About Verizon Thinkfinity Trainers
What is a Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainer?
A Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainer is an educator who has been trained to deliver Verizon Thinkfinity training to end users (TCH), helping them integrate Verizon Thinkfinity resources into the curriculum to enhance student learning.
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What is a Verizon Thinkfinity Certified Trainer?
A Verizon Thinkfinity Certified Trainer is an educator who has been trained to deliver Verizon Thinkfinity training to end users (TCH) and conduct Train-the-Trainer sessions (TRN). Certified Trainers are the top-tier trainers within Verizon Thinkfinity State Training Networks and are recertified annually to make sure they are up-to-date on the Verizon Thinkfinity program and resources.
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What are the qualifications of a Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainer?
Every Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainer has successfully completed Verizon Thinkfinity Trainer Training (TRN) to master the skills necessary to train end users. In addition, each year Field Trainers meet minimum training requirements to retain their Field Trainer status.
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What are the qualifications of a Verizon Thinkfinity Certified Trainer?
Every Verizon Thinkfinity Certified Trainer has successfully completed Verizon Thinkfinity Trainer Training (TRN) and Certified Trainer Training (TCT) to master the skills necessary to train both end users and Field Trainers. In addition, each year Certified Trainers participate in recertification training to remain up-to-date on the Verizon Thinkfinity program and resources. They must also meet minimum training requirements that demonstrate their excellence and commitment to providing quality training.
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How do educators become Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainers?
An educator must successfully complete a Verizon Thinkfinity Train-the-Trainer session (TRN), conducted by a Certified Trainer or National Verizon Thinkfinity Trainer, in order to qualify as a Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainer.
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How do Field Trainers maintain their status?
Field Trainers who have conducted official* Verizon Thinkfinity Training within the previous 12 months are considered “active” and will retain Field Trainer status as long as they:
- Continue to conduct at least one official* Field Training session per 12-month period--from the time they initially earn Field Trainer status.
- Train at least five (5) participants (can be in multiple sessions).
- Receive an average score** of 4.0 on their training survey(s).
Note: See the question "What is an 'official' training session?" below for the definition of an official training.
See the question "What are the survey score requirements, and how are they calculated?" below for information on how survey scores are calculated.
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How do educators become Verizon Thinkfinity Certified Trainers?
Educators must successfully complete each of the following steps in order to qualify as a Verizon Thinkfinity Certified Trainer:
- Become a Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainer
Successfully complete Verizon Thinkfinity Trainer Sessions: TRN-1 and TRN-2 OR TRN-Online OR Bridge Training for Field Trainers (offered through April 2008).
- Demonstrate Outstanding Training Skills as a Field Trainer
After completing TRN-2/TRN-O/Bridge Training, successfully deliver at least two official* sessions to a minimum total of 10 teachers and earn a survey average** of at least 4.5 out of 5.0 for each session.
- Successfully Complete Certified Trainer Training Session
Successfully complete the two-day Certified Trainer Workshop (TCT) or TCT-Online (online version currently under development).
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How do Certified Trainers maintain their status?
Certification is renewable annually. Eligibility is based upon demonstrated training proficiency and activity during the previous 12-month period as tracked in myThinkfinity, Verizon Thinkfinity's online program management system, and a successful completion of a Recertification Workshop (TCT-R).
To maintain certification status, Certified Trainers must meet the following training proficiency requirements:
- Successfully complete recertification training (TCT-R) within the quarter of original certification, the following year. TCT-R is a three-hour Web Conferencing session, conducted quarterly--see the table below.
- Conduct at least three (3) official* training sessions to a minimum total of 30 attendees, receiving a survey average** of at least 4.5 for each session by the ends date of the quarter of original certification, the following year.
| Original Certification
(Completed TCT Training)
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Quarter |
Recertification Requirement
(Complete TCT-R Webinar)
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Recertification Requirement
(Conduct 3 sessions, 30 participants, 4.5)
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| Jan. 1 - March 31 |
Q1 |
Jan. 1 - March 31 |
March 31 |
| April 1 - June 30 |
Q2 |
April 1 - June 30 |
June 30 |
| July 1 - Sept. 30 |
Q3 |
July 1 - Sept. 30 |
Sept. 30 |
| Oct. 1 - Dec. 31 |
Q4 |
Oct. 1 - Dec. 31 |
Dec. 31 |
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Are Verizon Thinkfinity trainers paid for conducting trainings?
