Nichols: Georges Detiveaux' VeTT

[Karen Nichols]

Schools K-20 in Texas and West Louisiana were experiencing the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey in early September of this year.  Many faculty were going to have to put their course content online for the first time.  Long-time POD member and past chair of the Teaching with Technology SIG, Georges Detiveaux, works in Houston and sent a callout to fellow PODsters to offer their services to these potential faculty members who may need assistance.

Georges created a Google form and within a few days over 400 volunteers had signed up!  Georges sent another callout thanking everyone and explaining that he had to expand the initiative.  He created the Hurricane Harvey Relief: Virtual eLearning Think Tank (VeTT) as a Google Group.  While this resource was being created, Hurricane Irma struck Florida, and then Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico.  Volunteers from around the nation and internationally posted resources as well as in what areas they would be able to help.  Some even posted entire online courses for others to use as open sources!

I commend Georges for organizing this tremendous resource, and am proud to have played a small part in contributing to resources for people in these devastated areas to access.  At the POD conference in Montréal, Georges told the TwT SIG that we ended up with over 600 volunteers.  Bravo Georges!

Karen N. Nichols, Ph.D. Distance Education Coordinator Center for Continuing Studies & Distance Education Office of Graduate Programs Xavier University of Louisiana o: (504) 520-7692 f: (504) 520-7896 a: 1 Drexel Drive, Box 250   New Orleans, LA 70125 w: www.xula.edu/ccsde e: knic...@xula.edu

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