Getting Better Together

Being connected as an educator can take on multiple forms.  

A teacher can be on twitter, maintain a blog, join a Google hangout, or use other social media.  With students, a teacher can have a class twitter account, have students maintain blogs, engage in mystery Skype, or use back channels among other activities.

In addition, students can use their smartphones to do things such as to record and share.  QR codes and Google Docs give teachers easy avenues to share with students and give feedback.  There are countless ways to be connected.

But, at its core, being connected comes down to one thing: getting better together.  Having crossed my mind in the past, I was reminded while reading Julie Vincentsen’s (@jvincentsen) blog. Whether using technology or not, education is all about getting better together.

Technology can enhance collaboration and even make it easier.  But it is not necessary for collaboration.  When we work together, we can learn and achieve far more than in isolation.  Even one who works without others, cannot escape the influence of others through interaction, readings, or video.  Students can bounce ideas off of one another, can clarify their ideas with one another, and can teach one another.  Likewise, educators can receive the same benefits when engaged with their students.

Some activities may use technology while others may not.  Ultimately, however, the goal remains the same:  improvement.  And it is enhanced by others.

Just like educators encourage our students to interact with others to improve their learning, educators must also look for others to help them with their learning and improvement.  By being connected, we are getting better together.   As Julie notes in her post, “@AmyHeavin writes: Through our conversation, we share insights & ideas. When we act on those ourselves, we grow. When we share others grow too!”

If you have thoughts about what it means to be connected or, if this post has generated some thoughts of your own, please share in the comments. I would appreciate hearing about them.

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This post is inspired by Share #YourEduStory. The prompt from @christyfenne was “What does being "connected" mean to you?”

Growth & Inspiration from Others

I refer to others’ blogs regularly.  They both inform and inspire.  Part of whom I am as a teacher is due to their willingness to share through their blogs.

The first blog I began to follow was Richard Byrne’s Free Tech 4 Teachers.  His work opened my eyes to the multitude of resources that exist which can enhance a teacher’s toolbox.  His daily review of tech tools and his tutorials are invaluable.  Nearly every day, there is something on his blog that makes me stop and pause, thinking, How can I use or do that in my classroom?”  My eyes have been opened to see the possibilities of technology in the classroom by Byrne.

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day is another phenomenal blog.  Taking regular dips in his posts reap rewards as Larry Ferlazzo presents endless resources.  Some of the varying topics he addresses are student motivation, educational policy, ELLs, holidays, and his “best of” list of resources.  This just scratches the surface of what his site has to offer.  No matter the topic or subject area, Ferlazzo has curated resources for it.  Looking for something on metacognition?  How about movie clips of bad teachers?  Maybe you need “What If” history lessons?  Search his websites of the day to get yourself pointed in the right direction.

Certain needs led me to the first two blogs mentioned.  I have no idea what first led me to Paul Bogush’s Blogush.  Whatever it was, I am thankful.  Bogush wears his heart on his sleeve right where you can see his passion.  He is not afraid to put forth his opinion - that’s what a blog is for, right?  And his honesty is always rooted in what is best for his students and his own reflection.  He shares glimpses into his classroom and school through his blog and student videos that show he believes students are incredibly powerful beings capable of impacting the world as soon as they are ready.  In short, Paul Bogush makes me think about students and my own teaching.

This will be the third year my students keep blogs.  My former students who are now in eighth grade will be continuing their blogs with their current teachers.  I’m so pleased their current teachers have taken the opportunity to support the students’ blogging.  These blogs energize me as I gain greater insight about my students.  I also see my students opening themselves up to the world, inviting others to engage, trying to make an impact on the world, and crafting a positive digital footprint.  I will continue to encourage my students’ voices through blogging, as I have much to gain from their sharing.

If you do not currently follow some blogs, I encourage you to do so.  Check out the ones I’ve mentioned and seek others that help you to grow both personally and professionally.

If there are blogs that inspire you or, if this post has generated some thoughts of your own, please share them in the comments. I would appreciate hearing about them.

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This post is inspired by Share#YourEduStory. The prompt from @bjornpaige was “Whose blogs do you draw inspiration from and why?”