I have been on Twitter for a year and blogging for less. The more I have developed my own learning, I truly believe that the learning opportunities for my school through the use of social media have also developed. Check out the visuals:
I started in my own learning space on this blog in April 2010 and then started a collaborative blog with school administrators on Connected Principals in August 2010.
At the beginning of the school year (September 2010), we ensured that we opened our network to our entire school community through our blog, Twitter, and Facebook. Staff also have their own blogs through this process to role model use for their individual classrooms. All teachers have a blog from K-12.
Students started creating and sharing in their own blogs at our K-12 school in October of 2010. Currently we have over 200 blogs that are being used by staff and students in our community, with an estimated 500 by the end of the school year.
In a short while, a lot of our practice has developed and changed for our students by immersing ourselves in the practice. You will see more of a focus on student centered learning, and it has been a fantastic journey for myself and our school.
How will immersing yourself in your own learning lead to more relevant opportunities for your students?
Evolution of a Lead learner%20http://georgecouros.ca/blog/archives/1646" title="Share on Twitter" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
Evolution of a Lead learner" title="Share on Delicious" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
Evolution of a Lead learner" title="Share on StumbleUpon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
Evolution of a Lead learner" title="Share on Digg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by gcouros and Shannon Smith, Joe. Joe said: RT @gcouros Evolution of a Lead learner http://bit.ly/e0ioPi #edchat [...]
Interesting when looking back at when all of this started, for you, for me, for the school. And now, looking at where WE all are. Pretty exciting. Just last night I filled out a survey for @sandymillin which made me think back to when it all started. It also made me realize how much twitter and blogging have helped me gain confidence, find tools and get support to just do it. (Her survey results: http://tinyurl.com/24lnptn)
Results: the students are directing themselves and motivating themselves amazingly.
So funny. My blog post tonight was about how much twitter and blogging have changed me. I love the work you're doing at your school. If you ever need a Sr. English teacher, let me know
This week I've been thinking a lot about what I want for my students, and what I've decided is that I don't necessarily need them to "do better", but rather, I want them all to be able to do "their best". In order to do so, I need to be able to provide my students with the means, methods, and motivation to do so. Learning, participating, and modelling with new technologies and methodologies is one such way. Ensuring that students are able to access curriculum through a variety of modalities, and then represent, document and reflect upon their learning using digital technologies/tools will empower them to do so in a personally, meaningful way. As you said, as teachers wade into these learning opportunities for themselves, the effect upon their practice is evident, and opens greater opportunities for their students. Thanks for sharing and helping me to grown my own personal learning network : ).
Michael Shemilt -
There are two types of swamps here who enjoy and practise the sport of shooting birds, those who shoot indiscrimately and those that follow the international rules. This sport is practised globally, even in the UK as well as North America and to be honest no Goverment can outlaw it simply because they are those from all walks of our society who partake. If you do not like it that is your privilege and right. Controlls are the way to go and can be monitored to ensure that the rules are obeyed.