Reflection on PLN

I believe I have a good start in building my personal learning network.  I have displayed some of the tools I am using or have researched to enhance my understanding of social networking.  I realize I have only scratched the surface of the many resources offered.  Having a PLN is absolutely necessary to continue to grow as an educator.  After exploring the social networking world, I realize connecting and collaborating is the vital key to be successful.  Therefore, I recognize the benefit of going beyond the classroom walls.  Students and educators will be more likely to be motivated and engaged in their own learning. I found Twitter, Google Blogger, Pinterest, and Diigo to be the most beneficial in making connections and collaborating with other educators.  There are endless opportunities when implementing tools linked within the PLN.  Providing these opportunities will prepare students for the global world as well as provide them with an enriched educational experience. 

References and Resources:

Wikispaces ~ http://www.tangient.com/wikispaces.png
Diigo ~ http://tinyurl.com/lb5e86b
Feedly ~ http://icons.iconarchive.com/icons/bokehlicia/alike/512/feedly-icon.png
Skype ~ http://blog.100tb.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/skype.jpg
Pinterest ~ http://tinyurl.com/mjwsm4d
Twitter ~ http://scm-l3.technorati.com/13/07/24/76953/twitter-logo-bird.gif?t=20130724122337
Classroom 2.0 ~ http://tinyurl.com/mndjt9p
Edweb.net ~ http://tinyurl.com/m3vsx5j

Reflection on Twitter Chats

This week I participated in two different Twitter Chats.  I’m always interested in new and exciting ways to engage and motivate learners, so I really appreciated the content of both the Twitter chats.  The first chat I participated in was #edchat.  The topic was about the Flipped Classroom.  Even though the chat was fast paced, the information was plentiful and authentic.  I’m not sure how many educators were involved in the chat, because the tweets were coming in so fast from so many people.  I believe the benefit of this type of chat is the new innovated educators that you connect and collaborate with.   #Edchat moderator of this chat was Jerry Blumengarten. ‏ I was so excited to actually chat with @cybraryman1.  I have been using his website cybraryman.com for many of my resources in this course.  I started to follow him and Ryan Hill @ryanvhill.  I’m really glad that the archives for the Twitter chat are posted on the #Edchat wiki, so I’m able to reflect back on the chat. In that one hour of chatting, I think I gained more sources to utilize and connections made than a couple of days searching on my own.  The best part about participating in this chat is that these educators have either already tried or have evaluated the information. In both Twitter chats, I experienced difficulty manipulating Tweetchat.  Therefore, the next chats I will use Tweetgrid or something similar.  I believe the more experience I have with chatting on Twitter the better I will get and the more knowledge I will gain. 

The second chat was so different from the first.  This Twitter chat consisted of five precipitants including me.  Three were from our MBU#543 class.  The chat was for #web20tools and since we were the only ones in the chat, we decided to start our own discussion.  We would ask questions about different 2.0 tools or strategies we use within the classroom.  We chatted about certain tools we were interested in but have not implemented.  Even though there were only a few of us involved in the Twitter chat, the pace was much easier to handle and the information was still informative.  I did not follow anyone from this chat, because I’m already following the three from our class.  I still need more practice with Tweetchat to gain the full experience of twitter chatting.  I will continue to interact in Twitter chats to enhance my connections and education. 

 

Reflection METC

On February 11^th I was able to experience a wonderful opportunity and attend the Midwest Education Technology Conference.  The main task of the Midwest Education Technology Community is to support and connect innovative learners.  This was my first time attending METC and I was not disappointed.   METC offers the newest technology and resources while promoting motivation, engagement, transformation, and connection.   

