What does it mean to be a connected educator? I thought I knew, I thought I was. Then I started a course, Digital Communication. Boy, was I wrong. When I had my own classroom, I was a 1:1 iPad classroom and had a SmartBoard. My students used their iPads at least 80% of the day. I could assign projects and assignments easily; even some grading was immediate for student feedback. It was great! But looking back there was still a disconnect. I may have been “connected” in that sense that I used technology. But I used it on my own. I planned with my colleagues at the building level but since starting this I realized how much I was missing out on. Being “connected” is more than just using the technology, it’s using other educators for everything I teach, in every way. This class introduced me to the world of Twitter. I can’t believe the how much support and information for educators is out there on Twitter. I wish I had known, all the things I could have done with the students, having a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips. What a better teacher I could have been. Being a newly connected educator is fun, you get to meet educators from all around the world. “What keeps connected educators energized about their learning network is not only the people with whom they connect, but also the ideas they get connect to, ideas that help them better at what they do…” (Whitaker, What Connected Educators Do Differently, 2015) It’s true, there is a renewed energy to gain knowledge to become better, I feel that the support in chats on Twitter is amazing, and joining edWeb webinars are so powerful. It allows educators to grow personally and professionally, when they want. It’s professional development on demand. I have joined a few communities and plan to participate in webinars coming up. Not only do I get the support but I can freely of my ideas and they will always be supported. I have a lot of knowledge, I have a lot to give to other teachers as well as students. It’s a great feeling. I still think I’ve only just begun to explore this kind of “connectedness”. It’s exciting and as substitute right now, I can just imagine the knowledge I will have for my next class. By then, I will have a solid PLN established and feel I will be more confident as an educator than I ever have been. I think all teachers should be connected educators. Just think of the things we could do for students. Powerful!
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AuthorColleen Grams, mom, certified teacher, substitute, member of the PTA |