This month is Connected Educator Month and I have been inspired by the great learning and connecting opportunities. I was lucky enough to hear about #blogsync in the first few days of the month. I thought it was a great way to focus my blogging. The first topic was - What it means to be a connected educator.
So, What does it mean to be a connected educator?
For me, it means support.
I often feel I am the only person on my little island, doing and thinking they way I do. Being a connected educator means I have support, guidance, and friendship from others like me. It means my ideas can be validated, encouraged, questioned and challenged. It means I am not alone on my isolated island anymore.
This connection allows me to feel supported to take risks and try new things. It allows me to gain insight and inspiration from others who are doing things similarly and differently. It allows me to ask for help and share my successes. Most importantly it allows me to learn and question!
I think one thing we often overlook these days are the different ways of connecting, we often assume we mean through digital mediums, but to me, being a Connected Educator is more than that.
My connections happen online (through blogs, twitter, VLN, videos etc) but also happen in person (through face to face discussions, group meetings, PLN etc). All these connections are important and certainly help build my connectedness.
All of this has huge impact on my classroom and on myself as an educator.
If I wasn't connected, my island would keep me sheltered and I would probably keep doing it the "same old way", as I wouldn't know any better. It has opened the world to myself and my classroom and helped developed some allies for my island, myself and my students.
Connecting Educators is extremely important for both the educator and their students. I think we should be helping others to develop connections and relationships with other educators, to help inspire their growth and so they don't feel like they are alone.
Make sure you check out http://connectededucator.org.nz to help you or someone else connect!
So, What does it mean to be a connected educator?
For me, it means support.
I often feel I am the only person on my little island, doing and thinking they way I do. Being a connected educator means I have support, guidance, and friendship from others like me. It means my ideas can be validated, encouraged, questioned and challenged. It means I am not alone on my isolated island anymore.
This connection allows me to feel supported to take risks and try new things. It allows me to gain insight and inspiration from others who are doing things similarly and differently. It allows me to ask for help and share my successes. Most importantly it allows me to learn and question!
I think one thing we often overlook these days are the different ways of connecting, we often assume we mean through digital mediums, but to me, being a Connected Educator is more than that.
My connections happen online (through blogs, twitter, VLN, videos etc) but also happen in person (through face to face discussions, group meetings, PLN etc). All these connections are important and certainly help build my connectedness.
All of this has huge impact on my classroom and on myself as an educator.
If I wasn't connected, my island would keep me sheltered and I would probably keep doing it the "same old way", as I wouldn't know any better. It has opened the world to myself and my classroom and helped developed some allies for my island, myself and my students.
Connecting Educators is extremely important for both the educator and their students. I think we should be helping others to develop connections and relationships with other educators, to help inspire their growth and so they don't feel like they are alone.
Make sure you check out http://connectededucator.org.nz to help you or someone else connect!
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