Affiliate News - 04/10/2020 (Plain Text Version)
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ETAI, ETAI HACKATHON, KEY THEME - ORGANIZATION EVOLUTION V.S.Jakar, ETAI, Jerusalem, Israel
As you read this account, you may recognize the types of events or circumstances that you have experienced in your own organization. When grassroots initiatives develop into successful enterprises, they not only flourish, they change. The changes are influenced – or even caused – by the environment, the climate, the conditions under which they exist, and, most importantly, the people who are involved. Where ETAI (English Teachers’ Association, Israel) is concerned, this long-time TESOL affiliate has gone through a number of cycles of growth, development, climate change…., and set-backs. Such is life! Early Days In the 70s, a group of university teachers of English for Academic Purposes had got together to form an association that came to be known as ISRATESOL. It was an early affiliate of TESOL International. They met periodically at one of the (then) five universities to discuss current TESOL issues and usually to hear from a guest speaker about ESOL or educational linguistics. Sound familiar? A few years later, ETAI began - with much help, encouragement, and sponsorship from the British Council - as a small band of school teachers, from Elementary through to High Schools, getting together to form their own Association. The early committee consisted of three or four teachers, a university professor, the chief inspector (Ministry of Education) for English studies, and some volunteer teacher-mentors, plus an adviser (known then as an English Language Officer) representing the British Council. In the 80s, ETAI meetings were held in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa and Beer Sheva (the main four urban areas of the country). These local meetings, organized by volunteers, took place on school premises, after school time (4.30 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.), usually consisting of a presentation or lecture, given by a volunteer speaker, followed by discussion, or a workshop on a related topic. This format must sound familiar, too! ETAI’s Vital Role For many years, there were very few professional development opportunities offered by the authorities (Ministry of Education). It was at ETAI that teachers got to learn more about popular issues in ESOL, about methodologies, and about the course-textbooks that were being prepared for use in the public sector. A popular local ETAI event was the ‘Textbook Fest,” where teachers were invited to bring along and present a (favorite) textbook that they were using currently. They selected which group to join (e.g., high school upper level) according to their teaching goals, and in an unthreatening, group atmosphere they discussed the pros and cons of their chosen books, offering their recommendations and reservations. The culminating plenum and feedback sessions were enjoyed and valued. Reports on these events were made available locally or appeared in the ‘ETAI Forum’ - the Newsletter, which had by then become well established as one of the benefits of ETAI membership. My Friends! How You’ve Grown The ETAI committee grew, incorporating members from various regions and educational authorities. Thus, the membership was multicultural and became increasingly multiethnic and multilingual. The common denominator was that every member (and non-member conference attendee) was a teacher of EFL. That continues until today. ETAI received a great deal of support from the British Council in terms of guidance, resources, mentoring, professional development opportunities, guest speakers of renown, and organizational expertise. Membership drives were instituted, and Annual National Conferences were organized, bringing members – and prospective members - together for full-day (and later, two- and three-day) events. They were held in the summer, in Jerusalem (coolest place, climate-wise) at, initially, large schools. They featured guest speakers, regular presentations, and longer workshops, with input from the Ministry of Education representatives. Again, familiar format, folks?? After a few years, ETAI joined forces with IsraTESOL , thus becoming part of the TESOL ‘family.’ This enabled ETAI to benefit from the TESOL awards which included bringing guest speakers of repute as plenary speakers to International Conferences that were held every few years.n The Conferences, Through the Years At the Annual National (and International) Conferences, there were the ‘usual’ presentations given by teachers on Best Lesson Plans, Teaching Grammar, Games in the Classroom, and the like, plus sessions on innovations in the classroom, on culturally related topics, on innovations in technology - i.e., the beginnings of Computer Assisted Language Learning and Teaching - and of course English Literature. Theoretical topics, such as Second Language Acquisition, Communicative Competence, and then , Multiple Intelligences and Multicultural Education, were addressed, often by local university professors who gave their services voluntarily. It was due to these types of sessions that our ‘Peace Studies,’ ‘Peacebuilding’ events, and ‘Mutual Understanding’ groups were formed. Other types of events at the conferences included workshops on a variety of (then) current methodologies