Verizon Thinkfinity trainers are not compensated by the Verizon Foundation for conducting trainings. However, trainers receive benefits such as access to resources, communications and an online management system for training; membership in a national network of educational technology staff developers; and opportunities to be recognized nationally as a Trainer of the Month or Trainer of the Year. Additionally, Trainers get to share a meaningful, high-quality resource with colleagues and students to help improve educational outreach and activity in the community.
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About Thinkfinity Training Sessions
What is an "Awareness Session"?
An Awareness Session is a training lasting less than 90 minutes and is intended to introduce Verizon Thinkfinity to an audience of educators and others interested in learning more about the program. Trainers may conduct Awareness Sessions for decision-makers at the building, district, regional or organizational level to familiarize them with the Verizon Thinkfinity program prior to training; for educators as an introduction to Thinkfinity.org and its resources; for members of a school board or parent organization to showcase the resources that teachers will use with students, etc. Awareness Sessions may be conducted by both Field Trainers and Certified Trainers.
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What is a "TCH-P" training session?
A TCH-P (Partial) is a training session designed and customized for an audience of primarily pre-service or classroom teachers, or other building-level educators who teach and support K-12 students in the school environment. The minimum time requirement for a TCH-P is 90 minutes, to cover a portion of the “complete” Verizon Thinkfinity training. It can comprise a variety of components, including but not limited to: a basic overview of the Verizon Thinkfinity program and Verizon’s partnership with premier education and literacy organizations to provide free, standards-based, high quality, Web-based resources; navigation to resources from one or more of the 7 Partner sites and the Thinkfinity Literacy Network; use of the Verizon Thinkfinity search engine; and integration of Verizon Thinkfinity resources within the context of a lesson to enhance student learning.
NOTE: “Complete” Verizon Thinkfinity training, covering all of the above components, is represented in TCH-C. TCH-P sessions may be conducted by both Field Trainers and Certified Trainers.
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What is a “TCH-C” training session?
A TCH-C (Complete) is a training session designed for an audience of primarily pre-service or classroom teachers, or other building-level educators who teach and support K-12 students in the school environment. The minimum time requirement for a TCH-C is 6 hours, to cover a basic overview of the Verizon Thinkfinity program and Verizon’s partnership with premier education and literacy organizations to provide free, standards-based, high quality, Web-based resources. Attendees of a TCH-C will be instructed on the types of online resources available through Verizon Thinkfinity and learn to effectively navigate to resources by way of the main Verizon Thinkfinity homepage, each of the Content Partner sites, and through the Verizon Thinkfinity search engine. Attendees will also develop an integration plan in which they determine how Verizon Thinkfinity resources can best be embedded within the context of a lesson to enhance student learning. TCH-C sessions may be conducted by both Field Trainers and Certified Trainers.
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What is a “TRN-1” training session?
A TRN-1 (Basic) training is a session designed for educators who would like to become a Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainer to train end users. The minimum time requirement for a TRN-1 is 6 hours. A portion of this session will mirror an accelerated version of the TCH-C training for end users, providing an overview of the Verizon Thinkfinity program and instruction on locating and integrating Verizon Thinkfinity’s online educational resources to support student learning. In addition, the training curriculum for end-user sessions will be defined and attendees will compare various training scenarios for end-user sessions. Attendees will also receive access to free training resources through Verizon Thinkfinity’s Trainer Toolbox, as well as Verizon Thinkfinity’s database management system to track and review training data.
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What is a “TRN-2” training session?
A TRN-2 (Advanced) training is a session designed for Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainers interested in expanding their knowledge of Verizon Thinkfinity resources and strategies for successful and engaging professional development to support end-user training. The minimum time requirement for a TRN-2 is 6 hours, and attendees must have successfully completed a TRN-1. Attendees will have opportunities to collaborate with other professionals to discuss various training strategies and to create customized training plans for implementing Verizon Thinkfinity within their communities. A TRN-2 may be conducted as a “day 2” follow-up to a TRN-1, or as a stand-alone session.
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What is an “official” training session?
An “official” training session is one in which all of the required steps are taken for the session.
