By participating in this online professional development program, you are beginning to create your own personal learning network (PLN.) You are creating a community of learners with whom you share common educational interests and needs.Will Richardson of Weblogged-ed briefly explains this change in education:
Take a look at some more ideas about PLNs and the changing role of teachers.
One way you have started communicating with your PLN is with your blog. Blogs in being a part of the 2.0 or interactive digital world, are good places to find educators with similar thoughts and ideas.
The posts you write are the first step in the building of your PLN. The second, and equally important step, is for you to comment about ideas presented on other learners' blogs. Comments turn a statement into a conversation.
HOW DO YOU COMMENT?
Here is a list of things to consider when getting ready to comment on the post of another blogger.
Long-time and highly-regarded teacher-blogger, Vicki Davis, aka Cool Cat Teacher, shares her thoughts about how to comment in this post.
As you move through the various activities, select at least five blogs from the 11 Tools community where you will share your thoughts about one of their posts through your comments. The list of participating blogs is located on the right sidebar of the 11 Tools blog.
For your Tool #2 Post in YOUR blog:
1. What are your thoughts about building an online education community and participating in a PLN?
2. What point stood out to you from the commenting advice?
3. What five blogs did you select for your comments? (you may need to come back and add this information later by editing this post.)
See you 'round the learning neighborhood!
Credits:
Image from MS Clip Art
To think that we can communicate with other people, and engage in conversations, just adds to our acquiring more knowledge, expanding on ideas, opinions, will increase our potential to teach our students with better quality everyday, it just gives me goosebumps!!
ReplyDeleteI am totally agree with Solana, Once you start participating in social media networks your information boundaries grows exponentially, you can have access to experiences and ideas in all subjects, and it is to yourself to build your own relationships, this is something all of us must try.
ReplyDeleteCan we choose different blogs to comment on that aren't in this list (and include their name on our own blog)?
ReplyDeleteI'm an elementary music teacher, and it would be really very nice if I could include in this task the opportunity to search for the blogs of other music teachers and comment on them. For example, I just found one that's called "Confessions of an Elementary Music Teacer". http://confessionsofelemmusic.blogspot.com/
I think this training was necessary for us teachers to be more aware of what our students already know.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Peterson...if you wish please find some music teacher blogs to follow and share them with us. You will want to check in with your school community as some too!
ReplyDeleteMarisela...you are so correct about needing to catch up with our students.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your citizenship...if you are part of the group of teachers doing this professional development, please be sure you register your blog as outlined in Tool #1.
I think it is a great idea to embark on this adventure in order to become familiar with the technology that most of our students are already using!!!
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ReplyDeleteMarisela, you are right about teachers becoming aware of what students already know. "Keeping up with the i-kid," will help us reach them in areas that are second nature to them. Great teaching tool!
ReplyDeleteI have watched my kids do this for several years, it is fun to learn how to do it myself...(with the help of my kids) :)
ReplyDeleteI know this is an important source of communication. I have a college and a high school student. Their teachers at A&M and at Stratford HS have been using blogs to communicate with them in many situations.
ReplyDeleteAccording to my kids it is time I joined the 21st century. I am just getting the hang of texting. I do however strongly believe that this should not take the place of verbal communication. I force verbal communication on my kids. Remember that people only hear 7% of your words and that 93% is body language and tone. Something to be considered and remembered.
I feel like Marisela, only less informed. I guess I need to enter the 21st century. I have an IPod, that I can program. A phone that I just figured out how to use the GPS on. My 10 year old nephew is more technilogically literate than I am.
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is important for teachers to be "in the know" with their students and children. My own children have encouraged me to get on facebook, etc. However, I have never felt adequate in my technology capabilities until this year. I have learned so much working with the activeboard in my classroom, so I am anxious to become an active "blogger" to learn even more.
ReplyDeleteAs a learner of the 21th century is important to face and accomplish this challenge as an educator. I love to learn especially when technology is involved; to me is a great challenge ahead. Like Elyse said I begin building a face book about a month ago and I enjoyed communicates with family members and friends online. As a blogger now my communication will be extend to other teachers across the country to support this new journey together.
