Networked Classrooms... "I'm a physicist, not a hippie"

It's hard not to think of what happened in Missouri in 2011 when talking about social media and networked classrooms.  I think the legislature has placed a negative view on what can be positive online learning experiences.  If you didn't already know, the state attempted to ban school employees from using social media because of the few teachers that have misused social networking tools to create inappropriate relationships with students.  In the end, the state legislature repealed ban and had schools create their own social media guidelines that respect and value both the students, teachers and technology.

With what we have experienced in our state, I have to say the information provided about Safety and Ethical Use resonated with me.  "All too often, we've seen districts equate keeping students safe with filtering any online access to people and to content that hasn't been created in traditional ways (blogs, wikipedia, YouTube, and so on.  Even worse, many districts do not give teachers the ability to override the filter at their desktops or laptops if they find blocked sites that they deign either appropriate or relevant to the curriculum." (76)  I am fortunate to have a good relationship with our "tech guy," but I feel like I have to jump through a lot of hoops just to have educational downloads or certain websites available.  I agree with the text that the strategy of strictly blocking at school puts students in a less safe place considering they generally go home to an unrestricted, unfiltered access to media and technology (and, yes, I do realize that we have to have some level of filtering as mandated by law).  I also agree that higher levels of restriction gives the idea that we are not respected professionally as adults and teachers.  If my level of integrity was appropriate to be a part of influencing the lives of our students, then I can say my ability to make and model appropriate choices with technology will reflect my level of ethics and integrity that made me a part of the community.

When it comes to technology, it is hard not to equate acceptable use with our character development in schools.  Character education is an important aspect of our school culture.  We even have a weekly meeting with our assigned small group to discuss and perform activities, but above all we try to embed character training in all we do.  We take opportunities to show through examples and experiences what quality character is, and what is not. This should be true of our technology integration, but when there are not learning opportunities available for learning appropriate use, it makes the embedding process of safety and proper use more challenging.  Don't get me wrong, I do believe in restrictions - or restraint, and proximity and expectation are a big part of that.  When we are not connecting to the social media that students are already using, we are ignoring learning opportunities.

For example, I asked my principal if we had a Twitter feed.  He didn't know and had to check around.  It turns out we don't have one specific to our school.  When I replied that I thought we were missing out on an opportunity to stay connected to our students and families, the hot topic question he asked was what happens when those utilizing Twitter would retweet our information with negative language or pictures?  Honestly, that could already be happening and we don't know it.  I think we have to change our perspective... and change the question.  How do we stay connected to our community and have a positive influence, and what are the consequences for inappropriate use that disrupts or disrespects our students, staff and school?

Strangely, I couldn't help but think Big Bang Theory when reading through chapter 3 this week in our PLN text.  When Sheldon is confronted with sharing his emotions, he exclaims, "I'm a physicist, not a hippie."   I guess it's a bad analogy, but our idea of open access to information isn't the same as an all-access free-love movement.  Limiting our access doesn't solve the problem of cyber-bullying and inappropriate or disrespectful posts, nor does it make us 'anything goes' hippies in the world wide web.  We all need to model good choices and provide strategies to deal with the online character development of our students, and ourselves.  And, learning how to become better cyber-citizens not only affects our classrooms, but the world that our students are a part of.  So, for now, the next step to networking our classroom and school is through conversations with administration about the benefits of using Twitter.

I am a teacher, not a hippie.

Building my PLN - Fun!

@mrsantonioplus Newbie to the Twittersphere

@mrsantonioplus

I think my head is spinning!  Joining Twitter is quite an experience.  It's like first joining the txt world, way back when, and figuring out formatting and abbreviations.  I have found to be very helpful with Twitter talk.  I think it will take me a while to get some of it, but with everything finally set up on my computer and phone, I am hoping it will get easier.  I was very excited that creating a widget for my blog was extremely easy using the widget function under settings.

TBH, I really didn't want to Twitter.  I have been dreading this.  I didn't want to add one more thing to keep track of, but with the Deck I can see what's going on pretty easily.  I think the reading this week convinced me that having an account was worth it.  I didn't realize how many ways Twitter was effectively being used as an education tool.  From reminders to gathering information to finding places to sharing answers to storytelling; it's amazing.

I am in the gathering stage of Twitter.  I have been able to find many resources and people to connect with.  As I watch and read what is happening, I look forward to finding my niche in interacting and collaborating.  I feel like I have spent a lot of time, maybe too much time, trying to figure out as much as possible before I go back to work tomorrow...

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David Letterman's Top Ten Signs You Spend Too Much Time On Twitter 

10. You miss son's soccer game waiting for Lady Gaga to post what she had for lunch
9.   You answer the phone: "Twello?"
8.   You've spent millions developing iPhone waterproofing technology so you can tweet in the shower
7.   You haven't touched your CB radio in months
6.   You ask yourself, "What would Jesus tweet?"
5.   You sleep-tweet
4.   No No. 4 — writer on Twitter
3.   You stopped paying attention to this list after the first 140 characters
2.   Even Ashton Kutcher thinks you tweet too much
1.   Walked in on the landscaper "retweeting" your wife.

