Copyright 2014 Tribes Learning Community

Tribes TLC Basic 24 hour Course

Online Version (BOC)

Syllabus
Introduction
We at CenterSource Systems, the home of Tribes Learning Communities
(Tribes) are pleased and proud to offer this course, especially as it gives so many
educators an opportunity to learn and experience the process when they are
unable to attend a local face-to-face (F2F) course.
While we certainly agree that Tribes is a people process and how could you
possibly do this online?! response to and ongoing development of the online
course is very positive and encouraging.
The BOC has two important interactive components; the forum and the virtual
classroom. The forum is a secure platform for not only posting assignments, but
also intended for ongoing discussion. The forum is updated daily. The virtual
classroom is hosted by BlackBoard Collaborate (BB); this is our F2F event each
week, during the eight-week BOC, or every three days during the intensive two-
week version. Attendance in the BB classroom is mandatory, as this is where we
experience the process in real time, with authentic communication.
To date, five online courses have been completed. All responses have been
favorable to excellent. One of our staff trainers, who also facilitates the TOT
(Training of Trainers course), is the instructor; the online class has absolute
consistency and delivery, as it is always the same facilitator. Participants
constantly reflect on both the learning experience and the awareness that online
learning is oh-so-different than F2Fand how will you adapt, modify, and
consider what you experience in this online environmentin your F2F
classroom?
In fact, those who complete the online course have far more reflective practice
(an essential element in the Tribes process) than time allows for in the F2F
version.
Completion of the BOC achieves the same certificate and eligibility for
participating in a TOT course. (As the TOT is only a F2F course, those who
attend a TOT will most definitely experience the group development process in
person.)
We congratulate you on your enthusiasm for an online learning experience, and
your motivation and dedication to a process that will only enhance what you
already do to create a learning community in your classroom and school.
Welcome to the adventure!
Description

Tribes TLC is a process that develops inclusion, influence, meaningful

participation and community through a set of collaborative skills which are taught
so that students and teachers can work well together in long-term learning
groups. Teachers are taught to transfer responsibility to the tribes (learning
groups) to help each other work on tasks, set goals and solve problems, monitor
and assess progress and celebrate achievements. Academic material is taught
through cooperative learning strategies and multiple intelligences are the basis
for the academic process.
This course is designed for pre-school through university of college teachers and
administrators.
This is an eight-week online course. Each week students will be responsible for
posting written responses on the class forum page online, pertaining to reading
and video assignments.
There will also be a required class meeting time (1 hour) for live discussion.
In order to receive credit and/or certification for completion of this course,
attendance at online class meetings is mandatory and all assignments must be
completed each week, prior to the next class posting. Late assignments are not
accepted.
The course is designed so that participants will spend 2.75 hours with
assignments and 1 hour online each week.

If you cannot commit to 3.75 hours per week of dedicated reading, writing, and
reflectingthis course is not for you.

Your instructor will be available for questions and comments, and will provide
feedback on your assignments throughout the course. Feedback may be public
(on the class forum page) or via private email.
You will need an internet connection (high speed) that will enable you to
download video or access YouTube and other media sites. You will need to
have PowerPoint and be familiar with creating presentations.
Audio and video (web cam or camera) capabilities on your computer are
essential. The online class is where we will talk and see one another; it is our
best opportunity for a face-to-face experience. Tribes TLC is a people process;
our interaction with one another is vital to understanding the process.
Student Learning Outcomes / Course Objectives
Class 1 Finding Our Way to the Future
Participants will:
Discover the meaning and impact of a new pattern of interaction over the
traditional approach for working with students
Learn how the Tribes TLC process provides a foundation for learning and
development
Recognize how changes in the world require new skills and competencies,
and a need to focus on childrens development and resiliency
Experience how the sequential stages and agreements of the Tribes process
develop a sense of community
Learn and experience how the Tribes process changes the traditional pattern
of interaction between teachers and students to create a motivating learning
environment
Class 2 Learning About Learning
Participants will:
Learn how to teach collaborative skills and establish agreements for working
together
Experience how the Tribes TLC process creates a positive learning
environment and student-centered classrooms
Understand how cooperation promotes student development and academic
achievement
Class 3 Creating the Learning Community
Participants will:
Learn how the Tribes process supports brain compatible learning and
reaching students of multiple intelligences
Become members of on-going tribes and begin to develop inclusion within
small groups
Class 4 Building Tribes
Participants will:
Learn how to strengthen tribes for working well together
Understand how to help students express feelings to manage conflict
Design three types of reflection questions to support student learning
Define a sequence of steps to initiate the Tribes TLC process in the
classroom
Class 5 Learning Through Collaboration
Participants will:
Learn to facilitate the stage of Influence to develop self-worth and respect for
diversity Experience strategies for individual group decision-making and
collaborative problem-solving
Discuss and practice using Tribes strategies within academic subjects and
themes Discover ways to involve colleagues in providing consultation on
classroom and professional issues
Class 6 Reaching All
Participants will:
Learn how to teach students how to identify and resolve group conflicts
Generate ways to assure that the essential elements of cooperative learning
are included in Tribes TLC academic learning experiences.
Define ways to create equal learning opportunities for multicultural
populations, girls and boys and students of multiple intelligences
 Class 7 Designing Learning Experiences
Participants will:
Learn and experience the elements of a Tribes Learning Experience
Identify strategies that can be used to integrate academic content
Design grade level learning experiences that integrate curriculum with the
process of Tribes
Class 8 Bringing It All Together
Participants will:
Review the developmental process of Tribes and the stages towards
excellence Experience and learn about Discovery Learning
Discuss the new role of teachers
Generate ways to involve the school community in support of student
learning and development
Define on-going support for implementation and staff development
Summarize and celebrate the communitys learning experience

