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However, after reflecting on the session and speaking with some of the attendees, it is apparent that the embracement of social media in schools and by educators will continue to be an uphill battle.  For those educators and schools that are either resistant to or unsure about using social media I pose these questions to you:

This isn't directly related to this week but I thought it would be interesting to post. This was the headlining article on CNN today. The Penn State report is obviously big news because of how big of a deal the scandal at Penn State was. The fact that CNN decided that the aspect of this report that was most important was the reaction on social media is what I find interesting. It really says something about the importance of social media in our culture. I think anyone expecting to be a leader within a school district is going to have to pay attention to and put resources into social media. I wonder if we'll see positions being created in school districts just to deal with social media in the future.

Online social networking is spawning a new type of professional development that brings educators together to share face-to-face lessons, but in a more freewheeling-and, some argue, more targeted-way than traditional conferences intended to boost teaching skills.

This is an article for the times. Good information to be shared with colleagues.

Even though this isn't about education, this Times Dispatch article addresses social media issues that school leaders will face when hiring.

We have been discussing this a lot in school. As leaders we are held to a high standard. Perhaps everyone should act accordingly. Before we print or say something we should consider whether we would want our own children to read or hear it. Accountability is a hard lesson for some.

This learning journey is just beginning for me.  I encourage you to tap into the resources at your fingertips.  Use social media to become a connected learner.  Thank you to ALL those who have helped me on my learning journey.

It is incredible how social media can connect otherwise unconnectable professionals. I have experienced numerous school decisions that parents did not support and which could have benefitted from examples carried out in other schools.

A lot of interesting statistics about principals thoughts on social networking.

There are a few interesting slides on here about how the internet can be used in education

This site explains how Edmodo can be used to keep parents involved.

An interesting, holistic (philosophical if you may...) study of internet as part of modern society, whether accepted or resisted to... It shows as well how people have adapted to it, so that total privacy won't be lost, and, of course,the fear of social media...

The Web offers a trove of just-in-time resources that administrators may find helpful, such as podcasts, online classes, and social networks that can match up administrators across the country, he said. Read the whole series on Virtual PD!

Some good pros and cons raised in the article and I agree that face-face and online courses have a place for both teachers and administrators. Attitudes towards webinars need to be addressed too - numerous times the webinar is on in the background whilst the teacher works... how much is being absorbed during this? Yes it can cut down travel times etc. but participants need to focus without distraction - is that always possible in school?

In reading this article I thought about the same Viv... I have the feeling that on trying to be more effective and save time, the school districts are actually making PD sessions unreachable for many teachers... There can be wonderful opportunities out there but if enough time is not provided to take advantage of them or to have enriching discussions afterwards, teachers are not going to internalize and process how to apply the new knowledge to the classroom.

Interesting article about a school right outside Richmond Va, that has decided to eliminate the use of laptops due to lack of progress.

Interesting article. As we have been discussing several problems exist. Lack of teacher training is one. The other looks to the behavior of the students. Perhaps the laptops need to stay at school so that no one "forgets" theirs at home. Students can only use them during classtime and there is a teacher sitting at the back of the room to ensure that all students are on appropriate sites.

Can we trust students? (I believe yes...We must trust students so they will rise to the occasion, rather than sink to lowest expectations. I also think if students are challenged to use computers for more than pure peer social interaction, we may be able to limit the "inappropriate" use you mention. So, actually, it comes back to teacher training. It makes my head hurt.

Another evolution of classroom technology infographic. I like the categories it uses: writing, A/V, digital & social media.

This graphic has some fascinating statistics about the explosion of technology in the classroom after the internet became popular.

There are so many real educators out there who want to get better at what they do so that they can always do what is best for kids. By opening up your own learning to the world, you will be surprised not only how your knowledge elevates, but how your passion for teaching and learning will benefit as well.

Hey everyone. I stumbled on this site while looking for sources for our debate this week. It gives some good information both for and against our topic. I thought it might help.

Good find. The poll says that people are 50 50 about the issue.

All @WestVanSchools launching new websites today with Principal blogs and Twitter feeds built in - like this one

Just thought it would be interesting to see in this link how a tech museum in California creates activities to promote active interactive learning, and how this kind of museums make everyone feel technology can be mastered by all of us.

OK, this one has a little bit of everything and very concise and clear, but what I loved the most was the quotes... An example: "Computers in the future may weigh no more than one and a half tons." -Popular Mechanics, Forecasting the Relentless March of Science, 1949.