Comments on: Are We The Resource I Have Been Looking For? http://edte.ch/blog/2010/02/20/are-we-the-resource-i-have-been-looking-for/ Inspire Connect Engage Create Wed, 08 Feb 2012 03:54:33 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Heather http://edte.ch/blog/2010/02/20/are-we-the-resource-i-have-been-looking-for/comment-page-1/#comment-2215 Heather Mon, 05 Apr 2010 06:47:18 +0000 http://edte.ch/blog/?p=868#comment-2215 In our EDM class we are working on our networking so we are getting ahead for other future teachers. It’s a great idea to have for entering our classrooms. In our EDM class we are working on our networking so we are getting ahead for other future teachers. It’s a great idea to have for entering our classrooms.

]]> By: Leon Cych http://edte.ch/blog/2010/02/20/are-we-the-resource-i-have-been-looking-for/comment-page-1/#comment-2088 Leon Cych Fri, 26 Feb 2010 17:32:37 +0000 http://edte.ch/blog/?p=868#comment-2088 Judging by the FIshBowl experience last night I think now is the time more than ever where this should happen. I am convinced the key is to build on hyperlocal networks and then build out from there. Just getting teachers to communicate locally within the school and interschool locally can be a challenge. Being able to magnify or amplify this through FishBowls, TeachMeets and other types of social activity blended and face to face is vital in the coming curricular climate. We've been here before in the 70's - it's just that there wasn't the technology to facilitate and broadcast activity then - a lot of good practice was being done and shared in teacher centres up and down the UK until they were all cut. The advantage now is that these networks can be controlled and made more persistent by the aid of new tech like twitter and smart phones. People are able to organise and facilitate in highly ad hoc but very efficient ways unbelievable only a few months ago. Most teachers need these new processes modelled for them but first they need to find their way to the network or be shown how to build one for themselves. ITT should, as a priority, include a way to do this - the more these social change events can be modelled for people the better - local CLCs and LAs should also be doing this as a matter of course as should senior management as part of professional development. It's too valuable to let slip through our fingers again. Judging by the FIshBowl experience last night I think now is the time more than ever where this should happen. I am convinced the key is to build on hyperlocal networks and then build out from there. Just getting teachers to communicate locally within the school and interschool locally can be a challenge. Being able to magnify or amplify this through FishBowls, TeachMeets and other types of social activity blended and face to face is vital in the coming curricular climate. We've been here before in the 70's – it's just that there wasn't the technology to facilitate and broadcast activity then – a lot of good practice was being done and shared in teacher centres up and down the UK until they were all cut. The advantage now is that these networks can be controlled and made more persistent by the aid of new tech like twitter and smart phones. People are able to organise and facilitate in highly ad hoc but very efficient ways unbelievable only a few months ago. Most teachers need these new processes modelled for them but first they need to find their way to the network or be shown how to build one for themselves. ITT should, as a priority, include a way to do this – the more these social change events can be modelled for people the better – local CLCs and LAs should also be doing this as a matter of course as should senior management as part of professional development. It's too valuable to let slip through our fingers again.

]]> By: berthelemy http://edte.ch/blog/2010/02/20/are-we-the-resource-i-have-been-looking-for/comment-page-1/#comment-2087 berthelemy Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:36:32 +0000 http://edte.ch/blog/?p=868#comment-2087 Oh - by the way. In my discussions with trainee teachers and NQTs there is very little networking going on. From my limited research there don't seem to be any central hubs that an NQT can attach themselves to in order to start learning from others in the same situation. Oh – by the way. In my discussions with trainee teachers and NQTs there is very little networking going on. From my limited research there don't seem to be any central hubs that an NQT can attach themselves to in order to start learning from others in the same situation.

]]> By: berthelemy http://edte.ch/blog/2010/02/20/are-we-the-resource-i-have-been-looking-for/comment-page-1/#comment-2086 berthelemy Fri, 26 Feb 2010 04:33:58 +0000 http://edte.ch/blog/?p=868#comment-2086 Hi Tom,<br>I've been thinking along exactly the same lines - trying to work out how we can develop a tool that helps teachers to plan and share. In some ways I agree with your conclusion - that actually teachers just need to learn to plug into the network (See <a href="http://bit.ly/d10UTG" rel="nofollow">http://bit.ly/d10UTG</a> for my take on this).<br><br>But I do think there's still room for some sort of social lesson-planning tool. We need something to help make the planning & documentation process less onerous and time-consuming. It should help individual schools do the top-down allocation of skills and objectives to individual teachers/year groups and then ensure that teachers in the same schools aren't using the same ideas and activities from one year group to the next. Hi Tom,
I've been thinking along exactly the same lines – trying to work out how we can develop a tool that helps teachers to plan and share. In some ways I agree with your conclusion – that actually teachers just need to learn to plug into the network (See http://bit.ly/d10UTG for my take on this).

