This document discusses online communities of practice (CoPs) and describes the Webheads in Action CoP specifically. The Webheads in Action CoP aims to help teachers develop skills for using information and communication technologies (ICT) in language learning. Members participate in a free six-week online workshop each January where they can learn collaboration tools, create materials like blogs and podcasts, and connect with other teachers around the world. Joining provides opportunities to build knowledge, participate in ICT projects, and apply new skills in a professional context.

1. Becoming a Tech Teacher Through an Online Community of Practice Cristina Costa & Ramona Dietrich APPI Seminar – “All Together Now!” Évora, 2 1 October 2006

2. Communities of Practice Group of People Interests / Common Goals Interaction / Communication Share Ideas and Experiences Build Knowledge Ongoing Professional Development

3. Communities of Practice (CoP) CoP: Organized around concrete objectives; Motivated by professional/personal interests; Aim at the improvement and/or acquisition of new competencies through shared practice; Construct new paradigms in explored area; Stimulate new practices. Collaborative Learning

4. Communities of Practice Use ICT to teach/learn about ICT

5. Webheads in Action Online Community of Practice Primarily for efl teachers ICT for language learning Global presence Offer a 6 week online workshop every January

6. Webheads in Action Goal Develop knowledge to enable the efficient use of ICT in learning environments. Learning process/path Progressive; Extended in time; Reflection of joint enterprise (online); Exchange of experiences and knowledge about the best ways to introduce ICT in EFL/ESL teaching/learning.

7. Webheads in Action Results Build new knowledge and practices; Participate in ICT projects; Develop projects collaboratively; Apply what we learn in our professional context; Share results; Report practices; Connect with a coherent group. Webheads in Action

8. Examples Blogs Wikis Podcasts

9. Challenge Join this Community of Practice – The Webheads in Action

10. You too can … Attend a free online 6-week hands-on course (Jan – Feb); Learn to collaborate online (through emailing lists); Explore synchronous and asynchronous communication tools; Create blogs, webpages, podcasts and wikis; Experiment with virtual classrooms and voice mail; Develop class materials for online use; Build relationships with teachers from all over the world.

11. To become a Webhead… Join the group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/evonline2002_webheads/

12. For more info… Cristina Costa Email : [email_address] Site : http://virtual-waters.tripod.com Ramona Dietrich Email : [email_address] Site : http://afterclass.tripod.com APPI Seminar, Évora, October, 2006

13. Join Now!