and practice, discussion sessions, presentation of textbooks, and experiential activities where participants were encouraged to come together to hammer out policies and ideas that they wanted to see promoted in the education system. Books and Materials Local publishers had flourished in the late 80s, so gave increasing support to ETAI. The Book and Materials Exhibition at each conference became an increasingly important draw. There were publishers’ presentations, which formed a considerable part of some of the local and national conferences. The publishers had begun creating course textbooks for the schools program, which was mandated for compulsory English (EFL) classes from Grade 5 onwards (until matriculation in Grade 12)*. Thus, when an ETAI meeting took place, publishers would display their wares, and, where the opportunity presented itself, demonstrate the use of the materials. They began sponsoring events, entertainment, and refreshments at the conferences, making it special for all! Sound familiar? Professional Development Courses Become Mandatory In the 90s, with the advent of the Ministry of Education Professional Development programs, and the establishment of Teachers’ Centers in the main cities, the role of ETAI became less significant. Professional development sessions and courses had become mandatory, so certain types of ETAI events became less attractive. Online learning programs for ESOL teachers were introduced by both the American Center (under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State) and the British Council. Recently, a system of ‘Professional Learning Communities’ for teachers of EFL has become part of the professional development program of the Ministry of Education English Language Studies Department, adding yet another element to the ‘reduction process’ of ETAI’s functions. However, being aware of the value of a voluntary professional association, the current education authorities now recognize certain ETAI events and sessions (including local ‘mini’ conferences which serve outlying areas ) as possible credit-bearing sessions. This has brought new impetus to the planning committee’s program. And this is where the Hackathon** comes in! In the spirit of innovation and development, some committee members came up with a different format for some ETAI events. They scheduled four meetings, in locales which are on the periphery of urban areas, but nevertheless accessible. Wanting to find out more about this pilot venture, we asked Mitzi Gefen, current Chair of the ETAI committee: VSJ: “So what’s a Hackathon, ETAI -style?” Mitzi: It’s an event where many teachers work together to come up with solutions to a pedagogical challenge. VSJ: What is the goal of ETAI’s vocabulary hackathon? Mitzi: To create a bank of lesson plans, games, and engaging activities whose goal it is to teach and practice vocabulary effectively. VSJ: What will we ETAI members do? Mitzi: We will collaborate in teams to create these plans and games and activities, we’ll share feedback, and create a document so that all participants will leave with a set of ready-to-use plans for the classroom. We’ll get prizes and goodies. We will shmooze, eat, laugh, share, create, and generally have a great time together - a new and exciting conference experience! VSJ: Who will come? Mitzi: You!! Teachers of all levels – elementary, junior high, and high school. The Reports Are in! We have now had four events. The leaders of the sessions were delighted with the outcomes and the feedback following all four of the Hackathon sessions. Format for future Hackathons may be adjusted. This is particularly significant regarding the need for a lead-in or trigger presentation, which will spur on the participants or inspire them to delve further into their topic. The element of competition is a tricky one, and the whole issue of assessment can be a Hackathon unto itself. But the spirit of adventure is there, and the achievement of a group venture gives credence to the belief that ETAI, a voluntary professional organization, has a place and a role in our current educational world. Yes. Things have changed, needs have changed, but the communion of like minds, and the stimulating encounters that members have experienced, are evidence that belonging to a professional Association such as ETAI benefits all, teachers and students alike. For more information, contact Bridget Schvarcz at bridget.schvarcz@gmail.com *Policy dictated that only Ministry Approved Textbooks could be used for class courses. **‘Hacking’, these days, means exploratory programming; ‘Marathon’ is a strenuous race, often long and arduous. So a Hackathon is a competition, but it is cooperative or collaborative in its venture. See https://apiumhub.com/tech-blog-barcelona/what-is-a-hackathon/ for further information. Valerie S. Jakar, Ph.D., is a veteran member of ETAI, joining the Association shortly after she arrived in Jerusalem from London, England. She served on other ETAI committees for many years, in a range of capacities, but was most active as Conference Convenor, for several local and three International Conferences. Contact Dr. Jakar to share other ideas, memories of past events, and, perhaps, some innovations or adaptations that will contribute to sustaining our organizations. vsjakar@gmail.com |
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