Network Based Classrooms

As an English and reading teacher, a network based classroom seems like perfect situation for teachers and students.  A network based classroom allows for instant communication to take place between a number of different people. It allows the quiet students to speak up online whereas they wouldn't have in a face-to-face discussion. In an English classroom, students can create blogs for their AR books, discuss quotes and questions on a discussion board, and collaborate for research projects. Students are familiar with programs similar to Twitter and Facebook, so teachers spend less time teaching students how to use the web 2.0 tool. A networked classroom addresses the diverse needs of all learners because of the variety of tools available for students to use. Whether students are listening, communicating, creating, or sharing, there is a type of media out there that appeals to distinct learning styles.  Most importantly, the number one reason why network based classrooms seem to work well is because students are ENGAGED in the material. If students are not engaged in what they are learning, there is no point. It is as simple as that! 

Now, a network based classroom can seem like a perfect situation, but things can go wrong if the students are not taught be responsible for themselves and their learning. New technology brings new distractions, and for some teachers, this can hinder lessons and assignments. Teachers need to monitor all discussions and blogs to make sure that cyber bullying is not taking place. Students need to understand what is appropriate and what is inappropriate because inappropriate files can be easily shared with others by the push of a button. To me, the pros outweigh the cons because by simply setting expectations, teaching students responsibility, and taking an active role in the online learning will help keep students on track and engaged.

Sadly, I know that I cannot fully achieve a network based classroom because I do not have 1:1 ratio of students and devices. Yet, I can have a networked based classroom on days that I take my students to the computer lab or use the iPad cart. Any time we can communicate digitally is better than none. I have slowly been transitioning my students into a networked based classroom without even realizing it. Every week my students must read an article and write a response discussing their thoughts. Since February, my students have been reading their article online and posting their response to a discussion board. When they are finished with their original post, they must comment on someone else's post. Now, please remember that I teach 7th graders so it has taken several weeks to get more out of them than "I agree" as a response. Now, my students love completing the assignment on the iPads and participating in the online discussion. Many of them respond to several other posts instead of just one. I respond to posts so that students remember that I am aware of what they are doing as well.   When the students start working, my classroom is silent. You could hear a pin drop. They are silent because they are engaged in the discussion. It truly is amazing!  

This is just the start to changing my classroom, and I plan to incorporate more next year. I will first have to introduce my students to the many aspects of digital citizenship, so they will understand what is expected from them. Right now, my plan is for students to create a blog and create posts over their AR books. I would also like to use Google Docs for group activities because students can work and communicate from anywhere with internet access.

 

 Example of student discussion

 

I currently use MyBigCampus as a platform for all project sharing and discussions, but I have attached a link below that outlines a variety of other options for creating a network based classroom.
http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/02/teachers-guide-to-networked-classroom.html

Twitter for Teachers

Teachers should use Twitter as a PLN because it offers millions of resources that available with a simple click. Teachers can use Twitter to find information and articles on educational technology, curriculum, and many other education topics. In addition, Twitter allows teachers to share and collaborate ideas with others from around the world. All you have to do is follow people who want to collaborate with. Teachers can have chats or conversations with anyone on Twitter. They can even participate in educational driven chats where they can ask other professionals for advice. Teachers can use Twitter in the classroom to help their students share ideas. For example, students could share articles with each during a group research project. Twitter can be used a communication tool with parents and students as well. Teachers can post the assignment for the day on Twitter, so the student knows what he or she missed. The ideas for Twitter in the classroom are endless! For more ideas read "Can Twitter Help Your Teaching?"

Image courtesy of http://www.edudemic.com/25-ways-to-use-twitter-in-the-classroom-by-degree-of-difficulty/ 

I must say that I am currently addicted to Twitter. I am constantly on it when I have free time. When I'm feeding Beckett in the middle of the night, I am on Twitter. I just can't get enough! Before this week, I didn't fully understand the endless possibilities that Twitter presents to users. I am currently following a lot of technology driven users as well as other educators. I am already getting so many new ideas that I want to incorporate into my classroom next year! Plus, I am slowly shedding my "stalker" vibe by sharing information with other teachers. Now, I'm still not a Twitter expert. I'm not completely comfortable with the idea of using different hash tags (#), but I know that I will feel better the more I use Twitter. My advice to other educators is to check Twitter out. Give it a chance. You will be surprised with how easy it is to use and the amount of information available. 

Professional Learning Networks

Professional Learning Networks are an important part of an educator's life. It is important as an educator to stay up-to-date on current information and ideas regarding technology and education because they are continually changing. Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) allow teachers to share ideas, collaborate, and support one another from anywhere in the world. This opens up endless possibilities that ceased to exist 10 years ago.

To be honest, I am just starting to regularly use online PLNs this year. I feel like I need to sit down and really decide which PLN I like best between all of the different ones I have tried out. Then, I can organize all of my resources for that particular PLN.

Some PLNs that I like to use are Diigo and LearnZillion. LearnZillion is a website that I learned about last year from teachers in my building. It offers a variety of lessons over skills. A lot of the lessons are geared toward Elementary grades, and they are all aligned with Common Core. All of the lessons come with instructional videos for the teacher to use. Teachers can also create videos and add them to the website.  Diigo is a bookmarking website that allows users to create lists and tags to organize resources. Users can also search the library to see what others have tagged or bookmarked.

Click on the picture of LearnZillion to go to the website.

I have also linked a guide for LearnZillion and all of its features.
http://bknab.files.wordpress.com/2012/12/learn-zillion-information.pdf

One PLN that I am very interested in but not very accustomed to is Twitter. I do not feel comfortable using Twitter yet, but I know that there are a wide variety of resources at my disposal. My goal this year is to use Twitter to follow educational and technology related users and bookmark the resources I find from them using Diigo.

As a first year teacher last year, I struggled to find resources. One website that I used on a regular basis was the SmartExchange website. It has a variety of SmartBoard files that teachers can use. I used this to search for activities for my lessons. In fact, I used one lesson that another teacher from my district shared. 

Link to SmartExchange website - http://exchange.smarttech.com/#tab=0

An integral part of PLNs is be an active user who not only uses ideas from others but shares ideas for others to use. This is a weakness of mine. I am a "Stalker", and I do not share information and ideas that I find. I can solve this problem by becoming an active user of Twitter and re-tweeting interesting topics I find. It will be be something I need to work on, but I know that I will be helping others.