Learning the social web

The social web is the newest way to connect to new people and develop friendships. I recently submitted a photograph to National Geographic and was connected to three people around the world that showed appreciation. It made be think about sharing more photographs instead of keeping them to myself. While doing this I created a social web with these new people.  Richardson's book of "Blogs, Wikis and Podcasts" brought to my visualization that "...this network of individual nodes of people connected by ideas and passions, constantly shifting and changing as new connections are found and old ones are reconsidered."( Richardson, p.85) It was through the passion of photography that we were connected. I continued to peer into the lives of those that appreciated my submission and realized I would have never met them since one was from Turkey, second from Kazakhstan and the third from Minnesota.
 This is an example of the effect of the social web. I have used Facebook, email, text and blogging but it took putting a photo out there in cyberspace to really realize the power of social media. All other venues brought old connections. According to Richardson " Because of these tools, we can build complex networks of resources to tap into allowing us to find more information, more teachers, and more learning."(Richardson, p.86)

Reference

Richardson, W. (2010). Blogs, wikis and podcasts, and other powerful web tools for classrooms. 
Corwin: Thousand Oaks, CA

Edutopia: "Teachers need to follow their own rules" by Dr. Curwin

   

     The Edutopia article by Dr. Richard Curwin states that "Teachers need to follow their own rules." He didn't imply that the teachers need to set their own rules he meant that the rules for the students should apply to the teacher as well, otherwise don't have that rule. We all teach others by example even when we are not teachers. Or are we all teachers? The answer is yes, we are all teachers in everything we do. Society is constantly watching and treats us according to the rules we follow. So, should we follow the rules we give our children to demonstrate the importance? Absolutely, children need to know that the rule is followed by all. Especially by the adult so the children can distinguish the importance of the rule. Dr. Curwin also states that  the choices of behavior follows values and they are the best indicators of your values.
     Dr. Curwin suggests that for those teachers that need to follow their own rules should start with two easy ones at first.
Be professional. Be on time for meetings and classroom work.
Be a good role model.  Don't do it if it's not what you want them to do.
I find that it is important to remind ourselves that we are the professional not the student. In order for them to achieve professionalism they need to know what it is. How it had been modeled is up to us.


 References     
Curwin. R. (2014). Teachers should follow own rules. Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/teachers-should-follow-own-rules-richard-curwin