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EmailIn 2009, I was a nascent online educator studying TESOL’s Principles and Practices of Online Teaching through the certificate program at the University of Wisconsin, eager to get my proverbial “digital” feet wet when I first started volunteering for the Electronic Village Online (EVO). The EVO coordination team trains their moderators and mentors to provide free, professional development sessions to teachers. These online sessions are a prelude to the TESOL convention.
Hundreds of teachers around the world participate in these EVO sessions that take place annually in January and February. I thought that I’d write this blog to let those digital foreigners, tech newbies, know that the moderators include activities for beginners and are empathetic. For example, they recognize that some learners will be to shy to interact and will “lurk” until they feel comfortable with the online platform and tools.
From experience, it was a bit daunting to mingle with those who are technologically advanced in the same sessions. For techies or digital natives, there are challenging sessions like “Becoming a Webhead” or “Multiliteracies,” but even in these sessions they’re accepting of first-timers. I suggest taking a session that you know something about. For example, if you’re good at taking and uploading photos, then perhaps you’d like the “Digital Storytelling” session.
If you’re interested in participating in the EVO 2012 sessions, look for announcements this December. A list of past EVO sessions is available online. If you’d like to submit a proposal to offer an EVO session as a volunteer moderator, there’s still time! The deadline for proposals is 9-25-11. To submit a proposal, follow this link.
Dear Readers,
I nominated the Electronic Village Online (EVO) as a top tech innovator in higher ed on The Chronicle. Please visit their blog and cast your vote! Find my comment and “like” it or add a reply.
http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/who-are-the-top-technology-innovators-in-higher-education/34638?sid=wc&utm_source=wc&utm_medium=en
Link to Announcement Web page:
http://evosessions. pbworks.com/ Call_for_ Participation201 2
<http://evosessions. pbworks.com/ w/page/48510148/ Call_for_ Participation201 2
http://evosessions.pbworks.com/w/page/48510148/Call_for_Participation2012
Sorry, I don’t know why the link isn’t showing. Hopefully, this will work!
Dear All,
The CALL Interest Section of the international TESOL professional
association is pleased to offer the opportunity to participate in the
Electronic Village Online (EVO) 2012 sessions. This project is a virtual extension of the TESOL 2012 Convention in Philadelphia
in which educators around the globe will have the chance to enhance their
professional development, network, collaborate, share and learn with
like-minded professionals in wonderful online sessions that were carefully
designed by our moderators.
You *do not *need to be a TESOL member to participate in a free,
five-week, online session of the EVO, *January 9 – February 12, 2012*.
Please visit our Announcement Web page to select one among the various
session offerings.
http://evosessions. pbworks.com/ Call_for_ Participation201 2
http://evosessions. pbworks.com/ w/page/48510148/ Call_for_ Participation201 2
*Registrations start on January 2nd, 2012. We’re looking forward to seeing you in a session in the Electronic Village Online!
http://evosessions. pbworks.com/ w/page/33481412/ Call_for_ Participation201 1
Yours in TESOL,
Carla Arena
On behalf of the EVO Coordination Team
I just read over the 2012 EVO proposals and they look really intriguing! Thanks to all of you who submitted a proposal.
As you say, TESOL system previdos good opportunities for professional development for teachers, whether experienced in online teaching or not. But if we look from the professional point of view will this be helpful for the PD (as face-to-face courses are), will this give valuable expirience and skills to those who enters the profession? To my mind, courses for motivation and inspiration such as could play much better role, and this online project should only be used as an additional resourse.