Learning4Content/Workshops/eL4C47/Introductions

Wayne Mackintosh
I had the privilege of starting the WikiEducator project in February 2006 from a small desktop server based at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. Today WikiEducator is one of the world's fastest growing and most productive wikis in the formal education sector. It's great to see teachers around the world collaborating and sharing knowledge in this way. I have to say that WikiEducator has been the most rewarding project of my professional career as educator. If you want to find out a little more about my work in WikiEducator, feel free to visit my userpage. Recently, Otago Daily Times has published a short summary of WikiEducator. Welcome to our family and I'll see you in the wiki. --Wayne Mackintosh 22:39, 23 October 2010 (UTC)


 * Hello, Wayne. It's a pleasure (albeit sometimes less than more, given my steep learning curve) to join this project. Julie 22:08, 21 November 2010 (UTC)

Savitha Harish
Hi friends, Iam Savitha from the God's Own Country, Kerala, India.I am a teacher in Communicative English. I am so thrilled to meet ppl from different parts of the world through wiki neighborhood.Let us make eL4C47 workshop a memorable experience...


 * Hello Savitha -- I was introduced to Kerala whilst taking part in on-line facilitation with Sarah Stewart, and enjoyed meeting Sebastian Panakal. I was very moved by what teachers and students are achieving in Kerala and felt very fortunate to have my set up. I used to be a teacher in Academic English for people wanting to start a degree, it was a very steep learning curve for us all. I love meeting people from around the world. User:Jane Scripps


 * Hi Savitha -- we have many WikiEducators from the beautiful state of Kerala and yes lets make this a memorable experience! Wayne Mackintosh 05:04, 17 November 2010 (UTC)


 * hi savitha i feel its a great forum here to get connected to teachers from all parts of the planet.so "god's own country" and paradise mauritius have joined together. (user: Vishal Jhotty from Mauritius)

Hello Savitha!

''Im Reena Rajkomar from Mauritius. Im more than sure that this workshop will be a memorable one. And I think we are already on the right track in making it an unforgetable experience by making new friends, and right now, sharing our experiences and feelings with people around the world and whom we did not know a few days ago...this is the magic of networking! Thanks to wikieducator, we will share ideas, our knowledge and skills and learn new ones!! Reena Rajkomar --Reen.redrose 04:19, 21 November 2010 (UTC)''
 * Hi Savitha!The response we get is quite amazing.With this new found inspiration we have to take the initiative to do something great!Good Luck!User:Khrachss--Abdul 03:23, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Wajiihah Emambokus
Hello everyone! I am Wajiihah, an educator, from the Island of Mauritius. I am very lucky indeed to be able to participate in this workshop. I am sure that this experience will contribute a lot to my knowledge, and I will also get to know so many people from different countries! I was very keen to share my experience with others and I also hope that we will all enjoy "working" together!!


 * You're most welcome -- we have a growing community of educators from the small island nation in the Indian ocean --- I had the privilege of presenting a face-to-face wiki workshop at the University in Mauritius a few years ago. Great to see the Mauritian wiki community growing. Wayne Mackintosh 05:04, 17 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Hello Wajiihah, we seem to be a bunch of educators who enjoy meeting new people and have new experiences. I am from New Zealand and Have been working in tertiary or higher education for many years, on many different projects most recently setting Community Adult Education in a part of NZ that has many people with low incomes and poor literacy. User:Jane Scripps--Jane scripps 00:49, 21 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Hi Wajiihah!Great to join you on this platform.Lets go ahead and script a new chapter in collaboration by making this event a landmark get together that would bring us still greater dividends!Abdul-- 22:47, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Fardeen Khan
hELLO! I'm fardeen from the paradise island of Mauritius. I'm an educator,participating in such workshop is an opportunity for me to be actively involved in creating knowledge that will benefits students across the world. I will like to explore how educators can use wiki books and web quest when creating constructive learning environment on the web.Hope through mutual editing we'll improve our quality of ideas with global friendship...


