Educators can often feel isolated in a contained classrooms with few adults to speak with discussing new ideas, challenges, or anything in between. Being a connected educator can remedy this isolation. Being a connected educator means to be part of a learning community with other teachers in similar situations where regular communication takes place. These communities are created and communicate online. Like any community it can take place in many forms. The teachers in your building, the teachers in the other school in town, or teachers met online can all be learning communities. In these communities ideas can be discussed and share as teachers support each other and their students. While the benefits are clear, the process to becoming a connected educator may not be. However, being a connected educator is only a few clicks and a conversation away. Connected educators primary use social media to meet and chat with each other. Twitter is one of the most popular platforms for teachers to connect with each other. Simply search a hashtag on a certain topic to see what teachers are talking about. Follow other users to connect with individuals and continue the conversation in more than 140 characters. Organizations, such as LEA, (Lutheran Educators Association) are other good places to start. LEA utilizes an email system to share ideas and start conversations. Other teachers are hungry to make connects and the benefits are clear. Teachers can learn new ideas as they discuss with others. Maybe a conversation online with another teacher will lead to a support for a difficult student. Maybe a new resource sent by email after a tweet will support your students' learning. Having conversations using social media as a platform can open up a whole world of new possibilities. Most importantly it provides teachers with support to encourage students daily. Below are some helpful tips and articles for becoming a connected educator: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/10-tips-become-connected-educator-elana-leoni https://www.edutopia.org/blog/new-teachers-becoming-connected-educators-lisa-dabbs
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AuthorMolly Goltl Archives
April 2017
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