Reflections on My Participation in an Online Learning Community

At the beginning of this course, I joined the Global Education Collaborative. As a community of educators looking to work past geographic boundaries, cross-cultural student learning is the emphasis. Beginning is easy. I lurked in this group for several months and enjoying the passive learning experience. In order to branch into developing level of engagement, my plan required me to post to discussion groups at least 4 times a month. I also hoped to find a project to participate in. I am pleased to report I did succeed with my plan (well, most of it at least).

The original plan is below with reflection of my actual activity:

January 2010:
• Refresh account and review new elements to the community
Done – simple enough


February 2010:
• Contribute to at least 4 discussion threads.

Contributed to thread Synchronous Collaboration: http://globaleducation.ning.com/forum/topics/synchronous-collaboration

Contributed to the thread Becoming a Tech Coach: http://globaleducation.ning.com/forum/topics/becoming-a-tech-coach

Contributed to conversations on the Kids for Haiti global web conference. Communicated via the Ning group, Twitter and email.
http://globaleducation.ning.com/forum/topics/international-vc-and-webcast

• Check site once a week for new information.

Done


March 2010:
• Identify, evaluate and contact one collaborative project leader.

Participated in the Kids for Haiti web conference (actually happened in March)
http://www.magpi.net/Community/Programs/Crisis-Haiti-What-Can-YOU-Do-Help

• Contribute to at least 4 discussions threads.

Teens Talk Facebook
http://globaleducation.ning.com/video/teens-talk-facebook

And then I rather dropped off the discussion map… I got busy and with no one responding to the threads I had already participate in, I moved on. I do follow the GEC on Twitter http://twitter.com/GlobalEdNing

• Check site once a week for new information.
I did do this


As for local learning community, I am an active member in Central Indiana TEAM. Created by the Central Indiana Educational Service Center, this group is made up of mostly district IT professionals with a few of us independent schools floating in and out. We meet 4 times a year in person. We also maintain a wiki at http://centralindianateam.pbworks.com. We stay in touch via the wiki and listserv. I attend all meetings and actively post to the wiki. I missed the February meeting as I was presenting at the Indiana Association of Independent Schools – but I have been asked to upload my handouts and presentation materials. I am hosting the meeting on April 23 here at Brebeuf. TEAM discussed best practices for training and development, cost-saving tools, and Indiana Department of Education statutes. We support each other and laugh a great deal about our day jobs. I enjoy the network of like-minded individuals.

"Give It a Ponder" Campaign

For me, any conversations on public service announcements must include the new LG annoucements staring James Lipton. I do not know if these work for younger viewers but this 40 year old thinks they are hilarious! I especially like that the psa does not use fear but simply asks young people to think before they act. Not a bad lesson in general.


http://www.giveitaponder.com/with/#/youtube/