Class Participation
You will be expected to participate in all the class assignments, including posting
messages on course discussion forums. Attendance each week in the online
classroom is mandatory.

To obtain a certificate of completion, a prerequisite for the Training of

Trainers course, all online sessions must be attended.

Course Content Schedule

Check the course schedule for dates and times.

This is a list of forum assignments to be completed each week. Of course, the

details and instructions for each assignment will be explained on the class page.
Online class assignments (different from forum assignments), will be completed
during the class hour online each week.
Class #1 forum page assignment checklist

Respond to any three questions about the definition of Tribes and five
aspects of students development

Develop question or assignment for understanding of Tribes

agreements

Post your 5-minute history

Begin your personal journal

Watch Resiliency webinar and post responses on forum

 Post answer to reflection question about class #1

List of 10 adjectives that describe the Tribes process

Content application for One Minute History, Community Circle, Thats

Me, Our World is Changing, Milling to Music

Class #2 forum page assignment checklist

Post something good statement

Respond to reflection questions on something good.

Respond to three reflection questions about agreements/collaborative

skills

Teach/facilitate two strategies pertaining to agreements/collaborative

skills

Written reflection on teaching/facilitating agreements/collaborative

skills

Email mpalin@tribes.com

Content application for Something Good, any strategy from the gray
list (see forum page), Think-Pair-Share

Class #3 forum page assignment checklist

Post When I really want to learn something statement

Respond to reflection question on learning.

Respond to Brain Rules video.

Take the Multiple Intelligence inventory.

Write a response (100 words or less) reflecting on the relationship of

the Tribes process and Brain Compatible Learning and Multiple
Intelligences.

1 5 PowerPoint slides that depict the life events you wish to share
with your new tribe (this you will post online during our online class for
this week)

Content application for Forming tribes (or any group), Whats in your
wallet (backpack?), Life Map
Class #4 class page assignment checklist

Post This is a scarf, but its not really a scarf, its a ________.

Post a behavior that the energizer might produce, worth reflecting on.

Reflection on what ifdisaster?!

I wish statement

Reflection on Wishful Thinking

Tribes trail reflection

I-message reflection

Post getting started in three topics on class forum page

Content application for This is a Scarf, Wishful Thinking, Extended

Nametag

Class #5 class page assignment checklist

Post your tribble answer on the forum page

Post a reflection question for Five Tribbles

Stage of Influence (50 words max)

Where Do I Stand? answer

Where Do I Stand? question

Submit your dinner guest and email mpalin@tribes.com

Suggestion Circle suggestion

Reflection questions answer two

Content application for: (choose at least two)

Five Tribbles Where Do I Stand?
Thumbs Up, Thumbs Down One, Two, Three
Put Yourself on the Line Fold the Line
Paraphrase Passport Brainstorming
Consensus Building Action Plan
Suggestion Circle Lets Talk

Class #6 class page assignment checklist

 Birdie on a perch reflection questions

Reflection on conflict management and conflict resolution

N-O-W responses in forum

How does conflict resolution curriculum support the group

development process through the stage of Influence?

Three actions that are both positive interdependence and individual

accountability

Child/Teacher I know reflection

Content application for Birdie on a Perch, JOY, Jigsaw, Venn diagram

Class #7 class page assignment checklist

Two Truths and a Lie: Choose one of the agreements and state how
you would incorporate it into the directions for this energizer.

Post your own two truths and a lie

Review the strategies in the forum topic Ive got a strategy

Create and post a TLE

Content application for Two truths and a lie, Ive got a strategy, and
Novel in an Hour

Class #8 class page assignment checklist

new opportunity statement

Opportunity reflection

Write a S.M.A.R.T. goal; posting is optional

Read Chapter 11

Two I used to bebut now I am statements in the forum

One we used to bebut now we are statement in the forum

Video link OR create a video clip OR write a blog

Post a suggestion, idea, or plan for ongoing staff

supportimplementing or modeling the Tribes TLC process
 Content application for I used to beWe used to be., Five Es,
Back to the Future

Instructor: Mary Palin mpalin@tribes.com

Office Hours: Available at mpalin@tribes.com.
Textbook
Reaching All by Creating Tribes Learning Communities by Jeanne Gibbs

Available at http://tribes.com/store-item-type/tribes-books/