An End-User Session (TCH) or Train-the-Trainer Session (TRN) requires the following four steps:
- Trainers should register the session via myThinkfinity, which is now integrated with the Verizon Thinkfinity Information Management System;
- All participants should sign into the Roster through myThinkfinity;
- Participants should complete a Training Survey through myThinkfinity following the session;
- The Trainer should complete a Trainer Follow-up Form in myThinkfinity.
An Awareness Session requires the following two steps:
- Trainers should register the session via myThinkfinity, which is now integrated with the new Verizon Thinkfinity Information Management System;
- The Trainer should complete a Trainer Follow-up Form in myThinkfinity.
NOTE: The Roster and Training Survey steps are optional for Awareness Sessions. However, if a trainer intends to use the Awareness Session to meet a training requirement, all four steps must be completed.
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Scheduling and Hosting Verizon Thinkfinity Training Sessions
What is the intended audience for an Awareness Session?
The intended audience for Awareness Sessions includes decision-makers at the building, district, regional or organizational level--to familiarize them with the Verizon Thinkfinity program prior to training; educators--as an introduction to Thinkfinity.org and its resources; members of a school board or parent organization--to showcase the resources that teachers will use with students, and others. Field Trainers and Certified Trainers may both conduct Awareness Sessions.
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What is the intended audience for a TCH-P Session?
A TCH-P (Partial) is intended for educators interested in learning more about the Verizon Thinkfinity program and the types of online educational resources available through Verizon Thinkfinity. This session may be customized to meet the needs of educators in specific grade levels, content areas, or who have an area of educational focus. Potential attendees should check session-specific information to make sure the content is pertinent to their individual needs. Specific audiences include but are not limited to: teachers, library media specialists, administrators, curriculum specialists, and pre-service faculty and students.
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What is the intended audience for a TCH-C Session?
A TCH-C (Complete) is intended for educators, both new to Verizon Thinkfinity and those with basic familiarity of the Verizon Thinkfinity program and resources, who want to learn more about integrating Verizon Thinkfinity resources into their curriculum to engage students and enhance student learning. Specific audiences include but are not limited to: teachers, library media specialists, administrators, curriculum specialists, and pre-service faculty and students.
NOTE: Participants of this session will be eligible to take the “TRN-Add On” session to gain Field Trainer status in the future. Dates of “TRN-Add On” are to be determined.
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What is the intended audience for a TRN-1 Session?
A TRN-1 (Basic) is intended for educators interested in training others to locate and integrate Verizon Thinkfinity resources, but have little or no experience with the Verizon Thinkfinity resources themselves. Due to the fast-paced nature of this session, educators are encouraged to have a high comfort level with curriculum and using the Internet. Specific audiences may include technology integration specialists, staff developers, teacher leaders, and pre-service faculty and students.
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What is the intended audience for a TRN-2 Session?
A TRN-2 (Advanced) is intended for educators interested in expanding their knowledge of Verizon Thinkfinity resources and strategies for successful and engaging professional development to support teacher training. Specific audiences may include technology integration specialists, staff developers, teacher leaders, and pre-service faculty and students.
Pre-requisites: TRN-1
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What are the technical specifications for a training location?
Basic specifications for trainers' and participants' computers are:
- 1028 x 768 screen resolution,
- a high-speed (T-1 line or higher) connection to the Internet,
- Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 and above or Netscape version 6.1 and above (earlier browser versions may not display optimally on the screen and may not run some enhanced features of the site),
- Javascript enabled,
- and the latest versions of RealPlayer, QuickTime, Shockwave, Flash and Adobe Acrobat plug-ins installed on all computers.
Please also visit our Plug-ins and Utilities page accessible from the Share Verizon Thinkfinity section of the Professional Development page.
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Training Logistics and User Information
Why do participants have to sign-in (on the roster) at training sessions?
Participants are required to Roster in at the training sessions so that there is a record of their attendance. The partnerships forged between Verizon Thinkfinity and the State Education Partners require that Verizon Thinkfinity Professional Development be offered to all teachers throughout the State Education Network. The Roster information is for State Education Partners and Verizon Thinkfinity only and is used to track the progress of the Verizon Thinkfinity rollout in specific service areas.
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How do participants Roster into a Verizon Thinkfinity Training?
Participants can follow the steps below to complete the Attendee Roster.
- Click on the myThinkfinity link at the top of any Thinkfinity.org page and log in (first time users must register) using their Verizon Thinkfinity Login ID and password.
