Group items tagged

"Schools have had to act fast to try to manage the widespread use of Facebook and other social media by students and teachers"

"Social media and online communication opportunities are important and can have a positive impact on all elements of the teaching and learning process, the school and learning community. We see teachers and other professionals creating networks to share ideas and resources, children and young people crowd source ideas and information. They seek and receive feedback on their work while parents engage more fully with teachers, their children and the school. Furthermore, even if we feel too old or too busy to engage with social media ourselves then we, as teachers, must still be able to model appropriate, safe and positive use of social technology for our learners and the wider learning community."

A recent article by Lauren Davis in the Schoology (LMS) website that unpacks a survey of 16000+, mostly USA teachers, about the impact of digital learning. It includes some interesting insights into enablers and barriers for DLE. A good starting point for the 523 Assessment 3 environmental scan.

"How is Twitter interesting for a teacher or educational personnel in general? How to use Twitter for teaching? Why Teachers need Twitter? These are some of the questions that you will be able to answer after viewing the following 18 YouTube videos on How Educators can use Twitter in Classroom! "

"Using social and digital media, teachers are reaching past the classroom in unprecedented ways." Here are the most important things we, as teachers, should integrate into our practice so we can help this generation learn

"Welcome to the Teacher Professional Learning (TPL) course Delivering Digital Citizenship. This course is designed to engage teachers with a range of resources, templates and tools to support the implementation of the Digital Citizenship program in their school. The course should take about five hours to complete. "

School systems are still being far too reactive in their social media policies (some do not even have one). Outside of schools, students are 'on and connected' to virtual environments and social networks. Teachers must embrace these technologies inside and outside of the classroom to have a meaningful connection with their students and promote collaboration amongst students. Too many improprieties are occurring because the rules of collaboration are unclear and the power of online collaboration and communication goes untapped. Parents, teachers, and school leaders have a responsibility to guide students through understanding the characteristics of a global digital citizenship. "

"Last November, a young man was ordered by a NSW court to pay A$105,000 in damages for defaming a teacher at his former school on Twitter. The decision, which only came to light earlier this week, should serve as a reminder to all users of the legal risks involved in using social media."

"Teachers in Cherokee County Schools feel it is vitally important to teach children about the issues our digital world presents as we use technology in the classroom. But teachers cannot do it alone, parents can reinforce what students learn in school by practicing safe Internet use at home. These web resources will help you learn more about being a good digital citizen and how to keep children safe online."

"In this digital world, opportunities for education are available like never before. Though teachers using online tools are empowering students take part in their education, they may also expose them to inappropriate material, sexual predators, and bullying and harassment by peers. Teachers who are not careful with their use of the sites can fall into inappropriate relationships with students or publicize photos and information they believed were kept private. For these reasons, critics are calling for regulation and for removing social networking from classrooms -- despite the positive affects they have on students and the essential tools they provide for education in today's digital climate. "

Hence more reasons why teachers must be well read and prepared and willing to work with a team/committee to help solve the issues of safety, legality and ethical behaviours before working on their school DLE.

"This Media 21 LibGuides chronicles the learning experiences of 10th Honors Literature/Composition who have participated in a 2009-10 learning initiative, Media 21, at Creekview High School. This program, spearheaded by school librarian Buffy Hamilton and English teacher Susan Lester, provided students a learning environment facilitated by both Hamilton and Lester in which Hamilton was "embedded" as an instructor. Media 21, rooted in connectivism, inquiry, and participatory literacy, emphasized students creating their own research "dashboards" and portals and the creation of personal learning networks to help students engage in their learning experiences and to evaluate a diverse offering of information sources more critically. This guide is also documenting the 2010-11 Cohort 2 of Media 21 and the learning experiences of both the students and the teachers."

"A high-school English teacher in suburban Philadelphia who was suspended for a profanity-laced blog in which she called her young charges ''disengaged, lazy whiners'' is causing a sensation by daring to ask: why are students unmotivated - and what's wrong with calling them out?"

At a time when many teachers are made wary by reports of predators and bullies online, social media in the classroom is not the most popular proposition. Teachers like Delmatoff, however, are embracing it rather than banning it. They argue that the educat

"It's a problem and the schools are ready to address it, yet they aren't doing so in a robust way. Why? Maybe because, and this is just conjecture, at some level the schools and teachers understand that cyberbullying does not belong in the classroom. That is, it is not solely the schools' problem. Maybe schools and teachers are hesitant to take on cyberbullying full force because they don't like the idea of pigeonholing it as an educational system problem. Maybe they recognize it as a social system problem. Maybe they understand that cyberbullying prevention and response belong in the culture-the student culture, the family culture and the social culture-not just the classroom. "

"class.io helps teachers share course resources with students in a simple way. It integrates with Google Apps, Facebook and other web services that teachers and students use."

Wasn't it just the other day that teachers confiscated cellphones and principals warned about oversharing on MySpace? "Now, Erin Olson, an English teacher in Sioux Rapids, Iowa, is among a small but growing cadre of educators trying to exploit Twitter-like technology to enhance classroom discussion. Last Friday, as some of her 11th graders read aloud from a poem called "To the Lady," which ponders why bystanders do not intervene to stop injustice, others kept up a running commentary on their laptops. "

Described by Christine Love as "a spiritual sequel of sorts to Digital: A Love Story", Don't Take It Personally, Babe, It Just Ain't Your Story is a visual novel that puts a huge emphasis on the way technology has led us to talk to one another differently, while also tackling the usual issues that visual novels styled in this way delve into. You are a new literacy teacher at a high school who is plunged into the lives of your pupils - wherever you like it or not. The school sneakily keeps tabs on pupils by allowing teachers to see all the private messages sent via the local Facebook-style service. Hence, while the main story is playing out, messages will constantly ping in the corner of the screen, and you can keep track of everything going on between your students.

"At Clarence Sansom we believe that students should have access to computers, other technology and the internet to assist them in their learning. As of fall 2011, students may bring their own digital devices to school (with school permission) and may use these devices in the classroom (with teacher permission). Non-instructional and unsupervised areas such as hallways, washrooms and change rooms are designated as digital "no-zones". The library is a digital "go zone". Students will be allowed to use digital devices in this area during non-instructional time under direct supervision and with teacher permission. "

"So, it is time to get your school into social media in a way that is safe, makes sense, and will help your image in the community. We've discussed in Social Media Syndication Part 1: Where is your Audience?why social media is important to schools. In Facebook Friending 101 for Schools (170 tweets on that one) we discussed the impact of Facebook Friends on your teachers, students, and staff. You've resoundingly flooded my inbox with requests for more on social media and how to get your school in safely - so, let's keep going"

What skills should teachers have to support 21st century learners? Here's a list.