, or other building-level educators who teach and support K-12 students in the school environment. The minimum time requirement for a TCH-C is 6 hours, to cover a basic overview of the Thinkfinity program and Verizon's partnership with premier education and literacy organizations to provide free, standards-based, high quality, Web-based resources. Attendees of a TCH-C will be instructed on the types of online resources available through Thinkfinity and learn to effectively navigate to resources by way of the main Thinkfinity homepage, each of the Content Partner sites, and through the Thinkfinity search engine. Attendees will also develop an integration plan in which they determine how Thinkfinity resources can best be embedded within the context of a lesson to enhance student learning. TCH-C sessions may be conducted by both Field Trainers and Certified Trainers.

4. What is a "TRN-1" training session?
   A TRN-1 (Basic) training is a session designed for educators who would like to become a Thinkfinity Field Trainer to train end users. The minimum time requirement for a TRN-1 is 6 hours. A portion of this session will mirror an accelerated version of the TCH-C training for end users, providing an overview of the Thinkfinity program and instruction on locating and integrating Thinkfinity's online educational resources to support student learning. In addition, the training curriculum for end-user sessions will be defined and attendees will compare various training scenarios for end-user sessions. Attendees will also receive access to free training resources through Thinkfinity's Trainer Toolbox, as well as Thinkfinity's database management system to track and review training data.

5. What is a "TRN-2" training session?
   A TRN-2 (Advanced) training is a session designed for Thinkfinity Field Trainers interested in expanding their knowledge of Thinkfinity resources and strategies for successful and engaging professional development to support end-user training. The minimum time requirement for a TRN-2 is 6 hours, and attendees must have successfully completed a TRN-1. Attendees will have opportunities to collaborate with other professionals to discuss various training strategies and to create customized training plans for implementing Thinkfinity within their communities. A TRN-2 may be conducted as a "day 2" follow-up to a TRN-1, or as a stand-alone session.

6. What is an "official" training session?
   An "official" training session is one in which all of the required steps are taken for the session.
   An End-User Session (TCH) or Train-the-Trainer Session (TRN) requires the following four steps:

   • Trainers should register the session via the Trainer Toolbox or Rusticello;
   • All participants should sign onto the Roster;
   • Participants should complete a Training Survey following the session;
   • The Trainer should complete a Trainer Follow-up Report.

   An Awareness Session requires the following two steps:

   • Trainers should register the session via the Trainer Toolbox or Rusticello;
   • The Trainer should complete a Trainer Follow-up Report.

   NOTE: The Roster and Training Survey steps are optional for Awareness Sessions. However, if a trainer intends to use the Awareness Session to meet a training requirement, all four steps must be completed.

7. Why does a Training need to be official?
   Thinkfinity relies on the information collected from trainings to gauge the progress of the rollout in each service area and nationally. This information also drives the national Trainer Recognition Program and supports ongoing efforts to secure funding. Consequently, it is very important that all Trainers complete the required reporting steps for the type of session they are conducting.
   
   NOTE: To support this data collection for all registered sessions, an e-mail reminder is sent to the Trainer seven days after the session date has passed listing any reporting steps that have not been completed. Approximately one month after the training, the e-mail message is re-sent to the trainer if any of the required steps are still incomplete. In order to ensure the accuracy of Thinkfinity data, two months after the registered training date has passed we will remove from the Training Calendar all sessions that have been registered but have no corroborating data in Rusticello (i.e. Attendee Rosters, Attendee Surveys or Trainer Follow-up Form). The trainer is sent a notification message via e-mail and has the opportunity to re-enter the session in Rusticello and complete one or more of the other data collection steps.

8. What are the survey score requirements and how are they calculated?
   The following 2 questions from the training survey must each meet the average score minimum for the session to count toward the training requirement:

   • Rate the overall training
   • Rate the trainer

   Average score minimums are as follows:

   • To maintain Field Trainer status - 4.0 / 5
   • To qualify for Certified Trainer status - 4.5 / 5
   • To retain Certified Trainer status - 4.5 / 5

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Scheduling and Hosting Thinkfinity Training Sessions

1. What is the intended audience for an Awareness Session?
2. What is the intended audience for a TCH-P Session?
3. What is the intended audience for a TCH-C Session?
4. What is the intended audience for a TRN-1 Session?
5. What is the intended audience for a TRN-2 Session?
6. What are the technical specifications for a training location?