I was able to listen to the keynote speaker Kevin Honeycutt @kevinhoneycutt.   He is an innovative and thought provoking influence in the educational technology community.  During the day I was able to be in involved in five different sessions.  The first session was with Logan McCammon @pocketlodge his session was the most entertaining.  Dr. McCammon motivates learners through innovative instruction, using kinesthetic learning he connects to his learners.  He encourages teachers to give the students the opportunity to express their learning through creativity.  I can relate to this type of learning since I teach kindergarten.   I really enjoyed the session, we learned how to flash mob and use music videos to promote learning in the classroom.  The next session was “Using Cartoon and Meme Creation to Engage Students”.  This motivating and engaging class provided free websites to involve students to demonstrate their knowledge through originality and inspiring ways.  "The Google Art Project: Creating Critical Thinking and Artistic Behavior", was another session I went to.  In The Google Art Project, the class discovered how to manipulate the site and connect students to museums around the world for cross-curriculum educational objectives.  In "Holy Collaboration Batman:  SMART Boards, Clickers and Tablets make Learning Fun"; the session explored new tools and strategies to engage students through collaboration.  The last class I attended was, “Tell Me a Story” presented my Christine Ruder @jhox1.  This session was very informative and provided meaningful tools to implement within an early/elementary classroom.  The sites and applications that were presented are based on writing and storytelling.  The sites and apps mentioned in the presentation are linked below.   

Overall the experience at METC was awe-inspiring and motivating.  I’m so excited to try the new skills and tools that were presented at the conference.  I am just sorry that I could not attend all of the sessions.  I definitely want to go next year! 

Tell Me a Story:  http://tinyurl.com/mwnctqs

Social Networks

The two social networking sites I joined are Classroom2.0 and edWeb.net.  These sites have much to offer with plenty of content and resources available.  Classroom 2.0 is a social network for those interested in Web 2.0, social media, and participative technologies in the classroom.  This network provides forum discussions ranging anywhere from using Google documents to ways to reach challenging students.  Another vital feature of this tool is the ample opportunity to discover and connect with colleagues. 

EdWeb.net is an online community to share information and resources, meet new collaborators, and provide professional development. On this social site you are able to connect to an existing community or form your own.   Free webinars are offered on diverse issues in education.  You can make your community as unique as you desire.  The possibilities are endless with the tools provided, such as, blogs, discussions, document sharing, calendars, wikis, and live chats.  

As Web 2.0 book states, some advantages of social networking are, but not limited to, are as follows: small groups can collaborate on projects: the site can be used to retain teacher notes, videos, podcasts, and other classroom activities; students can develop, collaborate, and retain their own efforts over time (Solomon & Schrum p 83). Not only are these beneficial to the entire class but especially to students with diverse learning needs. The social networking sites I joined demonstrate how using these tools can support teachers and students.

While exploring the social site of Classroom 2.0 I came across many strategies that would be helpful when working with diverse students.  One of the articles that I particularly enjoyed was titled; SimpleWays to Reach Your Challenging Students, in this article was a simple list and procedures to assist the diverse learner.  Some of the ideas are: conduct regular student reflections, use daily evaluations, no more phone calls about bad behavior, arrange a secret sign with a student that lets them know they need to stop a particular behavior.

The community I joined in EdWeb.net is a group of those interested in self-contained multi-graded classrooms.   The students involved in this classroom have a wide range of needs academically, emotionally, and socially. This community aims to meet the needs of the diversity and difficulties of this type of classroom.  Provided through this community are available resources, concepts, and supportive discussions and effective research connections.

I believe both of these social networking sites provided a great opportunity to connect and collaborate with specific communities to meet the needs of all stakeholders involved.  The main goal of Classroom 2.0 and edWeb.net is to inspire and support teachers together.

Reflection on Implementing a Networked Classroom

In chapter 3, Implementing a Networked Classroom in our Personal Learning Network book, the information was very helpful and packed full of ways to apply social media tools into the classroom.  I had to read the chapter more than once to obtain the material.  The chapter relays on-going, outside of the classroom, and successful tools to creating a connected classroom.  After reading about Clarence Fisher, I was inspired from his journey on turning his classroom into a learning networked classroom.   I joined Clarence (glassbeed) on twitter.  I feel that building my PLN, starting a connected classroom, and following Clarence will be a great asset to my classroom environment.

There are some advantages and disadvantages when to comes to changing a traditional classroom into a networked classroom.  Students are motivated when they are involved in authentic learning experiences that are meaningful to them.  The connections that are made expand interaction and collaboration outside of the classroom environment.  In a social networking classroom, using social media benefits all participates in a variety of ways. For example, these tools foster student’s technology and communication skills. Collaboration among peers creates a positive learning environment.  Networked classrooms benefits teachers and students in developing a respect for real life learning.  Learning to use social media tools and websites appropriately, in safe surroundings, will demonstrate the importance of a safe, responsible digital citizen.  Engaging students in social networking tools will prepare students for the environment in which they live.  Some key issues that are negative to having a networked classroom are that many school districts block most social media tools and websites.  School districts are slow to incorporate technology or they do not have the ability to handle the multimedia tools.  Another disadvantage of a learning networked class would be a lack of professional development for teachers.