 * I agree. Mauritius is the "paradise island" of the Indian ocean! We'll certainly help you establish global friendships with the WikiEducator family. --Wayne Mackintosh 05:18, 17 November 2010 (UTC)

Nivedita Gopaul
Hello EVERYONE,

I am from MAURITIUS, a peaceful and lovely island in the Indian Ocean. Well, am educator for the past 10 years in the primary section. I joined this forum to learn more about WIKIS and collaborative learning.

I wish to get more friends soon.


 * Hi Nivedita - -welcome to our wiki family --- you are free to learnnnn and have fun while doing this. Let's learn together! Wayne Mackintosh 05:19, 17 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Hello Nivedita. I joined for the same reasons you joined. I look forward to the chance to "talk" to people from places I will probably never have the chance to visit. Julie 22:07, 21 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Hi Nivedita!Its really pays to have so many teachers coming together on a platform like this.Hope Wikieducator would provide us a wonderful opportunity to further our career goals.Abdul-- 23:19, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Wendy Burton
Hello, fellow workshop participants. I am in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada. I teach adult education, and for many years I taught work place writing. I am the director of Teaching and Learning at the University of the Fraser Valley, and as part of this job I manage our online campus.


 * Welcome Wendy - a fellow Canadian! You live in a most beautiful part of the world - supernatural BC! We are delighted to have you onboard, and look forward to a dialogue about how WikiEducator can support your needs, and also sharing how Open Education Resources can help you achieve your goals too. Looking forward to your ideas and participation! - Randy Fisher 05:17, 17 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Hi Wendy -- I had the privilege of living in the beautiful province of BC for a few years. I was lucky enough to have a close family friend with a pilot's license and recall flying up the mighty Fraser Valley at 1500 feet -- Awesome! Welcome from New Zealand -- our spirits are connected through the Pacific ocean and we're here to help you achieve your objectives. Wayne Mackintosh 05:24, 17 November 2010 (UTC)

Malisha Hettiarachchi
Hi everyone, Im Malisha from the University of Auckland, New zealand. I decided to embark upon this " WikiEducator" journey following advise from my supervisor. So far, ive learnt alot! and i hope to continue learning.


 * Hello Malisha, a fellow New Zealand based person here. I live 2 hours up the road from you in Whangarei, you may know it. I used to work at AUT in Hospitality and Staff development. I have just finished an on-line course and have learnt so much it is hard to remember it all, but it is a wonderful experience. User: Jane Scripps


 * Hi Malisha, Nice to see you here! I moved your entry and did some formatting. You can go to the history page and look at what I changed to learn how to do it by comparing the versions where I did the changes and the prior one. You can also insert your signature on your postings by clicking on the signature icon at the top of the edit box. --Fabiana Kubke 01:32, 17 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Greetings Malisha - a very warm welcome to the University of Auckland. I have fond memories of the city campus of Auckland uni when I was directing eLearning at the University. You've come to the right place for an authentic and friendly learning experience! Wayne Mackintosh 05:26, 17 November 2010 (UTC)

Preeyamvada Chuttooar
Hello everyone, I am Ms Preeyamvada Chuttooar from Mauritius. I'm presently working as an educator in a secondary school here and i'm very glad to be part of this workshop. Looking forward to have a very instructive experience.


 * Hi Preeyamvada -- Wow another Mauritian :-) We have a WikiEducator community of practice burgeoning on paradise island! Wayne Mackintosh 05:28, 17 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Hi Preeyamvada!As Wayne put it, Maritians are burgeoning indeed! Good news!Lets give our claps to Wayne Mackintosh for providing us such a wonderful opportunity!-Abdul- 23:24, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Randy Fisher (aka WikiRandy)
My name is Randy Fisher - and it was way back in 2007 when I had a life-changing event, meeting Wayne Mackintosh and experiencing WikiEducator. I promptly changed my name to WikiRandy! I've been hooked on the possibilities of bringing open education resources into the mainstream, and engaging faculty and admin to use both the wiki as a production space, as well as OERs to achieve their goals and objectives. I have been intimately involved in facilitating the growth of WikiEducator. Currently, I serve as project manager for the Community College Consortium for Open Education Resources. A hall mark of WikiEducator is that we are a valuable community of support - if you have a question, concern or suggestion - please ask first, and don't hesitate to contact me. I'm here to help!


