The Number Line

During recent use of social media, I was reminded that some people still use and monitor their “Klout”, a social media metric, to inform them about their social media “influence”.  I can understand the need to determine if use of social media is worthwhile, but I have yet to use or look into this metric and data.  I have written a post about this previously.

John Spencer recently wrote a post about the “the dangers in quantifying relationships” within social media connecting.   He discussed his own struggle with what to make of the “numbers” aspect of social media and wondered about the effects on his students.

It’s not hard to get caught up in the numbers and statistics.  It would be understandable if one stopped using social media platforms if they felt that the feedback in terms of “stats”, “hits”, “likes”, and shares were on a lower scale, especially if others are publicly reporting or displaying their own standings within these networks.  My own “stats” quite likely would suggest that what I do is not worthwhile, but I do what I do regardless.

On John’s post, a few commenters provided some honest, candid remarks related to their experiences as newer participants with social media.  I encourage you to read the post and comments in full.  Vivian provided a good reminder, “With the Internet, we can have these mini celebrity worlds but they never existed on such a huge scale, before the Internet. Since we’re digital immigrants, we should know better as we can still remember a time when it wasn’t like that.”  Fred Galang admitted, “Not going to lie – I too look at numbers.  As a media teacher I should know better. As a human being, it was expected”, but goes on to affirm, “Impact and influence you ask? I don’t need it from Twitter”.  Both commenters and others shared further good thoughts as well.

Our day-to-day, “real” lives can be a lot about performance measures, ranking and rating.  Many experiences cannot be validated at all, or are validated by others.  If we as adults are attracted by the validation that social media experience or “influence” can provide, are we aware of how this may also be affecting our youth who use these social online spaces?

I know John had some plans to provide his students with related forum questions.  He has shared some of the feedback from his students here in “Facebook is not a Front Porch”.

I have overheard my own children comparing their ‘likes’ on statuses and photos.  Yet their personalities and comfort with posting online differ and they learn from each other through this and from our family discussions.  One good guiding question that I find helpful is, ”How much are you trying to BE interesting vs. interested in others?”.  That idea came from a post that Chris Wejr wrote in reflection about his social media use.

I think reflection is often needed on this, for ourselves and our kids.  Are we influencing with numbers?  How are we influenced by numbers?  What does influence even mean online?  I don’t want to participate, write, follow, interact, etc., FOR the numbers or “Klout”.  I think a high score or thousands of followers, or worrying about my “brand” would only overwhelm and pressure me.  I believe it would affect my writing and interactions with others.  I know it can be difficult to find the appropriate “line” of sharing ideas to connect, learn and grow vs. sharing in self-promotion.  I can understand others who want the numbers for information because they use these spaces for different things and various professional and business purposes, but I don’t think this is the purpose of a personal learning network (PLN).  If I don’t get an answer to a question or an interaction for what I toss out there to a smaller network and following, I can live with that.  I wish Twitter didn’t post our number of tweets and followers – there is no context in those numbers alone.  Quantity simply does not mean quality, especially with social media….unless I am missing something?

Now, back to thinking, reflecting, and sharing about education

Leading Learning and Networking to Learn

As I dipped into the Twitter stream today, I seemed to have caught a theme in just a few short minutes!

If you are ever having some reservations or questions about the purpose of a Personal Learning Network, “PLN”, there are plenty of good reads to guide with this.  I wrote a post with my own questions and thoughts some time ago.  What I found interesting today was how a few posts seem to relate and mesh so well, if not speak to where things are at currently with online learning networks in education and to what lies ahead.

First I read about, “It’s time to create school systems that learn”, by Paul Ash, Superintendent.  His message really speaks to a shift in supporting learning and key roles in education.

Then, “Hacking Your Professional Development“.  Andrew Campbell, a teacher, pulled together a great compilation that captures the possibilities of a PLN and other learning opportunities that educators are taking part in and have readily available to them.

And then next, some related and relevant insight from a principal, Cale Birk, “How Do You Value Networking?”.  His post nicely brings in the consideration of students to this networked way of learning.  A lot to reflect on from his post in regards to both student and educator networks and connected learning.

And one last post regarding the purpose and next steps for PLN’s, Tom Whitby asks, “When is Innovation Old News?”.

I hope these posts help bring together some thoughts and plans for next steps for you, as they did for me.  Thanks for reading my quick collection!

