Wrap-Up

This Web 2.0 course has been one of the most interesting and informative courses I've ever taken. I must admit, going in I felt I already knew and had tried all of Web 2.0 tools for the classroom, but was pleasantly surprised that even the applications and sites with which I was most familiar can have a place in the classroom.

There is some discussion in the ID community that too many programs focus on theory, alone, and do not allow for enough practice. I'm glad to say that is not the case for FSU's ISLT program, as their program has given me a great foundation in both theory and practice!

The Benefits of Personal Learning Networks for K-12 Teachers

All careers can benefit from a PLN, but I would argue that a PLN for K-12 educators is especially advantageous. While teachers are expected to plan together and meet throughout the week, I found personally, when working as a high school teacher, that it was rare when I had a moment of true discussion and collaboration with my colleagues.

Once the school year is underway, other responsibilities and problems get in the way of these interactions. You may plan to meet with 6 other teachers after school, only to find that two teachers have team sports responsibilities, one teacher is out sick, another teacher had to leave after school that day to pick up her sick child, one teacher was called into a parent-teacher conference, and another teacher was called into a last minute administrative meeting. Your 7 person meeting has now dwindled down to 2 people!

For all the reasons described above, a PLN would be most beneficial to this group of teachers. It provides a great space to share ideas and commiserate over common problems, all while allowing each member to do so at their own pace.

My Personal Learning Network

As we wrap up our class I'm pleased to share my blog, I Am Donor Conceived. I created this blog as part of a personal learning network (PLN) and it also serves as a home for educational artifacts surrounding a hobby of mine.

Throughout my work on the assignment, the thing that stood out most to me was the need for dedication to a PLN, especially if it is hobby-based. It took me some time to realize that as much as important as I find it to research being donor conceived, I don't particularly feel compelled to lead others to the same information I've found. For now, I will keep the blog until I've made a more permanent decision as to what I should do with it.

Does Facebook have a place in the classroom?

In our class this week, Dr. Dennen shared a paper concering Facebook and context collapse as it concerns using Facebook for education. If you are unfamiliar with the term, context collapse is what happens while using social media when your social media friends are mixed in with your real-life friends and colleagues.

The issue of context collapse is the reason why you may feel uncomfortable adding work colleagues or classmates as your friend on Facebook. For many, Facebook is a personal space where they get to share pictures of family, friends, their home, pets, etc. Many people do not feel comfortable being so personal with work colleagues, which is why many choose to not add them as friends.

As a classroom teacher, it never even occurred to me to implement Facebook as a tool. There stood to be many benefits for me to do so, especially as it concerned sharing files, videos, and creating a classroom community, but I'm sure students were just as mortified at the though of being Facebook friends with their teacher as I was thinking about them seeing pictures of my home.

From a sensible point of view, it may make more sense to reduce the number of total accounts we have and utilize single logins by only ever using Facebook. However, this is not how human beings work in a social manner. There is an inherent desire to certain people and information in our lives separate from one another, and this is why we have learning management systems and educational social media.