Technology learning curve

Hello Everyone and Good Morning!

Well, we had our first Question and Answer call yesterday, and I know some of you encountered technology challenges trying to call in. The best thing for all of us to do is to remember that this is a learning process, and to keep a good sense of humor! Some of us are not used to using Skype, and many of us are struggling against unreliable internet access amongst other technology challenges. This is completely normal and all part of the process of this training. By the end of VOF, you will all be experts in how to use Skype and other online programs to connect with one another!

There are just a few things I'd like to go over about the program, to ensure that we are all on the same page (understanding). This may be repeat information for some of you, but I am just making sure! And remember, if at any time you have questions about what I am writing below, please ask me or Scott.

Main Points:

1-By now, you should have read through the Correspondent Welcome Manual that we sent to you when you were selected. This manual tells you everything you need to know to successfully participate in the program. You can find it located on the main page for this group at the bottom.

2-All of the learning materials and the assignments for the program are located in the online classroom: http://www.worldpulse.com/pulsewire/programs/voices-of-our-future-2010-c.... This classroom is very similar to the online classroom for the application process!

3-Question and Answer Calls: these one-hour long calls are meant to give you the opportunity to ask our program partners (Cristi Hegranes and Daniell Warren) questions about the citizen journalism learning materials. When you participate in the calls, you should have already read through all of the learning materials for that module (for example, you should have read through Module 1 learning materials and assignment for this week's calls). During these calls, our program partner will briefly go over the materials and then at the end, you can ask questions about them or the assignment. You can also ask Scott or I about the learning materials on social media during these calls.

Cristi Hegranes is helping us teach 3 of the 4 learning modules for this program. She is available to help you at any time with your questions. You can contact her directly via email, at cristi@globalpressinstitute.org, or on PulseWire (user name is thepressinstitute, http://worldpulse.com/user/2181), or via Skype at pressinstitute. She is a member of this group. She has also offered to talk with you one-on-one if you have questions about the materials. Please utilize her skills, she is an amazingly talented woman who trains citizen journalists all over the world.

Conference Call etiquette: When you call into our Q&A calls, we will automatically have you on \"mute\". This will enable our team to be able to teach the materials. At the end of our call, we will \"un-mute\" everyone, so that you can ask questions. This will lessen any background noise that makes it harder for people to hear! We may also be adjusting the times for our calls for the next module, to see if this will help people call in when there is less traffic (on the internet). We will send an email shortly.

4-Your first assignment is to interview a woman activist in your community. Then, you will write an article on her (called a \"profile\") and turn that in by December 14th. You should first send a draft to your editorial midwife so she can help you!

1. Mentors and Midwives--if you have not yet contacted your Mentor or Midwife, or they haven't contacted you, please let me know immediately and I will help you!

Kind regards,

Rachael