EVO Moderator Professional Development for EVO 2025

 5 weeks -- Sunday, October 6 - Sunday, November 10, 2025 

EVO Moderator Professional Development (MOD PD) - purpose

The five-week Moderator Professional Development (MOD PD) in EVO is a special opportunity for moderators to develop their skills in integrating technology into their teaching under the guidance of experienced teachers and teacher trainers on the EVO Coordination team. It is designed to give the best possible experience with online learning and moderation during our five-week EVO 2025 session, January 13 - February 16, 2025 (Kickoff Webcast, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025). In 2-3 hours per week, new MOD PD moderators learn how to set up and interact in an online course by co-constructing knowledge with other participants and improving skills in using technology for pedagogical purposes. New moderators work with their lead and co-moderators on refining their proposal, creating the online space (Learning Management System, LMS) for their proposed session, finalizing the syllabus, and developing at least one weekly module in their LMS with the assistance of the EVO Coordination Team. Returning moderators work with their co-moderators on revising the proposal, the syllabus, and the modules in their LMS. The time put into MOD PD will vary greatly from person to person but should not be overwhelming for anyone. Additionally, the involvement of returning moderators greatly enhances the experience for new moderators. Returning moderators bring valuable insights from their previous sessions, sharing lessons learned and best practices. This exchange not only supports the growth of new moderators but also allows returning moderators to reflect on and refine their own session plans, fostering a dynamic and continually improving learning environment. 

Expected Outcomes:

With the assistance of the EVO Coordination Team, by the end of MOD PD, moderator teams are expected to have:

1. refined their proposal,

2. created the online space (Learning Management System, LMS) for their proposed EVO session, 

3. finalized the syllabus and uploaded it to their LMS,

4. fully developed at least one module/section in their LMS,

5. created an OBJECTIVES & TASKS--Overview page in all modules.

Moderator teams for returning sessions are expected to have fully developed all modules and made revisions as needed.

EVO Policy for Moderator Professional Development (MOD PD): 

1. New lead and co-moderators are required to participate in MOD PD. Guidance will be given.
2. New moderators commit to regular and ongoing engagement in MOD PD in the form of substantive responses to all prompts each week.

3. New moderators commit to completing the weekly tasks in MOD PD; completion will be monitored and assessed by EVO Coordinators.  

4. Returning lead and co-moderators are required to register and log in for the MOD PD course, have notifications turned on, and stay abreast of developments regarding their EVO proposal and module development. They are responsible for collaborations among the team, as well as communicating deadlines, special events like EVO live webcasts, and other information to their co-moderators.  
5. Returning lead and co-moderators are required to show completion of any content that is new to the MOD PD course. 
6. New and/or returning moderators will receive a badge for completing the weekly tasks assigned to them, and may earn a certificate of participation at the conclusion of MOD PD. 
7. New moderators who do not receive all weekly badges will not be able to proceed with their proposed session.
8. Returning moderators who do not receive badges for new content will also not be able to proceed with their proposed session.  

Finally, it is of great significance to state that the MOD PD also encourages regular reflection on the integration of technological tools in online courses, teaching practices, course designs, and interactions among participants. In other words, it helps foster a reflection culture about the teaching and learning process.