 * Hey WikiRandy -- great to be collaborating again on a WikiEducator L4C workshop! For those who don't know Randy, he has been with our family since the early days and his passion and skill for building and supporting communities that achieve results has been a major force in our international success. Randy leads by example --- he is WikiEducator's top editor with currently 27,800 edits!!!! Way to go Randy. Wayne Mackintosh 05:34, 17 November 2010 (UTC)

Reuben Cutfield
Greetings fellow academics. I am Reuben Cutfield, also from the University of Auckland. Looking forward to using wikis to work on my Neuroscience project over the summer within the Department of Anatomy and Radiology. Already I can see the professionalism and effectiveness of this course unfold. I am working alongside Malisha, who introduced herself earlier. Together we will be collaborating to optimize our collective research.


 * Greetings Reuben - Glad to have you with us. Yes, wikis, and our beloved WikiEducator can be a home for any discipline or topic area. (For example, take a look at Otago's course on Anatomy and Physiology of Animals. In terms of research, Australia has taken the lead in putting its DE Hub for Innovation in Distance Learning on WikiEducator. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals, and learning together! - Randy Fisher 20:54, 18 November 2010 (UTC)

Dave Ghidiu
I am an Instructional Designer at Monroe Community College in Rochester, NY, USA. This is only my eighth day of work, but I love it so far. I have a rich history in education and technology (I learned how to program BASIC before I could speak English, my native language). I am always looking for ways to enhance online learning opportunities, and WikiEducator looks to be an important tool for me to use. I'm excited for this workshop!


 * Hi Dave - Welcome! There's quite a complement of folks from Munroe CC - that's wonderful! Glad to have you onboard, and look forward to your insights and perspective on WikiEducator. This will help us in improving the course, but also supporting adoption within educational institutions, a desire shared by most, if not all in our young OER movement. I'm on GTalk and Skype as "wikirandy", so please don't hesitate to reach out, as we go forward - Randy Fisher 20:19, 18 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Hi Dave. I guess it's a big college and a small world. Welcome to MCC. I teach at DCC. Maybe we can meet in person someday! - Julie 22:09, 21 November 2010 (UTC)

Hullo Dave I am joining the course late but am thrilled to be here. I had to introduce myself to you because my son's name is Ruben! It is a great name and not very common here. Best wishes, enjoy the course! Natalie in Canada

Mary Lynn Manton
Hello everyone, I am (Mary Lynn Manton) from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Nice to meet you all. I coordinate a degree program called Informatics &amp; Security (IFS) at Seneca College in Toronto. I joined WikiEducator so that I could learn how to create and maintain wikis that are informative, educational and a destination of choice for the students and faculty in the IFS program. I look forward to getting to know you all.


 * Hi Mary Lynn - greetings from a fellow Canadian. I even lived in Toronto many moons ago, but now make my home in the nation's capital - Ottawa. Glad to have you on board with WikiEducator - you are right that wikis are an informative and educational means of connecting both students and faculty. I look forward to helping you succeed in this course, and beyond! - Randy Fisher 20:14, 18 November 2010 (UTC)

Sandy King
Hi! I'm Sandy King, and I'm an Associate Professor of Communications at Anne Arundel Community College. I also work for the Virtual Campus as the Coordinator of the Academy of Excellence. I would like to learn more about open course materials. Hi to you all.
 * Hi Sandy. I'm here to learn more about open course materials, too. I'm also interested in what the Academy of Excellence is, so I'll take a look at Anne Arundel's web page. -Julie 22:10, 21 November 2010 (UTC)

