Being a Connected Educator has changed the way I think about education and has helped me understand the lives of our students in a completely different way.
Nine months ago I was not a Connected Educator, but I wanted to grow professionally so I took the plunge and took a Massive Open Online Course called ETMOOC. That changed everything.
I felt if I wanted to understand the world that our students live in then I too must learn what it is like. So for the last nine months I have entered into the connected online world and opened up a whole new world of learning for myself and the students I serve. Every time I am connected with others online I come away with new ideas and resources to share.
For anyone who feels they are too old to do this, I hope I serve as an example. I started teaching in 1980 and I can still say that I LOVE what I do. Being a Connected Educator has helped me stay passionate about teaching and learning .
I believe it has helped me be a better school counsellor as now I can connect with other school counsellors #scchat #cscchat from around the world and we can learn together. As a result of being a Connected Educator I am more open and want to serve as one model for positive Digital Citizenship for our students.
Thanks to all of you who have shared your experiences, resources and optimistic attitude with me. This thanksgiving I am very grateful for you.
You can use social media to Make the World A Better Place
THINK before you post how are you going to do this?
What we want students to know:
Being online can make a positive difference in your life. Students throughout the world are doing great things online.
Act on and off line as if the world is watching because they are.
Learn all you can about being a good digital citizen. Google digital citizenship
Act with integrity on and off line
Be aware of your digital identity google yourself
Research creative commons and be able to explain it to a younger student.
You can build a positive reputation on line
You can be a positive creator
Your reputation is created by YOU
Digital Citizenship has a place in every school and we need to focus on the positive aspects of the internet as well as the things that concern us.
We want students to ask themselves:
What are the creative opportunities on the web?
What are the ethical dilemmas?
What are the rewards and the risks of being on line?
It is important to find great examples on the internet of students doing things to not only improve their own opportunities, but to improve the lives of those in their school, communities, and around the world. We would like to encourage students to look for these great examples as well.
I’d like to see schools focus on those students who Make A Difference Online by providing them with a scholarship that recognizes all the good they do online. Anyone interested in providing one?
Here is a great example of students doing amazing things:
As educators we need to create our own digital footprint and model good Digital Citizenship for our students. Taking Care Of Your Digital Self highlights the importance of a positive digital presence.
When teaching Digital Citizenship we need students to recognize that they need to be the same person ON and OFF line.
We need to ask students:
If I were to look you up online what would I find?
What would you want others to find?
If your grandmother googled you would she be proud of what she found?
This summer as in every summer for the past thirty-four years I have come home to Nova Scotia. As usual when I slow down I have time to reflect. This summer though I have a purpose to reflect because I am in an open educators vlogging group called openspokes.
In openspokes we pick topics to discuss and through vlogging we reflect on the topic of the week with each other. This summers topic is a big and tough one. What do I want my students and / or my own children to know before I die? Even saying that can be scary to me. There are so, so many things I want them to know before I die and I hope I will I have the time in life to tell them. I know they will learn so many lessons from others, but I want my legacy to be a positive one … so this question feels extremely important to me. It is different from what do I want to do before I die as that is easier. At least for me it is.
I have thought a lot about what I think my own purpose in life is. Being in Nova Scotia makes me understand how I became who I am as this is where I was born. So many things and people have shaped me into the person I am today. I grew up on a forces base and as a result I have great lifelong friends. We are still connected to this day. I want my children to know that it is important to nurture lifelong friendships. These friendships are amazing and bring so many gifts to your life. It is so fun to reminisce and remember things we did as kids and make new memories as adults. Our friendships have stood the test of time.”You become the average of the five people you hang out with says ” Drew Houston, CEO, Dropbox. and I have hung around the best of the best people throughout my life. I have wonderful friendships from coast to coast and beyond. I have made friendships in my adulthood that bring me great happiness and are life sustaining. They are a gift in my life that I am unbelievably grateful for.
