Since the emergence of Web 2.0 – the Read/Write web – we have seen the establishment of a new kind of ecology of technology enhanced learning that focuses on open access, collaboration, and professional exchange which has given us a chance to make a real difference in education and lifelong learning.The shift in professional practice has been profound for those of us who have been willing to step into the Read/Write web – and because we have experienced the extraordinary benefits for ourselves and for our students, I invite you to join the global transformation in learning.
I am forever grateful for those early adopters who have been promoting Web 2.0 within education and library circles. We have all had our own ‘epiphany’, inspired by someone – because the shift from Web 1.0 to Web 2.0 is still not necessarily obvious to all so we continue to need help! My kapow! came from Stephen Abram of Stephen’s Lighthouse fame. I soon discovered Will Richardson (raced out to buy his book) and Michael Stephens. I have a long list of ‘good reads’ ready for you to discover on my blog. The connections have continued since then. Whether it’s the awesome Stephen Downes or the teacher or teacher librarian down the road, there are hundreds of thousands of teachers, students, and librarians online – and each of them brings a particular dimension to the learning landscape that IS our world.
I am convinced of one thing – the future is being shaped by the multimodal world that our students occupy. Our teaching and professional practice is being moulded by the multimodal opportunities that surround us.
What’s so important about blogging for professional learning?
I know that blogging was the prime ‘lead’ for me to become an active participant in the future world of work and play of our students – a multimodal way of thinking, acting, sharing, knowing, and enjoying. My life as an educator will never be the same – and nor will yours.
Welcome to readers from the ASLA Online 2008 conference. I would like to take the opportunity that this conference presents to me to reflect a little on blogging and professional learning and hope that you will join me in conversation along the way. I will track my posts on this topic with the tag “aslaonline08“, which you can collect by searching that tag, either on this blog, or through Technorati.
So why are you blogging?
Like everything online these days, while this post is the first in a series of posts for the ASLAOnline III Virtual Conference -it is also a post in response to Christopher Sessums question “so what are you blogging for?” That’s how things work these days! We’re all talking and sharing together.
Oh….and a message to Will – I wish we had better bandwidth to share with you at the seminars in Sydney and Brisbane. What we lacked in bandwidth was made up a hundred-fold by the magic of working with you, and seeing you share your experience, vision and enthusiasm with good ‘ole aussies who love your work! Your blogging transforms our understanding.
If you have a view about blogging as a professional learning tool, please add your thoughts for readers. Watch for other posts in this online conference thread too.
Blogging: The Staff Experience
Photo: Writing online
judyoconnell.com 
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Why do I blog??
I have found that blogging is an intimate yet global way to reach the teachers at my school. I blog about issues or ideas that will appeal to my colleagues, while also pushing them, by blogging about things that might stretch them that little bit further. Even though I am writing for my staff, I know my words could reach others far and wide. I continually try to stretch my colleagues beyond the walls of our school.I also encourage them to communicate and collaborate via ‘staff’ blogs beyond the confines of our meetings. For our students, I continually encourage classes to use blogs to communicate the voices of the students in each class, transcending the limitations of ‘classroom spaces’ and times. I voraciously read other blogs to stretch myself in my learning…. I cannot imagine not being part of the blogging community….
Why am I blogging? – initially because I attended your PD day and came away feeling quite ashamed of myself for having no clue what you were talking about … some year or so later I keep blogging what I am doing quite simply because it allows me to advocate for the SHIFT.
In doing so I am talking about how Web2.0 fused with Project Based Learning (of which we are the first AU school to adopt the Napa model)is transforming not just the student learning, but the physical environment and the connections to other educators I am making.
I hope I am highlighting the the methods we are using, the opportunities we are creating and of course the frustrations and hurdles that we are over-coming. And thats the point, they can be over-come.
I am not a writer, but a parent and teacher. By blogging, I hope that by the time my kids hit high school – sufficient teachers and methods will be there to ensure that they are able to be part of what is, undoubtedly, a very different workplace than I can even begin to imagine.
Blogging is simply the best investment I can make in kids’ futures I can think of. A year on, the blog is really a report on the conversations I am having with teachers and students, reflecting on the changes I am trying to facilitate at the local level that may have some value to the wider audience.
Judy,
Bandwidth issues aside, it was just fantastic to meet and spend time with you and Westley and Christine and the others. I really love this place and the people here, all of whom have been so generous and have gone out of their way to make my visit exceptional as usual. Thanks so much for your kind words, and the support. You are bringing important ideas and work to the conversation, and teaching us all along the way.
In the past 19 months I’ve learned more from the blogosphere than my academic peers. Truly. There are a LOT of smart people out there that don’t have doctorates, that don’t present at research conferences, and that don’t publish in peer-reviewed journals. My academic colleagues have no idea what they’re missing.
Scott McLeod, J.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Director, CASTLE
Iowa State University
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