Discussion thread: Introductions

Learning4Content
36th Online Workshop (March 22 to April 2, 2010)

Basic Wiki Skills and Collaborative Learning

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Discussion thread: Introductions

Instructions

Edit tab at the top of this page Make sure that you have an account on WikiEducator and that you are currently logged in. (Your WikiEducator username will appear as a link on the top right-hand area of your browser window. Click on the edit tab (towards the top of your browser screen), after finishing your edition, sign your edit by clicking on the or typing four tildes (~~~~) then click on the save button below your screen. You may also see help page on signatures. Click back to Wiki Discussions Menu here or on "Wiki Discussions" link located in navigation template above.

--Georgia 07:35, 23 March 2010 (UTC)

Gladys Gahona

I am a mexican private teacher. In 1981 I graduated in chemical engineering at Universidad Autónoma de Yucatán (UADY), in Mérida, Yucatán, México. In 2002 I graduated in Technology Management at UADY.

For over thirty years I have taught mathematics, physics and chemistry. Currently I own a small academy where I teach: AF Centro. I have been in touch with computer technology since 1980 and started navigating the Internet since the early 90's.

The knowledge I have gained in teaching/tutoring comes from my personal experiences and self-studies. I have also been a self learner in computing, web programing, ITC and web 2.0 platforms and tools. As a perseverant learner and passioned for challenges, I have spent thousands of hours seeking new ways to integrate personal learning experiences into my teaching activities. I have devoted my professional life to my two passions: teaching and learning.

I am currently involved in several wiki-activities: developing open educational resources, participating in workgroups, assisting and facilitating eL4C workshops, participating in discussion groups, promoting our community outside, assisting in learning design projects, etc. I am deeply proud and honoured to collaborate with a team of very experienced and enthusiastic WikiEducators. Please feel free to post your introduction and comments on the page.

You may also want to contact me via email or Skype

Nellie Deutsch

My name is Nellie (Muller) Deutsch. My formal educational background is varied but my informal studies are even more so. I have a BA in English literature and linguistics, an MA in education specializing in curriculum and technology, and have completed a doctoral program in educational leadership specializing in curriculum and instruction at the University of Phoenix online in 2009. I have been teaching English as a foreign language for over 30 years and integrating technology into the ESL/EFL classroom since the 1990s. I have been involved in international collaborative projects and WebQuests via Moodle for the past 5 years. My first website, Nellie's English Projects was an experiment that evolved from a WebQuest and started me off as a webmistress in the days of html before web 2.0 tools. I facilitate online (Blended and full) and face-to-face workshops on how to use Wikieducator as a collaborative tool to improve instruction and learning and conduct online workshops and conferences. I also moderate live online workshops for Electronic Village Online which is a project of TESOL's CALL Interest Section, storytelling and cultures, and integration of technology and web 2.0 tools into the classroom on IT4ALL on WiZiQ.

I am passionate about learning and am currently completing my doctoral studies in educational leadership specializing in curriculum,and instruction online at the University of Phoenix and writing my dissertation. I have researched blended learning] and instructor use of technology in higher education. In my spare time, I mentor educators on how to integrate web 2.0 tools for instruction and learning. I would like to see e-learning available and free worldwide.

I am interested in collaborative and engaged learning, social networking, philosophy, mindfulness meditation practice, the Alexander Technique, art, writing and poetry. I am looking forward to collaborating with other educators on the best ways to integrate technological tools in order to facilitate and improve instruction and learning.

Please feel free to contact me by email.

Juliet Larkin

Hi, I'm Juliet. I'm studying for a masters in science communication at Otago University, New Zealand. Prior to that I've been a journalist for 10 years and also worked in public relations. I'm interested in 'new media' and how it relates to journalism and communication. I'm doing this wiki workshop with my digital design class, and I hope to learn about wikis as I have no idea about how they work. --Jlarkin 06:56, 21 March 2010 (UTC)

Re: Welcome aboard Juliet. You will very soon know how helpful wikis are. --Gladys Gahona C. 13:58, 21 March 2010 (UTC)

