Conversations on Learning - Latest comments

Derrick Huschi [Visitor] in response to: How transparent are you?

Derrick Huschi [Visitor] — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:02:02 +0000

I find myself sharing with the staff and students in our building BUT I have not put enough effort into extending beyond the school. There are many who may benefit from our experiences, just as we may benefit from the experiences of others.

Thanks for sharing.

Lesley [Visitor] in response to: How transparent are you?

Lesley [Visitor] — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:12:34 +0000

I really believe in being transparent at all levels. I'm out there on twitter and facebook revealing things about my life outside & inside work, and learning from the others out there. When I started my position in my school district there was nobody like me, so having a network of people online that are all doing the same things helps me tremendously. I am consantly looking in my google reader, checking twitter, and reading blogs everyday to learn more.

As far as privacy goes, what I do is think to myself..would I tell whatever it is I'm about to post to my friends in the office? Would I feel uncomfortable if my co-workers saw this? If the answer is no, I go ahead and say it! Whomever is looking at my profiles or dealing with me needs to know all about me, funny flaws and all. I see no reason to be shy about that.

Patti Rodger [Visitor] in response to: How transparent are you?

Patti Rodger [Visitor] — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 17:00:52 +0000

I guess I've never thought of myself as a transparent learner in that, often, I'm learning for my own purposes and therefore, I am only transparent with my staff when it is relevant and timely. I read and search online incessantly for school improvement purpose and snatch an idea here and embrace a concept there (RtI, PBS most recently). I don't want to scare people off by sharing too much of it until I need to plant the seed. I do agree though that we need to be celebrating and sharing our students' learning and our teachers' enthusiasm in embracing the 'improved learning framework' so we can be learning together. I am encouraged to see more professional collaboration today than I ever have seen before in my teaching career.

Dean Shareski [Member] in response to: How transparent are you?

Dean Shareski [Member] — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:33:23 +0000

@Gord
I"m not sure if you were referring to a local network or not. It's certainly not hard to create a network internally but that tends to limit the available interaction. We can all be learning so much from others no matter their location and in many cases it's beneficial to hear outside voices.

@Al
Excellent point. I recognize for many, these ideas are not new or difficult to embrace but yes, there is a technical side to this and a certain amount of knowledge required to participate fully. These might be considered new literacies or at least new skills that we and our students need to understand. Those that have them, tend to have a leg up and are levearging them to their advantage. In many cases our students appear to understand them but for the most part don't. I'd be interested in offering or planning something to assist us in moving forward as leaders.

@Brenda
Certainly our understandings and beliefs about privacy as well as comfort levels have to be considered. However, just as in our professional relationships, often we establish a level of trust before we offer anything outside of our duties. Online, trust is as important but often more elusive as readership is harder to define.

However, the numbers of great conversations that I have with leaders in our school division tells me we have so much to learn from each other and are currently not doing so in a very efficient manner. Isolated learning still remains the dominant culture for our schools and division and province. The world we live in and grew up in is not the world our students will and while we may not be comfortable I believe we are compelled to begin to model in some way the sharing of our daily learning. How would anyone know we are really life long learners?

In today's world you are what you share.

Thanks for the awesome feedback and for sharing. ;)

Brenda E [Visitor] in response to: How transparent are you?

Brenda E [Visitor] — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:16:21 +0000

I agree with transparency to a certain extent. As a leader of learners I do believe that I could personally do a much better job of sharing insight into the type of professional learning in which I'm engaged. I tend to share openly the activities, meetings and events that occupy my time. This is a great reminder to begin to change that practice.

In regards to sharing more personal and daily experiences - in my current role I am extremely selective with whom I share that information. While I enjoy getting to know people on a personal level either one on one or smaller groups I still feel I need to be somewhat guarded.

allan andrie [Visitor] in response to: How transparent are you?

allan andrie [Visitor] — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 21:17:02 +0000

I began teaching when the best tecnology available was the Gestner. If you do not know what that was, google it.

Fast forward 33 years and now we are using today's technology to lead a life of transparency in order to model life-long learning for our students. I think this is great!

Not only do I believe in the ideas of Richarson, I have no fear of posting any students work. My problem is lack of knowledge. Inservices and workshops are vital in helping move the process forward. We need to make time to learn in order to to move the process forward.

Gord Taylor [Visitor] in response to: How transparent are you?

Gord Taylor [Visitor] — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 18:37:06 +0000

Agreed. Interactive and engaging transparent learning and discussion is what makes things happen. It is what makes us move forward and transform. How about a professional (social) networking platform?

admin [Member] in response to: Beatrice is Way Off

admin [Member] — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:58:10 +0000

Ian,

You should read or listen to Danah Boyd who explains quite articulately why kids are involved with social networks. Ironically one of those reasons is that parents have been so concerned with physically safety and monitoring that kids are less able to "hang out" with friends like we once did. There are other reasons as well, based on research and findings but rest assured, it's not going away so we'd better figure out how to handle it.