Frequently Asked Questions
Course Information
Who should participate?
These courses are designed for educational practitioners including teachers, administrators, researchers and teacher trainer professionals from all over the world. Educators at all levels have participated in our courses and are welcome to enroll. Because courses are conducted online, you should feel comfortable using the World Wide Web and e-mail and have reliable access to them..
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Are courses applicable for non K-12 teachers?
Yes. In general, our courses are designed for educators at every level-early childhood, middle school, high school and higher education. The courses provide a forum though which a variety of educators can apply teaching techniques into their specific situations.
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Do you offer your courses in any other languages?
We invite you to visit our webpage on the courses we offere in Spanish at wideworld.gse.harvard.edu/overview/courses/espanol.cfm
You can find out more abou the courses we offer in Chinese here.
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What is the course structure? What is a typical session of a course like?
Each week, you will log on to the course's Web site for the current lecture, assignments and supplementary materials. You will also participate in small virtual discussion groups led by experienced course coaches.
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What is the time commitment?
We expect approximately 7 hours per session (usually a two-week period) over a period of 12 weeks.
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Can a local group enroll in your courses as a group, work together, and complete the final project together?
If a local group would like to enroll, we accept teams of 3-4 members/team. Your group coordinator should send the list of names, the e-mail addresses, and the name of the WIDE course that the team wants to register for, via e-mail to WIDEWorld@gse.harvard.edu and we will e-mail you back further registration instructions.
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Registration
What is the WIDE World address, phone, and fax number?
WIDE World
Harvard Graduate School of Education
50 Church Street, 4th Floor
Cambridge, MA USA 02138
fax: 617-496-5191
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Can a local group enroll in your courses as a group, work together, and complete the final project together?
If a local group would like to enroll, we accept teams of 3-4 members/team. Your group coordinator should send the list of names, the e-mail addresses, and the name of the WIDE course that the team wants to register for, via e-mail to WIDEWorld@gse.harvard.edu and we will e-mail you back further registration instructions.
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I am a registered learner. How do I access the course?
- Go to the WIDE World home page: http://wideworld.gse.harvard.edu
- Enter your username and password in the login box at the top right hand corner.
- You will be brought your personal "My WIDE" page. Click the link for your course.
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I can't remember my password. How can I find out what it is?
- Go to the WIDE World home page: http://wideworld.gse.harvard.edu
- Go to the login box at the top right hand corner and click on "forgot your password?"
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How do I register for a course?
Please visit the Register page to learn about course registration.
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What do you do with all my registration information?
Your mailing address and phone number are very important as we use them to send your course participation certificate. We use other information to assign participants to discussion groups and coaches, and to help us learn a bit about you before the course starts. All the information, beyond the user profile data you provide, is private and in no way do we distribute or sell information to outside organizations.
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If I withdraw, do I get a refund?
Participants enrolled through an institutional contract are subject to the withdrawal and refund terms of that contract (see section 2.4).
If you are a non-institutional participant (i.e. you are not enrolled through an institutional contract) AND you withdraw at least 15 days prior to the course start date, you will have the option of obtaining a full refund or a credit which you can use toward a future course. Course credit is only good for six months from the date of issue.
If you withdraw at any time during the two week (14 day) period leading up to and including the start date of courses, you will have the option of obtaining an 85% refund or an 85% credit which you can use toward a future course. Course credit is only good for six months from the date of issue.
If you withdraw at any time after the course start date, you will not be entitled to receive either a refund or a credit toward a future course.
Please be sure you can participate fully before you complete registration for a course!
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Can I apply for financial aid for online courses?
WIDE World does not provide financial aid for participants. However, you may find sources of financial aid on your own through local institutions and grants.
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How do I get my textbooks and materials?
Textbooks are most easily ordered through the Project Zero bookstore http://pzweb.harvard.edu/eBookstore/. Other materials will be found online as part of the course.
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How can I verify that my registration is complete?
Please check your myWIDE page. There, you'll be able to update your account information, check your registration status, download an invoice, and much more.
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Course Credit
Can I earn PDPs for these courses?
You can receive Professional Development Points (PDPs) based on your state and local requirements. Upon the successful completion of the course, WIDE awards a certificate of completion which shows the total number of hours earned.
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Will I receive a certificate at the end to show course title and amount of time spent?
