Recently, I was introduced to a site of a great edublogger, Vicki Davis. If you would like to visit her blog, go to:
http://coolcatteacher.blogspot.com/
In one of her posts entitled "Globally connected... Personally disconnected?" she addresses the issue that as a teacher use more and more websites and web tools to communicate with others and teach, he or she can feel personally disconnected.
Vicki states that being a teacher is becoming less about a stack of papers to grade. She is now concerned with email assignments and updating wikis and web pages.
Her advice to those who feel globally connected and personally disconnected is as follows:
"It is OK to feel personally disconnected sometimes, particularly when that means you are creating rich, vibrant, deep learning experiences for students.....
Just keep perspective and don't beat yourself up too much about how often you've blogged or tweeted. If you've got something to share, share it any way you can with the time you have and just don't sweat it."
Vicki expressed that she feels personally disconnected at times. It is evident from exploration of her blog that she uses technology ALOT in her classroom.
Do you think that there is a such thing as using too many websites and webtools in teaching? Do you think that global connect can lead to a personal disconnect? If so, how do you find the right balance?
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I'm glad that you took the opportunity to check out Vicki's thinking, Kya. She really has her head on straight and, as I think we all observed when we skyped, it's clear that she's all about her students.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, it does occur to me that thinking in terms of personal learning networks is probably a really good idea. For my part, I want to see able, creative young people like you staying in the profession, and one way that that will be more likely to happen is if you have some good sources of professional sustenance. In truth, that's a big reason why Liz and I have you guys out checking the edublogosphere, as that's a great place to derive some of that sustenance.
I only indirectly addressed your question, though (sorry!) Let's see what others have to say...