Members Write ...

Carolyn Louper-Morris wants to generate discussion

The focus of Carolyn's recent message deserves to be turned towards her fellow members of WAOE.  There are several opportunities within the organisation for taking up the questions she raises.  There's at least two relevant sub-groups - the Online Educator Development Committee (note that Sholom Gold is now the Convenor) and the Education Standards Online Course and Resource Evaluation Workgroup (OCREW), each of which maintains a forum (and has an archive) on the WAOE Bulletin Board, and there's WAOE-Views, of course - our unmoderated listserve for free general discussion.  But don't wait for Carolyn to post her reflections to one or other of these venues.  Get in now with your own thoughts on such vital subjects as quality control of self-directed study products, evaluating Websites, teacher training for online education, and so on.  BTW, Carolyn's background features in this issue's Member's Profile.

I also hope to be very involved in the organization this year.  I am teaching a course for PhD's and we are offering an Internet Education course for K-12 teachers and the question of proper training, curriculum and vision for education in Y3K is always on my mind.  More specifically, the issue of self-directed study and products that are best suited for that are of major interest.  Lastly, we have so many sites that need to be looked at and rated properly.  It would be so helpful to teachers.

Is there anyway for me to help generate discussions around these and other issues?   I would love to have some of those issues discussed and have my students and customers join WAOE.  As you can see, I'm very busy thinking about a range of issues ... until next time.

Mary Ellen Nourse needs your input ...

Mary Ellen Nourse wrote to WAOE-Views seeking information just after the publication of WEB for January 2000.  Her data-collecting exercise is still running, so it's worth repeating her call for details of organisations which conduct online events.  Needless to say, we'd like to publish her findings in WEB, in due course!

Hello, WAOE-Viewers
Have any of you presented papers at an academic conference held online?  I'm compiling a list of academic professional organizations,
universities, and colleges which hold online conventions and/or conferences.  Input from WAOE members will be appreciated very much!