Although in July teachers in Brazil enjoy a month of winter holidays, there is work ahead. From 8th to 11the July, I will be attending the Braz-Tesol National Convention, both as a presenter (Networking the network) and the coordinator of the newly created EduTech SIG.
Leo van Lier from the Monterey Institute of the International Studies has accepted to launch our first event at the pre-convention on Saturday and some colleagues will share their experience in integrating ICT in class. I would also like to discuss on this opportunity if and how adopting new technologies can make us better reflect on and understand the learning process and also help us and our learners develop our voice, autonomy and social involvement.
Then from July 13th to 14th, I have enrolled for the Winter School on Critical Literacy which will also take place in Brasilia right after the convention. The objective is
- to train a group of catalisers
- to create a space for projects to emerge within the community
- to provide the technical, theoretical and practical support for practitioners who want to work in this area.
I have not yet received word from IATEFL Chile whether they will be accepting my proposal ( International Collaboration Online) and sponsor my trip. If this is the case, I will be in Santiago from Tuesday 18th to Wednesday 19th July.
Now…this is only possible because it is holiday time so I am investing my own time travelling and paying for my expenses. It is not easy for a secondary school teacher to keep updated and develop professionally. High schools boards not only do not have a budget for this but also have the general belief that teachers have nothing to say.
Instead of having time (and being paid for it) to share information with peers and being allowed to choose what you feel like learning, you are there to control a classroom and be grateful for receiving occasional enlightement from inspectors or trainers during inefficient workshops removed from your practice and reality. More on this later.
