Week 4 Blog: Step Outside the Box

Step Outside the Box

Being the first one to introduce yourself is not easy for anyone.  Unless of course, you're extremely outgoing.  I, myself on the other hand sometimes struggle with that first step.  "Hi, how are you?" Four words that so many people have a tough time getting out.  It's like you're not sure what's going to happen if you open up the door to the unknown.  Well, I guess it couldn't hurt to find out.

      Creating connections is a significant part of life.  Whether it is face-to-face or online, it is important to build relationships.  This week for class, we were asked to read chapter two in Connected Educator.  This chapter, "Developing a Connected Learning Model,"  is very useful for someone getting involved in networking.  This chapter is geared more towards teachers and educators but anyone can use these tips to help create a digital footprint. 

     

      So, for years, teachers have had a certain number of classes with a certain number of students.  Participating in connected learning communities give teachers an opportunity of having unlimited students. This gives educating a whole new meaning.  Also, with having an unlimited learning population, it can also give teachers a chance to collaborate ideas and help each other out.  There is 3 ways to approach these learning communities:

1. Local Community: this is face-to-face connections in a committed group, such as students in the same class.  (Professional Learning Community)

2. Global Network: this is when the individual chooses who they connect with and are not pressured into a group.  These are online connections with different people and resources from all over the world. (Personal Learning Networks)

3. Bounded Community: collective and often global groups of people that have similar interests and build connections deeper than just professions.  (Community of Practice or Inquiry)

      For the personal learning networks, it is crucial for the user to design it themselves.  You do not want it to just be school based.  It is almost as if you are expanding horizon, and this will help your growth on the network.  This is something you want to do in order to establish a professional learning community. 

Furthermore, with communicating in connected learning communities, some tools may be useful to stay on track with information and assignments.  This week in class, we learned about an app called Evernote. Want to know what you can use it for?  There is a copious amount of purposes for this program.  It is almost like having a 5 ring binder, planner, address book, all in one without the mess.  You can make notebooks, share photos, put contact information, and find resources on this handy app! 

Lastly, another interesting site that Professor Calderwood showed us this week, is the Internet in Real Time Penny Stocks.  You can actually see how many individuals are using what program in the world.

Click the animation to open the full version (via http://pennystocks.la/).