Online Training Series
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the OWCN Online Training Series?
In the past OWCN basic training courses were provided in a classroom setting over a two-day period. However that format proved restrictive due to travel costs, class size restrictions and scheduling difficulties. To increase access to basic training courses, the OWCN has taken the program from the classroom to the Internet. The Online Training includes ten webinars that are offered from December through September each year.
What are webinars?
Webinars are a series of interactive basic training lectures delivered over the Internet. Each webinar is delivered in real-time twice a year (once on a weeknight and once on a weekend). In addition to allowing individuals the ease of viewing lectures from the comfort of their home, the webinar format allows attendees to interact with the instructor(s) by typing questions while the lecture is taking place.
Who should attend the webinars?
The OWCN is very excited to offer this opportunity to all of the participant organization staff and volunteer members. The Webinars offer a wealth of knowledge for those new to oiled wildlife response and is a great refresher for individuals with prior oiled wildlife experience wanting to keep up-to-date on the latest protocols and procedures.
What will I learn?
The Webinars cover a variety of subjects related to oiled wildlife response in California. Topics range from the effects of oil on wildlife to basic seabird and marine mammal rehabilitation techniques. To learn more about Webinar topics and scheduling, please visit our Web site and download the Online Training Calendar.
Why am I required to complete a quiz after attending each session?
There are important concepts we want to make sure each Webinar attendant learns. Traditionally, attendees completed a test at the end of the two-day class. Due to the modular nature of the webinars, quizzes are given after every session. This provides an opportunity for the instructor to identify any weaknesses in his/her presentation, answer any questions that may have been difficult to address in the on-line format, and ensure the students master the key concepts.
Is there a time limit for me to complete the modules?
The OWCN Online Training Series is given over a 10-month period (December – September). Each webinar is offered twice with a live instructor (once on a weekend day and once on a week night). In order to receive a certificate of accomplishment, you must pass the quizzes from all 5 modules within one training calendar year.
What if I can’t attend one of the two live Webinars?
If you are unable to attend the live class, you can request a link to watch a recorded version of the presentation(s). To request a link to the archive you must first register for the class. Follow the registration procedure described below, but specify in your email that the class has already taken place and you would like to view the archived recording.
What benefits do I receive when I complete the course?
If you complete all five modules of the Basic Training Webinar Series within the training calendar year, you will receive a certificate of accomplishment from the OWCN. Those volunteers who have completed the series and received the certificate will be the first to be contacted when the OWCN is activated and in need of volunteers to care for oiled wildlife. These pre-trained volunteers are our initial responders and are called upon before the general public because of their understanding of oiled wildlife response.
How do I register for the webinars?
Complete volunteer information and online training module registration forms. Submit these to the OWCN volunteer coordinator (Kaiti Ferguson, ksferguson@ucdavis.edu) at least one week before the scheduled class. Beginning January 7 2009, these forms can be found here.
How will I learn about training opportunities?
There are three basic ways you can learn about our Online Training Series:
• Check the OWCN website for updated information.
• Each OWCN Participant Organization has a primary, secondary and volunteer coordinator contact. Information regarding upcoming trainings is provided to those representatives who distribute the information to their organization’s staff and volunteer base.
• When you completely fill out a Volunteer Information Form you will be entered into the OWCN Volunteer Database and added to an electronic mailing list. Once on the mailing list, you will receive direct mailings regarding information on volunteer training opportunities.
Training Schedule 2008-2009
Webinar Schedule: 2008-2009 (available as a pdf here)
Topics |
Date |
Time |
1. OWCN Overview |
12/4/08 |
1900-2100 |
1. OWCN Overview |
1/31/09 |
1000-1200 |
1. Overview of Oiled Animal Care |
2/21/09 |
1000-1200 |
1. Oiled Bird Intake |
3/20/09 |
1900-2100 |
1. Oiled Bird Intake |
4/11/09 |
1000-1200 |
1. Overview of Oiled Animal Care |
5/19/09 |
1900-2100 |
1. Oiled Bird Cleaning |
6/6/09 |
1000-1200 |
1. Oiled Bird Cleaning |
7/1/09 |
1900-2100 |
1. Marine Mammal Processing and Intake |
8/29/09 |
1000-1200 |
1. Marine Mammal Processing and Intake |
9/2/09 |
1900-2100 |
Resources:
FAQs (pdf)
Webinar Schedule (pdf)
Volunteer info form (MS Word)
Webinar registration form (MS Word)