Jane Scripps
Hi I am from Whangarei, Northland New Zealand, the city of 100 beaches. I have always trained, educated or been educated and now I have my own company that will do that in 2 quite different ways. I look forward to being able to take Community Education through WikiEducator to an audience greater than I have been. I am on a huge growth trajectory and part of it has my good luck to be a student on On-line facilitation - through Otago Polytechnic with Sarah Stewart. If there is one course that was so worth while doing in the last 5 years, this was the one, this is my blog 5tomorrows.blogspot.com/. I love to share learning and I really like the WikiEducator place, its a heart place


 * Hi Jane - Welcome - and glad to make a few editing changes (in the wiki syntax) so that your paragraph is easier to read, and incorporates the links you have inserted. That's part of the wiki-way - we help each other - and by observing and learning about how we do that, your skills and comfort in using the wiki will improve. Looking forward to working with you! - Randy Fisher 20:22, 18 November 2010 (UTC)

Hello Jane!

Im Reena Rajkomar from Mauritius. I fully agree with you. Learning and sharing knowledge is really great and I am really looking forward to have and be part of an enriching experience through this workshop.--Reen.redrose 04:10, 21 November 2010 (UTC) Reena Rajkomar

Dianne Bloor
Hello all.

I am another Canadian living in Ottawa where it is a rainy November day... but am very thankful that what is coming down is not snow! I am new to wikis and looking forward to learning their potential for connecting people with like interests and for providing a forum where information and tools can be shared. I have worked with colleagues to develop a curriculum resource website-- but it is static-- exactly as I just heard described in the Common Craft video as "so 1990's"! I am looking forward to exploring this new tool with all of you.


 * Hi Dianne - I am intrigued by the "curriculum resource website" you are referring to - is it "open" or "closed" for others to view and/or use? I encourage you to think about it, particularly given open authoring approaches - and how an open approach might make the site more dynamic and less static! - Randy Fisher 00:55, 21 November 2010 (UTC)

Julie Damerell
Hello everyone! I teach at a community college in Rochester, New York, today a windy place. All of the courses I teach are develomental writing or reading courses. I tell my students that the course is a bridge from where they are now to where they are going. I'm trying this as professional training to find out what I can do with it AND because this training, unlike more others, came with a promise of half an hour or so whenever I could fit it in.


 * Julie - Glad to have you with us. You're right that this course is a "bridge". It is also a bridge between you and your students - to support them in trying new ways, tools and technologies. And, in learning from them as well - We have much to learn from each other, and together. - Randy Fisher 01:05, 21 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Randy, I was thinking of the course they have to take as the bridge, but you are right--this course is a bridge for me to cross. Many of my students know how to use a cell phone for more than making calls (I'm so far behind on that) but refuse (or can't) use email or the school website, so I'm stymied. How can I use open course content when using the computer is an obstacle? I know that's probably not the purpose of this, but it's a consideration for me. -Julie 22:11, 21 November 2010 (UTC)

Zaynah Toofany
Hello everyone.... I am Zaynah Toofany and I am from Mauritius. I work as educator. I have joined WikiEducator in order to enrich my skills and knowledge about wikis and also for online collaboration. I am very glad to join WikiEducator and I am sure this will be a very great experience.


 * Welcome Zaynah - it's great to have you with us, and learning the wiki-way! - Randy Fisher 01:03, 21 November 2010 (UTC)

Jacky Hood
My role is directing the College Open Textbooks Collaborative. I am a program manager for education and techology programs; my education is in engineering. I live in California in the USA. My husband and I enjoy classical music, hiking, and movies.


 * Jacky - Welcome to this version of the wiki skills training - a collaboration between WikiEducator and CCCOER. You'll notice from the participant list that we have a fair number of folks from Monroe CC and Anne Arundel CC. Let's see how we can support them, in using the wiki - as their experience can be shared with other community colleges, in the CCCOER family. And, oh yes - Jacky - you are so very humble - as you have been serving as director of CCCOER as well. Welcome aboard! - Randy Fisher 21:06, 18 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Randy, the last thing I am or want to be is humble! As for CCCOER, the Director role is very minor. The real leaders are the governing board: governing board

Gina Bennett
I am a faculty member in a very small community college in Canada. I coordinate distance learning for my college &amp; also assist with curriculum development &amp; program planning. I have participated in a number of curriculum development consultancies in overseas locations. Would LOVE to see Mauritius!