Teachers With Apps

Teachers With Apps25 Signs You Might Be A 21st Century Teacher - Teachers With Apps

To Cheat or Not To Cheat

Ok, so this will be my first personal blogging experience.  I have been diligent with my school posts, but after watching 2 hours of Lance Armstrong's interview with Oprah, well, I guess I have words floating around in my head that need to get out.

Ironically, just this week I was reading an article in the NEA Today Express about cheating.  You can view the story at .   There is a white paper that is a great read called Cheat or Be Cheated? What We Know About Academic Integrity in Middle & High Schools & What We Can Do About It that is highlighted in the article.  In light of listening to Lance Armstrong's confessions, all I can think of is how his story affects our culture, especially our children.

We now have a shift in ethics when it comes to cheating, and the lines continue to stretch because of ideas of "win at all costs," or expecting the best grades instead of the most comprehensive learning strategies.  In the white paper, what I think hurts by brain and heart the most is that "knowing that cheating is wrong does not deter the behavior."  And, "students may think differently about cheating depending on the motive."

I tutor students, and they have shared with me that they have cheated and most of their friends cheat.  They know it's wrong, but they continue doing it because they are looking for a grade.  They don't feel that their learning is valued, all they want is the best grade to get to the next best class.

So, in light of the many celebrities and heroes in our world that are looked up to for their successes, what does it say to our children that their success was because they cheated.  I am not saying that Lance wasn't a good athlete, but as I posted on Facebook, I am not surprised, nor should anyone else be, otherwise you would be lying to yourself. This man accomplished the impossible; the operative word is impossible.  The culture of racing was doping.  This wasn't a secret, and so many people were willing to sacrifice their integrity for a win. 

How many times do we need to cheat ourselves and the world around us?  From presidents, to baseball players, to Olympians, to cyclists... their cheating makes an impression on our world.  And, not a good one.

My hope is that I can continue to share with my children and students that what they know and who they are is more important than any grade at school or win on the field.  We are all uniquely made and have gifts we have to develop through responsible, respectful, compassionate, ethical, hard work.  It is only through overcoming struggle that we are able to learn.  I fear for those who don't get that message, and I fear for the future of our world if we have cheating students growing into adults who are responsible for the care of each other and our world.

As for Mr. Armstrong, he cheated.  He ruined his career and reputation, yet you can't take away the hope he has provided to those with cancer.  No one is perfect or invincible.  My hope for him is that he can heal and be the man God intends him to be.

Starting Up Again...

Alright, so I have revisited and revamped this glorious world of blogging.  I truly do feel as though I just jumped into a river with a strong undertow now that I have joined, what feels like, every social media or PLN out there, including Google Reader and Google+ which seem gather up a few of those in one place.

  Just when I thought I was making a big splash getting on  and joining up with  I have to go do "the twitter" and more Google.  I feel like my head is going to explode with all the resources out there!  Thank goodness for ; I have been able to quickly mark so many sites that I have been using for work and school.

In my late night deliriousness, one line from  has begun to slow my mind down...  "The point isn't the number of tools or where they exist now, but that in the future, students (with teacher guidance) will be able to find and use the kinds of tools that fit their learning styles." (15)

Wow, I keep gathering tools, but I know the ones I like and go to require few steps.  I like apps and sites that don't require logging in, have a button I can put on my toolbar, have another button to track it, like it or pin it so that I can have a "library" of resources to go back to when I need specific ideas.  I don't know that I care for the blogging so much, except for it has been a good way to present ideas and work that we do in class.  Well, let me rephrase.  I don't care much for my own blogging, but I do enjoy looking at others' sites for inspiration.

So, I guess having said that, I should share that I have been inspired by a couple of blogs.  Of course, one led me to the other.  I first found  on Pinterest.  She has a fabulous blog about integrating technology into the classroom with their ipad 1-1 initiative.  This is where I was introduced to , a site for creating QR codes - you know, those little square dotty things that are similar to UPC codes but have a lot more function.  You can use your phone or ipad to snap a picture of the QR code and you are linked to pretty much any digital resource.  This blog led me to TechChef4U.  If you need ipad app ideas, this is a MUST to visit!


As it is repeatedly said in , I am "Jumping In!"  I am also drawn to the idea that I am "creating your (my) own learning path here, and little about this has a decidedly linear, step-by-step feel." (55)  Maybe it's my analytical side that is screaming for a less messy route to learning.  But, ultimately I know I am on a journey of discovery, not only for resources but for ways to share the joy of learning new things!  I have already found many tools that have taken me "to a whole new level of thinking about your (my) field." (57)

Happy blogging!