Changing the Conversation: Youth and Social Media

This past week a great dialogue started at a parent/community event hosted by my school board’s Parent Involvement Committee.  Based on the premise that social media is not going away, our school board supported the committee to host an evening of panel presentations and dialogue regarding social media and its impact on our youth.  Attendance was great and included all stakeholders in education for this “Social Media Lowdown” (#SMLoDown).  Our panel of student, community police officer, and teacher/parent provided excellent insight and perspectives to the many aspects of social media and our changing communication technologies.  Parents were eager for the guidance — some attending with their children.  A most engaging and informative Q&A and discussion amongst the panelists and participants followed.

Some feedback from parents already suggests to me that the evening was well received and appreciated and that the dialogue will continue in our community.  One parent expressed her relief that the session wasn’t just about “all the bad things” that could happen to kids online.  She was most happy to gain insight to guide the opportunities that social media networking has to offer.  Other parents felt it was exactly the information they needed to better support their children with social media and online experiences.  Some felt that for such an important topic, more parents should have been in attendance.  However, I think the 60-70 audience size allowed for good discussion and sharing.  I am confident that conversation and critical thinking will branch out from these participants.  It has been great to hear about some engaging conversations that have already occurred within families since the evening’s event.  Further resources will be shared electronically with those who attended and anyone else interested.  I am certain there will be further opportunities for this dialogue as well.

I am most grateful that our school board supported this topic and outreach to parents and to our community.  Much appreciation has been extended to all who supported and attended.  We had a great moderator and support from a local radio station as well.  Our student trustee on the panel was such an important voice in this dialogue!  All three panelists provided valuable perspectives and helpful suggestions.  Andrew Campbell, our teacher/parent panelist has provided his presentation slides and the video of his talk on his blog to help the dialogue continue.  Thanks, Andrew!

I am honoured to have been a part of a change in conversation about social media and the support of our youth.  I hope my sharing of this event and the resources will help others with this dialogue and support in their own communities.

Here is a list of resources/reading we compiled for further support:

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada – Video

MediaSmarts (Canadian site/also a good follow on Twitter: @MediaSmarts)

Media and Digital Literacy: Resources for Parents

Parent Resources – YouTube Help

Why Being Young Doesn’t Make You a Social Media Expert

Kids & Technology: The Developmental Health Debate

Seven Media-Savvy Skills All Parents Need in 2013

Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children’s Media

Keeping One Step Ahead of Kids in a Mobile World

Choose What Happens Next – A Series of Video Lessons on Responsible Cyber Citizenship

A Letter to Parents of Digital Age Children

Creating a Family Media Agreement: How to Have the Conversation

Some food for thought for both parents and educators:

It’s vital we teach social networking skills in school

Should schools offer social media etiquette classes?

Is the message in the medium?

As I reflect on the last couple of years I have been participating in education conversations through social media, it does seem that there has been a significant increase in the online presence and social media participation of schools and school boards/districts and education organizations.  There seems to be the interest in being IN the conversations, as well as to use social media to learn, communicate and promote good work.  The potential and opportunity for 2-way parent communication and community engagement continues to grow as well.  If some districts are not yet doing so, there are many resources and blogs to help learn how (and why it is a good idea).  I wonder how close it is to a point where talking about social media outreach and communication is no longer necessary and it is becoming just a part of what schools and districts are doing.  I wonder if it is getting similar to the statement made in this post about social media becoming boring and just another tool….but that it is a good thing.

As classroom teachers, school administrators, and school boards increase their online presence and communicate with parents through social media, I think there are a couple of considerations that will continue to be important to think about and reassess regularly.  In addition to surveying parents themselves if communication strategies to reach them are being effective, I think it may also be good to reflect on questions like this:

• As the invitation goes out to parents to connect, engage, receive information through blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc., is the message also conveying, “You are still welcome to visit or chat in person at the school”?
• Does online presence and social media sharing of positive stories still include the message that it is okay for a parent to bring forward a concern about their child?
• Do social media communication strategies still allow for the voices of dissent to be heard in the appropriate place and time?

This post about practices for “resilient communication” also made me think.  How does social media use serve to support “resilient” communication that can be needed in education?

Exciting times in commmunication, but always new things to consider.

It is all about the “@” too.

