A Network to Turn To

It's been a while since I did any crafting. So it wasn't a surprise that I was somewhat lost when I went to the fabric store to buy the supplies I needed for my latest project.  I described my project to an employee there, and she told me what I needed to buy. But she was a little busy, so I still didn't get the complete version of what I needed to do.

I walked around looking for the stuff I needed, and after a few walks around the same aisle, I finally just asked for help. In those moments before I sought an expert, my first instinct was to ask my PLN on Twitter. (I know a lot of really crafty librarians!) I found this really interesting! My PLN has become such a part of my daily life, that I now consider them almost immediately when I have a question.

Thankfully, the nice employee pointed me in the right direction, and even told me exactly which roll I'd need. I was out of there about 20 minutes later, and my project is now complete.

But now as I sit here thinking about it, I can apply the whole experience to learning and my future students.

Just like I had my own PLN to turn to (as well as a really helpful employee at the store), I hope that they would also have a network ready and available. When they have a question or a need, I hope they know who to ask and that they have SOMEONE to ask.  I hope they have LOTS of people to ask. The more answers the better!

How DO I help my students get their own PLN? Figuring this out is one of my many responsibilities as a librarian.

For me, it started by making connections. For my students, it will be the same!

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What I'm reading now:

 

 

Current shoe situation:

 

I am looking for a pair of leopard flats. I went shopping last weekend, but didn't quite find what I had in mind. Still searching! (Maybe I WILL ask one of my Twitter friends about this one.) 

Layers of Learning

Students make connections in my classroom every day.  During our read-aloud or a discussion on a topic,  one mention of a word or place reminds them of an event or memory in their lives. They raise their hands, and their faces light up when they hear something familiar or have an experience to share. They cannot wait to tell you all about it! They are so happy to tell you. They MUST tell you.

The same things happens to their teacher ---me-- too.

For example, I might attend one committee meeting one day where we might discuss a topic I happen to be thinking about. Then at another committee meeting--on an entirely different day---I might hear the same term again. It continues in my reading. I might hear that same phrase in a blog post I'm checking out , or come across it on Twitter.
To really drive it home, I might be having lunch at a conference with people I've just met, and one of them will mention this same term yet AGAIN. I'm interested. I listen. I learn. I ask questions. The cycle continues. And then I know:

These are not coincidences.

Because I am constantly pursuing literacy, books, writing, learning, reading, technology, innovation, etc., my worlds are continually colliding--in a great way! One aspect feeds gloriously into the other. One avenue takes me down a path I've just traveled. The results: a constant layering of experience and learning that never gets too stacked up or unruly. I can pile on the stack because unlike a tower of cards, it won't ever topple.

I know what my students feel like when they say, "I've heard of that!" I know exactly how hard it is NOT to share it!

Now, I actively seek those connections. I've stopped waiting for them to appear. In every aspect of my day-to-day, I'm connecting one thing to another.

But I don't raise my hand to share it! All I have to do is BLOG!

How I Use Edmodo

Twitter inspires people everyday. Example: Me!

Today, I was monitoring my Twitter stream, when a question popped up about Edmodo. Someone had just signed up for it, and wanted to know how others used it. This is one of those great things you can do on Twitter: ask others for input! I replied with a few answers. Then another teacher joined in and shared, too. I couldn't be specific enough in 140 characters, so that's when it occurred to me that a blog post would be the best place to explain what I was trying to say.

Ways I use Edmodo in my classroom:
I am not an expert, but I've figured out a way to make Edmodo work for my students and me. (Please keep in mind that these are very simple, and others have done much more than I have!)

Poll: Using our current read-aloud, I might ask for opinions on future story events or favorite characters. Sometimes, I even use it as a class voting tool for our next read-aloud.

Discussion forum: I post a critical thinking question about anything we are learning in class: a lesson, a historical event, a book we've all read together, etc. It's a really great way of getting full participation in discussions. Students can take time to answer and be intentional about replies.

Feedback tool:  What did students think about this or that particular event? Should we have this or that project? I can get opinions on things that help me plan lessons or class activities. Very helpful!

Build excitement about an upcoming event: If we have a field trip, speaker, Skype session, or book release in the near future, I use Edmodo to hype it up! Students show up at the door ready to go!

Supplemental material: I post Wonderopolis video links or websites with games/activities that help students explore the content we've been studying.

Quiz: I create short quizzes on material for students to complete at home. They get instant feedback on concepts, and I use it to steer instruction. I make the quizzes short. Teachers can decide to grade them and how that grade is used.

Connections: Eventually, once students become comfortable with the process and guidelines for posting, they'll start posting questions themselves. I am watchful here, coaching as needed,  encouraging, and always making sure everyone is respectful and using the forum to help us learn. This takes time and modeling. My class was ready for this in January.

(I also have a classroom blog that I may use for similar/additional purposes. It just depends on the level of contribution I'm looking for in the process.)

As with every tool I choose to use in our classroom, my first priority is how it advances learning. I'm not using the tool because it's flashy or because everyone else is using it, but because it's functional or teaches a new skill. Edmodo continues the conversations in a safe environment, and we can connect from anywhere. I'm positive I'll use it in different ways with my next class because they will need different things! 

I've also used Edmodo to create a space for a student schoolwide book club and to join teacher communities. See upcoming posts about how these work!

How do you use Edmodo in the classroom? Please share!

Shoe choice today:Yellow Box flip-flops. Style: Verona