The Edublog Awards (#eddies11) - My nominations

It’s that time of year again - the Edublog Awards 2011. Last year, as a newbie to the world of blogs and Twitter for professional development, I didn’t make any nominations (I was, however, very honoured to be shortlisted for the ‘Best New Blog’ award). This year, now that I’m more of an ‘old hand’, I thought I would try to pick out some of the best of the best. Here goes:

• Best individual blog - An A-Z of ELT by Scott Thornbury

Every ELT professional’s Sunday dose of thought-provoking and insightful posts!

• Best individual tweeter - @ShellTerrell

This was probably the easiest decision to make. No Twitter educator’s PLN is complete without Shelly!

• Best group blog - Barbara Sakamoto’s Teaching Village

Not a ‘group blog’ in the strictest sense but Barbara’s regular guest posters from all around the world make this a must-read site for any EFL teacher/educator.

• Best new blog - languagemoments by Dale Couter

This was a tough choice as I have also enjoyed the addition of Brad Patterson’s Journée in Language and Sandy Millin’s Blog to my blog roll over the last year. However, Dale’s insightful and reflective posts on how lessons unfold in his classroom won out in the end.

• Best class blog - Our Blogging Adventure

Greta Sandler’s students are so lucky, not only because they have such a fantastic teacher but also because she is so committed to giving the chance to express themselves through blogging.

• Best ed tech/resource sharing blog - Özge Karaoğlu’s Blog

I’ve heard about so many web2.0 tools for the first time via Özge’s blog that this was an easy choice.

• Most influential blog post - “How did she get here in the first place?” by Vicky Loras and the subsequent challenge '”What’s your story?”

In this post, Vicky Loras told us the story of how she left build up a language school together with her sister in Greece but then was faced with the difficult decision to leave it all behind and move to a new life and new job in Switzerland. Her story is inspiring and it led to a blog challenge in which over 20 other great educators shared their stories as well.

• Best Twitter hashtag - #ELTchat

Although I haven’t been able to join the chats much recently, ELTchat remains a great source of inspiration, not only through the weekly discussion topics but also through the blog posts shared and the teachers I have connected with.

• Best teacher blog - www.mikejharrison.com

I’ve chosen Mike’s blog here because it is so consistently good, full of useful lesson ideas and first-hand in-class experiences. Thanks Mike!

• Best free web tool - David Warr’s Language Plant Maker

I’m a big fan of Mr Warr’s Language Garden blog and the attractive ‘language plants’ he adds to each one, which really offer a different way to look at language. Imagine my delight then when he made the Language Plant Maker available for the world to grow their own.

By the way, while I’m mentioning David Warr, I will also mention that I think there should be a ‘Best Blog Commenter’ award, in which case I would nominate him (or perhaps Tyson Seburn) again.

• Best educational use of audio/video/visual/podcast - iasku by Chiew Pang

Chiew’s video interview blog has been a great way to get to know ‘the educator behind the tweets’ on a deeper level.

• Best open PD/unconference/webinar series - RSCON3

This summer’s conference was a great event and one I was proud and honoured to be a part of.

• Lifetime achievement award - Jason Renshaw

For his unending commitment to his English Raven blog and resource website, his invaluable help and advice for designing educational materials and his fantastic new project World Adventure Kids.

Good luck to everyone - I hope you get the recognition you deserve!