I am often surprised by the continuing confusion about the “@” on Twitter.  There have been a few times when I have mentioned to someone in my Twitter network about the limitation of beginning a tweet with an @”name”.  I mentioned it when it seemed clear that it was not their intention to reply only to that person, but they just happened to use the person’s Twitter handle at the beginning of the tweet.  However, Twitter treats it as a reply.

I agree with many who write about it being “all about the hashtag” in terms of good conversation and connecting people and topics, but I also feel strongly about the value of “@ convos” on Twitter.  I have been catching quite a few posts regarding following/unfollowing and how that affects networks and connections on Twitter.  I think these are helpful discussions as we still continue to sort all this out and reflect on how to use social media in valuable and personally relevant ways.  What I do continue to hear and read is the importance of conversations and replies between people that also allow others to join in.  So I have decided to post in support of the “@” and transparent, open conversations, and to help those who often ask, “What is with the . in front of people’s tweets?”

It is quite simple, but still somewhat confusing:

The . in front of the @ allows all of your followers to see the tweet, whether it is meant as a “reply to” or simply a mention of someone’s Twitter handle beginning the tweet.  Only “@” in front or at the beginning of a tweet would only allow mutual followers of yourself and @”name” to see the tweet.   (It is also important to know that your replies are not private to those you “@” and could be seen by common followers, or if somone views your profile page directly.)  Using the .  in front changes it from a reply to a regular public tweet and allows anyone to join the conversation or comment on what you have tweeted.  (Someone can also retweet a direct reply for all their followers to see or to join the conversation).

This may still sound as clear as mud, and I was happy to see this older link tweeted just today explaining this change on Twitter.  It also provides some helpful examples regarding this. And now I have it all handy… in the name of conversation

If anyone else can explain it clearer, please add.

(special thanks to Doug Peterson (@dougpete) for discussion and resources relating to this)

Educators and Parents: Communication and Conversations

There are many blog posts and articles about using social media to communicate to parents, as well as a means to engage them.  The potential for enhancing and broadening outreach to parents is exciting.  The communication areas can cover everything from school and district updates to student grades and work samples.  I also believe that parent engagement cannot occur without good communication.

However, parents may not always be clear as to where the opportunites exist for 2-way conversations with social media, nor want that option.  We seem to be at a time when many different methods of communication are desired and still necessary for communication to and with parents, including face to face.  I heard this message loud and clear from parents in my own district recently.  Joe Mazza (@Joe_Mazza) recently shared his work as a principal with similar messages regarding this at a recent People for Education conference in Toronto, Ontario.  TVO Parents (@TVOParents) also wrote about his messages as well.

Chris Wejr (@ChrisWejr) has also written a number of posts about parent engagement, including one about communicating to vs. with parents at his school where he is principal.  A number of resources and ideas can be found linked in his posts on this topic, as well as on other topics that he is passionate about.

Although not focused on social media, I also appreciate a post recently written by Heidi Hass Gable (@HHG).  Her belief in the value of educators engaging in conversations and communicating with parents through various channels is evident in her suggestions and in the messages in the videos she included in her post.  A good conversation and further sharing has started in the comments as well.

I continue to look forward to learning about the different ways that lines of communication are being opened up between parents and educators and other stakeholders in education to bring conversations together to benefit children, schools and communities.  I hope this collection of ideas and resources that I have gathered in one place are helpful and will result in more conversations — the comfortable and the uncomfortable.  I believe both are worth it.

Related posts from my archives:

Bringing Parents into the Conversations

Parent Engagement: A Dinner Invite or Potluck?

Please feel free to add.

Technology Resistant

It is not hard to catch the concerns in my Twitter feed regarding the lack of technology and social media use by teachers and in classrooms.  There are often many points and issues to consider and I don’t claim to know and understand all of them.  The statements on blog posts and in comments reveal the diversity, if not polarization, of positions and thoughts in this area.

Consider these posts by Scott McLeod (@mcleod), for example, and the comments generated:

What are educator’s professional obligations to learn from social media channels?

Holding Back Our Children

And this report on social media’s role in education.

Also, I found the chart that Keith Rispin (@Keithrispin) provided at the end of this post very helpful, although he admits it may be somewhat simplistic.

