A connected Educator - why?
I would have said I don't use Social Media within my teaching practice, however after reading this definition I have to change my stance. And with the course I am continuing to grow in this field.
Social media are computer-mediated technologies that allow the creating and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks. The variety of stand-alone and built-in social media services currently available introduces challenges of definition. (Wikipedia)
Real Time:
Today I had set up a blog for my year 13s, do research and respond/comment on the blog. One of my students said to me, hey miss how come you where up so late on 26 July 2007, I said what - he had gone in and had a look around all my blogs, profile etc. Wow talk about bring it home to me. (Safety, permissions)
Class use:
Helped with the Schools focus on Learning experiences and crossing the boundaries, moving outside the silo, using Google+ communities, had to go through the technology guys to get unblocked for the students as they saw this as a form of social media. Google.classroom, google.docs are others I am using more and more.
I don't have confidence in using Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram. Personally I use facebook as a personal social media and a great way to catch up with friends and messenger. Interaction for student work, asking questions, clarifications, I have always been happy to have email access and google.docs but some challenges with students deleting work. I have now used google.classrooms and practiced having students commenting on work or ideas in blogs. So far I have played with many and becoming a master of a couple.
I would have said I don't use Social Media within my teaching practice, however after reading this definition I have to change my stance. And with the course I am continuing to grow in this field.
Social media are computer-mediated technologies that allow the creating and sharing of information, ideas, career interests and other forms of expression via virtual communities and networks. The variety of stand-alone and built-in social media services currently available introduces challenges of definition. (Wikipedia)
Real Time:
Today I had set up a blog for my year 13s, do research and respond/comment on the blog. One of my students said to me, hey miss how come you where up so late on 26 July 2007, I said what - he had gone in and had a look around all my blogs, profile etc. Wow talk about bring it home to me. (Safety, permissions)
Class use:
Helped with the Schools focus on Learning experiences and crossing the boundaries, moving outside the silo, using Google+ communities, had to go through the technology guys to get unblocked for the students as they saw this as a form of social media. Google.classroom, google.docs are others I am using more and more.
I don't have confidence in using Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram. Personally I use facebook as a personal social media and a great way to catch up with friends and messenger. Interaction for student work, asking questions, clarifications, I have always been happy to have email access and google.docs but some challenges with students deleting work. I have now used google.classrooms and practiced having students commenting on work or ideas in blogs. So far I have played with many and becoming a master of a couple.
With the Mindlab course I have started to use Google+ communities both in my learning and within my classroom. Twitter, when it was introduced within our learning, I couldn't follow the reasoning behind it, why do we need it, what is the value, so I have since cancelled by login (I think). Many years ago I tried a blog but could not make it relevant to my teaching and/or learning so let it drop - have started again and I know some subject areas have great success. With Video 2, and the successful outcome of her students being able to contact around the world to Brisbane and have now time learning - geography, weather patterns is huge. How can I bring this in with Accounting - where does it fit. I know with my second subject Business Studies there are huge ways to include it.
Concerns:
As a recent Pearson survey (Seaman & Tinti-Kane, 2013) revealed 56% of respondents believed social media to be more distracting than helpful to students. Keeping students on task depending on the structure of the class can be challenging.
"Content creation by teenagers continues to grow, with 64% of online teenagers ages 12 to 17 engaging in at least one type of content creation, up from 57% of online teens in 2004. (Lenhart 2007)
"Nearly half (47%) of online teens have posted photos where others can see them, and 89% of those teens who post photos say that people comment on the images at least "some of the time." (Lenhart 2007) We are definitely in the phase now were it is not can they use it but skills need to be taught about making our students safe, from the bullying and the predators.
As a recent Pearson survey (Seaman & Tinti-Kane, 2013) revealed 56% of respondents believed social media to be more distracting than helpful to students. Keeping students on task depending on the structure of the class can be challenging.