 * Gina - very small community college? The way I see it (and I'm sure Wayne will concur), your 'very small CC' has had a very Big role, in being one of the first institutions to provide educational materials to a young WikiEducator project. College of the Rockies leadership has put it in the big leagues of the OER movement. As well, I recall speaking with you about the possibilities for international travel and consultancy - it's great to see so many folks from Mauritius on this workshops - feel free to network away! - Randy Fisher 20:30, 18 November 2010 (UTC)

Hello Gina!

''Im Reena Rajkomar from Mauritius. It was nice reading about you. Just like you, I also work in a distance eductaion centre as ID and I would love to have an opportunity to share our experience and to learn more from you and other participants as well!''

Many thanks to Wikieducator for giving us the chance for such a huge and diverse networking!--Reen.redrose 03:58, 21 November 2010 (UTC) Reena Rajkomar

Hi Gina I have recently worked in a Teaching and Learning Center in a mid-sized eastern Ontario college as a curriculum consultant assisting with curriculum and new program development. It is great to connect with other curriculum junkies. Karen Hodgins

Stacey Lautenslager
Hi Everyone, I am an instructor at two community colleges in upstate New York. I teach a variety of business and computer related courses. I use an online learning management system in all my courses and am always seeking information on new technologies and how to incorporate these into my teaching. I am looking forward to learning about wikis.


 * Stacey - welcome aboard - the wiki way is about learning by doing - and as you work your way through this course, you'll observe, learn, reflect and share with your colleagues. So, the learning is as much about wikis, as it is about community participation. Looking forward to your feedback! - Randy Fisher 00:57, 21 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Hi Stacy. We hardly ever see each other on campus, so I'm glad for this chance to work with you. -Julie 22:12, 21 November 2010 (UTC)

Reena Rajkomar
Hi everyone!

Im Reena Rajkomar from Mauritius.

I am an Instructional Designer (paper-based) at the Centre for Professional Development and Lifelong Learning at the University of Mauritius since the last nine years. These years have been very enriching in terms of experience, knowledge and skills. However, it is the first time I am using a wiki (to participate, write and edit) and I look forward in learning more new and exciting things through this collaborative and constructive platform.

Vishal Jhotty
Hi everyone, am Vishal Jhotty, i am from Mauritius famous for its seas and beaches, peace and multicultural diversity. I am an educator in a primary school but graduate in language. Wikieducator is new to me and was surprised to see so many users connected. I hope i will learn much here.
 * Hi Vishal!Great to hear from the enchanting 'land of beaches and seas'!Hope that we could find common areas of collaboration and rejoice ourselves with this new found 'freedom'!Let's keep the flames of Wikied intact and spread the news so that teachers around the world could come together and work towards a wonderful tomorrow! User:Khrachss--Abdul 02:45, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Oodayechand Ramkhelawon
Hello everybody, I am Oodayechand Ramkhelawon ( Oodaye for short) from the mesmerising heavenly land of Mauritius. Iam presently assuming actingship to the post of Deputy Rector of a Private Secondary School. It fascinates me to be part of the wiki educator community and to be a participant of this workshop. As a matter of fact, I ma looking foward to being empowered in this technology domain and bring my share in the enhancement of education.
 * Hi Oodayechand Ramkhelawon.You are welcome.Lets go ahead and draw inspiration from wikieducator.Look forward to having further collaboration on this wiki.User: Khrachss--Abdul 22:27, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Rajcoomaree Ramkhelawon
Hi everyone! Glad to join you all in this very noble cause. Hats off to you Wayne for this laudable initiative! I hail from Fabulous Mauritius, the land of dodos, a tiny paradise island, the 'star and key of the Indian Ocean'. I am Rajcoomaree Ramkhelawon,Educator,teaching English language and literature in a private secondary school for the past thirty years. I am the wife of Oodayechand Ramkhelawon who is also a participant in this workshop,both new to this wonderful wiki world. Looking forward to knowing more about each other sharing our knowledge.

