Using social online networks in teaching and professional development.

Activity 6

Using social online networks in teaching and professional development?

Digital tools have revamped our teaching practice on many fronts. They have made it visible and a virtual reality where everyone involved students, colleagues, management, external stakeholders, parents and community are all connected. Digital media enabled network plausible and accessible for sharing information at all times.

Online platforms especially social platforms like Linked in, Facebook, twitter, Instagram and snapchat, messenger have opened up myriad of ways to communicate visually, orally and  in written formats.

These digital tools created a manifold of tools for educational purposes. I have always been able to ask questions and seek ideas to tailor my lessons. I find the true meaning of sharing with no borders.

I feel belated in gratitude and awe for this being made possible. I am indebted to biology corner for their magnificent contributions.

Common sharing of resources through emails, attachments and google docs.  Planning document of Whainga Link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rvota1FEAqQGqbqQ3-2aPDFqMc2LpNTsq1xf3Wqlfyo/edit

Another popular digital tool is twitter where you can follow people of your choice for the work and make them your professional gurus. They share and I have been following Ramsey  for his amazing lesson ideas and concepts

I find taking ideas and using for my lessons helps me to create innovative and latest updates, which engages students and I also, enjoy learning more and love being informed.

Ours is a whanau based learning classroom where all curricular areas are integrated and facilitated. This provides many opportunities to co-construct, and make projects inclusive by taking learners opinions and choices to build into such relevant projects.

Taking ownership for my own professional learning- there are many platforms to upskill and be part of the innovative new tech cult.

Intra school networks where resources are shared between teachers

Whilst there are many opportunities and platforms to form networks and be on board with professional development (Kelly, 2013) in the desired field of teacher practice. I try to register interest with the free online forums and take time off to attend PD, which is an avenue to learn from the experts.  I also am a member of the teachers in industry and like to go for visits and updates to help and enhance my own knowledge and learn new applications and opportunities for my students to participate. Eg: Greenhouse growing of vegetable for export purposes- NZ Gourmet,

It was interesting to know that bees are produced for sale to enhance pollination tomato fields.

Social online networking, (Melhuish, 2017) certainly does help me in my professional networking where I can share and source resources and ideas. The down side is there is so much information available and very appealing and eye catchy resources and opportunities for professional development. Time is a huge constraint, where in the modern world we spend more time on the computers that any other gadgets.

In class, I follow the respective school policies on digital sharing.  In my practice, I have facilitated Class blogs, Websites, Google classrooms, Hapara, Google docs, slides and sites for sharing with my pupils and vice versa. Student interaction and open channels of communication are vital to help personalise and let learners take ownership of their learning to suit their space and pace in their own preferred time.

Online skyping and tools are very interesting, engaging, interactive and lovely, yet we need to commit and keep the old practice in direct participation, which will give the feel, depth and the actual wisdom of learning. The practice of direct professional development might vanish in future if the digital world takes over as it would be cost effective and reach out to huge numbers. I am glad I have been part of this transformative process and progress.

References:

http://www.ascilite.org/conferences/sydney13/program/papers/Maher.pdf retrieved on 13 th March 2017 , 2.35pm.

 

Kelly, F. (2013, February 7). Online communities are transforming professional development for teachers. Retrieved from The guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2013/feb/07/online-communities-transforming-professional-development-teaching

Melhuish, K. A. (2017, March 13). Online social networking and its impact on New Zealand educators’ professional learning. Retrieved from researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz: http://researchcommons.waikato.ac.nz/handle/10289/8482