Dr Alec Couros is presenting at The PLE Conference 2012 in Melbourne this week. Here’s how I know..his call out for responses floated past in my twitter stream last week.
@courosa, as a teacher, learner and social networker I’m drawn to respond to your question “Why do (social) networks matter in teaching and learning?
Here’s a few thoughts…social networks matter because:
- over time, authentic relationships develop
- help is only seconds away
- experts from around the globe are available to chat in real time #mathchat #scichat #edchat
- I’m there to read about significant moments in science #cern #higgsboson
- as a virtual attendee conferences are no longer out of reach #conasta #pleconf #iste12 #slide2learn
- mobile technology enables me to spread the word to my network when I attend a conference
- I’m able to connect with educators across all sectors by keeping FacingIT up and running and being a member of other communities of practice. Being able to mentor pre-service teachers who visit these online communities is a privilege.
- the world is full of people willing to join in the conversation
Networks aren’t about the tools and platforms you use, they will change as time passes and our communities grow. They are about connecting with others, developing relationships, supporting and mentoring, sharing, laughing, caring, encouraging and participating. Educators don’t need to feel isolated in their busy workplaces where transient conversations occur on the way to class and professional development is difficult and expensive to organise. We don’t need to reinvent the wheel and feel reluctant to ask for help. Our voices can be heard beyond the noisy and sometimes threatening atmosphere of the staff room. Social networks do matter.
Addendum
- I’m touched that Dr Couros included my paragraph above in his Melbourne Keynote.
- networks are a place for feedback and affirmation too, part of the social-glue that connects us
Dr Alex Couros has kindly shared the responses for his unkenote and his resources for Becoming a Networked Learner.
Finally, I’d love to share with you this proud moment when @courosa shared my blog post at the #whynetworksmatter concerence.
You said it!
Malyn I saw your video in the Keynote, well done. The online streaming was excellent, felt like I was in the room with everyone else. Thanks for your comment
Great collage of networked connections and learning, Penny. I don’t think I’d survive without Twitter, at least in the professional sense. And I’ve made some good friends too. Makes you appreciate how many different personalities and experts there are to connect with. And it often reassures you about the goodness of people willing to share and help out for no personal gain.
Thanks Tania, yes indeed. It took me a while but once I understood the benefits of twitter and how educators used it to connect with others around the globe, I was hooked.
@penpln Fantastic presentation of the strenght of the PLN. @enable2012 a couple of weeks ago we had the pleasure of being engaged by Prof. Gilly Salmon and she too focused on the strength of relationships in the online world. Well done….:-)
Hi Judi, thanks for dropping in. I was keen to respond to the callout Alex Couros made, he was doing his Keynote in Melbourne
I enjoyed bringing my PLN into the conversation, on Twitter and Facebook. The response was unanimous, everyone felt that relationships developed online are authentic. Glad you were visited by Prof. Salmon too…wonderful Keynote.
Dear Penny,
My online PLN has been especially important because I work in a small, rural school isolated from other school and social networks. Because there are only four staff in the science and Maths department, an online network of teachers can provide extra resources, inspiration and support. I feel that my Twitter PLN is a more genuine connection than my face2face network, because it is based on common interests, not just a the commonality of locality. Someone from my Twitter PLN is available just about 24/7, because it is a global network – so even when things are troubling me or I am feverishly inspired to work odd hours, someone from my PLN is usually awake and willing to contribute ideas, support or just the simple comfort of knowing a like minded communicator is only fingertips and digital signals away.
I don’t remember if we have met face to face Penny, but I know we have a common interest in science, sustainability and technology. I know you are a warm and generous soul who always welcomes members to our Facebook group and has a wonderful sense of humor.
Best Regards Penny and I hope you know how much your friendship means to me!
Britt Gow🌺
Hi Britt,
As a teacher in a small rural school I fully understand how beneficial your PLE must be. You and Anne are inspiring and innovative educators doing great things for our profession. Thank you for being one of my online buddies, I look forward to meeting you face to face one day.
Thank you for such a lovely comment, I’m really touched. You know, it’s the power duo over there at Hawkesdale P12 College that’s been my inspiration to stay online and develop a PLE over the last 2 years. We haven’t met face to face, but have chatted in Tech Talk Tuesdays many times…I’ve met Anne twice. Your tweets have linked me to fantastic maths and science sites which I’ve bookmarked and referred to…and, of course, your tool box
Great post Penny! What an inspirational way to express how important our PLNs are to each and everyone of us. You especially have been a source of insipiration to me over the last couple of years of our shared learning journey. It is a joy to open either Facebook or Twitter and see your presence. You always share such interesting and valuable thoughts and comments. I look forward to many more years of shared ‘friendship’.
Hi Bev…hope you didn’t mind me including your tweet, the long chin wag was evidence of online relationships being authentic.
Thanks for your lovely comment and ditto, thanks for your inspiration, thoughts and amazing blog posts since we joined up for the VicPLN Program. Every time I see your avatar it reminds me of when we started…I must dig mine up and put her back in for a while
Hi Penny and congratulations on both a great blog post and its importance in the PLE Conference with Dr Alec Couros. That speaks volumes for the benfits of using twitter, by itself. The tweets you have used illustrate the power of networking and highlight so many different aspects. Thanks for being a valuable member of my network.
Hi Anne,
Dr Alec Couros used twitter in such a powerful way by crowdsourcing his personal learning network for his Melbourne PLE Conference Keynote. It was a privilege and great learning experience to be involved. Twitter has enabled me to feel more confident about expressing my thoughts and opinions…believe it or not, I’m one that usually sits quietly and listens.
I’m delighted to have you in my network Anne. You give a great deal and inspire so many educators, around the world, to connect and try new things.
Oh, and thanks, Penny. I did not read your reply to Britt’s comment above until after I posted my comment.
Anne I think we posted comments almost at the same time…I wondered why it was slow to refresh
great post Penny – love the way this illustrates networking so clearly.
Thank’s Sheila, if you are in the right place at the right time, amazing connections can happen.
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