Abdul Khadar
I am a teacher from India.I am very happy to be here participating in the workshop and my BIG THANKS goes to Wayne Mackintosh User:Mackiwg for making this platform available for us.I am also grateful to Randy Fisher and a lot of other facilitators who work hard to keep the wiki going.I teach in a Higher secondary school in Kerala.I am quite excited about meeting new friends and sharing new ideas. - Abdul


 * Hi Abdul Vishal From Mauritius. so you another teacher from Kerala. Am Teacher too. This platform will surely help us to learn about different teaching pedagogy used in your country and also mine. Sharing of ideas will surely take place here.


 * Hi Abdul - glad to hear that you're active in the wiki - it's a great way to develop content, and connect with your peers. Keep up the good work! - Randy Fisher 01:01, 21 November 2010 (UTC)


 * Thank you so much Randy Fisher!I never imagined that I could ever get an opportunity like this one to collaborate and learn from such an array of great people.Quite unbelievable indeed!Look forward to getting in touch with you !--Abdul 03:17, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Kangwa Tembo
Hi there. This is an interesting forum. Thanks to the facilitators for giving up their time to educate others. Cheers!!

Jeetendra Prakash Murdan


I am from Mauritius, an island in the Indian Ocean.I do teaching in a girls school. I have taught to boys in the past.I have a background of Physics but I have ventured into Computer Engineering, Mathematics, Astronomy,Education and Technology. My favorite hobby is reading. Otherwise I am reading Educational Technology at the University of Mauritius and my participation in this workshop is an assignnment. I am also highly involved in community work. I like going to the seaside, jogging and sunbathing. --Jeetendra Prakash Murdan 19:04, 20 November 2010 (UTC)

User:Hodginskl
Hi Everyone. I'm late to start but delighted to join you. I am a retired college teacher and curriculum consultant. After retiring from an Ontarion college, I have continued working as a consultant. I am interested in connecting teachers and curriculum specilists using an electronic forum to share resources, research and to engage in some on line problem solving. My motivation for signing on was to learn more about the potential of a wiki. I think a wiki might be the answer and this forum gives me the opportunity to try it out.


 * Hi Hodginskl!Its really amazing to see many people joining in.Let's make this a wonderful event!Abdul-- 23:09, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Tolsy Subbaraya Pillai
Hi there.I'm manjula.I am from Mauritius.i am working as educator in a private school.I am sure i will learn a lot from this workshop and looking forward to learning about wikis. Nice meeting new friends. This will be a great experience for me. cheers


 * Hi Manjula!Its really heartening to see more teachers from Mauritius joining in.Stay tuned in and we can make it a wonderful event.User:Khrachss--Abdul 22:21, 23 November 2010 (UTC)

Lorah Gough
Hi, I am Lorah Gough, Director of the Instructional Media Center at Houston Community College, Texas, USA. I am obviously starting this class late and hope to catch up. I am not new to open educational resources, but am new to working with wikis. HCC is member of the CCCOER and Rice University's Connexions project. Many of us at HCC are trying to get OER into the classrooms as a replacement for the standard published textbooks. It is difficult to change a long time practice and try something new.

It is so interesting to be in a class with colleagues from all over the world. By the way, the Island of Mauritius does, in deed, look like paradise, but so does New Zealand and British Columbia. So, I wonder why I am in Texas?


 * Note from Jacky Hood -- Lorah, good to see you here. There are great places in Texas and the weather is better (at least in winter) than much of the world.

Abhisheksingh SUMMUN
Hello everyone, I am Abhisheksingh Summun and am presently working as an educator in the secondary sector.I have heard a lot about wikis and its time that I learn a lot from you guys also! Hope that this interactive and collaborative learning will be fruitful and enjoyable as well!

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