Social Networking

So I just checked out this Social Network through Ning.com. It is called NextGen Teachers. It is a pretty interesting network. I like it because it allows teachers from all over the world to connect and chat. In particular, the focus is on how to incorporate new technologies and teaching strategies in the classroom. There are a lot of workshops, tutorial videos, insightful words of advice and wisdom from professionals in all areas of the educational field. If we surround ourselves with wise people, we too shall become wise, right? So why not join a Social Network that encourages that growth in us as educators of the 21st century? That's what I thought. Join! =)

Life is Like a Bowl of Spaghetti

Reviewing George Siemens’ learning theory of Connectivism inspires much food for thought for educators. After all, it is engrained in our teaching philosophies, regardless of presumable differences, that we all aspire to meet the learning/social/emotional needs of our students. The catch is: students of the 21st century are rapidly changing form. These students are already different than the students we learned about 6 years ago when some of our professional/academic endeavors as educators began. Children of the 21st century are connected interactively in person, but also highly connected online. Therefore, it is only natural and expected that our teaching strategies can align with the needs of these highly technological students.

However, it isn’t merely figuring out a way to reach out technologically to these students. Although, that is definitely a wonderful teaching strategy. However, before we can say “Web Quest,” we need to consider the learning component itself. That is, how these students learn. George Siemens’ article is refreshing in the sense that he takes core foundations of learning: Behaviorism, Cognitivism, and Constructivism, and respectfully highlights a need for a new learning theory: Connectivism. He is not discrediting the theorists before him, however, he is recognizing a new understanding within learning; a learning that is highly interactive and distributed across social networks. Learning can no longer be viewed as an individualistic component, but rather a highly collaborative experience that sharpens all participants involved! Siemens writes:

“Realizing that complete knowledge cannot exist in the mind of one person requires a different approach to creating an overview of the situation. Diverse teams of varying viewpoints are a critical structure for completely exploring ideas. Innovation is also an additional challenge. Most of the revolutionary ideas of today at one time existed as a fringe element. An organizations ability to foster, nurture, and synthesize the impacts of varying views of information is critical to knowledge economy survival” (Siemnens, 2005, p. 8).

So let us view that idea of “synthesizing the impacts of varying views of information” as creating the perfect spaghetti sauce recipe. There are a few solid foundations that every spaghetti recipe needs: some form of a tomato-based sauce (marinara sauce) and a type of pasta/noodle. These are the core foundations of knowledge that a particular organization or social network of students would have in common....otherwise their association or would have never been formed, most likely, in the first place. Once the common belief or knowledge is established, or made known, each participant can bring their own special ingredient to the table. That “special ingredient” is each student’s personal perspective, life experiences, opinions, and questions on the given topic or “pasta” of the discussion. Yes, each student’s thoughts will definitely spice up the spaghetti sauce. Will any two recipes ever taste exactly the same if ingredients are altered? Of course not! Just as two person’s understandings of the exact same topic can never be exactly the same. Our brains are wired and then developed based on each of our own experiences, even if it is just to a small degree.

In the video “The Changing Nature of Knowledge,” Siemens recognizes a need for “network-model learning.” The world’s understanding of knowledge used to be one that happened “within one’s mind. Now it is a distribution across the network" (The Changing Nature of Knowledge) Siemens recognizes attaining knowledge and learning as two components: internal and external learning. The internal learning deals with a person’s individual neurons and how they respond to the stimuli around them. New connections are being made in the brain to make the information meaningful to the individual. However, the external learning is recognized by Siemens as even more influential to the student. He recognizes the external learning as the connections that are made between people. Siemens stresses the idea of staying current with different viewpoints in order to continuously grow and reflect. That is when true learning happens.

So do you see where Spaghetti comes into play? Each learner brings his/her own viewpoint to the recipe. This is the student’s unique ingredient. He or she may still agree with the core foundations on which the given social network started, however, he/she can give a viewpoint that will give the relationship a whole new flavor! Sometimes a recipe may taste sweet, sometimes it may be spicy. No two recipes are the same because no two thinkers are identical. The beauty of a spaghetti recipe, just like learning, is that it is original and is subject to change at any time. The more one experiments, the more likely one is to enhance their learning. The same is true for cooking spaghetti!