In regards to my own purpose in life, I believe it is to help young people discover their gifts and talents and to help them navigate through the tough parts of their life ,so that they discover that they too have a purpose. I want young people to trust the process and not be afraid to ask for help if they get lost along the way. I chose to be a school counsellor which has helped me live every day what I believe to be my true calling in life. I also want to be able to help school counsellors and blogging makes it much easier to do so. I can help them with ideas and resources. If anything I write in my blog or say in a vlog that I do helps school counsellors, it will make me very happy.
I want my own children to choose a career they will love as I have . If they follow their passions I know they will be happy in life and meet fantatstic people who will enhance and enrich their lives. I am so grateful to go to work and absolutely love what I do each and every day since 1980.
What are some of the TOP things I want my own children to know:
You are and were wanted and loved
You make life better by being in it
You have a purpose
I am very grateful for all you have taught me
You keep me real
Find yourself … then find your own true love and be committed to enhancing your and their life
Enjoy every stage of your life
Life will have extremely difficult parts, but you can find the strength to get through all the tough times …a sk for help
Have faith
Make a difference
Help yourself … help others
Take care of yourself … take care of others
Hugs heal
Face your fears and take healthy risks
Live every day to the fullest
Never take anything for granted
You are never too old to learn
Celebrate the small stuff
Travel and get a better world view
Read, read, read
Learn. learn, learn
Connect, connect, connect
Connect with positive people. Make great memories together
Laugh often
Be active throughout your life
There is no place like home
Please forgive me for the crazy mistakes I made along the way… parenting is not easy
I want my own children to know that I have had an amazing life. Not a life without struggles, but a life I am grateful for . I am grateful for all that I have and all that I am able to do. I want my children to know that their dad has always treated me with respect and love. He has been a fantastic role model for them and a loving husband to me. He is an extremely good human being and that is what makes a great partner. They need to always remember that who they choose in life can be one of the biggest predictors of lifetime happiness. For me that has held true . I hope that it is true for them too.
I want my own children to always have HOPE. It will get them through the really tough times in life. I also want my children to understand that life is what you make it. Take responsibility for everything you do in life and if you really want to do something in life. … make it happen … it is up to you!
There is no way to put in words all the things I want my children to know, but I hope when they are old and grey they can look back at my vlogs with a little joy , laugh a little and recognize that part of the reason I did vlogs and blogs was to be a model for them , so that they could learn to take positive risks and become good citizens themselves.
I want so many things for my own children. I want them to know it is OK to make mistakes and fail.There is no shame in that. This blogging and vlogging experience has been full of mistakes and learning. I have mde several mistakes in life, but I feel I have always learned from them and as a result I have become a better person.
I want them to know that I have loved and lost and found a lifetime of love. I want them to know I treasure all our memories together and feel so blessed to enjoy each and every day that I live on this planet. I so look forward to the many memories that we we will create in the years to come. I love my children so very, very much. They mean everything to me. There are no words to describe how much I love them … I wish there were.
I want my children to have the best life possible one that they and their children can look back on and say they are proud of the life they had. I hope they will feel they were blessed because they were a part of a family that they could respect and most importantly know they that were fully loved beyond measure and treasured their whole life long.
There are just so many things I want my children to know…
Just for Today recognize that you can build a positive reputation. Even if you have said or done negative things in the past, start today to be honest, reliable and reputable. You can use social media to make a positive difference or a negative difference. It is all up to YOU.
Digital Citizenship has a place in every school and we need to focus on the positive aspects of the internet as well as the things that concern us.
You might want to ask yourself:
What are the creative opportunities on the web?
How can I make a positive impact on the world on the web?
What are the ethical dilemmas?
What are the rewards and the risks of being on line?
As an educator it is important for you to find great examples on the internet of students doing things to not only improve their own opportunities, but to improve the lives of those in their school, communities, and around the world. We also need to encourage students to look for these great examples as well.
I’d like to see schools focus on those students who make a difference on the internet by providing them with a scholarship that recognizes all the good they do online.
I’d also like to see every school teach students and educators about Creative Commons .