- Once logged in, attendees should click on the "Attendee Roster" link under the Trainings section.
- Select the correct training from the list of sessions taking place that day (or use the drop-down lists to select a different day) by clicking on the hyperlinked Location.
- Review the training session information and click on the Roster button.
- If you have selected the incorrect training, please use your back button to go back to return to the list of training sessions.
Note: The information collected in the Roster is for use by State Education Partners and Verizon Thinkfinity only and is used to track the progress of the Verizon Thinkfinity rollout.
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What if a school/organization is not in the list?
Many school and organization names selected through the state and keyword Organization Selection tool are truncated. For this reason, it may be helpful to search for school or organization names using only a partial school name or keyword. For example, many departments of education are listed in the database as “DEPT OF EDUC.” Thus, a search on “department” would not yield these organization names. To locate such truncated school or organization names, be sure to search on partial words such as “dept” or “educ” if you cannot locate your organization with another keyword.
If you have exhausted all other options and are still unable to locate your school/organization, please e-mail us at Training@Thinkfinity.org.
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If I have attended a session in the past, should I complete the Roster again?
Even if an attendee has previously rostered into a Verizon Thinkfinity training session, they should still roster into the session they are currently attending in order for the Professional Development database to have accurate attendee information for all training sessions.
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Why do participants have to fill out the Training Survey?
The results of the Training Survey are used to evaluate the effectiveness of the trainer as well as the Verizon Thinkfinity online resources and training materials. Ensuring that every participant completes the survey is one way to assure the continued improvement and quality of the program.
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How do participants complete a Survey for the Training they attended?
Participants can follow the steps below to complete the Attendee Survey:
- Click on the myThinkfinity link in the upper right corner of any Thinkfinity.org page and login using your Login ID and Password.
- Click on the "Complete a Survey" link under the Surveys section.
- Surveys to be completed will be listed on this page. Please answer all questions to the best of your ability.
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If a Verizon Thinkfinity user’s e-mail address or other personal information changes, how can they make those changes to their Profile?
If a User’s personal information - including e-mail address, school/ organization, phone number, mailing address, etc. – changes and they would like this reflected in their Verizon Thinkfinity User Profile, they should click on the myThinkfinity link on any Thinkfinity.org page. Once logged in, click on the "Manage My Profile" link to review and edit their information.
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How can I print out a Certificate of Participation for a session I attended?
If you have completed both a roster and a survey for a training session, you will have access to a Certificate of Participation showing the number of professional development hours completed during that session. Please follow the steps below to access and print your certificate:
- Log in to myThinkfinity using your Login ID and Password. Note: Your Login ID is the e-mail address you used when you registered with Verizon Thinkfinity. If you have forgotten your password, please click on the "Forgot your Password" link.
- Once in myThinkfinity, click on the "Click Here to access a list of courses you have conducted or attended" link at the bottom of the home page.
- Edit the Start and End Date ranges as desired and click the "Submit" button to generate a list of sessions.
- Click on the Location hyperlink for the desired session and then click on the Completion Certificate link in the lower right corner.
- The certificate will generate in a new window along with your print menu. Note: You will need to edit your printer preferences to make the certificate print in landscape. You may also want to turn off Headers and Footers for a cleaner Certificate.
- You can then close the certificate window and return to myThinkfinity.
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How do I register for the Verizon Thinkfinity site?
Anyone can register with the Thinkfinity site - it's simple and FREE, just follow the steps below:
- Click on the myThinkfinity link available at the top of any Thinkfinity.org page.
- Click on the Not a user? Sign up now! link to create a new profile.
- Complete all of the starred fields and click "Next" - don't forget to review and accept the User Agreement Terms.
- On the second page, you can select your Area of Responsibility, and then on subsequent pages select your Organization, grade level(s), subject area(s) and other defining characteristics. Once done on this page, click "Next."
- The third and last page asks for demographic information. As for every page but the first, the questions are optional.
- To complete your profile and register with the site, click the "Complete Profile" link.
If desired, registrants can complete only the first page of the Profile and leave the rest for a later date. To access the Profile in the future, simply log into myThinkfinity and click on the "Manage My Profile" link in the right-hand navigation bar.
If you have any questions, please use the Contact Us link at the top of any Verizon Thinkfinity page.
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