The 2009 Surfaquarium Top Online Educator Awards ~ Recognizing Our Colleagues Who Are Making A Difference!

Nominations are now being accepted through Saturday, May 22, 2009 to honor this school year's Top Online Educators.

This recognition is intended to be from educators to the best and brightest among us online. I am seeking out innovators who have done on outstanding job of furthering education online, through instructional web sites, student-centered online projects, or through the online publication of work that advances the profession in a significant way. You can view past year's honorees athttp://surfaquarium.com/TOE/

Not sure who may qualify? Consider these 2008 honorees:

Darren Draper - http://openpd.wikispaces.com/
Technology Specialist
Jordan School District Sandy, Utah

Darren Draper has started Open Professional Development or Open PD. He is teaching social software by using social software tools, such as wikis, blogs, rss, and Google Docs. He teaches a traditional PD course at his school while also broadcasting the class on U Stream complete with a chat room while co-teacher, Robin Ellis, and other online participants Skype in to join the class discussion. I joined in during the second session. It met once a week for 5 weeks. Next week I'll continue my learning with session 3. It's been a very beneficial class and it's free. It's designed for newbies but all are welcome and the teachers experienced with web2.0 tools add a great dimension to the class. I feel Darren is doing a great job to improve professional development of teachers. Be sure to check out his video explaining Open PD on his drapestakes blog.

John Pederson - http://www.ijohnpederson.com/
Instructional Technology and Curriculum Coordinator
Cooperative Educational Service Agency #3 Fennimore, Wisconsin

John is truly passionate about assisting teachers and students to find the right curriculum and online technology tools to facilitate the learning process. Students and teachers are extremly motivated and engaged with John's educational technology guidance as a whole. Educators, students and myself (as a Technology Director) have personally made comments reflecting on John's teaching practices, that have made lasting impressions with the importance of life long and self directed learning as a key element to improve educational system. John has truly placed himself in an area for the most potential- making lasting positive impacts with students, teachers and colleagues!

Fernanda Rodrigues - http://www.prof2000.pt/users/mfr/
EFL Teacher
Escola Secundria de Sebastio da Gama Setubal, Portugal

Fernanda is an extremely efficient online Educator. She has taught many EFL teachers how to use new technologies/technological tools as a means of facilitating communication not just in class but through the Internet. She keeps updated and likes to share her knowledge with other people. I learned very much with Fernanda, whom I do not know personally but that does not prevent me from admiring her work and dedication. She is a good user of such technologies and contributes to the implementation of ICT in Language teaching thus fostering her students' development of a deep sense of belonging.

Eric White - http://www.blogsandbooks.com
English Teacher
Lakeland Regional High School Wanaque, New Jersey

Our English Department is fortunate to have Eric White as a member. Eric is enthusiastic in his teaching and has integrated technology into his teaching on a daily basis by incorporating blogging with his students. Eric epitomizes the new professional in the education field. His exciting method of teaching English with the added features of technology has brought new energy to our high school. Not only is Eric satisfied with using technology in his classroom he has generously offered to train our staff on the advantages and use of blogs in their classrooms. Erics expertise in blogging has evolved into a business site; however Eric offers his services and the use of his site free to the Lakeland district. District wide Eric has conducted workshops on blogging and offers his time and knowledge to help individual teachers experience the benefit of blogging with their students.

Get the idea?

Please submit your nomination of a colleague who truly personifies the spirit of this honor at http://surfaquarium.com/TOE/nomination.htm

If you can not use the online form, feel free to email your nomination to walter@surfaquarium.com including:

-the full name, title and email address of your nominee

-the URL(s) for which they are responsible, and

-the ways in which their work has made a difference Looking forward to receiving your nominations!