Connected Learners #ce13 #clmooc

Written by Sheri Edwards
October 30, 2013

#ce13 #clmooc #connectedlearning #nwp

Once again I am inspired by the conversation encouraged from the people at the National Writing Project and The Connected Learning site . I received my email newsletter, The National Writing Project Daily, and found the link to the live webinar discussion of “Connecting to Something Bigger: The Power of Open, Peer-to-Peer Learning.”

I’ve been participating in The NWP and Department of Education Connected Educator Month through webinars, twitter chats ( #literacies, #edtechchat), and various learning communities. My participation is usually lurking and learning, extending ideas in chats in webinars and twitter as I can. And you should too. Everyone has an idea or strategy that may help a colleague in some way. And that is the best reason to participate: to share.

I’m just a middle school language arts teacher, but I still “know stuff,” [The Postman] and so do you. Perhaps it’s a grouping strategy to encourage student interactions, perhaps it’s a unit developed for the new Common Core State Standards, or maybe it’s a lesson on sentence fluency. Those questions are out there — and your help through your connections on twitter, nings, Google Plus communities [ Connected Learning and National Writing Project, Pinterest, Diigo, etc.] build the knowledge of the world. Imagine. We are all connected. And together we have answers.

Start small. Here are a few ideas from the webinar participants:

Invitations to do right away

Gail — twitter to connect easily — start following the participants: @writingproject @gaildesler @kristenswanson @mizuko @paulallison @poh and chatters @onewheeljoe @jgmac1106 @tellio

Paul Allison — students — listening to what students do on computers; pay attention;

Kristen — dip your toe in connected world — edcamp wiki; free and everyone is welcome

Paul Oh — yes, edcamp Digital Is — K-University; publish about your practice and share / learn from other practitioners; Educator Innovator space;

Greg McVerry and Tellio: ds106 headless blog

onewheeljoe: I think the power of the HOMAGO work is that it intentionally puts youth at the center. That begins by noticing a kid’s work and encouraging them to share it openly.

And some suggestions for the classroom:

Kristen: Let things get messy; classroom design — make it so students can interact with each other, not just one way to teacher

Paul Allison: Once you start working this way, curriculum becomes asynchronous; get curriculum online

curate, collect, stuff online

kids need a map — what’s next

Paul Oh: have a pedagogical understanding of what connected learners, co-learners, means. How are learners learning today? Develop personal learning networks and be open, in publics to share. [ Learn about Connected Learning here. ]

OneWheelJoe: Digital citizenship is about behavior and conduct, while connected learner speaks to potential.

Gail: Learn how to step aside.

Finally, by joining in and even by reading this post, you are what Paul Oh suggests:

Paul Oh: Great to be part of this movement and great conversation.

Connected Learner?

Yes. So.

Take a deep breath.

Let it go.

Grab a cup of coffee

or Evening in Missoula tea,

Sip.

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