Saturday, January 4, 2014

Putting the "Why" in Technology - an #edcamphome 2.0 Reflection

This is what it is all about. If you haven't heard technology mentioned a million times in the last few years, you've been under a rock. I am sure many struggle with why it is so important, especially if what they are doing is working. I myself have often wondered what strategy I might take to help get them on board. Well, simply put, my experience with #edcamphome 2.0 would be a great case study on why technology can be so amazing in education.

1.  Learning by doing:  I know this isn't something that requires technology, but technology gives far more opportunities for students to create and learn.  However, I believe many times we limit students to our own imaginations and access to technology can allow students to do things we could never anticipate. Today, that is what happened for us as adults. The organizers did a fabulous job running the show. It was amazing to see just how much they have refined the process since inventing this crazy idea last summer. There were also a lot of participants who were running GHO's or joining GHOs for the first time, or doing an edcamp style for the best time. There is no better way many times than to learn by just doing it, making mistakes, and learning.

2.  Global audience:  In one of the sessions I was in today, we had Wisconsin, North Carolina, Hawaii, and China represented.  This just simply isn't possible without technology to make these types of connections.  We were all able to learn from each other and expand our minds on things we may never have even considered before. Sometimes the resources and the support we need aren't available in the immediate area - but access to technology can get those to us.  We need to blow the lid off of schools and get our students and teachers collaborating around the country and world.

3.  Digital Citizenship:  I messed up a few times today as a moderator, and sometimes the GHO wasn't allowing the invites for the sessions to go through.  However, everybody I met with and spoke to were amazingly kind, patient, and just appreciative for the opportunity to discuss ideas.  This is an incredible model for what students should strive for in online participation (as well as in person!).  It starts with us modeling so we can show students how it should work, and give them ample opportunities to work on their skills. Edcamphome was a perfect representation of how a diverse group of people with no prior connections can communicate and collaborate effectively to reach a goal.

There were many other takeaways. Asynchronous learning. Roles.  Reflection. All things that happen naturally for people who consistently use and try and improve on including technology in our teaching.

Lastly, I would like to say the biggest takeaway is how important technology is for opening opportunities. If you weren't involved on social media, chances are that you would never even know an edcampHome existed, or many other professional development opportunities for that matter. Our students deserve to know what is out there so they can lead the best lives they possible can.  Technology helps make that happen. Edcamphome showed that to me today.

4 comments:

  1. It really is amazing, isn't it? It's all tied together. I have no clue what I'd be doing now if it weren't for connecting with all the educators on Twitter. I cringe when people at work don't have a clue what an EdCamp is, even though I keep emailing the entire staff about the next one I'm attending. But they don't see the excitement everyday as we do. Sigh. Loved your reflection. I missed it today, but reflected on the first one here: http://geniushour.blogspot.com/2013/07/edcamphome-experience.html I'm still amazed at how four people - all in different places - can coordinate this experience and pull it off so passionate educators like us can benefit. Surely something to celebrate!

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    1. Absolutely! I'll be sure to read your post (I attended the first one for a brief moment). If it weren't for being connected I believe I'd be less effective and engaging as an educator. Edcamps, flipped learning, and TLAP were all things I learned and found out about through having a PLN.

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  2. Thank you for these comments. Very interesting and inspiring. There is so much info to share and it is so difficult to find the time and opportunities to do so.

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    1. You are right - there is so much that it is difficult to prioritize. Thinking about your typical core teacher - you've got Common Core to be concerned about. Then, depending on the state, you've got some kind of educator effectiveness to deal with. Add in the technology piece and it may seem like too much. What is most crucial there? Or maybe, more importantly, how can all three compliment each other? A great time to be in education but probably one of the most challenging times for those that have been in the game a while.

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