AVWE announces board, seeks volunteers

Press release: The Association for Virtual World Educators Announces Board of Directors

The Association of Virtual World Educators, Inc., a non-profit corporation for the promotion of virtual worlds technology in K-12 instruction, has announced an international Board of Directors to oversee strategic goals and plans.

The directors of the newly formed non-profit are:

Dierk Brunner, CEO, Dreamland Metaverse (Switzerland)
Dr. Tim Clark, Coordinator of Instructional Technology, Forsyth County Schools (USA)
James Corbett, CEO, Mission V (Ireland)
Dr. Timothy Jones, Principal, Marietta Middle School (USA).
Dr. Jacqueline Leeper, Associate Professor, University of North Georgia (USA)
Lori McCoy, Director of Technology Services, Pioneer Regional Educational Service Agency (USA)
Steve Mashburn, President/CEO of the Virtual World Educators Association (USA)
Dan Nelson, AOL Kids and Parental Controls, AOL (USA)
Dr. Lissa Pijanowski, CEO and Chief Learning Officer, Innovate 2 Educate (USA)

The association is now seeking volunteers for the Executive Staff who will oversee the operational side of the enterprise. Parties interested in the position below are asked to email a letter of introduction and a resume to Steve Mashburn at stevemashburn@avwe.org

Chief Operations Officer – will oversee the membership of the association and will work with the CEO and Board of Directors to formulate a solid membership growth plan, to ensure that operations run effectively. In addition, the COO sits on Board of Directors ex officio.

Chief Financial Officer – will oversee the finances of the association and will work with the CEO and Board of Directors to ensure formulate a solid financial plan and to ensure the solvency of the association. In addition, the CFO sits on the Board of Directors ex officio.

Editor-in-Chief of the Association of Virtual World Educators Journal – The Journal will publish peer-reviewed articles on all aspects of the design and use of virtual worlds teaching and learning in grades K-12. This is a scholarly journal and requires an editor with appropriate credentials and experience in academia.

Executive Director of the AVWE Congress – The AVWE Congress is an in-world conference with workshops, speakers and informational sessions. The first AVWE Congress will be held in January of 2014 and we seek to make it the most comprehensive annual meeting place for K12 virtual world education. Candidates with in-world or real world experience in conference planning and management would be most welcomed.

Executive Director of NOBLE Development – NOBLE Learning Adventures are turn-key instructional units for the delivery of instruction though virtual worlds technology. The director will oversee the NOBLE Adventure Teams which will consist of a project coordinator, a curriculum specialist and an in-world developer. Experience in curriculum development and in instructional technology is most desired.

Executive Director of NOBLE World – The NOBLE World will be an independent virtual world on the OSgrid for the use of students and teachers so that they have access to an OpenSim virtual world after school hours. The director will be responsible for all aspects of the NOBLE World including accounts and all backend management. Some degree of technical savvy is need for this position.

Executive Director of NOBLE Academy – NOBLE Academy will be an online school based upon virtual worlds technology rather than a learning management system (LMS). Although much development of instructional units will need to occur before such a school can commence operations, it is important that a planning committee be formed to explore the available options (including the possibility of applying for local or state charter schools status). Experience in school administration, virtual school start-up or charter school application is desired.

Executive Editor of NOBLE Teacher – NOBLE Teacher is an online publication that supports k12 educators in the delivery of the curriculum through virtual worlds technology. Published 3 times a year, the NOBLE Teacher presents articles that are hands-on, practical and easy to read. An ideal candidate would (1) love to blog and edit using Word Press, (2) stays up-to-date on educational technology trends and (3) can give a distinct style and voice to the publication.

The Association will conduct a major membership drive in January.