Yvette Mohamed

Hi Everyone. I am a Lecturer at the Government Technical Institute and I facilitate an online programme at Institute of Distance and Continuing Education(IDCE) at the University of Guyana. I was introduced to wiki through IDCE and was a participant at the last wiki workshop (eL4C35). I found that course very intriguing, very challenging... It was very exploring...For me,I think this course will facilitate a clearer understanding of wiki and the development of basic wiki skills. --Yvette Mohamed 07:09, 22 March 2010 (UTC)

Re: Hello Yvette. Yes, it is a worthy and very rewarding challenge :-) --Gladys Gahona C. 15:42, 22 March 2010 (UTC)

Carina Bossu

I'm currently a Research Fellow in the Distance Education Hub (DEHub), University of New England, Australia. I have recently completed my PhD with the University of New England (December 2009) titled "Higher Distance Education in Brazil: Policies, Practices and Staff Development". I have taught face-to-face at higher educational, vocational and TAFE levels in Brazil. My areas of interest include: staff development, higher and distance education, educational change and policy development and OERs. My colleagues from DEHub have adopted wikieducator as one of our major vehicles for sharing information and communicating with our partners institutions in Australia. I'm doing this course because I would like to learn more about wikis and wikieducator, so I can get involved more effectively with the acitivites of my research centre and learn from and contribute to the wiki community in general.

Re: Hi Carina, Welcome to eL4C36. Glad to assist a DEHub member. --Gladys Gahona C. 16:25, 22 March 2010 (UTC)

Barbara Jackson

Hello. My name is Barbara Jackson. My background is in law, and I teach part time online, and I would like to lean more about wiki and become more involved in the world of wiki. I am from Canada, and I look forward to learning with my fellow learners here from around the world!

Re: Hi Barbara, wikis are excellent tools for collaborative learning. Welcome :-) --Gladys Gahona C. 16:27, 22 March 2010 (UTC)

VERBENA WILBURG

Hello all

I am Verbena, Spanish lecturer at the Cyril Potter College of Education, Guyana. I am really fascinated by web 2.0 tools and their capacity for enriching learning experiences.

By the end of this programme I expect to be able to handle wikis more efficiently and to use them as a platform for the creation of shared learning material.

Verbena--Kholekha 20:00, 22 March 2010 (UTC)

Re: Welcome aboard Verbena :-) --Gladys Gahona C. 14:39, 23 March 2010 (UTC)

David Cetina

I'm David Cetina, I'm volunteering for the NGO Community Empowerment Collective (CEC), my main goal to learn Wiki Editing is to help translating the development material written by PhD Phil Bartle, from English into Spanish. Eventually I would like to translate that material into Maya (an indigenuos language from the Yucatan Peninsula) but this is a long term goal.

I have been volunteering for CEC by two years, my main role is to coordinate the translators team for Japanese, Malay, and Korean languages. I'm very proud to be part of this community constructing Workshop.

You can contact me at this email

Re: Welcome aboard David, translating into Maya would be such a wonderful contribution! --Gladys Gahona C. 14:39, 23 March 2010 (UTC)

GEORGIA PSARRA

Hello,everyone! Greetings from Greece. My name is Georgia Psarra and I have been teaching English and German as foreign languages for 15 years. In the last six months I have been engaged in finding out and learning about Web 2.0 tools, e-learning and teaching on line. I am amazed with all the potentials provided and I think that both learners and teachers can gain a lot by using the numerous links and sites on the net. I have been quite busy attending workshops of using whiteboards,Web 2.0 tools, youtube, offering a course on the Net and moodle. Now, I am interested in learning more about wikis and how they can be used in teaching and learning. A bright new world has opened in front of me and I am willing to explore it. --Georgia 07:32, 23 March 2010 (UTC)

Re: How true is the proverb: By learning you will teach, by teaching you will learn... Welcome to this wonderful learning experience! --Gladys Gahona C. 14:39, 23 March 2010 (UTC)

Tero Toivanen

Hi! I'm a special education teacher working with children with autistic spectrum diagnosis in Kilonpuisto school, Espoo, Finland. I'm using social media tools in my teaching every day. I want to learn more about the possibilities of Wiki and how to use it in education. I want to great connections with educators and researchers who are interested in using new technologies and social media to help people learn and get a better world for all of us. --Teromakotero 15:04, 23 March 2010 (UTC)

