Lifelong and lifewide learning. Well there you go, a new phrase is coined – lifewide. It is logical though. Lifelong learners should be capable of sourcing information from the wealth available in all sorts of formats. Online, hard copy, visual, interactive, static, games, serious content… I could go on. Lifewide I take to mean that in all areas of our day to day living problems arise, networks are available for just about anything to bring like minded individuals to a collective whole with a wealth of knowledge available to be sourced, the “Know who” (OECD cited in Hargreaves 2003).
The knowledge economy. How do you access it? I have been engaging in this digital environment for a few years, I am at the point where I do have my opinions but there are others who are more vocal or more successful at succinctly stating their points of view. Others again who have power to act on and follow through, that is the power of the digital PLN (personal learning network). I can peek into the conversations of those who hold the power. Your network gives you “know who” accessing knowledge via social media such as Twitter which is one way to develop a network and one I subscribe to.
Big picture trends, digital advances forward have been innovative and inspiring, especially of late with the introduction of the new Learning Place. Education Queensland has been encouraging staff to get involved in recognizing and explaining their own good pedagogy through the Digital Pedagogy Licence, Certificate or Advanced Licence. The Smart Classrooms initiative has been moving forward from the introduction of a managed operating environment to provide uniform standards and system for all students and staff to work with, through to providing a space that encourages collaboration, connectedness, reflection, support, pedagogical conversation, student input – and more. “The overriding aim of the Smart Classrooms strategy is to make ICT integral to learning.” http://www.learningplace.com.au/deliver/content.asp?pid=47912
My digital position. I enjoy constant contact with my global personal learning network. Most of my connections on Twitter are with educators of all fields – university, leaders in the field, classroom teachers, student teachers from all over the world. Each time I sweep through the stream of 140 character comments I get a link to follow to something new, innovative or inspiring. If I am lost for ideas or need to find out about something Twitter and Google or Google Scholar are where I head to first. I have been involved in a couple of successful online projects. I love the annual 365 photos on Flickr, I don’t get through the whole year but it is wonderful seeing what others see through their view finders. I collaborated with a teacher in Germany a couple of years ago who was after English language practice for her students. My computer club set up a project room and we had a wonderful time sharing photos, using comic chat and exchanging cultural gifts. We were both awarded for our collaborative efforts.
My next step is to be more vocal, to learn how to succinctly explain my beliefs about digital pedagogy in face to face situations. On paper or online I have the time to reflect before I publish, when I present at conferences or PD sessions I am leading from the front. My goal is to develop as a facilitator, to be able to engage others in meaningful discussion, substantive conversations that highlight the power of effective digital pedagogy, to overcome the barriers of those who block themselves and limit the experiences they have the potential to provide.
Tags: EDU5221