Blog 4: Social Networking

Like it? 

In 2000, I became a Facebook user.  During this time period, Facebook was limited to college students. At that time, the thought of really being connected with people from your university or people that you graduated with was a different thought.  This was the first of it's kind and it quickly spread!  The use of Facebook and other social network sites has changed since its first introduction.  Facebook is now being used by educators to connect their students to the world outside of the four cinder blocks.

Until recently, I did not see Facebook having a purpose in education... WOW... has my mind changed. After researching educational purposes for social media, I have found so many ways that social networking sites could be used in the classroom setting.  Here is an article that discusses 50 uses for Facebook in the classroom.  The article discusses how the use of social media can increase 21 century thinking skills and promote a sense of community among the teacher and students. Facebook is a connection tool... a tool that helps diverse learners feel connected and can promote many social skills.  Teaching proper use of this tool is vital to the success of all learners.

Pin It?

Pinterest in education? I am a Pinterest user... there, I said it.  Until recently, my primary purpose of Pinterest was house projects, ideas to consume a two year old's time, and anything DIY! I LOVE Pinterest so when I initially began looking for educational purposes of the social networking site, I was not surprised to find so many resources.  Many educators have Pinterest boards that users can follow and get ideas from.  I am typically just a follower... I stalk people's "pins" and "boards" to get ideas, but rarely contribute.  I am now learning the power of "pinning" and not just "pinning" for personal purposes.  I have found so many Web 2.0 tools through this social networking site and am very excited to share! Find me on Pinterest by searching Victoria Abel. 

When users login to either site, the world opens to an endless amount of resources to provide support to your diverse learners.

Blog 3: Teaching in a Networked Classroom

Teaching in a connected classroom or networked classroom... 

What is a connected classroom? How are people connecting? What is the teacher's role in a connected classroom? What is the purpose of a connected classroom? What does a connected classroom look like?

These are just some of the many questions I came across when I begin to dive into the concept of the connected classroom.  When I began teaching in 2006, I had no idea what I was in for.  I was hired as a business teacher and my main responsibility was to teach computer applications.  At that time, computer applications consisted of Microsoft Office.  Wow... It is amazing how much this role has changed in 8 years.  At that time, the connected classroom meant conducting research (using the Internet) on a specific topic.  Now, I believe the connected classroom is different from everyone, but I believe a truly connected classroom allows students to connect with what they are learning.  This connection can happen in a variety of ways, but primarily through student choice and technology integration.  

A connected classroom provides many benefits for diverse learners.  Having technology available and usable by your students can promote and excel students who are ready for enrichment, but can also provide a means of remediation for those that need additional support.  There are numberless programs and applications that can provide these opportunities for our students, they just need a way to connect.  

A Day in the Life of a Connected Classroom is an article that describes a teacher's typical day in a connected classroom.   

Blog 2: Twitter

I am relatively new to the Twitter world, but have found it to be a great resources for developing a professional learning network.  Twitter is a social media website that allows users to post information. The information that you receive depends highly on the people you choose to follow.  Additionally, you can post information to people who follow you or use specific hashtags.  

When I first began using Twitter, I was unsure of all its capabilities, and honestly, I am still learning.  In the beginning, I would just use Twitter to follow other educators and read their posted articles or links. As I have become more comfortable with the concept, I am now posting and have a small group of followers (only 22 to date, but am hoping to expand!)  Follow me @stjtechtools!

Aside from the PLN advantages of Twitter use, I find it to be very useful to highlight student work when I am in classrooms and for teachers to connect with their students on content.  I was in one classroom recently and the teacher was using Twitter as a way to assess her students on knowledge from the previous class period.  Students were required to "tweet" within the first few minutes of the class period. The teacher was using a specific hashtag that students were required to use.  Here is a link that has 60 examples of Twitter use in the classroom. 

Here are some great people to follow on Twitter: 
@wmchamberlain
@justintarte
@thenerdyteacher
@MOEducation - This is DESE's handle. 
@NMHS_Principal 

If you are unfamiliar with the Twitter world and would like to explore, you can do so without creating an account.  Anyone can search a hashtag (even just as a Google Search) and all of the "tweeting" associated with that hashtag with come back as the search results.  

Here is a video that demonstrates the use of Twitter in the classroom: 

Blog 1: Professional Learning Networks

Professional Learning Networks seem to be a new buzz in education.  According to the Connected Educator, "a PLN is a system of interpersonal connections and resources that support informal learning." Educators are using PLNs to connect with other educators, share resources and gain an insight on new information.  The Connected Teacher discusses two different paths to take when developing a PLN:  

The two paths discussed are the social media path and the information aggregation path.  The information aggregation path uses the RSS Reader and social bookmarking.  Recently, I was introduced to Feedly as a RSS Reader.  I am just beginning to understand how it works, but it seems to file writings based on my preferences.  Social bookmarking is similar, but with this method, users "bookmark" their own preferences and findings.  I use Diigo as my social bookmarker and have found it to be very user friendly.  The second method for developing a PLN is using social media.  Applications like Facebook and Twitter make this process very easy to use.  I, personally, prefer the social media approach.  I think my generation is very familiar with social media, specially Facebook and Twitter.   Additionally, the students we encounter are familiar with these two applications.  As educators, we should demonstrate appropriate use and show our students how they can begin to build a professional network.

About Me

Hello! Thanks for viewing my blog! 

I am a Christian, wife, mom and educator.  I am currently working on my Masters of Educational Technology and am writing this blog as part of that process.  Follow me as I discuss technology integration.