The more I read the more I am often confused about what to support.  As a parent, I could choose not to worry about this, especially since parents are often looked upon as the barrier for change in this area.  Andrew Campbell (@acampbell99), a teacher and parent, posed a good question in a tweet recently, “If parents were demanding #edtech would that speed change?”  I don’t believe so.  I think it would have to be a collective response and collaboration of stakeholders to really affect speed of change (in education standards ).  I could be wrong though certainly.

I may be “old-fashioned”, but I continue to look for reassurance around these points and questions:

• Is the technology use or device developmentally appropriate for children/students?  E.g. Do young children really need the tools that connect globally? Would we introduce needless anxiety through exposure to situations or issues beyond their homes and community which they are not ready for and don’t need to be ready for?
• How does the use of the technology/device or social media enhance a learning experience or opportunities compared to not using it? How are the outcomes different?
• Arguments need to convince me that it is good for learning, not just because it makes teaching easier or more interesting (which could be addressed other ways), or that it “motivates” students.
• As children/students experience and access more technology, what will they not experience?  And how will we know that it is okay?  Who will take responsibility if we miss something essential?

As I read the concerns about both parent and teacher resistance to technology and social media use in schools/classrooms, I wonder if it is really understood what assurances are needed.  Are the assurances that will build confidence and support similar or different for “resistant” parents and teachers?  Are parents and teachers comfortable enough to share these thoughts?

I invite any thoughts:  Is there an ”it” or a “why” that you need to hear to better embrace and support the use of technology and social media in classrooms and/or for professional/personal learning?  Thank you for reading my thoughts.

Hope… to Action

In two years from now I will no longer be a “parent in the system”. This will add up to a span of 17 years!  I can’t say there weren’t days when I wondered about homeschooling (there were no private school options for us to consider).  We committed to the public education system and set about making the best of it. I knew it wouldn’t be perfect.  It wasn’t always easy to advocate and stand behind our family values, but I felt it was important to model respectful advocacy with and for my children when appropriate.

As a parent, I didn’t always need to know full details of my children’s learning, what their marks were, or what the curriculum covered.  I did want to trust that they were learning and being inspired to learn, and being respected for the learners they are.  I did appreciate it when my questions about the how and why of learning were welcomed and addressed.

While many of the education conversations often centre on the integration of technology and funding issues, I continue with my hopes for changes in other areas as well, such as: Assessment/grading; the use of rewards/punishments; the process allowed for learning, homework, and parent/community inclusion.  Most of all, I hope for learning environments that are humanistic and caring, not just for children, but for staff too.

I believe that good changes will only come by people, for people, and with people (roles may be irrelevant).  When I am no longer an involved parent ‘in’ the system, I hope to still care about public education. These recent years of being more connected online with educators and parents have given me much hope.  I am counting on many in my network/PLN, now and ahead.  I am also still counting on myself to continue to find what I can do.

While I take time to think on my “what” ahead, I would like to share some posts that have encouraged me recently.  I appreciate that these educators and parents have shared their hopes and the work that they are doing in similar areas that I mentioned.  It is also great to see the invitation to others to the conversations and actions.  I may have created my own hopeful echo chamber on Twitter, but I hope readers of my blog who are not on Twitter at all or as much will also welcome this sharing.  Comments are welcome here always, or on the following blogs:

Moving Forward, Together by Brian Harrison @bharrisonp

Some of my parenting wishes for this year by Chris Kennedy @chrkennedy

Creating the Conditions: Student Discipline by Chris Wejr @ChrisWejr

How Necessary is Homework? Join the Discussion by Patrick Larkin @patrickmlarkin, feat. John Spencer’s A Week Without Homework Challenge @Johntspencer

“Cynics and critics.. making the news, creating a scene; Destiny lies in the fools who refuse to give up on a dream..”  (Lyric from Melanie Safka’s, “Smile”) 

The Purpose of Personal Learning Networks

I recognize that a lot has been written about PLNs and echo chambers already, but some recent dialogue on Twitter got me thinking lately…

My blog posts are often inspired by what comes my way from the people I follow on Twitter and what they share – be it from blog posts, news links, or thoughts tweeted.  I also learn and reflect a lot from comments from others on blog posts and in the twitter conversations, whether I am participating directly or not.  As people share their thoughts and experiences from their contexts, I can learn and reflect about my own context, decisions, and actions.  Twitter and other social media platforms also create spaces for meetings of the minds.  I see agreement and disagreement, as well as many ideas challenged and debated in the online spaces where I participate.  I am also a member of a moderating team of an online education forum and I find the interaction and participation online intriguing.

