Sunday, September 2, 2012
Lesley University Alumni Video
Lesley University Alumni Interview - Craig Martin, Class of 2007 from Lesley University Alumni on Vimeo.
The Connected Educator
The 21st
Century Connected Educator
If you would’ve asked me if I were a “Connected Educator” a
month ago, I would enthusiastically tell you that I try to talk to as many
people as I can and have face to face networking sessions as often as my
schedule will allow. However, after
reading The Connected
Educator: Learning and Leading in a Digital Age by Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach and Lani Ritter Hall, I would have
to apologize emphatically about how “out-of-touch” I am with Education
2.0.
After participating in the Connected Educator Month, sponsored
by the U.S. Department of Education;
participating in the Learning
2.0. Virtual Conference led by edtech pioneer, Steve Hardagon; discovering my Digital Footprint in Verena Roberts
MOOC; and devouring the Connected Educator,
I find myself invigorated in taking charge of my own professional
development in ways I could never imagined.
In developing my own
connected teacher network, I am collaborating with and availing myself to
thousands of teachers around the globe who share a common goal to become more
effective educators and heighten student engagement and achievement. We are creating and engaging in communities
of practice such as wikis, blogs, Twitter, Skype, and Facebook where we can
share ideas, inquiries, and investigations, and the benefits of a “collective
intelligence” is invaluable.
I implore my fellow colleagues to take a moment to
reflect on your own practice as ask yourself one question: Am I serving as a catalyst for 21st
Century teaching and learning in my own community?
For those who desire to enhance their practice among a
culture and community of change agents, I implore you to do the following:
·
- Join Twitter. Find people who share your passions and interests and follow them. And they will undoubtedly follow you to as you emerge as a force in the community.
- · Create and maintain a blog of your practice. What you do in your work matters and there are teachers and educators abroad who are edifying their teaching based upon ideas you may bring to the table.
- · Be okay with not being an expert. Connect and collaborate with a supportive cast of educators who are open to supporting you as you fortify your own personal learning network. There is nothing more powerful than a team of cheerleaders who only desire to see you succeed!
In
conclusion, I want to leave you with this thought from Nussbaum-Beach &
Hall, “We all have a choice: A choice to be powerful or pitiful. A choice to
allow ourselves to become victims or activists.
A choice to take a stand on behalf of the children we serve. The world
is at your fingertips. Figure out your
personal vision for change in your school or classroom. Learn how to leverage the wisdom of the
crowd. Build alliances. Find your tribe, your community. Then do something powerful to promote
change. Sit down with other educators
and share what you learn. Be a
transparent learner. Be the example you
want your students to become. Show them
what a learner does to make the world a better place. Choose to be powerful!”
Craig
Martin
Twitter:
craigcmartin12
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