ReplyDeleteIt is crucial for us as educators to be on the same page as our students. If we stand up at the front of the room, dictating to our students and lecturing-we have lost them all "in one ear, out the other". Times are changing, and we must change as well. We cannot expect to teach the style teachers were teaching 50 years ago when we have a NEW generation of learners-the gamer generation. Everything is fast paced, bright colors, constantly changing. We must constantly change the way we deliver our lessons so as not to lose our audience-keep them entertained, and part of this is communicating through blogging. It's a fun and interactive way to get information to students. I am very interested (and excited) to see how the blogging will work in my class this year!
ReplyDeleteWell, all of this new technology is a sign of the times. I'm excited that it's becoming the norm for everybody--not just the students and young adults, but us more mature educators, as well. We'll be able to do more, technologically, if we just keep an open mind and put a little effort into learning how to embed all of these new devices into our everyday lives(at least, this is what I tell myself.) Practice makes perfect!
ReplyDeleteI agree with the comment above. I used blogging in 23 things last summer (or was that 2 summers ago.) I also uses blogs and discussion boards in my graduate classes. It is really great for me ( and other shy people/students)because I have such a difficult time talking to people but communicating online is very natural to me. It give me time to think and formualte what I want to say before I 'open my mouth.' one of the problmes with it is that it is hard to control what someone writes in a blog. in class you can stop a studnet before they say too much that is inappropirate but on a blog, you may not even see the post before many have seen it.
ReplyDeleteIn kindergarten my team mates and I have talked about having a class blog and responding to each other's class blogs ( as a class or small group). This could be shared reading and shared/interactive writing. (especially if we ever get ACTIV boards!!:)
These are GREAT comments...wonderful conversations are starting! be sure you are writing good posts with your great thoughts in each of your own blogs!
ReplyDeleteIf this was to be your post, just copy and paste into your Tool #2 post... it will be ok in 2 places.
Remember you have one Blog, at least 11 posts, one for each tool, and any number of comments on different blogs!
I believe it is critical that we nurture the humanistic approach to teaching in the classroom, while embracing all the valuable peripheral sources of information made available through the installation of new technologies. As parents and teachers, we should embrace "balance".
ReplyDeleteMy children are grown, so am out of the loop with respect to them coming home from school with all these great new learning experiences in the classroom. It is all very exciting as long as we do not lose sight of "people".
All of this technology is wonderful. It really makes it easier to bring the outside world into a classroom. It gives students the opportunity to see and "experience" things that 10 years ago, none of us would have believed.
ReplyDeleteMy concern is that with all this online classes and teaching...where is the humanity??? My 3rd graders need to see me, to hug me, to know that I CARE! There is a large level of self confidence that needs to be in a child's soul to know that someone can care via the internet.
This days are filled with empty parents and role models...our children have become quite adept at texting their thoughts...but they can't write them, they can't speak them...
As an old lady, I don't want technology to take that away...
I agree, Fatigued Teacher, but think of it in this way....
ReplyDeleteTechnology is their world and sometimes you need to meet people where they're at in order to really be in touch with them. Don't think of technology as replacing humanity (though it could become that if you let it) but instead use technology as a vehicle to get to the kids...and there will still be plenty of humanity to go around.
Last week, my daughter sent me a note on Facebook as I was sitting right next to her on the bed. It just said "I love you, Mommy." She was just being silly, but it reminded me that this would be a great way to keep communication lines with my pre-teen daughter open.
My sister has a 15 yr old son who has a hard time talking to her BUT he will carry on a conversation with her over texting or Facebook about the things that are bugging him.
Technology might just be a great way to maintain humanity with our kids.
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ReplyDeletehttp://techtempo.com/
ReplyDeletehttp://www.beatechie.com/
great music blogs....disregard that other one I sent in....it doesn't seem to be too active
I think this training is a great oportunity to keep us updated on what it is going around us. Our kids are born with this 21st century chip incorporated in their mind. For them it is so natural to sit in front of the computer and play with it that we do not have any other option rather than than learn what matters now for them and for sure it is technology.
ReplyDeleteFatigued Teacher, I understand your point of view. Students may be able to communicate well through technology, but it makes them emotionally distant. It makes relationships less personal and that is just a sad reality.
