Introduction to the ERWC Online Community
- What is the ERWC Online Community?
- Why did the ERWC Task Force set up this online community?
- Who can access the ERWC Online Community?
- Why is this site password protected?
- What should I do if I forget my password?
- How often should I log into the community?
1. What is the ERWC Online Community?
This website is designed to be a resource for teachers who are using the ERWC course materials. Here you can find new handouts and assignments, new modules that have been developed and approved, information about events and training activities, and discussion boards where you can ask questions, make comments, seek help, and help others.
2. Why did the ERWC Task Force set up this online community?
The ERWC Task Force started out with a “Training of Trainers” model for getting the materials into the hands of teachers and training them in their use. As efficient as this model can be, there was no way that the limited number of events we could run could reach all of the teachers we needed to reach. We needed more contact with more teachers.
When the ERWC materials got into the hands of creative and innovative teachers, a lot of handouts, alternative assignments and other materials were developed that would be useful to other teachers. This is a continuous ongoing process. We needed a way to distribute these across the state.
As teachers develop experience and expertise with the ERWC materials and approach, they can share their insights with newcomers to the community. In this community, a teacher in San Diego can discuss how to teach a particular module with a teacher in Humboldt, at the other end of the state.
3. Who can access the ERWC Online Community?
The ERWC Online Community includes 12th Grade Expository Reading and Writing Task Force members, trainers, and teachers who have been to at least one series of training meetings and are using the ERWC course materials in their classes.
4. Why is this site password protected?
The ERWC Task Force felt that the discussion boards would be most useful if participation was limited to teachers who have had some training and experience with the materials.
5. What should I do if I forget my password?
On the site login page there is a link that says “I forgot my password”. Simply click this link and enter your e-mail address. A new username and password will be e-mailed to you.
6. How often should I log into the community?
Please feel free to log into the site as often as you’d like. Most teachers will choose to visit the site once or twice a week to stay up-to-date with the latest activities related to the ERWC. In the spirit of the community, your role will often change when visiting the site. You may have something to add to the community (e.g. sharing best practices, asking a question), you may need something from the site (e.g. an updated copy of the assignment template, a link to a related English site), or you may simply choose to log into the site to browse through the online conversations. All of these usage models are welcome.
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