Issue No. 27
March 2026
A Message from President Amy Cicchino
Dear GSOLE Members,
As online literacy educators, we often teach, research, and lead from spaces that can feel quiet or even isolating. At the same time, we know how deeply our work matters and how essential community is to staying connected and cultivating strong, sustainable practices in online literacy instruction. Organizations like GSOLE help ensure that none of us are doing this work alone. Spring feels like the perfect time to reconnect with our shared purpose, to nurture new ideas, and to strengthen the relationships that sustain our professional lives.
In that spirit of renewal and connection, we invite you to join us for our Annual Meeting on April 2, 2026, where we will hear committee updates, reflect on the health of the organization, and celebrate 10 years of GSOLE. We also hope you will take part in our upcoming events, including our final webinar of the year on April 3, 2026, featuring Sydney Sullivan’s “From Compliance to Co-Authorship: Designing Student-Inclusive AI Policies in Online Writing Instruction,” and our monthly Salon gatherings on the first Tuesday of each month, which offer informal and welcoming spaces for conversation with fellow online literacy educators.
We also invite you to lend your voice to our growing research community by submitting a proposal to Research in Online Literacy Education by November 1, 2026, for its upcoming issue focused on artificial intelligence and online writing instruction and research. This formal call for proposals is an opportunity to extend the conversations many of you have already begun, and we especially encourage those who have recently presented at GSOLE, at CCCC, or who will be presenting at the upcoming Computers and Writing conference to consider developing that work into a submission.
A final way to get involved is to join the GSOLE Executive Board. This board of GSOLE leaders represents an opportunity to lend your voice to conversations that guide the organization’s future. This year we will elect three (3) At-Large Board Members, Secretary, and Vice President positions.
Spring reminds us that growth is collective. Thank you for the work you do and for the ways you show up for one another in this community. I look forward to seeing you at these upcoming events.
Best,
Amy Cicchino
President, GSOLE
Fresh Insights
Scott Ortolano | Effective Practices
Cat S. Williams-Monardes | Book Review
Read Review →Brian Harrell | Book Review
Read Review →Each year, the Global Society of Online Literacy Educators (GSOLE) holds an annual meeting. This is an opportunity to hear from all of our committees, get updated on the membership and financial health of the organization, and discuss what our coming year might look like. This year, our annual meeting will celebrate 10 years of GSOLE.
We invite you to attend 2 Apr 2026, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Eastern, 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Central, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Mountain, 12:00 NOON – 1:30 PM Pacific.
This event is open to all, regardless of if you are a GSOLE member, so please bring your colleagues and friends who would like to learn more about GSOLE.
Register for the Meeting Here →Hosted by our Webinars Committee, this year, GSOLE has partnered with OLI scholars across the globe to discuss artificial intelligence, especially changing perspectives on AI literacy, AI literacy frameworks, AI in online literacy instruction, and visions for AI in writing programs, centers, and administration. We have one more webinar this season, so please join us if you can:
April 3, 2026 from 12:00-1:00 pm EDT
Sydney Sullivan
“From Compliance to Co-Authorship: Designing Student-Inclusive AI Policies in Online Writing Instruction”
Register Here →Research in Online Literacy Education (ROLE) is currently accepting proposals, due November 1, 2026. This issue engages with the now seemingly ever-expanding conversation surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) and online writing instruction (OWI) and research.
See the full call for proposals →In accordance with GSOLE bylaws, this year’s elections will be led by the Elections Committee, co-chaired by a member of the Steering Committee, typically the Secretary, and a member of the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility Committee.
A call for nominations will be released no later than May 1, and ballots will be prepared and distributed no later than June 1. This year we are holding elections for Vice President, Secretary, and three (3) At-Large Board Members.
Learn more about each position here →GSOLE is proud to support research and excellence in online literacy education through our annual grants and awards programs.
Recognizing outstanding dissertation research that contributes to the field of online literacy education, particularly studies focusing on pedagogy and inclusive practice.
Celebrating excellence in the daily practice of OLI, awarded to those whose instructional materials and course design demonstrate exceptional commitment to student success.
Interested in applying for a grant or nominating a colleague?
View All Awards & CriteriaApril 03, 2026 | 12:00–1:00 PM EDT
Join Sydney Sullivan for a discussion on changing perspectives on AI literacy and frameworks for writing programs and centers.
Join us for regular Salon events, spaces where you can informally gather to talk about timely topics with other GSOLE members and online literacy educators. These events take place on the first Tuesday of every month and are open to anyone, regardless of GSOLE membership status.
Visit the Cybersalon Hub →The Basic OLI Certification program offers eight month-long courses facilitated by experts. Register for a single module ($25) or enroll in the full certification for a 3-year window.
Enrollment Details →Beyond our formal events, GSOLE thrives on the daily interactions between members in our forums and working groups. Get involved today!
Ways to Get Involved →Scholarship Spotlight
ROLE Issue 4.2 (2025)
The latest issue of Research in Online Literacy Educators (ROLE) is now available! Issue 4.2 (2025) is a tribute to ROLE’s founding editor, Michael Greer, and the values he held dear: access, student agency, and the ability of online educators to respond to emerging writing technologies. Please check out this issue and celebrate our contributing authors: Jessie Borgman, Casey McArdle, Ann Marie Francis, Heidi McCauley, Cat Mahaffey, Justin Cary, and Jason Snart.
Read ROLE 4.2OLOR Reviews Piece (2026)
Harrell, B. (2026). Reframing Online Writing Pedagogy: Review of Better Practices: Exploring the Teaching of Writing in Online and Hybrid Spaces. OLOR Reviews.
Read the ReviewOLI Publications
If you are looking for some OLI reading over the break, check out this new publication from WAC Clearinghouse by GSOLE members Jennifer Cunningham, Mary K. Stewart, Natalie Stillman-Webb, and Lyra Hilliard. This book represents the culmination of years of research on applying the Community of Inquiry framework to online writing courses and is a valuable contribution to OLI scholarship and research.
Cunningham, Jennifer M., Mary K. Stewart, Natalie Stillman-Webb, & Lyra Hilliard. (2025). The Community of Inquiry Framework in Writing Studies: Designing for Learning with Peer Review. The WAC Clearinghouse; University Press of Colorado.
Conference Opportunities
From June 4-7, Computers & Writing will host their 2026 conference, “Writing the Anthropocene: Digital Rhetorics and Sustainable Change.” With options for virtual or in-person attendance, presenters will share their work that engages with sustainability not only in environmental terms, but also in relation to labor, pedagogy, technology, and community, including online literacy instruction.
Learn more here →A student-led community for graduate students preparing to teach and research online. We are currently gathering interest for leadership and working groups!
Opportunities
Support GSOLE
Looking for a way to show your GSOLE pride? Check out our expanded clothing line! Our featured item this month is the classic GSOLE T-Shirt—perfect for casual Fridays or your next online presentation.
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