Re: Hi Tero and welcome to eL4C36, wikis are excellent technological platforms, you will find a world of possibilities for collaboration! --Gladys Gahona C. 13:20, 25 March 2010 (UTC)

Jorge Vidals

Greetings to all from México, I am a Civil Engineer living in Monterrey, the third largest city in my country. I joined WikiEducator because I believe this is a good opportunity to help people with less experience, especially people who speak Spanish language. When I was a student I gave support to partners or students from other grades with science subjects as Mathematics and Phisics. I liked the experience and I love to teach people but I don´t have the knowledge in this area. I would like to learn more about this area for share my experience in a better way. I am coordinating el equipo de traducción (the translation team) in WikiEducator where we are helping to translate newbie tutorials into spanish language. I have enroled to this workshop for refresh my skills and learn how to make editions with Rich Text Editor. --Jorge Vidals 15:10, 23 March 2010 (UTC)

Re: Welcome back Jorge... you will love the Rich Text Editor :-) --Gladys Gahona C. 13:11, 25 March 2010 (UTC)

Sue Voice

Hi, Sue here. Joining the wiki world for the first time. I have a background in zoology/ecology/marine science. Since exiting the academic life I have worked as a Fisheries Observer, Pool Lifeguard, and Science Roadshow Presenter. Now I am returning to the academic world to embark in a Masters of Science Communication-Popularising Science. Can't wait to learn more and help others join in. Sue :-)

Re: You have surely come to the right place. Welcome aboard! --Gladys Gahona C. 13:08, 25 March 2010 (UTC)

Re: Hi Sue. welcome to WE. I am a Biologist & will be happy helping you here. Click on the [Category:Biologists] at the bottom of my userpage to get a list of other pages on the subject. Warm wishes --Gita Mathur 13:46, 25 March 2010 (UTC)

Bonita Hunter

I am a lecturer at the University of Guyana. I am also pursuing a masters in Business administration. I have joined Wikieducator because I want to be able to produce material that is innovative and unique. With this material I plan to help my students function a little better in the classroom. In addition I want to be able to collaborate and network with people who have similar interests.

I feel that as an educator, I will benefit significantly from the activities on this programme. --BAHAnn 22:29, 23 March 2010 (UTC)Bonita

Re: Hello Bonita. Wikis are excellent Web 2.0 tools for teching/learning... Enjoy the workshop :-) --Gladys Gahona C. 13:05, 25 March 2010 (UTC)

Sue Odlin

Kia ora. I have a background in teaching (special and remedial education in England), community work and art. My teaching qusalification is in geography and art (3D) with a Dip Adv Studies in Ed (Univ of Lancaster), BDes (Visual Art) Christchurch Poly and I'm now studying a Master of Science Communication at Otago. This is how I arrived in your workshop. My interests include bird watching, photography and automata.

Ibrahim Oyekanmi

Hi All,

I am Ibrahim from Nigeria.

Sorry i came in late. But i think it is better late than never.

I attended the last workshop and i really gained alot, thats why i am here again to add and share more knowledge.

I wish you all a fruitful training session. Ibrahim Oyekanmi

Brad Thomas

Hi everybody. I'm Brad Thomas, I am a team leader at the Correspondence School in Auckland, New Zealand, teaching Media Studies. I am looking forward to learning more about using wikis for our distance students.--TeKuraBrad 03:57, 7 April 2010 (UTC)

Diane Wright

I am presently working at Wichita Area Technical College in Kansas with a team of dynamic teachers learning how to integrate media into the curriculum. When I saw this course, I thought this would be an excellent opportunity for us to learn how to use wikis. I've encouraged our teachers to enroll in the course. We're looking forward to working with each of you.

V.Anitha Devi

This is my second time at Wikieducator. I work at VIT. While honing my skills I would like to share and create workshops on planning lessons for synchronous classes and how to be an effective facilitator in the Language Lab.--Anitha Devi 17:29, 30 March 2010 (UTC)