"Content creation by teenagers continues to grow, with 64% of online teenagers ages 12 to 17 engaging in at least one type of content creation, up from 57% of online teens in 2004. (Lenhart 2007)
"Nearly half (47%) of online teens have posted photos where others can see them, and 89% of those teens who post photos say that people comment on the images at least "some of the time." (Lenhart 2007) We are definitely in the phase now were it is not can they use it but skills need to be taught about making our students safe, from the bullying and the predators.
My Professional Development:
I feel I am broadening my own use of social media and within my classroom as I learn more and more. Basically I have a moved into a growth mindset over the use of technology and social media within my teaching. The idea of students working collaboratively, sharing ideas, sharing their work and assisting each other is encouraging. However I need to make sure it is a safe working environment for them?!
I feel I am broadening my own use of social media and within my classroom as I learn more and more. Basically I have a moved into a growth mindset over the use of technology and social media within my teaching. The idea of students working collaboratively, sharing ideas, sharing their work and assisting each other is encouraging. However I need to make sure it is a safe working environment for them?!
Thanks for sharing this reflection with us in the blogosphere. Takes courage to share.
ReplyDeleteA lot of your ideas resonate with me in my teaching practise and personal life.
Online ghosts and changing your mind.
I am very wary of my digital footprint and since MINDLAB it feels more like bigfoot than ever. I started blogging like you several years ago with PTCs or RTCs as they were then, but got really freaked out with the idea of my personal navel gazing being shared with the world so did not continue.
Reflective journal
The idea of a reflective journal has been adopted by me but a bit stop start... sometimes I write a novel at others it is a paper back or magazine clipping. But at least I now know the purpose and benefits of professional reflection. Not just the kind of reflection after you buy a new pair of boots, etc and wonder if there are enough pairs in the wardrobe already.
Writing end of unit reflections is my favourite - it is a form of procrastination from report writing, filing and reorganising resources. But seriously I have actioned changes as a result.
Google plus
Not sure I like the whole notion of a multinational owning the bulk of "information" in the known world. The Google-fication of education is a phenomena that we just don't question much any more. The idea that this altruistic platform is beneficial seems to be a given but I am unsure that monopolies who own information sits well with the concept of the free world.
"Education is changing. Digital technologies are everywhere and they are impacting on what, where, how and why students learn. and who they learn from"
Today I have used about 5 Google products in one hour. I bet you did too. Classroom is my fav at present. My students say "miss how much time do you spend adding to our GC?! Boy you were up late...
They also see suggested You tube vids at the end of presentations so glad there is nothing I am not happy for them to browse. Not sure if this has ever been problematic for teachers.
Reading the Netsafe article (Min Ed) Digital Technology: Safe and Responsible use in schools was tonights tea time reading. We have digital device distraction policies now DDDPs before it was BYODs. "Device away unless I say - or on my desk it will stay" kind of statement ( my words not school policy - I might add. Kids use their device for what ever tickles their fancy and being in a constant state of distraction seems to be a way of life. Can anyone remember when we called it "surfing the net" hyperlinking your way to ..... somewhere over the rainbow. The slow speed of dial up meant the level of distraction was limited by the lovely squeal of the modem connecting.... ah reminiscing.
"Schools are advised to recognise and understand the nature of the changes and challenges that digital technology have broughr and develop systems and processes to manage these."
This seems to be a big ask when most adults are blithly unaware of what students are using their devices for at any one time, nor their personal capabilities for nuisance or outright harm to one another or the systems we run.
We encourage them to use ICT in a positive and meaningful way. Communicate politely not use anyone else's password etc. Distribute inappropriate material... It could almost has the ring of a Tui ad to it. We trust that is the case but cannot ensure that it is.
I will continue to read my guide for schools over the next few days. But there we have it - procrastination via blogging avoiding my reports.. I see how technology has insidious benefits?
Reference:
Digital Technology : Safe and responsible use in schools (2014) Ministry of Education, Netsafe.