Molly Kresta Lamar University EDLD 5362 – ET8014 Networking! Colleagues and Students Await!

Educational Networking. I know my content! Why do it? Changing Students Changing Educational Atmosphere Opportunities Abound

Changing Students Today’s students are multi-taskers. They listen, write and text multiple people at once. We must no longer be as concerned with their attention span as we are their attention scope. (Zaslow, 2009) They must not only learn community citizenship, but digital citizenship. (Manzo, 2009) Their ways and needs are changing, and we must change if we are to succeed in teaching them.

Changing Educational Atmosphere Universities are not the bricks and mortar, tweed suited professor and hardbound textbook classrooms we remember. Abilene Christian University freshmen receive an Iphone or Ipod Touch before they begin classes At Case Western Reserve University some freshmen were given Kindles Classrooms are high-tech marvels Professors offer podcasted lectures and online study sessions (Gray and Erb, 2009) We must prepare them to succeed in this changing environment!

Opportunities Abound You Tube Section devoted to Academic Content - “Any qualified teacher can contribute and absolutely anyone can learn.” (Gilroy, 2009) You Tube Big Think Education for All Academic Earth iTunes U Each offers content for many subject areas including videos! The best is available at the click of a mouse!

But I’m not ready! How can I prepare my students for this new world if I’m not comfortable living in it?

You are not alone... Websites abound for teachers who are looking for a place to ask questions and get answers from people who know. If you are looking for information, check out: Digital Learning Experiences – read the notes on the left side of the screen (this site speaks to many people!) Digital Learning Experiences Teachers.net – a plethora of information on every subject and grade level. Very organized. Teachers.net Teaching Critical Thinking – a great place to ask for help on critical thinking issues Teaching Critical Thinking Still looking for the site for you? Check out educationalnetworking.com for a list of educational websites to help you on your quest for knowledge!educationalnetworking.com

The most practical for my situation The Usync network looks very interesting and I will look into using it in my classroom. Since most of my students’ work is project based, the service it offers could be an asset to my program.Usync Offers students an online area to work on projects and keep their work organized. Students, teachers and others may share information and receive feedback. Offers teachers a way to assess student work online. And it is all done in a safe social/educational networking environment.

Usync in my classroom Currently the only place my students can access their projects is in my classroom. If I am able to use it, Usync would be a place for: Students to keep photography assignments and build their portfolio. Students to ask for and receive caption information for their photography projects. Students to ask for and receive information from fellow students, teachers, and the community to complete desktop design assignments. Me to offer suggestions and grade their work online. Teachers and parents to view completed student work. The ability to have their work available anytime would be very helpful to many of my students.

The most practical for my situation The TCEA website offers everything needed by attendees of the annual Texas Computer Educators’ Association Convention.TCEA Before the Convention - Registration, Housing, Maps, Schedules, Speaker information During the Convention - Up to the minute changes and updates After the Convention – Handouts from all convention classes after the convention Videos taken at the convention Links to the websites of vendors and speakers Information on this website is invaluable to anyone who attends TCEA!

TCEA I attend TCEA every year, and each year I come home with information that I immediately put to work in my classroom. The website helps so much since: All registration is done online. Making changes to registration is quick and easy. Handouts are accessible and ready to use in the classroom. Videos are available and accessible after the convention and easy to share with other teachers who may not have the opportunity to attend. Students enjoy seeing and hearing what is on the horizon in technology.

You can do it! All the information you need is out there and easy to obtain. Just dive in and keep your eyes open for gems!

References Gray, K. (2009, October 6). Profs Embrace iPods, e-Readers, Artistic Apps. USA Today, D.6. Retrieved January 22, 2010, from Sirs Knowledge Source database. Gilroy, M. (2009, September 21). Higher Education Migrates to YouTube & Social Networks. Hispanic Outlook, Retrieved January 22, 2010, from Sirs Knowledge Source database. Manzo, K. K. (2009, September 22). Filtering Fixes. Education Week, 29, Retrieved January 22, 2010, from Sirs Knowledge Source database. Zaslow, J. (2009, November 4). The Greatest Generation (of Networkers). Wall Street Journal, D.1. Retrieved January 22, 2010, from Sirs Knowledge Source database.