1. What is the intended audience for an Awareness Session?
   The intended audience for Awareness Sessions includes decision-makers at the building, district, regional or organizational level--to familiarize them with the Thinkfinity Program prior to training; educators--as an introduction to Thinkfinity.org and its resources; members of a school board or parent organization--to showcase the resources that teachers will use with students, and others. Field Trainers and Certified Trainers may both conduct Awareness Sessions.

2. What is the intended audience for a TCH-P Session?
   A TCH-P (Partial) is intended for educators interested in learning more about the Thinkfinity program and the types of online educational resources available through Thinkfinity. This session may be customized to meet the needs of educators in specific grade levels, content areas, or who have an area of educational focus. Potential attendees should check session-specific information to make sure the content is pertinent to their individual needs. Specific audiences include but are not limited to: teachers, library media specialists, administrators, curriculum specialists, and pre-service faculty and students.

3. What is the intended audience for a TCH-C Session?
   A TCH-C (Complete) is intended for educators, both new to Thinkfinity and those with basic familiarity of the Thinkfinity program and resources, who want to learn more about integrating Thinkfinity resources into their curriculum to engage students and enhance student learning. Specific audiences include but are not limited to: teachers, library media specialists, administrators, curriculum specialists, and pre-service faculty and students.
   NOTE: Participants of this session will be eligible to take the "TRN-Add On" session to gain Field Trainer status in the future. Dates of "TRN-Add On" are to be determined, starting fall 2008.

4. What is the intended audience for a TRN-1 Session?
   A TRN-1 (Basic) is intended for educators interested in training others to locate and integrate Thinkfinity resources, but have little or no experience with the Thinkfinity resources themselves. Due to the fast-paced nature of this session, educators are encouraged to have a high comfort level with curriculum and using the Internet. Specific audiences may include technology integration specialists, staff developers, teacher leaders, and pre-service faculty and students.

5. What is the intended audience for a TRN-2 Session?
   A TRN-2 (Advanced) is intended for educators interested in expanding their knowledge of Thinkfinity resources and strategies for successful and engaging professional development to support teacher training. Specific audiences may include technology integration specialists, staff developers, teacher leaders, and pre-service faculty and students.
   Pre-requisites: TRN-1

6. What are the technical specifications for a training location?
   Basic specifications for trainers' and participants' computers are:

   • 1028 x 768 screen resolution,
   • a high-speed (T-1 line or higher) connection to the Internet,
   • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 and above or Netscape version 6.1 and above (earlier browser versions may not display optimally on the screen and may not run some enhanced features of the site),
   • Javascript enabled,
   • and the latest versions of RealPlayer, QuickTime, Shockwave, Flash and Adobe Acrobat plug-ins installed on all computers.

   Please also visit our Plug-ins and Utilities page accessible from the Trainer Toolbox in the Professional Development section of the Thinkfinity Web site.

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Training Logistics and User Information

1. Why do participants have to sign-in (on the roster) at training sessions?
2. How do participants Roster into a Thinkfinity Training?
3. What if a school/organization is not in the list?
4. If I have attended a session in the past, should I complete the Roster again?
5. Why do participants have to fill out the Training Survey?
6. How do participants complete a Survey for the Training they attended?
7. If a Thinkfinity user's e-mail address or other personal information changes, how can they make those changes to their Profile?

1. Why do participants have to sign-in (on the roster) at training sessions?
   Participants are required to Roster in at the training sessions so that there is a record of their attendance. The partnerships forged between Thinkfinity and the State Education Partners require that Thinkfinity Professional Development be offered to all teachers throughout the State Education Network. The Roster information is for State Education Partners and Thinkfinity only and is used to track the progress of the Thinkfinity rollout in specific service areas.