ReplyDeleteI attended a training a while back,( I forget the name of it)that was an eye opener to me. I realized that we are teaching a different generation of students. Students whose everyday life centers around social media. They are influenced not by their family, values, religion or morals, but by the social media and technology. Therefore, we as teachers, have to teach in a different way. Our teaching has to improve year after year.
ReplyDeleteParticipating in a Personal Learning Network is beneficial, in that it allows us to share our ideas on teaching. I learn alot from the teachers around me, they provide me with great ideas that I am then able to share in my classroom. A PLN will allow me to share and gather thoughts from not just my co-teachers, but from teachers around the country.
Sylvia-things that you remember from your training of students learning from social media and being influenced by technology is strangly familiar to me from the ActivSymposium I attended early in the year. Great memory!
ReplyDeleteI think learning about what our children already have starting using at a young age helps us understand what is going on in the world. I am nervous about learning such foreign technology , but I am ready for the challenge.
ReplyDeleteIt is really amazing how PLNs will allow us to reach so many in our field who have our common interests. Our two year olds are familiar with ipods...which means we must move forward in learning what they see as the norm.
ReplyDeleteOkay. This is for Fatigued Teacher, emaillenium, and Mrs. Peterson. There are pros and cons of technology. Remember that everything in life is balanced! So, is technology! Technology is causing many job losses which causes the unemployment rate to rise. It destroys the environment when people tear down forests to make room for technological advancements, such as buildings and even clearing room for wastelands. But, also think of technology as something positive. Technology can help our physical well being. The iron lung was invented, artificial hearts, and virtually any form of transplant is available. I have had family members, including my parents, (may they rest in peace), being a part of that technology. If technology didn't play a part in their life, they would not have survived for the many years that they did. I can understand that "yes", it does make a person addicted to the computer, they can be on there 24 - 7, but, we have to set down rules also. That is why digital citizenship is so important. Also, we as teachers will not let go of our emotions. We love our students, and we will continue to teach values to our children, that is why we are teachers. Teachers never lose their sense of humanity! That is what makes us different from everyone else. I have spoken to people through all walks of life, and they always tell me the same thing. They take their hats off to teachers, because they know that we struggle to teach our students not to lose their sense of humanity. And we will continue to do that. And you know what? Like Mrs. Peterson says, you have to meet your children where they're at. If it takes technology to reach them, then by golly, we will use it too! But we must teach them how to use it to benefit them, and us at the same time. At least they communicate with us, even if it's through text messages. I personally like to talk to people face to face, get to know them, see their facial expressions, etc. When I see people on the computer 24-7, they sometimes become "cold". But, like I said, there has to be a balance to everything. At home, computer time is balanced. So, I would say it all depends. It depends how you manage technology.
ReplyDeleteBut, there are pros and cons! Who knows, maybe in the near future we will have the choice of whether or not we would like to become cyborgs. And this might sound good, but, then again, getting rid of a worm virus is not as easy as getting rid of a common cold. So Ladies, you are all right!
It is inspirational to see how Technology is integrating to Education to expand our human possibilities.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope all these efforts will help to enhance the global situation of this troubled planet!
Great job, Solana... ...and everyone else!!! It has been fantastic to read what you all have said, as overwhelming a task as that has been, regardless!! I don't feel out of the loop with regard to technology and its myriad applications, but I do think we as educators do need to hone our skills with regard to its potential uses in the classroom and out. I don't teach in a school whose students are significantly more tech-savvy than the teaching staff (low SES, etc.), but as we add more to the campus, they have more opportunities, ... ... ...and so do we, not only to teach them (like, from what we are learning with our edublogging --nobody better take that: I'm coining it right now!!! Someone probably already has...oh, well...and yes, I am as random with the use of asides in my written conversation as in the oral...do forgive) but also to learn so much from them as they explore all that is out there for them technologically!
ReplyDeleteThe thing I like more about building an online education community is the fact that I can learn at home and that the community does not have boundaries. I like the idea of participating in my own PLN (Personal Learning Network) because I will have the opportunity of interchanging ideas, asking questions, receiving knowledge from people with experience; and applying the new acquired knowledge in my teaching.
