Week 4 – Nov. 9 - 15

Activities

1. Visit at least two other EVO YGs or sites (listed here or at Your Sessions 2010) and write up a short critique/analysis of one or more of these future sessions and send it in an e-mail to our EVO Moderators group.  You might include:

• How does the front page appeal to you? Any improvements you might suggest?
• Is there a syllabus in the FILES area in YGs (or elsewhere for different venues)? Is it easy to access (both downloadable and html)?
• Does the work seem manageable in a 6-week span (considering group members are volunteers and may be working fulltime), including time for introductions and evaluation at the end?
• How have moderator(s) provided for interactivity during the course? Are other advanced features incorporated that will encourage participation?
• What kinds of LINKS are there? Are they all working? Will these be useful?
• Generally, what's the best part? And what needs the most improvement in the coming weeks before courses start?

2. Respond in our EVO Moderators group to comments from other Moderators about your session's outline.  Also share your thoughts on how your session has progressed so far. Things you might include--and these may help others or get you some needed advice:

• Your accomplishments in getting your session ready
• Your frustrations with setting up a Yahoo Group (or other) or getting anything else ready
• Any strengths and/or weaknesses of what you've prepared, but especially with reference to the criteria for interactive learning we have been discussing in the previous weeks
• Any questions the rest of the moderators and coordinators can help you with

Old hands, especially, are invited to contribute to this discussion--we need your wisdom!

3. Experiment with some of the advanced features of YG (Polls, Calendar, and Database) or in your chosen venue, as these can be especially useful in keeping your group going strong. Be sure to share any questions or concerns with your mentor(s). Other venues have similar or different features, so be sure to try them out.

4. Join us for Chat #2. We will have access to a fully featured web conferencing platform this week at the Webheads' Virtual Office in LearningTimes using  Elluminate. To participate in voice chat, you will need a headset with mic, preferably usb and not wireless (both Mac and PC users--built-ins cause feedback). Go to the Elluminate site to test out your equipment and complete Steps 1 and 2.   If you don´t have Java on your computer, you will be prompted to install it.

We will use Skype or YM as back channels in Week 4. Please make sue you have added the moderators for Week 4 to your contact lists. 

***  To enter the web conferencing room, you must first join LearningTimes (free). After receiving e-mail confirmation from LT, proceed to the Webheads' Virtual Office and enter using the large green button.

If this is the first time you are joining the Webheads' Virtual Office, please do all of the above well in advance of the chat you will be attending as it does take time.

We look forward to meeting you in Chat#2.

After experimenting with the room, you can be given moderator privileges to use the room on your own. However, your Mentor will need to help you schedule your chat times and will probably assist you in your session.

Chat 2

Recommended additional reading 

18 Ways to Engage Online Users

TESOL Electronic Village Online (EVO)

A Project of TESOL's CALL Interest Section