My initial thoughts for chapters 1 and 2 of the book focus on the understanding that our world is very changed in terms of communication from what I've familiar with. I'm showing my age here; it's a generational thing. My own children view technology quite differently from me. They are very accepting, I'm challenged. However that doesn't mean I don't appreciate what innovations in technology have to offer. Having the ability to access information, connect and interact, to explore 'meaningful collaboration and authentic collegiality with others', at your fingertips is truly an exciting prospect. And as I learn more skills, I'm more comfortable and curious about what else is out there. That said, I was amazed by how interactive "Susan", the elementary teacher featured in the article A Day in the Life of a Connected Educator, was with almost every step of her day. I have to admit, I struggle to see myself interacting at this level, yet it's where I think our educational community is headed and where I will be going as I become more and more a part of it.
"Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible threads." Herman Melville. How telling that some two hundred years later this perspective would still be a truth. I don't think that Melville could of course foresee how our connections would evolve, but the simple truth that we are connected in many different ways holds still. It's the relationships in our lives that I believe are most important. And to extend that sentiment- "Most important are the relationships that learning technologies make possible." Nussbaum-Beach, Hall pg. 10. And there is the connection that technology offers. Our thousand invisible threads are connecting more and reaching further. I had the opportunity while a para at Lafayette Regional School to interact with a school in New Zealand. We enjoyed weekly Skype sessions and made our experiences together part of a global newspaper which we published online and included schools from other countries as well. The students were thrilled to experience other cultures through interactions with 'peer ambassadors'. A meaningful connection was made, many miles away and all thanks to technology.
So here we are, connecting and communicating in a whole new collaboration for our times. I may not be at Susan's level of connection, but I'm pretty happy I figured out Feebly today :)
Nussbaum-Beach, Sheryl, and Lani Ritter. Hall. The Connected Educator: Learning and Leading in a Digital Age. Bloomington, IN: Solution Tree, 2012. Print.
I love the Melville quote and I agree with you about relationships! They are truly integral to being a 21st century citizen. We are using technology to teach our students relationships. Through these relationships they are learning about the world, like your global newspaper example. Some kids today have no idea about other countries and cultures. In the new job market, not only will they need to know how to use technology, but they will need to know how to interact and collaborate with people appropriately using technology. I feel that this is why it's so important for us to use help them to build relationships with technology and therefore other people all over the world. And I was pretty happy that I figured out Feebly too!! We're all learning here! :)
ReplyDeleteI just think that it is great that, although you admit to being technologically challenged, you are accepting of all of this new information. This course has provided and continues to provide so many ideas, tools, and resources. In order to get through all of those and not be overwhelmed, I am finding that I need to stop, take a breath, and embrace the possibilities that each of these tools provide. I love how you brought that Melville quote into this. It is so true that we are connected through different "threads" now than we were just decades ago. I often find myself reflecting back to my school aged years. Even undergrad would have been so different if I had had access to the devices and websites that make our lives so much easier presently.
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