Social Networking 2009 Online Conference: a big success!
Closing Words for this Conference
"I am very happy with the success of this Conference. Not only we were very delighted to have our guest speakers who made this Virtual Event a special and unique one, but we also had forum sessions that were quite attractive and lively on very interesting topics. I hope you leave this Virtual Conference with the idea that we are connected to the world and that we want to maintain the channel open to learn together how to integrate technology into our language classrooms.
I would especially thank all our guest speakers and everybody who gave so much of their time and their capabilities to organize the conference: AVEALMEC and ARCALL members, moderators and the technical supporting team.
We are delighted that there have been 672 participants from all continents registered in the Social Networking: Thriving as a community of practice Virtual Conference forums in Moodle. During the twelve online presentations , several key concepts have been shared and conversations are still carrying on in our Forums."
Jennifer Verschoor
President of ARCALL
"Among the concepts that Jennifer mentioned, Etienne Wenger challenges us by introducing a key concept that will certainly help us understand the role that teachers need to play in the use of ICT for learning purposes and how technology needs to meet the communities of practice needs and his members and become “technology stewards”, eager to try new technologies and to inspire our learners to be part of our communities of practice, playing a supportive, gentle and yet mentoring role. As Vance Stevens said in his e-talk, “knowledge dissimenates through communities and networks”. So, let´s put our 2 cents in our communities! Soon we´ll see many cents coming and going!
I would also want to quote George Siemens when he said “the limits we´ve known in the past are no longer limits” and that´s true. If that weren´t so, we wouldn´t have spent 4 wonderful days with prominent presenters like the ones we had, who agreed to share their experience and knowledge with us on a voluntary basis. In spite of budget restrictions, timing and geographical differences, we were brought here together with a common interest, with a common goal: to help each other grow by making connections and through activating knowledge.
Finally, I would like to finish with a combination of Nik and Nicky Hockly`s talk “Teachers are like sharks. If they don´t move forward, they die.” Let`s keep moving in this wired and socially connected world."
Teadira Pérez
President of AVEALMEC
President of AVEALMEC
Posted on 08 Nov 2009 by Teadira
