Cloisters: Sarah, you teach about HIV/AIDS and Society for the New Curiosity Shop. How did you come to this important subject?
Sarah: After taking a course on AIDS Education during my graduate degree program at the Teachers College of Columbia University. I realized that there was so much I didn't know about the subject, and I became convinced that the only way to turn the epidemic around is through education and prevention. Most importantly, I realized that HIV and AIDS affect everyone, not just those who are infected with the virus.
Cloisters: What kind of student group do you hope to reach with your online tutoring?
Sarah: Anyone who is active in their society, and who wants to make a difference in the world. This might be teachers, police, social workers or humanitarian workers. Or it might be any individual who wants to be more active, but doesn't quite know where to begin.
Cloisters: Does delivery online offer particular advantages to this group?
Sarah: I believe it does, because AIDS is still a sensitive and taboo subject for many people. It requires talking openly about sexuality, morality and politics, subjects that are often hard to discuss face-to-face. I hope that the online environment will make students feel more at ease, and more confident expressing what they really think, in a semi-anonymous environment. There are also a lot of great “tricks” of technology that make learning fun - animated videos, quizzes, online discussion boards.
Cloisters: You are something of an international citizen, being American and living and working in France. Did this aspect of your life lead you to start working via the web, accessing an international classroom?
Sarah: I became interested in technology for learning after working in international development for several years. I believe strongly that changes in society come through education and awareness, and I wondered whether distance learning through the web could finally be a way to bring progressive educational access - not just state-sponsored education, but “real” information from around the world, created by individuals for other individuals - to all.
Cloisters: So what does the future hold? Do you have any new HIV/AIDS projects in the works or anything new to be offered on the WWW?
Sarah: For the time being, I'm staying busy with my family, and a daughter who just turned one year old. I still work with the United Nations developing instructional materials for UN staff. I had discussed with NCS the possibility of developing a course on African history and culture, but for now I just want to concentrate on this one online course to make sure that it is the best possible product before launching any other new courses.
Cloisters: Thank you very much for your time, Sarah Pouezevara.
If you would like to join our crack team of online tutors, you can find out more here.
We have a team of very special people who put together our courses and guide our students through them. This month we talk to Sarah Pouezevara, who is the tutor on our '