EQ1 & EQ2 Week 4

EQ1 What do social technology and social networks mean to you? How can you use them in your teaching practice?

EQ2 After three weeks of interaction, what sense of the others in this class do you have, in terms of participation, attitudes, perspectives and engagement? How have your views changed on the advantages of learning circles?

1)In my opinion, social technology and social networks are what their names imply; a tool for interacting with your peers and building/reinforcing the bonds of companionship. In a teaching practice there could be quite a few avenues for use. Depending on the level being taught and the age of the students, these networks could be used to interface with students. Assignments could be posted to them or extra help offered. Students could have ongoing discussions and articles, video clips and pictures could be posted for the class to see. It would offer the students a chance to give more to the class than just comments in class. It would also be a quasi "unlimited" classroom in that, time would be less of an obstacle.

Beyond instruction, social networks could also be used to keep up with students if desired. Tracking a student beyond your class could not only offer feedback on the effectiveness of your teaching, but give support to the student and a "mentorship" of sorts that might encourage the student to strive for higher goals. How excellent would it be to discuss college options with a student you had in 8th grade and had pushed to succeed all along. There are other ways to accomplish this, but the ease of social networks (and the frequency with wich many modern students are on them) would be an asset.

Also, these networks could work in the same fashion for teachers and faculty. Akin to an online learning circle, teachers could continue to trade information back and forth, even if they end up far apart--and in real time! If I find a useful educational site, I can post it to my blog or facebook/twitter and instantly spread the word to my friends in education. Although many would probably frown on all of this, since there are lots of other factors to be considered in such use, I do not believe that because of a few defects the whole idea should be scrapped.

2)In general, outside of those I already knew before class, I would say my sense of the rest of the class is average. There are some that stand out from their comments in discussions with Brandy and therefore give me a general idea of their views, but overall it is mediocre. On the flip-side, this has made me treasure my learning circle even more. I feel that such group can be hit-or-miss, since no matter how much knowledge contained within, it takes the right chemistry to bring that out. *Luckily* my learning circle seems to have that chemistry. Not only are we able to discuss assignments, but we offer each other help when needed and make sure we are all on the same page. I <3 LC5 :)