Ranada Smith Lamar University

According to Sasson (2011), “Teachers are constantly under time and curriculum constraints which are why online networking can be such an important way for professional development. Creating time to network with other teachers will ultimately help you become a better teacher. You'll be able to share information and resources with other teachers who are devoted and passionate about teaching and perhaps learn a bit about yourself along the way” (pg 1).

 

Course Cracker Teacher Forum Course Tracker

The course cracker online community for academic networking gives parents and students an open door appeal. When parents feel welcome in the classroom they are more likely to be involved. I would use course tracker as an informational tool. Professionally I think I can improve my teacher –parent relationships. I will continue to strive to form relationships with my parents by using tools that will best keep them informed. Consequently, Course Tracker helps provide several informational tools to use and stay connected. "Parental involvement, in almost any form, produces measurable gains in student achievement" (Dixon, 1992, p. 16).

Parent and Student Involvement Discussion Board Bulletin Board Photo/Video Albums Group online chat Document sharing notification

A great concept about teacher forums is that you are not limited or confined to 5 door range in your hallway, when it comes to collaborating with other teachers. Teacher forums allow you to collaborate with a vast amount of teachers around the world. I would use this to gain knowledge and acquire resources for my classroom. I also can contribute my own ideas and resources to help my colleagues. I feel when engaging in a teacher forum the impact professionally, is me as a teacher, growing and developing with the help of other colleagues. You also do not feel like you are alone, but part of a team sharing the workload. “The accomplishments of a proficient and well-organized group are widely considered to be greater than the accomplishments of isolated individuals” (Little, 1987, p. 496).

RESOURCES

Teachers no longer have to dig deep and search far for resources. Networking websites like Primary school teaching are at your finger tips. Primary school teaching provides subject and grade level resources. I believe this website offers many types of resources I can use in my classroom. Because the resources are created by teachers themselves it makes the resources relatable and usable in the classroom. By using this website, professionally it will help me stay connected. I will acquire relevant information that will advance my knowledge and skills in my teaching practices. As with any inquiry, wondering, it is important to share work. “Sharing of your work, you give other professionals access to your thinking so that they can question, discuss, debate, and relate” (Dana, 2009, p 137).

Connected Resources Games, PDF, Powerpts, & Recording sheets Useful WebsitesBlogsTweets

References