2. How do participants Roster into a Thinkfinity Training?
   Participants can follow the steps below to complete the Attendee Roster.

   • Go to the Professional Development page of the Educator portal and click on Training Attendee Forms in the left navigation bar.
   • Click on Sign In on the Roster under the Attendee steps.
   • A new browser will appear listing the trainings taking place that day.
   • To access previous or future days/weeks, use the Previous Day or Next Day buttons or the drop-down lists at the top of the page.
   • Locate the correct training session in the list based on the training date and time, location and trainer name. Then click on the hyperlinked date and time to continue.
   • The browser will then refresh and you will be asked to log into Thinkfinity if you have not already done so. If you have not previously registered with Thinkfinity, click the Register link and follow the registration instructions. The registration process costs nothing and need only be done once.
   • Once you have logged into Thinkfinity, you will be taken to the Course Session Details page where you should review and confirm the selected training session information as well as your contact and organization information. If any changes need to be made to your profile (e.g., e-mail address, organization), you can make them at this time.
   • If you have selected the incorrect training, please use the Cancel button at the bottom of the page to return to the list of training sessions.
   • To add your name to the Roster, click on the Confirm button at the bottom of the page.

   Note: The information collected in the Roster is for use by State Education Partners and Thinkfinity only and is used to track the progress of Thinkfinity rollout.

3. What if a school/organization is not in the list?
   Many school and organization names selected through the state and keyword Organization Selection tool are truncated. For this reason, it may be helpful to search for school or organization names using only a partial school name or keyword. For example, many departments of education are listed in the database as "DEPT OF EDUC." Thus, a search on "department" would not yield these organization names. To locate such truncated school or organization names, be sure to search on partial words such as "dept" or "educ" if you cannot locate your organization with another keyword.
   If you have exhausted all other options and are still unable to locate your school/organization, please complete the fields located under the search results list box. If you are using the ZIP Code Organization Selection tool, click on the appropriate link to enter in your organization.

4. If I have attended a session in the past, should I complete the Roster again?
   Even if an attendee has previously rostered into a Thinkfinity training session, they should still roster into the session they are currently attending in order for the Professional Development database to have accurate attendee information for all training sessions.
   When completing the roster process, an attendee who has previously registered with Thinkfinity will be able to review, and change if necessary, the personal information that is listed in our database. Changes can be made by clicking on the appropriate Edit link prior to clicking on the Submit button.

5. Why do participants have to fill out the Training Survey?
   The results of the Training Survey are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the trainer as well as the Thinkfinity online resources and training materials. Ensuring that every participant completes the survey is one way to assure the continued improvement and quality of the program.

6. How do participants complete a Survey for the Training they attended?
   Participants can follow the steps below to complete the Attendee Survey:

   • Go to the Professional Development page of the Thinkfinity Web site - http://www.thinkfinity.org/ProfessionalDevHome.aspx - and click on Training Attendee Forms in the left navigation bar.
   • Click on "Attendees - Take the Training Survey" under the Attendee steps.
   • A new browser will appear with a list of trainings for that day - this is Step 1 where you will begin to search for the correct session for which to complete a Survey.
   • To access previous days/weeks, scroll to the bottom of the list and click on the Show Weekly Calendar link. You can then use the black arrows at the top of the list to access other weeks' sessions.
   • Locate the correct training in the list based on the training date, location and times. Then click on the hyperlinked date and time next to your trainers name and location.
   • The page will refresh to the Thinkfinity Training Session Survey where we ask that you answer the questions to the best of your ability. Please note that you can complete they survey anonymously or you can select your name from the drop-down list.

7. If a Thinkfinity user's e-mail address or other personal information changes, how can they make those changes to their Profile?
   If a User's personal information - including e-mail address, school/ organization, phone number, mailing address, etc. - changes and they would like this reflected in their Thinkfinity User Profile, they should use the "Contact Us" link at the top of the Thinkfinity homepage to request that information be changed.

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