LEARN-Connect

Some of you may know that I am a webcaster on EdTechTalk. I met my two co-hosts when we were in Webcast Academy, an online, informal course which introduced us to the possibilities of webcasting. The three of us, one from Michigan, another from Long Island, NY and I,  have a monthly show where we interview educators from around the world. Recent guests have included David Warlick, Ben Papell and Steve Muth (the founders of VoiceThread), and Wesley Fryer, an educator who is very involved in the K12 Online Conference as well as a new project, StoryChasers.

You can find out more by visiting our blog: http://teachersaretalking.blogspot.com/

Upcoming guests include: Kristen Hokansen (who specializes in copyright issues in the US as a librarian) on December 18 and Helen Barrett (portfolios) on January 15 – both at 7:30 pm

How do you listen to a webcast from EdTechTalk? During shows, listeners can use any common media player (i.e. Windows Media Player, Real Player, or iTunes) to listen to the discussion and use the chat room to make comments and ask questions. The show is located at: http://edtechtalk.com/ Just click on Participate Live, chose the icon for the player you want to use to listen and the audio should start streaming. You can Login to the chat to add your comments.

If you want to listen to past shows, go to http://edtechtalk.com/ On the left is a list of shows. Click on Teachers Are Talking and you will be able to download the shows. Or – go our blog for links to specific episodes.

Why do I webcast? It gives me the opportunity to meet, “virtually”,  people I wouldn’t otherwise have access to. I have a monthly opportunity to learn, discuss and share with fellow educators. It has put me in touch with a virtual learning network of educators who keep me informed, share ideas, discoveries as well as personal stories. It makes me risk (though in a supportive community), something I keep telling teachers they need to learn to do. It makes me try on a role I don’t usually take. Hope to see you in the chatroom at one of our webcasts.

Susan

Crossposted to Reflexions

This is the third year that the K12 Online Conference has taken place. These are a series of presentations (video and/or audio) that are posted in a two week period. I have only had a chance to watch a few but have been inspired. As part of the conference there is a 24 hour Elluminate session (like Live Classroom) where people can drop in for conversation about the conference. Each hour has a moderator so there is little blank time. For me, this was a wonderful opportunity to learn from others and to expand my own personal learning network.

What is a personal learning network? It’s the people and places you go to, to expand your knowledge and understanding. For me it starts with my colleagues. There is nothing like face to face. However, when you are in a small school, or the only art teacher, cycle one teacher or whatever, you can not always get your questions answered or bounce ideas off your colleagues. Where do you go next?

I have developed my virtual Personal Learning Network. There are places I go online where I can get answers to my questions about technology, pedagogy and more. I get ideas for projects and develop relationships with my online friends. I also share my expertise with others. You can do this with the people in this group.

Forum

As part of this blog there is a forum. This is a place you can go to share ideas, ask questions and learn from each other. Just click on Forum at the top of the blog. You can respond to a topic by just clicking on the topic name or add a new topic by clicking on New. Expand your Personal Learning Network – share with your colleagues from afar.

As for the K12 Online Conference….

Here are a couple of sessions you may want to share and discuss as a staff Never Too Young for those of you teaching Kindergarten or Cycle 1. We Like our Blogging Buddies by Kathy Cassidy, a grade 1 teacher. Her ideas are great for any age class. Another is Videoconferencing: It’s Easy, Free and Powerful by Brian Crosby. I’ll be recommending others as I watch them. I would love to hear your reactions. Is this a topic we should be adding to the forum?

Susan