VT100:Introduction to American Spaces and EducationUSA Virtual Training

Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela

February 22 - March 26, 2021

Course Overview​: ​This online blended-learning course is designed to equip American Spaces team members
with skills to effectively manage their Spaces and design engaging programming that advances U.S. foreign
policy goals and benefits local audiences. This online course provides an overview of how the American
Spaces program supports public diplomacy, introduces numerous programming resources, and aids staff in
managing their American Spaces. This course will also include a module on EducationUSA and how to
leverage EducationUSA resources. Through online discussions and webinars, this course also provides a
forum for developing a community of practice among American Spaces practitioners in the Andean Region.

Course Goals and Objectives: ​Participation in online training will help American Spaces staff achieve the
following goals:
● Gain a broader understanding of the role of American Spaces in supporting public diplomacy.
● Gain familiarity with Department of State and Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
programs and resources like EducationUSA, English Language, Alumni, and culture in support of
public diplomacy goals.
● Identify and actively utilize resources designed to enhance engagement with local audiences in
American Spaces.
● Understand and comply with basic reporting requirements.
● Integrate technology more effectively into American Spaces programming.
● Build a network of professional contacts to foster collaboration and the exchange of best practices
among American Spaces.

Course Duration: ​This course includes six modules that will take you approximately 20 hours to complete
over the course of five weeks. It also includes one module of 5 sections related to EducationUSA. This module
is approximately 2 hours long. Each module includes readings, videos, discussions, and exercises and will
typically take two to four hours to complete.

1. Module One: Introduction to American Spaces

2. Module Two: Resources for American Spaces
3. Module Three: Introduction to Strategic Planning
4. Module Four: Programming in American Spaces
5. Module Five: Managing American Spaces
6. Module Six: American Spaces Digital Engagement

7. Module Seven: EducationUSA

In addition to the modules, we will also offer the following:

● Office hours or opportunities to chat with the trainers and coaches.

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 ● Webinars to address questions and encourage discussion.

Course Audience: ​This course is designed for new American Spaces managers and staff, including
EducationUSA advisers, whether Embassy BNC partners who have less than two years experience or would
benefit from refresher training. Completion of this course will be a prerequisite for attending the Department of
State’s Foreign Service Institute (FSI) accredited American Spaces Tradecraft courses PY351 and PY352.

Technical Requirements: ​The online course is hosted on Canvas, an open-source learning management
system that is designed for maximum compatibility with different devices and minimal requirements. For
Department of State Employees, we do not recommend using an OpenNet computer to access Canvas or
Zoom. For virtual sessions hosted in Zoom, Google Meet, or another platform, please see below.

Operating Systems

● Windows XP SP3 and newer

● Mac OSX 10.6 and newer
● Linux - chromeOS

Supported Browsers

Canvas supports the current and first previous major releases of the following browsers:

● Chrome​ 86 and 87
● Firefox​ 83 and 84 (​Extended Releases​ are not supported*)
● Edge​ 86 and 87
● Respondus Lockdown Browser​ (supporting the latest ​system requirements​)
● Safari ​13 and 14 (Macintosh only)

Check ​here​ to see if your browser is up to date.

You should always use the most current version of your preferred browser. Your browser will notify you if there
is a new version available.

Note:​ Safari 13.1 and later versions contain an update that may cause issues with downloading files,
displaying images, and playing chat alerts in Canvas. Canvas engineers are currently working on a solution for
this issue. Until then, you may avoid errors with files, images, and alerts by ​disabling cross-site tracking
prevention​ in Safari when using Canvas. If disabling cross-site tracking doesn't resolve these issues, please try
one of the other supported browsers.

Computer Speed and Processor

● Use a computer 5 years old or newer when possible

● 1GB of RAM
● 2GHz processor

Internet Speed

● Along with compatibility and web standards, Canvas has been carefully crafted to accommodate
low bandwidth environments.
● Minimum of 512k

Mobile OS Native App Support

● iOS 5 and newer

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 ● Android 2.3 and newer (coming soon!)

● Mobile browsers are not supported, and features may not function as expected compared to
viewing Canvas in a fully supported desktop browser.

● On mobile devices, Canvas is designed to be used within Canvas mobile applications: “Canvas
Student” is available for free in app stores.

Technical Requirements for Zoom:

Please review the following system requirements for using Zoom:

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/201362023-System-requirements-for-Windows-macOS-and-Linux​.

