PLN EDU 5506 SESSION SIX: Supporting Faculty and Students in Developing Personal Learning Networks

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