Bon Appetit!!

My Top 3

So I am definitely new to the Blog world. As an aspiring educator, I naturally began to brainstorm the various ways I could incorporate blogs in my future classroom. So, get ready for my Top 3 Ways I would like to use Blogs in my future classroom...... (drumroll, please)

1) Peer Discussion and Journaling

Depending on the age and grade level of my students, I think Blogs can be an excellent tool for communication between classmates and teachers. In particular, I think a Book Club discussion would take on new meaning over the web. It would not only allow students to transform their learning and discussion, but it also gives them an outlet to express their true opinions of a book in a low-pressure environment (over the web).

In today's technological world, it is challenging to peak students' interests. So much is available to students at their fingertips. Texting in class is something I wouldn't have ever forseen as a hindrance to student learning....but now it exists! Therefore, blogging seems like the perfect opportunity for students to stay engaged technologically, yet still give valuable, insightful input to educational discussions. It is a win-win for teachers and students. Teachers are able to receive quality work/insight from students. Students are able to communicate in a way they enjoy, and still meet their academic requirements. With proper monitoring by the teacher, Blogs could be a great way for peers to collaborate, share opinions of a text, and express themselves in a genuine way. The classroom can be an intimidating place. Maybe Blogs can give students a haven they are comfortable in? I'm not trying to recreate classroom discussions entirely. I think it is extremely important for in-class discussion and face-to-face socialization. I just think that in at least one subject area, such as reading or language arts, students should be able to express themselves in a way that is natural to them. In the 21st century, I believe working on the Internet is going to be a more natural part of our students' lives. We might as well design lessons that cater to their needs and interests!

2) Parent-Teacher-Community Outreach

If I were a parent, I would love to be able to be kept posted on what is going on in my child's classroom...without hounding the teacher daily. On the flipside, as a future teacher, I would love to inform my students' parents of the awesome activities our class is taking part in...without sending home a daily newsletter or making 25 phone calls home daily. So, why not an online newsletter? Blogs are all about information and keeping each other posted, right? What better way to keep parents informed, as well as give them opportunity to give feedback, than on a classroom blog site? Now realistically, depending on the socioeconomic status and demographics of the school district, blogging may not be as veasible. But for a second, let's paint an ideal school environment and community. Funding is available and students are all blessed to come from financially stable homes. Okay? So, now that I'm thinking somewhat unrealistically, please go with me for a second on this. How neat would it be to keep parents posted online? You ask, why not just send out an email? Not a bad idea, but it really is not the most effective. A blog allows the opportunity for parents to leave their remarks as well, and collaborate with each other online. The teacher doesn't have to constantly send out individual emails to each parent. She can post a blog and open up any discussion. Sometimes, a parent might have the same question/concern as another parent. Both can be answered simultaneously. Maybe a teacher needs help organizing food for the Halloween party at school. Parents can sign up and decide whether or not to bring the apple cider based on what another parent has already signed up to bring. The blog posts do not need to be deep educational/philosophical discussions. It can be used in any way that meets the needs of the teachers/parents/ and school community.

3) Teacher Resources/Mentoring

Imitation is the strongest form of flattery. As teachers, we are constantly modeling strategies and lesson plan ideas off of other educators. Sometimes we need to ask ourselves, why re-invent the wheel if Mr. Jones' lesson plan worked so well for that Science Unit on Light? Blogs can be used as the bulletin board, bag of tricks, filing cabinet, or whatever you prefer to call it. It is the place where teachers can come and collaborate, share what worked, as well as what didn't work in their classrooms. One day (I pray) I will be a fresh, new educator in a school district. I would love to have the support and wisdom of the other teachers around me. If you surround yourself with wise people, you too will become wise. Therefore, why not learn from the best? I think learning from others only sharpens us all as teachers. Learning what strategies and techniques work and do not work can benefit the instructors, AND ultimately the students! After all, that's why we got into this profession, correct? So the sharing of resources, strategies, techniques, and even some encouragement is highly possible through the use of blogs. Who's on board?!