Here is a guide to joining a Zoom meeting as an attendee:

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/115004954946-Joining-and-participating-in-a-webinar-attendee-

Quick guide for new Zoom users:

https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/360034967471-Quick-start-guide-for-new-users

February 22 - March 26, 2021

Monday, February 8 Welcome email and course invitation from the American Spaces Training Team
Create an account in Canvas (​step by step guide​)

Thursday, February WHA Sub Regional American Spaces Online Training – Launch (30 minutes)
18 Overview of course expectations and training platform; introductions​ -
Lead REPS: Elenita
10:00 AM Logistical Host: Malore
Washington Chat Moderator: Ana

Time: February 18, 2021

10:00 AM Washington DC Time

Zoom Meeting Details:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85913705719?pwd=WHl5ZW5CVEJIYWRVWTI0T
XNqTWgvZz09 

Meeting ID: 859 1370 5719 

Passcode: 687652

Recording will be made available in Canvas

Monday, February 22 Module One: Introduction to American Spaces (Canvas)

Self-paced learning through Canvas
Complete welcome survey and all assignments for Module One
Aim to earn your Module One badge before the next virtual session.

Thursday, February Virtual session to discuss Module One​ (60 minutes)

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10:00 AM Follow up on discussions in Canvas, troubleshoot any issues with online
Washington training, share best practices
Guest Speaker:​ ​Carol Brey, Office Director, Office of American Spaces
(OAS)
Lead REPS: Malore
Logistical Host: Elenita
Chat Moderator: Ana
Zoom Meeting Details:

Time: February 25, 2021

10:00 AM Washington DC Time

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84756568329?pwd=QzVlSGJUNkhXRTZ6VlVF
Tk1McElpQT09

Meeting ID: 847 5656 8329

Passcode: 871290

Recording will be made available in Canvas

Monday, March 1 Module Two: Resources for American Spaces (Canvas) and Module Three:
Introduction to Strategic Planning
Self-paced learning through Canvas
Complete exercises, discussions, and quizzes  
Aim to earn your Module Two and Module Three badges before the next 
virtual session 

Thursday Virtual session to discuss Module Two and Module Three​ (60 minutes)
March 4 Review resources such as programming toolkits, eLibraryUSA, and eShop

10:00 AM Guest Speaker​: ​REPS Ana Ayala de Barbosa, Pretoria, South Africa.
Washington Review A-F strategic planning model

Lead REPS: Elenita

Logistical Host: Malore
Chat Moderator: Ana
Zoom Meeting Details:

Time: March 4, 2021

10:00 AM Washington DC Time

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84194299580?pwd=UWZpN2RiVXpEL1ZQWTRnb
TBOZjlKQT09 

Meeting ID: 841 9429 9580 

Passcode: 864359

Recording will be made available in Canvas

Monday, March 8 Module Four: Programming in American Spaces

Self-paced learning through Canvas
Complete exercises, discussions, and quizzes
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 Aim to finish Module Four and earn your badge 
 

Thursday, March 11 Virtual session to discuss Module Four ​(60 minutes)

Programming in American Spaces
10:00 AM Guest Speaker​: Denise Lowery, RELO Andes and Southern Cone Region
Washington and Dennis Yang, RELO based in U.S. Embassy Panama

Lead REPS: Elenita

Logistical Host: Malore
Chat Moderator: Ana
ZoomGov Meeting Details:

Time: March 11, 2021

10:00 AM Washington DC Time

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88213264315?pwd=NDJzQkdiMHNqeUhid0svN
k9vbEJUUT09

Meeting ID: 882 1326 4315

Passcode: 271120

Recording will be made available in Canvas

Monday, March 15 Module Five: Managing American Spaces (Canvas) and Module Six: American
Spaces Digital Engagement
Self-paced learning through Canvas
Complete exercises, discussions, and quizzes
Aim to finish Module Five and Module Six and earn your badges before 
our virtual session 
 

Thursday, March 18 Virtual session to discuss Module Five and Six ​(60 minutes)
Managing American Spaces and American Spaces Digital Engagement
10:00 AM Guest Speaker​: Jeff Ridenour, Strategic Programming Officer, OAS
Washington
Lead REPS: Malore
Logistical Host: Elenita
Chat Moderator: Ana

ZoomGov Meeting Details:

Time: March 18, 2021

10:00 AM Washington DC Time

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88476726890?pwd=R20wUHpsTkxTV3VaenM3O
XA3STlyUT09 

Meeting ID: 884 7672 6890 

Passcode: 193891

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 Recording will be made available in Canvas after the session

Monday, March 22 Module Seven: EducationUSA Sections 1-5

Self-paced learning through Canvas
Complete exercises, discussions, and quizzes
Aim to finish Module Seven before our virtual session

Thursday, March 25 Virtual session to discuss Module Seven and wrap-up​ (60 minutes)
EducationUSA Overview
10:00 AM
Washington Lead REAC: Ana
Logistical Host: Elenita
Chat Moderator: Malore

ZoomGov Meeting Details:

Time: Mar 25, 2021

10:00 AM Washington DC Time

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83794312786?pwd=RTJ3UU9XQk0zWG45L2s
zdHhUZTlFdz09

Meeting ID: 837 9431 2786

Passcode: 456918

Recording will be made available in Canvas after the session