Schedule and assignments summary


This page provides a summary of the workshop schedule with links to program and assignment pages that will have more details as they become available.

Registration confirmation and payment

You must confirm your registration in the workshop by filling out the online registration form by the close of business on Wednesday, March 28. You must also pay the workshop registration fee via our online payment page unless you are from a developing country, in which case we have waived your registration fee.

Pre-workshop assignment

In the pre-workshop assignment, you will explore the existing resources on the Cutting Edge web site, introduce yourself on the discussion board, and test drive the Collaborate screen sharing system. Must be completed by March 28 at 6 pm EDT.

Workshop kick-off (Thursday, March 29, 2012, 3-6 pm EDT)

Participants will take part in a virtual kickoff event using Blackboard Collaborate for screen sharing and telephone for audio. During this sessions, participants will set goals for their own courses/activities/modules, discuss challenges and strategies for meeting the goals, provide feedback to other participants, and brainstorm the grand challenges, leading edge ideas, and frontiers in mineralogy, petrology, and geochemistry.

Assignment #1

Between the March and April sessions, participants will work individually to revise goals, post feedback on other participants' ideas, and post ideas for integrating leading edge ideas.

April session (Thursday, April 12, 2012, 3-6 pm EDT)

This online session using Blackboard Collaborate will involve discussion and presentation of the next phase of the design process. After the session, participants will have a month to work on and post the second workshop assignment, participate in asynchronous discussions and optional webinars, and receive feedback from leaders and other participants.

Assignment #2

Between the April and May synchronous sessions, participants will work individually on the outline of an effective assignment/activity and post feedback on other participants' ideas. Those working on a course will work on a skeleton outline for the course and post feedback on other participants' outlines.

May session (Thursday, May 3, 2012, 3-6 pm EDT)

This online session will prepare participants to work over the summer on their design projects. Participants will set goals for summer work.

Assignment #3

Over the summer, participants will work individually on their courses/activities. Before the October wrap-up session, participants must submit at least one assignment/activity of their own to the collection (preferably one developed during this workshop), and the syllabus for a course.

October session (Thursday, October 25, 2012, 3-6 pm EDT)

This online synchronous session will include an electronic poster session showcasing work that participants have done over the summer and early fall.