My thoughts, perhaps it's as social as we want it to be, On one hand, a person can be a listener, a recipient of news, information and opinions without actually being in active conversation with the "chatterboxes" on the other end of the line, so to speak. On the other hand, one can be actively engaged and participating in conversation with others via instant updates on Twitter (which I feel, quite frankly is a complete and utter waste of time, perhaps I am clearly clueless as how to maximise its benefits) or on Facebook by commenting on friends profiles, exchanging images and videos (usually from YouTube), while also having face to face conversations using Skype, playing online chess....the list goes on...and on...
I set this blog up 9 months ago, purely for fun, as a wee challenge, to see if I could fiddle around with HTML, learn how to embed objects, share resources and give me some incentive to sort through the many that I have accumulated over the years. See my previous blog post from the beginning of the year on social networking. I have been surprised and to be honest a little thrilled to see that as of today there are over 2000 hits (according to ClustrMaps). Of course, it's very possible that many people stumbled upon this blog, had a quick skim read and moved swiftly on if Rod Liddle, writer of a recent Sunday Times article is to be believed,
"...Bloggsville incarnate - the very essence of that vast network of talentless and embittered individuals tapping away at their keyboards in the intellectual vacuum of cyberspace, only occasionally leaving their computer screens to heat up a Tesco microwave-ready mini filled garlic and corriander nan bread with Indian dip selection before returning to spew out some more unsubstantiated bile."
Rod Liddle, The Sunday Times
For fear of boring you with yet more "unsubstantiated bile"...let's get back to the task at hand which is to encourage Creative, Collaborative, Lifelong Learners...shall we have a look at what other bloggers have been blogging about, specifically their creative suggestions for innovative and collaborative learning in and around the classroom.
"Now I appreciate that many people will think that there is not a lot to learn about chewing gum but I think it is a fascinating subject!I also think it is also a good example of how a Curriculum for Excellence can allow us to teach topics that will capture the imagination of children but at the same time provide depth, core knowledge and skills."
Ollie Bray
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"A Dashboard Physics lesson: For several years I’ve turned my students loose with a rather boring video of my speedometer as I traveled around town. The best part of this video is that I don’t need to come up with an assignment.I just play the video. It doesn’t take more than a minute for questions to start bubbling out of the students?
- How long did you do this?
- Where did you go?
- How far did you drive?
And there it is. A physics lesson. I send the students off with a challenge: “tell us everything you can about my trip.”
Dale Bashler and Brian Bartel
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"I do not talk of grace in the classroom. I talk of fusion in the sun, of energy flowing through us, or matter recycling around us. I talk of what we know, what we can know, and of what we cannot.
I talk of descent with modification, of DNA, of life.
I told the kids on Friday I would bring back a shell or two of the critters I planned to hunt over the weekend. I want them to wonder, as I do, why the inside of a quahog shell holds a purple streak almost too intense too bear."
Michael Doyle
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"But now, I want to tackle the death of the pen which is quickly being replaced with digital writing tools like laptops, cell phones, iTouches, iPads, Smartpens etc. etc. etc. The same rumblings happen when it comes to the passing of the pen.
- But I love the feel of the pen on the page.
- Taking notes (an outdated skill) with a pen helps me understand what I’m hearing.
- I need an ink pen to be able to capture my thoughts, the keyboard just isn’t the same.
My advice: Get over it and join the 21st century so you can be relevant to yourself, your colleagues, and most importantly your students.Why? Because...Ditching pens allows you to do more, do it faster, do it more efficiently / effectively, and most importantly share it with an audience."Lisa Nielsen_________________________________________________________
"About a week ago I was at a conference and was asked what do you do with those teachers fast approaching retirement who don’t want, or feel the need to integrate ICT into their learning. The problem with arguing with people about this issue is that they try to elevate it to an intellectual / rational level, whatever their position. The reality though is that whenever there is poor teaching, students are disadvantaged, they are harmed. Not integrating ICT is poor teaching if your students live daily in a digitally rich environment. In addressing this issue we need to include the voice of those that are harmed by it.
My answer was to get half a dozen student and parents from that teacher’s class and get the teacher to discuss their position to this audience. When exposed to the victims of their actions, most people will change their position."
Peter Kent_________________________________________________
"Steve Spangler Science serves as both a catalog and on-line business dedicated to offering its customers educational toys and one of a kind learning resources. The company’s unique business strategies and attention-getting creations have been featured recently in the Wall Street Journal, Inc. Magazine and TIME Magazine where on-line readers voted Steve Spangler #18 in the Top 100 Most Influential People of the Year for 2006.
So, what is Steve doing right now.
He’s probably making some gadget ooze, bubble, fizz, bounce, smoke, or maybe he’s creating a new idea to get another human being turned on to life’s small wonders."
excerpt from Who is Steve Spangler?
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and on another note, however much we aspire to being ultra creative, our students super collaborative and all of us lifelong learners, hey, we're only human... here's a few descriptions from down to earth, honest bloggers who state the realities of a day in the life of a teacher...
"You know that saying, about there being an 'elephant in the room': something that everyone knows is there, but no one is willing to point out, for fear of what might happen if they do? Well, in teaching, there isn't just one elephant in the classroom, there's a whole herd of them, rampaging through the room. In this blog I plan to turn a spotlight on some of these elephants, to highlight the unspoken and sometimes unpalatable truths about our noble profession. Because if we can't be honest about what makes a good learning experience, or an effective school, and equally what makes a bad learning experience, or a bad school, then everyone loses. As the saying goes: 'Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.' There's no point in denying these truths, no point in turning our back on that herd of elephants, because they will still be there when we turn back around. Or to put it another way, just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean there isn't someone following you."
Sue Cowley
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"Lots of teachers return to work tomorrow and no Head can resist making a little speech to start the new term. A few will be inspirational, creating a warm feeling of comradeship and making every teacher feel wanted, appreciated and keen to do their very best. Most however will be dreadful, filled with cliches and wild new ideas which make no sense, but are greeted with wise nods by the SMT. They also include desperate pleas to work harder, interspersed with complaints about 'under-performance' which make everyone want to look for a job elsewhere.However, you need to stay alert because at some stage during the day (usually morning break) you will hear someone utter Chalk's Teachers' Moan No 1:
"It doesn't seem like we've been away!"Do us all a favour and shoot this person."
Frank Chalk
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and I'll leave you with this clip from intelligence squared where Stephen Fry discusses The Catholic Church and it's prejudices. I acknowledge that this speech is controversial and that yes, this speech will, I have no doubt offend some readers. However, don't pre-judge but take the time to listen to the numerous valid points that Mr Fry discusses in a powerful and articulate manner.
To conclude, the internet is an incredible social networking tool, let's continue to make the most of diverse methods to discuss, debate and share with from others from far corners of the world.
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