Frequently Asked Questions about Training Without Travel

What is Training Without Travel?
What is the purpose of the webinars?
How many of my staff may attend the webinar?
What are the system requirements?
How long does each session last?
Are webinars offered on a continual basis?
It sounds good, but how can I learn more about this project?

What is Training Without Travel?

Training without Travel provides training for Head Start programs across the USA.  The training involves a series of real time webinar sessions based on the Head Start performance standards.   The training is provided in a series rather than a single session workshop that contains too much information to absorb all at once.

Orientation to the Performance Standards is designed for new staff in Head Start.  The webinars, ideas, and materials will help your new staff learn the big picture of Head Start as a part of their overall orientation to your program.

Preparation for Federal Monitoring Reviews is designed for those preparing for a federal review.   Besides the webinars, you will receive ideas and materials to help you implement the standards in your program, and especially how to document how well your program carries out the standards.  This can enhance your federal monitoring review or your self assessment.

What is the purpose of the webinars?

The new 2008 Monitoring Protocol Instrument has been received by programs from the Office of Head Start. This training helps programs update their training and preparation to fit this new tool as they prepare for self-assessment and federal monitoring reviews. 

We also recognized that new staff in Head Start need to see the big picture of performance standards rather than a single session review.  As a result, the Orientation series was developed.

How many of my staff may attend the webinar?

Multiple staff can attend for the single program registration fee.  You will be viewing PowerPoint slides while listening via speaker phone, so however many staff you can accommodate in a room can attend.  It is also possible for staff in different site locations to participate from those sites.  The only additional fee would be any applicable long distance charges for your phone call(s).

What are the system requirements?

Basically, you just need a computer, access to the internet and a phone.   We provide you with simple login instructions, both for the phone and the internet.  You will view PowerPoint slides for which we will provide narrative, and we will provide activities and resources you can download before each session.

There are no“bells and whistles” to our delivery.  We have carefully prepared materials that fit exactly to Head Start materials.

During the webinar, you will have a chance to write questions, which we will address at the end of each agenda.  There is no other interaction during the webinar.  We have built in interaction by giving you ways to interact at your program before or after each webinar.

System requirements are basic, although dial-up internet does not work well.  Specific system requirements include:

• Internet Explorer 5.0 or later, Netscape Navigator 6.0 or later or Mozilla Firefox 1.0 or later
• Windows 2000, XP Home, XP Pro or 2003 Server or Vista
• Stable 56k, cable modem, ISDN, DSL or better Internet connection
• Recommended but not required:
• Minimum of Pentium 400 with 256 MB of RAM
• Java Virtual Machine enabled
• For Macintosh users:
• Mac OS X 10.3.9 (Panther) or newer
• Safari 1.3 or newer, Firefox 1.5 or newer on PowerPC G3/G4/G5 or Firefox 1.5.0.2 or newer on Intel (JavaScript and Java enabled)
• Stable 56k, cable modem, ISDN, DSL or better Internet connection
• Power PC G3/G4/G5 or Intel processor (G4 450 MHz with 256 MB of RAM)

How long does each session last?

We have allowed for two hours, although several sessions  may run less than that. We provide a break about halfway through the session. 

Are webinars offered on a continual basis?

Yes. Webinars are planned to be scheduled on an ongoing basis as program needs continue.   We will present the Preparation for Monitoring Reviews series each quarter—in October, January, April and summer, 2008.  Orientation to the Performance Standards for New Staff is scheduled to be offered at least twice per year, once beginning in September and once beginning in January.

Also, each of us are working on additional trainings to offer this year. Some are connected to performance standards targeted to different audiences ( e.g. parents, community members), and some will not be directly about performance standards, but instead will target other areas that programs can use (e.g. leadership). 

We may also do some training on demand offerings. 

It sounds good, but how can I learn more about this project?

We will be providing conference calls periodically to preview the webinars.   Watch for updated information on the home page of this website.