Yes, but in order to receive a certificate you must earn the following minimum participation hours: (35) hours for (6) session courses; (15) hours for (2)session courses; and (35) hours for each of the two courses which make up the program of study. The maximum amount of participation hours that course participants may be awarded are: (42-45) hours for (6) session courses; (15) hours for (2) session courses; and (42-45) hours for each of the two courses, which make up the program of study. All certificate recipients will be e-mailed an electronic certificate file to the address they have registered with WIDE World at the time of their course registration. Certificate recipients can then print the certificate locally.
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Can I obtain graduate credit for WIDE World courses?
Many of our learners have arranged for graduate credit for their WIDE coursework from their local universities. Please contact WIDE World customer service for further assistance.
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Course Payment
What is the WIDE World address, phone, and fax number?
WIDE World
Harvard Graduate School of Education
50 Church Street, 4th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
fax: 617-496-5191
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If I withdraw, do I get a refund?
Participants enrolled through an institutional contract are subject to the withdrawal and refund terms of that contract (see section 2.4).
If you have individually registered in any WIDE World Course through this Web Site, and you withdraw at least 14 days prior to the Course start date, you will have the option of obtaining a full refund, obtaining a credit that you can use toward a future Course, or enrolling an alternative participant in your place.
Course credit is only good for six months from the date of issue of the credit. Withdrawals less than 14 days prior to the Course start date will not be entitled to any refund or credit. (This does not apply to anyone who has been registered by a university, a government agency or another program sponsor. In such a case, you should contact the sponsor representative or liaison to report your withdrawal from the Course.)
Please be sure you can participate fully before you complete registration for a course!
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Can I apply for financial aid for online courses?
WIDE World does not provide financial aid for participants. However, you may find sources of financial aid on your own through local institutions and grants.
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How can I get a discount on the course fee?
WIDE World may offer discounts for early enrollment. Please visit the Register page to see if such a discount is in effect. Those who register as groups also get a discount (*need more text about this*)
We also encourage you to take advantage of other WIDE World resources and research materials available on the web. WIDE World supports two sister sites, which are freely available to the public.
ALPS: http://learnweb.harvard.edu/alps
ENT: http://learnweb.harvard.edu/ent
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How can I get an invoice or receipt?
You can download an invoice or receipt by going to your myWIDE page. If you need a hard copy, please send your request via e-mail to wideworld@gse.harvard.edu.
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How can I use a scholarship I've received to pay for the course?
If you have received from an organization or individual a scholarship you would like to use to pay for a WIDE World course, please have that organization or individual contact WIDEWorld@gse.harvard.edu. WIDE World will then contact you and give you the relevant information for completing your course registration. If you are a member of an organization that wants to offer scholarships for WIDE World courses to its members, please send an e-mail message to WIDEWorld@gse.harvard.edu.
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What forms of payment are acceptable for WIDE World courses?
Organizations such as schools, districts, and educational associations can pay for their teachers' tuitions using purchase orders, checks, or credit cards. Teachers who are not enrolling as part of an organization-sponsored effort may register on their own using a credit card.
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Technical Questions
What is the WIDE World address, phone, and fax number?
WIDE World
Harvard Graduate School of Education
50 Church Street, 4th Floor
Cambridge, MA 02138, U.S.A.
fax: 617-496-5191
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I am a registered learner. How do I access the course?
- Go to the WIDE World home page: http://wideworld.gse.harvard.edu/
- Enter your username and password in login box at the top right hand corner.
You will be brought to your personal "My WIDE" page. Click the link for your course.
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I can't remember my password. How can I find out what it is?
The best way for you to retrieve your password is to attempt to log in.
- Go to the WIDE World home page: http://wideworld.gse.harvard.edu/
- Click "Login."
This page is password protected, so you will be shown a form for logging in.
- Scroll down to where it reads "Forgotten Your Password?", type in the e-mail address that you entered when you first registered on the site, and click "Remind Me"; this should send your personal account information to the e-mail address that you entered.
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What are the technological requirements?
Please visit the Technical Requirements page.
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What do I do if I have a technical problem while taking a course over the internet?
We recommend that you use the "Help Form" in the "Help" section of your course. If you can't access your course, send mail directly to WIDESupport@gse.harvard.edu. Please be sure to include any helpful information such as your name and the title of your course.
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