Testimonials

Vi is a thoughtful presenter who really understands what teachers need to hear to be able to imagine using a new technology or instructional approach in their teaching. One of Vi's strengths is her innovative teaching. She is fearless when it comes to trying new things, and when she presents about that work others get excited to try out new things, too!

In thirty years of adult education, I have worked with a lot of professional development presenters. Vi Hawes is among the best. I first encountered Vi's work at the COABE conference, walking past a session so packed with engaged learners that I stopped to watch. She was demonstrating HyFlex presentation techniques--the ability to engage both in-person and remote learners simultaneously--and doing it with an ease and energy that held the room completely. 

What sets Vi apart is not just her command of cutting-edge content, but her rare ability to make it feel attainable. She brings genuine technophobes to the realization that technology can transform outcomes for their learners and she does it without condescension, without jargon, and without losing anyone along the way. 

Our program needed a tool to teach basic technology skills to low-level ESOL students. We found the DART curriculum, tailored for ESOL learners and available online. Vi, recommended by the DART authors, conducted a series of practical workshops for our teachers. Her sessions clarified the curriculum's structure and how to implement its activities effectively. Vi also engaged in our ESOL and Digital Literacy Communities of Practice, fostering discussion. Thanks to her workshops, our teachers now confidently use DART to teach technology skills.

Vi Hawes is one of the most intelligent and insightful trainers in EdTech I've ever worked with. I've had the privilege of collaborating with her on multiple occasions over the past four years. 

I first attended one of her national conference sessions on digital upskilling--it was standing room only! I reached out to bring her on as a contract trainer for a digital upskilling project. She was outstanding, adding both critical capacity to our project deployment and valuable insights that made work more effective.