Where do we begin?

After watching this video last Fall, I was filled with uncertainty. I didn't know where to begin my journey into online learning, but I sensed it was crucial to start connecting with the broader world beyond my physical space. Here are a few ways I initiated that journey:

3 Tools to Begin Connecting with the World

1. Delicious

Delicious is a social bookmarking site, allowing users to share, organize, search, and manage bookmarks of web resources (Wikipedia). Personally, I adore Delicious because it grants me access to my bookmarks from anywhere, at any time, and on any computer. I can bookmark sites at home and have them readily available when I'm at work. Moreover, I can explore other users' bookmarks, saving me time and providing a wealth of information beyond what I could find on my own.

2. YouTube/TeacherTube

YouTube takes the second spot for me. Whenever I need to learn something new, it's my go-to platform. For instance, last summer, I wanted to learn a couple of songs on the violin, so I turned to YouTube. I found tutorials from "expert village" to help me learn "Twinkle, Twinkle." It was a blast! Additionally, I love YouTube for classroom use. Short clips from YouTube are fantastic for capturing my students' attention.

3. Blogs

A blog is a type of website where individuals regularly post commentary, event descriptions, or other content such as graphics or videos (Wikipedia). I rely on blogs to stay abreast of the latest developments in the digital world. I recommend finding a few blogs that pique your interest and diving in! Look for blogs updated frequently to ensure you stay current with the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Some of my favorites include:

Free Technology for Teachers: This site is a goldmine! Be sure to bookmark it.

  

2¢ Worth  David Warlick's blog challenges my thinking with thought-provoking questions about technology and education.

Web-blogged  Will Richardson's blog offers valuable insights into teaching and learning.

  

Eide-Neorolearnng Blog  This one is a personal interest, as I'm fascinated by neuroscience.

Mary Castle's First Grade Blog  I've been following this teacher for over a year as I endeavor to incorporate blogging into my classroom this year.

I encourage you to explore these applications and see where they take you and who you encounter!

Will Richardson Inspires Again!

I dabbled with Twitter a few months back when Ashton Kutcher challenged Larry King to a Twitter popularity contest. However, beyond that, I didn't explore much further as I felt my Facebook social network sufficed to keep me connected. Yet, after attending the Leading and Learning Conference in Red Deer today, where I listened to Will Richardson, a top edublogger and author of "Blogs, Wikis, and

 Podcasts," I realized I needed to give tweeting another shot. Richardson argues that Twitter offers "passion-based learners" a platform to connect with each other. His previous inspiration led me to start reading blogs and eventually blogging myself, and now I'm eager to dive back into tweeting.

Richardson emphasized the importance of social networks in education, urging educators to teach digital learners about their online presence and how they can connect with others beyond their physical surroundings to learn. He highlighted the emergence of a new literacy, the "literacy of learning" online. There are myriad ways to connect with like-minded individuals and explore shared interests and passions, from groups of cyclists sharing daring adventures on YouTube and forums, to individuals seeking answers to questions on YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook.

Here's a video Richardson shared during his presentation to illustrate the power of social networks facilitating online learning. 

 

Upon watching this video of a 12-year-old boy seeking answers to his questions, it becomes evident that this transcends mere technology; it's about culture. Digital natives are growing up in a digital world, where the internet is an integral part of daily life.

What networks do you engage with to facilitate learning beyond your physical space?

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