But I do think there's still room for some sort of social lesson-planning tool. We need something to help make the planning & documentation process less onerous and time-consuming. It should help individual schools do the top-down allocation of skills and objectives to individual teachers/year groups and then ensure that teachers in the same schools aren't using the same ideas and activities from one year group to the next.

]]> By: Rosie MacAlpine http://edte.ch/blog/2010/02/20/are-we-the-resource-i-have-been-looking-for/comment-page-1/#comment-2077 Rosie MacAlpine Sun, 21 Feb 2010 04:31:15 +0000 http://edte.ch/blog/?p=868#comment-2077 Tom, this is only part of what you looking for, but have you tried Google's custom search? I made one for my website. You designate which websites you would like to search - I added IWB resource sites, primaryresources etc. Then entering a search term such as 'Ancient Egypt', 'Area', will only return links from those sites. Saves you trawling through lots of non-education sites. Tom, this is only part of what you looking for, but have you tried Google's custom search? I made one for my website. You designate which websites you would like to search – I added IWB resource sites, primaryresources etc. Then entering a search term such as 'Ancient Egypt', 'Area', will only return links from those sites. Saves you trawling through lots of non-education sites.

]]> By: GeoBlogs http://edte.ch/blog/2010/02/20/are-we-the-resource-i-have-been-looking-for/comment-page-1/#comment-2076 GeoBlogs Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:30:40 +0000 http://edte.ch/blog/?p=868#comment-2076 Interesting ideas here Tom.<br>I do a lot of sessions with PGCE colleagues, and also presented a session at the Teacher Educators' conference last month where most of the Geography PGCE colleagues attended - my session looked at the networks that new teachers form (in fact, this might be an area which I focus on when I start an MA later in the year...) and the way that tutors support them when they become NQTs.<br>Facebook and e-mail groups, plus Google Docs, seemed to be quite common as methods of keeping in touch - less so Twitter, Nings etc...<br>Having said that, the good folks at UEA the other day had some Twitterers amongst them... Interesting ideas here Tom.
I do a lot of sessions with PGCE colleagues, and also presented a session at the Teacher Educators' conference last month where most of the Geography PGCE colleagues attended – my session looked at the networks that new teachers form (in fact, this might be an area which I focus on when I start an MA later in the year…) and the way that tutors support them when they become NQTs.
Facebook and e-mail groups, plus Google Docs, seemed to be quite common as methods of keeping in touch – less so Twitter, Nings etc…
Having said that, the good folks at UEA the other day had some Twitterers amongst them…

]]> By: Nick Jackson http://edte.ch/blog/2010/02/20/are-we-the-resource-i-have-been-looking-for/comment-page-1/#comment-2075 Nick Jackson Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:29:23 +0000 http://edte.ch/blog/?p=868#comment-2075 You are so right about the potential for trainee teachers yet in my experience there are a considerable amount ignoring such networking opps. Whether this down to time commitments elsewhere, discouragement from institutions or other nay sayers it's hard to say. I have lectured to PGCE ICT students at Hudds Uni and to York Uni PGCE students of a whole host of subjects yet their take up on Twitter and other areas of networking as been hot and miss. Perhaps they will come back to it or maybe they are lurking without me knowing You are so right about the potential for trainee teachers yet in my experience there are a considerable amount ignoring such networking opps. Whether this down to time commitments elsewhere, discouragement from institutions or other nay sayers it's hard to say. I have lectured to PGCE ICT students at Hudds Uni and to York Uni PGCE students of a whole host of subjects yet their take up on Twitter and other areas of networking as been hot and miss. Perhaps they will come back to it or maybe they are lurking without me knowing

]]> By: Alison Green http://edte.ch/blog/2010/02/20/are-we-the-resource-i-have-been-looking-for/comment-page-1/#comment-2074 Alison Green Sun, 21 Feb 2010 02:09:44 +0000 http://edte.ch/blog/?p=868#comment-2074 My Twitter based PLN has transformed my classroom practice since September. I am in my fifth year of teaching, as a Returner to Teaching in my 50's. However, I am an open minded and creative individual who has grasped new ideas and technology in order to add to my creativity. There are sadly too many who cannot think or act 'outside their box'. I try to lead by example, by being seen to try new things, so that others may realise that it is 'doable'. I recently had an excellent 4th Year B Ed student on her final practice - I showed her Twitter, and explained where I used what I learned. I don't think she 'got it' though... My Twitter based PLN has transformed my classroom practice since September. I am in my fifth year of teaching, as a Returner to Teaching in my 50's. However, I am an open minded and creative individual who has grasped new ideas and technology in order to add to my creativity. There are sadly too many who cannot think or act 'outside their box'. I try to lead by example, by being seen to try new things, so that others may realise that it is 'doable'. I recently had an excellent 4th Year B Ed student on her final practice – I showed her Twitter, and explained where I used what I learned. I don't think she 'got it' though…

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