1. Reflect
on the current policies in place regarding social networking you school or
district.
Schools in my district
are in compliance with CIPA with an internet filter to block inappropriate
websites and monitories online activities.
At the start of each school year, the internet AUPs form is distributed
to parents and students to sign stating that they have read and understand the
policy. Employees are also required to
sign the AUP and waiver Form for internet, computer, e-mail and network usage.
The AUP informs the
user of the guidelines that are to be utilized when using a computer in the
classroom, media center, computer lab, anywhere else in the school or internet
from their system. A good AUP will
explain the rights, privileges of the users, privacy, safety, intellectual
freedom, inappropriate materials/language and equal access information and
consequences if violations occur.
Although, the AUP must
include definite, clear, concise and direct policies and procedures for usage
and violations is vital for effective communications, some would argue that
each and every tool, device, gadget and/or social media would need to be
listed.
2. How
has this workshop shaped your opinions about the potential of these tools to
facilitate learning and collaboration?
Since this class, I
understand that my Personal Learning Network (PLN) included (a) taking a class
(b) colleague(s), (c) reading professional journals online/offline (d) books
(e) magazines, (f) newspaper articles (g) radio (h) television (i) emails (j)
professional seminars/workshops (k) internet websites (i.e., Twitter, Facebook,
Blogs, etc.,) (l) wikis (m) chat/instant messaging (n) personal conversations
with friends and family via phone and/or email (o) taking f2f courses and (p)
eLearning/online classes.
Sad to say, however,
since the Covid 19 Pandemic and this class, I see that I may need to list
several funeral home(s) and memorial sites to my Personal Learning Network
(PLN).
Because of the
lockdowns, lockouts, quarantines, school closures caused by the Pandemic, I
also realized that I have had to rely on Web 2.0 applications such as ZOOM,
Facebook Live, You Tube, Webinars to read and share thoughts, decisions and/or
success stories.
I am happy to know
that with the RSS (Really Simply Syndication), I have a tool that will allow me
to update and modernize my own PLN on topics that directly impact the way I
will now select and conduct technology professional development training for
the stakeholders in my school/district.
Also, I will now be
able to share with all stakeholder’s information (i.e., articles, video,
current news updates, etc.) that can possibly provide best practices that have
been utilized by other school/districts on topics that are of interest
individually and collectively.
Furthermore, because
of the wealth of information provided in this class, I will be able to better
contribute to the professional development (i.e., lesson discussions, forum,
activities, readings, etc.) offered to both teachers and administrators via
workshops, conferences, and activities in my schools/districts remotely
effectively.
3. What
are the challenges you face regarding incorporating these tools and allowing
teachers and students to network virtually?
Even after providing
request to ensure that certain tools, websites and equipment are available to
conduct ongoing and relevant professional development training opportunities,
many sites are still blocked to allow administrators, teachers and students to
network virtually for training.
Therefore, my
challenge has been multi-fold, in that: (1) I must try to convince the
school/school district that “unblocking” sites requested/needed prior to training
would enhance the workshop (2) allow all stakeholders to apply what they have
just learned immediately (3) provide an opportunity to each participant to
connect, communicate and collaborate effectively, efficiently, frequently to
the masses and (4) allow teachers to learn how to teach remotely effectively.
4. Describe
how you plan to address these challenges in the coming school year.
For the upcoming year,
I plan to address the challenges by:
(a) Providing professional development opportunities
that teachers how to teach effectively remotely
(b) Obtaining permission to have access to
websites (i.e., teacher tube, Google, etc.) prior to scheduled training
(c) Offer technology workshops for
administrators and teachers to include Blogs, Twitter, Podcast, and RSS Feed
(d) Offer scheduled workshops and follow-ups that offer CEU and PLU credit via Professional Learning Community (PLC) during
prep periods, after school and during in-service on developing Personal
Learning Networks for administrators and teachers
Submitted by:
Wendolyn LaFleur
The FLOWER BLOG
