Issue No. 30
June 2026
President’s Message
Dear GSOLE Members,
June always feels like a moment of movement and possibility in GSOLE. As our election polls remain open, we look forward to welcoming new leaders whose ideas, energy, and commitment will help shape the next chapter of our work together. GSOLE has always been strongest when members step forward to lead, collaborate, or simply connect, and I encourage you to consider how you might get more involved. If you are curious about serving on a committee, please feel free to reach out at president@gsole.org . We would be glad to help you find a place to contribute.
That spirit of connection is also at the heart of our monthly Salons, which occur the first Tuesday of each month and are open to all, regardless of GSOLE membership status. These gatherings reflect one of GSOLE’s greatest strengths: a generous, thoughtful community of educators who are eager to share practices, ask questions, and learn from one another. Whether you are new to GSOLE or a long-time member, the Salon space offers a welcoming way to engage with colleagues who care deeply about online literacy teaching and learning.
June also invites us to reflect on the values we hold as a community. As we recognize Pride Month and Juneteenth in the United States, we are reminded that GSOLE’s commitments to inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) are not abstract ideals—they are enacted in the courses we design, the students we support, and the professional spaces we cultivate together. Our field continues to grow because of members who approach online teaching with care, adaptability, and a deep respect for the diverse experiences our students bring. Thank you for the ways you contribute to making GSOLE a space where online educators can feel seen, supported, and celebrated.
As always, I am grateful to be part of this community and to witness the work you are doing in online literacy education.
Best,
Amy Cicchino
President, GSOLE
This June, GSOLE celebrates several meaningful touchstones in our community. We recognize and honor Juneteenth (June 19), reflecting on freedom, equity, and the ongoing work of liberation in literacy and education. We also celebrate all the fathers, father-figures, and mentors who guide and support the scholars of today and tomorrow. May the upcoming Summer Solstice bring warmth, light, and renewed energy to your work and rest.
Grant Submission Update
Our Call for Proposals officially closed on May 22, 2026. The GSOLE Research Committee has begun reviewing the outstanding pool of applications for projects ranging from $500 to $2,000.
We are thrilled by the range of innovative inquiries into online literacy education, especially those prioritizing inclusive pedagogy and support for emerging scholars.
Fresh Insights
Scott Ortolano | Effective Practices
Cat S. Williams-Monardes | Book Review
Read Review →Brian Harrell | Book Review
Read Review →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 →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 & CriteriaNicole Golden is receiving the Global Society of Online Literature Educators (GSOLE) IDEA Innovator Award. The award is an initiative sponsored by the GSOLE Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access (IDEA) Committee and is designed to highlight teaching practices that enhance diversity, equity, and/or access.
This award comes as part of Golden's work on "The Participation Contract."
Read "The Participation Contract" →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.
OLOR Publications
Golden, N. (2026). The participation contract.
Read Article →Ortolano, S. (2026). A little goes a long way: Using short, informal videos to personalize and build classroom community in virtual teaching environments.
Read Article →OLOR Reviews
Williams-Monardes, C. S. (2026). Humanizing Online Instruction: Multimedia, Presence, and Learning Design: Review of Multimedia in the College Classroom: Improve Learning and Connect with Students in Online and Hybrid Courses. OLOR Reviews.
OLI 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.
Share Your Work
TYCA Midwest will host a virtual day, in collaboration with GSOLE. Hosted by Metropolitan Community College of Omaha, this year's conference theme, The Cutting Edge, offers an excellent opportunity to engage in dialogue about two-year colleges as sites of innovation in writing instruction. It also asks participants to consider how we are managing to innovate and carry on in the current environment of political hostility toward our rights, our students, and the value of education upon which the two-year college is built.
Proposal Submission Deadline: Monday, June 15, 2026
Show your community pride! Visit our online Redbubble shop to explore our expanded apparel collection, hoodies, stickers, and custom accessories.