Evolving into a networked classroom will be different from one classroom to another.  Time and patience will be essential in this process for all involved.  Building a personal learning network will be the vital key for a successful network learning classroom. Using social media and multimedia tools to implement into the classroom learning is a big factor of having a networked classroom.  Making connections, collaboration, sharing ideas and resources will facilitate the process.   Expect many challenges and problems however, having a troubleshooting and support plan in place will help when complications arise.

Having a network classroom would assist and individualize specific needs for students.  A learning network class could be tailored to fit individual academic, emotional, social needs. Meeting various students' needs, in language and any other diverse needs would benefit from class discussions, team interactions, and other class connections  Learning in this type of class will enrich learner diversity. Addressing the students with various needs would be represented in a networked classroom.   I believe the best way to sum it up is from Personal Learning Network (2011) “Collaborating with others to create meaningful important work should be the end goal of all of this”. 

 

Twitter Reflection

I am always excited to add instructional tools to the classroom that promote the use of technology.  The added use of Twitter is no exception.  Twitter is a professional, social, and learning network tool used to micro-blog and collaborate with other educators and stakeholders.  The amount of information provided about Twitter is awe-inspiring and is a never ending amount of resources.  In fact, while exploring, I found many uses for Twitter in the classroom.  These uses include, but are not limited to; suggestions of people/communities to follow that may expand your learning, videos and tips for effectively using Twitter in the classroom, and how to expand your personal learning network with Twitter.  I discovered a plethora of information on Pinterest.

Twitter seems to be a wonderful tool to express your voice and to be heard outside of the classroom for both teachers and students.  Web 2.0 How-to for Educators states, “The ability to feel connected can mean that students have a voice and an audience.  They can reach out to others in their class, school, or community. Or get answers from experts in their network” (Solomon & Schrum, 2010, pg 38).  With so many connections and resources, the possibilities of authentic real world teaching and learning pathways can open up many new opportunities for all stakeholders.

Twitter:  @christikemper

Solomon, G., & Schrum, L.  (2010).  Web 2.0: How-to for educators.  Eugene, OR: ISTE.
 

 

                

Reflection on Chapters 1 & 2 ~ Personal Learning Network book

I believe the best benefit of a personal learning network is that every individual has the opportunity to have a personal, unique group of connections that engage all involved with meaningful learning experiences.  The possibilities of resources are unlimited with the connections PLNs provide.  With these networks, obtaining lesson plans, multimedia tools, websites, and software are easily accessible to integrate into the classroom.  I find the most important part of making your PLNs valuable for all stakeholders involved is to acquire knowledge through the discussion and sharing of ideas.  This sharing will add to the diversity and quality of the interactions, and is a valuable classroom enrichment tool.   As our book Personal Learning Networks states, “Your network will grow, and your learning will never be the same.” 

The effects of PLNs have the ability to influence your personal and professional learning.  One advantage is that these social networking tools support and facilitate the learning process in a personalized approach. This type of collaborating provides different concepts and resources that you may not have otherwise discovered.  There are countless ways to utilize your own circle of contacts and resources by collaborating and networking with your peers.  Blogs, bookmarks, podcasts, and wikis are just a few examples of the vast technological avenues that are available to educators.

I believe in the whole concept that the first couple of chapters express;

I feel that the following concepts described in the first couple of chapters express the summary of my own beliefs regarding this educational concept:

“Schools have been working hard at making our kids learned because in the past, it was hard for them to do that without the teachers and resources that schools offered.  Not so today.  In the 21^st century, students inhabit a world in which we have the ability to truly make them learners who are able to create and share and participate in these online spaces in ways that will allow them to take advantage of whatever opportunities currently exist and the unimaginable ones that lie just around the corner.  To do that we adults in the room need to be learners in those contexts as well.”  (Richardson & Mancabelli, 2011, p. 20)

 

Richardson, W., & Mancabelli, R. (2011). Personal Learning Networks: Using the power of connections to transform education. Indiana: Solution Tree Press.