ReplyDeleteFor all teachers of German!
ReplyDeleteCheck this out: http://deutsch-lerner.blog.de/
Great stuff!
It took me so many tries to get to this point but I am marching on! I am trying to get there but I move slow and work better after 10!
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with Headiyeh. We must be knowledgeable about the technologies being used by our students and implement them for their benefit.
ReplyDeleteI am in awe at the professional conversations that can take place on this blog. Being a member of a learning community will open doors to the support of educators ouside my own team. I am excited to get ideas from others as I apply this new technology in my classroom.
ReplyDeleteAs I was reading through all of the posts I loved how much the conversation changed and grew into some complex situations. It went from reaching the "i-kid" to personal reflections of own children to citizenship to the economy and job market and so much more. It was pretty awesome to see how involved it became.
ReplyDeleteI just started this training and when I heard about it I was very excited about all the technology I can receive and learn about. I guess I would consider myself pretty tech savvy so I am totally pro anything technological...in the right sense that is. Todays kids are to be able to progress without the knowledge of technology and its our job to make sure they a fully ready for whatever comes next...and sure enough technology is going to be involved.
I do agree with a post earlier about the need to make that personal connection to the students. I think being teachers we will always have that open and caring personality that makes us connect to students and help them wherever. However, our actual ways of giving lessons and teaching needs to find a technological base to reach all students..I think in doing this we will build a better connection to our students.
I think all of this technology stuff is great and I can't wait to learn more!
I'm all for technology but good teaching practices supplemented by technology will be the best way to go. There is no single technology yet the can replace a teacher. But I do agree with the comments made here that we all need to be at par with students when it comes to technology.
ReplyDeleteAmazingly enough universities like MIT still use blackboards and chalk so technology is just another tool to make good teaching practices even better.
I agree with the Mr. C, I do think technology is a great tool to teach new things, but nothing will compare to a teacher, there is no way a teacher can be replace by technology. In order to built an online education every single student must own or have access to a computer. As a first grade teacher I’m sure that if lucky 2 out of 22 students have a computer or access to it. But I’m sure that is good for them to at least be exposed to the technology and be prepared for the different options that they might have in the future. For instance, they can earn a degree online without stepping foot on campus.
ReplyDeleteBuilding an online education community is an important source of communication with other people. Sharing ideas increases our knowledge and it gives people the opportunity to apply the new knowledge in their own classrooms.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to increasing my knowledge of technology since I was taught, many years ago, to write well with a fountain pen; that was the new technology for us. I have been brought into the 21st century through many different roads, not just the computer. I hope that I will be able to help my students appreciate the "new world", but I also hope they will learn to communicate verbally with each other.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with Lisa because my grandchildren are already familiar with technology.
ReplyDeleteBeing familiar with the technology is one issue. However, having something effective and educational to do with it is a completely seperate issue.
ReplyDeleteStiiiiiiill not sold on blogs as a foreign language teaching tool, but maybe that will change as I go along.
Community learning broadens our capabilities and saves time.It's applications are limitless.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is a demand in today's society. We as educators must train ourselves to function thru the endless applications and use them to enhance our teachings and meet the learning styles of the e-student. My daughter, who graduated with a degree in computer engr. has taught me many ways to bring my educational objectives to the board in a more realistic visual appearance where my students can interact not only with me, but also with the e-boards.
ReplyDeleteI agree with FatiguedTeacher. The teacher/student relationship plays a vital role in a child's development as a student and a person. Technology in the classroom is a part of a child's academic development.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is very new to me and confusing, I hope that once futher in to this I see how I can put it to use in my kinder classroom. From all the comments I've been reading it sound great so far, it makes me feel excited about this. I completely agree...technology is a great tool to use to improve our ways of teaching and to reach students with different learning styles.
ReplyDeleteThe education is changing everyday. Some years ago I heard about online courses of master degree, and I thought that is not the same than regular classes or the online students will not learn as much as regular students because the teacher is the difference. Now the online courses are very common and the students are more familiar with this technology. The students are the responsible of their learning and they choose what is the focus of their interest.
ReplyDeleteHi everybody,
ReplyDeleteI think this is a wonderful opportunity to catch up to our students about this new technology of belonging to a web.
I certainly look forward to findnig new ways to deliver instruction in my classroom and being able to share ideas with others to make things better everyday for my students.
What a cool way to be in contact 24/7 with alike people. This is just what I needed to maintain in contact with all teachers who access my blog.
Good luck to everyone!!!!
All
ReplyDeleteYour comments are all great, and have raised some interesting points and stimulated conversation. Lo and behold, that is one great result of a blog! I can feel the passion some of you have by reading your literate, well-thought-out statements. If we can get some of the quieter, on-the-computer-24/7 students to exert themselves this way, it can be a good thing.
I completely agree that there needs to be a good balance between technology and humanity. The main reason I enjoy being a teacher (i.e. why I come back each year despite the ever-increasing red tape stuff we have to deal with) IS the personal connection I get to make with the students.
At a conference I went to recently, one of the sessions was about technology, and to today's kids, email is even considered outdated. Due to texting, twitter, facebook, etc., they are used to immediate feedback, and thus we need to learn how to utilze that.
Someone mentioned the rapid change in technology...anyone remember the movie Real Genius? The genius kid that goes to college at 15 is in class the first day with everyone there; then they show him in class, and half the classmates are gone, with tape recorders in their place recording the prof. This continues until he shows up one day and is the only person in the room; even the prof has "mailed in" his lecture by having an audio player give his lecture to all the tape recorders. Ah, those were simpler times!
At any given moment, millions of youths are online, whether at home, at school, at a friend’s house, or—if they have Internet access on a handheld device or cell phone—almost anywhere. If you are a parent, teacher you are faced with a sobering reality: Your children are probably more comfortable in this new cyberworld than you are, and they may even know how to keep you in the dark about their online activities.
ReplyDeleteWhile in collage many of my professors had a blog component to the class. We would blog about what we read and discuss topics relating to the course. I know first hand that integrating technology into a lesson benefits the learner… I can’t wait to find new ways to incorporate what I learn into my lessons
ReplyDeleteI think that it is very important and usful resource that we build an on line education community, because this way we will be able to learn about each other abd also we can share our ideas wuth other teachers.
ReplyDeleteAs an virtual course developer, the key wasn't finding tools for students but determining which tools were most relevant to the potential students.
ReplyDeleteTechnology is a great tool for supplementing the learning and teaching but it is only one tool. As we are asked to deliver more information at greater levels of understanding (Bloom's), finding ways to increase our students knowledge and how to use that knowledge must expand beyond the classroom and move into their daily lilves.
I agree with Melina about blogging. I know it is something I should know to do and I am glad that I have to do it because I was not sure about it, I guess I was afraid of it all. I also agree that I am not sure yet have I will use it in my kinder classroom. My students last year talked about using the computer at home. I have to go with the flow and get used to all the new technology in our society.
ReplyDeleteBlogging is wonderful tool to stay connected to students. Kids nowadays need to learn as much technology as possible. I'm all for technology and as a 5th grade teacher it is a wonderful tool that complements any lesson, making it exciting and dynamic. I'm very happy that I got to set up my blog. I can't wait to start using in the classroom. What's great about blogs as well is that you can also incorporate parents and other teachers, making the process even more exciting.
ReplyDeleteParticipating in a PLN benefits both the teacher and the student. For example, it gives the teacher a chance to get feedback from a student that would normally not raise their hand in class to share a comment. Also, it gives students the chance to share ideas and gain knowledge from their peers.
ReplyDeleteI am surprised at how fascinating all of the comments are that have been posted. I am new to all of this but can see how it would be easy to get hooked. I hope that my kindergarteners will like communicating with me this fall outside the classroom and that their parents will help them put in their comments!
ReplyDeleteI agree with so many of you, online is becoming our future rather it be a paying a bill or being social. Our children are teaching us and learning and if we want to engage with them we have to know it as well. The point that stood out to me is that they will get on and try it-trail be error and learn it. So it would be key for us as teachers to learn it and teach them the right way to cut down their frustration.
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