Teachers Leading

Foam Letter C H Vintage Sticker Letter A letter N John Crane Classic Block Letter G letter E

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Connections

I've decided to take a few courses to reactivate my teaching certificate. The first class that I'm taking is a "Wikis, Blogs, and Web Publishing" course offered by Rich Kiker. Even though I teach a similar course at Drexel University, I figured I'd learn new technologies and strategies to enhance my courses. I'm getting way more than I thought I would. I have been inspired to seek new challenges and work towards goals that have always been in the back of my mind. Those goals are now at the forefront and I will publish them here once I have refined them in my head. I know what I want to do....I want to work at the university level to get teacher educators using social media to enhance the learning experience for pre-service and graduate level teachers. First, I need to re-establish my social presence. This blog is my first step. A reflection as I work to refine my network: For the past 10 years, I have read blogs as a way to learn. It was my main method of professional development since I am an adjunct. It was a great way for me to seek out new strategies, research, etc on my own....for free! I now believe that a way to communicate that to my students is to model the process for them. This is a CHANGE for education and professional development. Tom Whitby discusses in a post dated 10/16/13 that how blogs are connecting educators, thought leaders, and administrative leaders. He states, "To be part of the change, educators need to be part of the process. They need to connect, comment and contribute wherever possible in our connected community of educators. That is where our voice as educators is the strongest. Connectedness is our best chance for positive change that is not mandated, or legislated, but rather collaboratively established." The blogs have been present for several years; however, it's time for teacher educators to become part of that connected community of educators.

No comments:

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Connections

I've decided to take a few courses to reactivate my teaching certificate. The first class that I'm taking is a "Wikis, Blogs, and Web Publishing" course offered by Rich Kiker. Even though I teach a similar course at Drexel University, I figured I'd learn new technologies and strategies to enhance my courses. I'm getting way more than I thought I would. I have been inspired to seek new challenges and work towards goals that have always been in the back of my mind. Those goals are now at the forefront and I will publish them here once I have refined them in my head. I know what I want to do....I want to work at the university level to get teacher educators using social media to enhance the learning experience for pre-service and graduate level teachers. First, I need to re-establish my social presence. This blog is my first step. A reflection as I work to refine my network: For the past 10 years, I have read blogs as a way to learn. It was my main method of professional development since I am an adjunct. It was a great way for me to seek out new strategies, research, etc on my own....for free! I now believe that a way to communicate that to my students is to model the process for them. This is a CHANGE for education and professional development. Tom Whitby discusses in a post dated 10/16/13 that how blogs are connecting educators, thought leaders, and administrative leaders. He states, "To be part of the change, educators need to be part of the process. They need to connect, comment and contribute wherever possible in our connected community of educators. That is where our voice as educators is the strongest. Connectedness is our best chance for positive change that is not mandated, or legislated, but rather collaboratively established." The blogs have been present for several years; however, it's time for teacher educators to become part of that connected community of educators.

No comments: