Social Networks in the Classroom

October 28, 2008 * Comments(0)

I am about to embark on a new and exciting implementation of using a social network for educational purposes in my photography classes. I have been thinking about ways to encourage more collaborative dialogue among my students. With so much of class time spent on learning technical aspects of camera functions and digital photo management, critical analysis of student work often takes a back seat.

In an effort to give “critique” a place in the front seat where it belongs, I plan to implement the use of a new open source application called “Elgg.” It is an application that can be uploaded to a LAN server for private social networking. Considering my students are beginning level photographers and Middle School age, using a private social network will allow them collaboration amongst peers in a private setting.

I myself am a member of 3 Ning educational networks which has connected me to educators across the globe. I had some initial reservations about the “networking” possibilities with a social network housed and accessible only to members of the school. However, I though further about my learning goals for my students, which is collaboration among their peers within the class and have decided to try Elgg out.

My implementation plan:
-Setting up the network and testing all tools students will use
-Create a timeline for Phase 1: introduction, teaching appropriate/responsible use
-Create a timeline for Phase 2: log in, basic tools, groups, pages
-Create a timeline for Phase 3: discussion, critique, reflection assignments
-Implement Phase 1 then record and reflect, adjust timeline if needed
-Implement Phase 2 then record and reflect, adjust tool “glitches,” moniter student use in and out of class, adjust timeline if needed.
-Implement Phase 3 then record and reflect, moniter student discussions, critique, reflections for content understanding and appropriate/responsible use
-Ongoing monitoring and reflection
-At the end of course: Continue use following plan, continue use with adjusted plan, or discontinue use

We’ll see how is goes! Check back for a later post on this topic in a few weeks!

Learning 2.008 Technology Conference…Shanghai

September 23, 2008 * Comments(1)

Last week I attended the Learning 2.008 Conference in Shanghai, China. It was a fast and furious 3 day conference focused on 21st century learning with technology. I attended many excellent keynotes, sessions, and “unconference” sessions (sessions that are inspired by learning throughout the conference, suggested and/or lead by participants).

The best statement I heard at the conference was by David Warlick in an unconference session on “Echo Chambers” (described as networking with all of the same people and through the same sites over and over, see blog post). He said, the definition of being a teacher in a time of rapid change means being a master learner. I thought not only does this statement define teachers, but our learners too. Students of today must be master learners. They cannot just be recipients of information, they must learn the skills to navigate their own learning to thrive in the 21st century.

Conference Session highlights for me were:
If I had to choose one key point that David made in this session it is that as an educator/learner you have to cultivate a personal learning network yourself. To build a community of learning you must be proactive in reading what others are writing, comment, and generate successes from these conversations. Effective use of blogging (writing one yourself, reading others, commenting, and provoking comments) are central to a personal learning network. Using blogrolls and RSS are tools that will help you to manage and keep up with your personal learning network.
Another key point is to train information to find you. Using a blogroll embedded into your own blog will allow you to see when blogs you find most relevant have new posts. Setting up the RSS feeds will bring information to you, instead of you having to go to several different sites to see if there is updated information. Organizing your RSS feeds into folders such as “every day” and “every week” will help you to organize the information most relevant to your learning in a manageable way.
To me, the strongest point that Clarence made in this session is that in order to promote the kinds of learners we want our students to become, we must redefine teachers. Teachers must become more of a network administrator whose main job is no longer providing content but helping students find their network by connecting them with content, people, information. He points out that with kids, community is more important than audience. You must be careful of putting students’ work on the web just for the sake of getting an audience as it can lead to sensationalism. He argues instead that students can work within a public network and make a positive contribution to knowledge. To achieve this he describes a studio style classroom organization. A lot is happening simultaneously. The master (teacher) would supervise apprentices (students), giving them more and more responsibility as they mature, more choices over time.
Please visit the conference site on Ning for more information about keynotes, presenters, sessions, and notes from the conference. There is a wealth of information on 21st century learning and technology and links to great resources there.