Sometimes I worry about the time I commit to online interaction, but I really am there because of people.  I think we continue to always learn from and with one another – whether in person or online.  If we can keep clear about our purpose in that, I think online connections have a huge potential to enhance learning from others, as well as awareness of the things we want to be more aware of in order to grow personally and professionally.

Is my online network my “PLN”?  I don’t know – I am not sure there is a consistent definition of such.  Purposes for such networks may vary and change from individual to individual and over time.  Do I feel like I am in an echo chamber or too much group think online?  Sometimes, but mostly not.  Do I converse more with like-minded people?  Yes, probably often.  I don’t think we could be motivated to interact online if we didn’t find this – just as we do in many face to face situations.  Online spaces may allow us more control to block out opposing voices, but the significance of that may depend on what purpose we use these spaces for.

If one sets up a PLN for specific resource sharing within shared and similar roles, a diverse network may not be as essential.  If one sets up a PLN to be a part of conversations for influencing change and practice, the collision with diverse voices and perspectives may be more essential.  But there is no perfect formula to this.  A deliberate attempt has to be made.  Sometimes I think we could create an echo chamber without realizing it.  Time constraints can lead us to create groups and lists organized in different ways or we follow certain threads of conversations  eg. a hashtag on Twitter.  We may follow and/or be a part of a diverse network, but not have time to read all that is shared, or what they share from their networks, which may also be diverse.  We may also be reluctant to share forward some viewpoints or topics for different reasons.  We may also worry about sharing too much (either content of our own or of others).  I appreciated a tweet by Marco Campana (@marcopolis) recently as he was signing off, “Remember, sharing is caring.”

It can also become easy to question and wonder where these online conversations and connections lead us, or what difference it makes.  Not everyone will experience the same interactions or be able to sustain them in the same way.  But opportunities are always possible when efforts are made.  Unless one actually participates in a committed way, it may be hard to understand what is being reciprocated.  It can seem like a few opinions get shared, and a few ideas get challenged and hashed around or reacted to – so then what?  What is the value?

I recognize and relate to the frequent concerns about echo chambers and the possible lack of diverse voices in networks, or shortcomings in how we interact with networks.  But I think it is important that we are sharing perspectives and raising voices in new ways, as well as connecting with those in decision-making roles that was not possible in the past.  Whether this is good, bad or pointless, it does mean something, if not many things.  Is participation in online forums and with social media allowing us to be included in what we have always wanted to be included in?  And lastly, are walls coming down, or new ones being built with online interaction?

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/jenny-pics/3734424634/”>jenny downing</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photo pin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/”>cc</a>

The Value of Connecting

While we use social media to participate in conversations and sharing, the questions of value and worth often come up.  There are certainly many metrics, site stats, and scores to monitor if one desires to have some quantifiable data regarding social media influence or interactions.

But if it is the idea that we are developing a personal learning network (PLN), should the question of value be more of a personal thing?  What one values about connecting with social media may be an individual thing.  One may value a “lurker” kind of participation and another may value an active exchange with others.  Some share links, some tweet in conversations, or share a variety of things, or all of the above.

One’s view of the value of time spent may also be affected by how they have added and connected in building their network.  There are many lists and suggestions circulating on Twitter with recommendations of who to follow. Building of a network may also be a more personally driven process.  I think we may need to let people find their way a bit too.  I think we need to be gentle about how we nudge others to use social media for connected learning.  I worry that too much “should” and “must” advice about whom to follow and connect with, as well as what and how to share could easily be detrimental to one finding what they will value and find meaningful in connecting with social media.  Relationships and connections can take time – confidence and trust in the medium can as well.

I just learned that August is connected educator month.  I am not sure about all that it means, but I thought that a recent tweet from a teacher, Andrew Campbell (@acampbell99), was timely and relevant,

“To encourage educators to be connected we have to be prepared to meet them where they are”.

I try to keep this in mind when I nudge adults, parents and educators to try social media to build a network, but I know it is easy to forget.  I know that I am thankful for how I was nudged by a few of my online mentors, but everyone can have their own unique path in how they begin and build to connect online.

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/aphrodite/66231929/”>~Aphrodite</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photo pin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>cc</a>