As educators we need to create our own digital footprint and model good Digital Citizenship for our students. Taking Care Of Your Digital Self highlights the importance of a positive digital presence.
When teaching Digital Citizenship we need students to recognize that they need to be responsible and learn everything they can about being a good citizen period.
We need to ask students:
If I were to look you up online what would I find?
What would you want others to find?
If your grandmother googled you would she be proud of what she found?
George Couros discusses the importance of students developing digital leadership skills—positive, proactive connection, cultivation, sharing, and creation of new knowledge and learning to help others.
Resources:
Be a Digital Citizen
Choose what happens next … a you tube video that is interactive for students
Alec Couros has an excellent wiki of amazing resources to use :
It is our choices … that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities. – J. K. Rowling (Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets)
If I search the internet …what will I find about you?
Your reputation is very important to you on and off line so how do you keep or get a positive reputation?
Act As If The World Is Watching. (because they probably are) Make sure you become the person you want to be on the internet. Everything we do nowadays is recorded. It seems every move we make someone is either taking a picture or videoing us. So it is up to you to be the kind of person you want the world to see, because they just might.
Your Digital Dossier . Think about it!
What You Give Out Is Probably What You Will Get Back. So give out the positive vibes that you want to get back. Treat everyone as you would like to be treated on and off the internet. Put out positive messages on and off line. Flood the internet with positive posts by you. You decide what you want your reputation to be. Don’t wait for others to create it for you.
Self- reflect. Check out who you are on and off line.It is always a good thing to do. Do a search on line to see what is being said about you. Google yourself on a regular basis. Build up positive stories on line if nothing is out there. Decide who you want to be and become that person. Who do you admire the most? What qualities do they have? Work on those qualities in yourself and be honest about who you are online.
Be Real Be Yourself. All of us are not perfect and all we can really be is who we are, so discover the real you and make sure your reputation is really what you want it to be. If you were writing a news story about yourself what would it say? Be authentic.
Live and Learn. If someone makes a bad remark about you on or off line. Don’t give it any energy. Don’t react, don’t retaliate. You know who you are and if you respond you will only fuel the fire and often that is what people want is to see your reaction. So believe in yourself and make sure you are surrounded by positive people who know who you really are. Build your allies. Block people who are inappropriate.
Use Common Sense. I know this sounds easy, but some people really don’t understand this concept. Ask yourself would I make that comment to someone I respect on or off line? THINK before you post. THINK before you say something you will regret.
Recognize That You Are Someone Who Can Make a Difference Having a positive influence on line and off is really up to you. You can create what it is that you want. Be your own PR person. Start with making a decision to have a positive reputation.
Just for Today recognize that you can build a positive reputation. Even if you have said or done negative things in the past, start today to be honest, reliable and reputable.
Get supports Helpful and healthy relationships are important. Ask for guidance from people who know how to be ethical. Read more about being an ethical person on and off line. Learn how to have healthy relationships. Go online to research how to be the best person you can be. Take leadership courses. Volunteer. Help others less fortunate. Learn from great leaders. Who do you know that has a great reputation on and off line? Ask them how they did it. Tweet them … they just might respond.
Your reputation is created by you SMILE your on YOU TUBE. . How you act, what you say, what you do. It is all up to you! Build the kind of reputation you want. The world is watching now more than ever before.
Safety Are you sure you are being safe on line? Ask for help if you need it.
Inspired by Janine Wariner’s talk at the Telus Convention Centre March 2010
I value digitally responsibility. I am a learner won’t you join me?
Digital Citizenship is a concept which helps teachers and technology leaders understand what students should know to use technology appropriately. But Digital Citizenship is more that just a teaching tool, it is a way to prepare students for a society full of technology. Too often we are seeing students as well as adults misusing and abusing technology. The issue is more than what the users do not know but instead what is considered appropriate technology usage.
Alec Couros
For School Counsellors Resources:
Check out the University of British Columbia’s Information on your Digital Tattoo .
Digital Citizenship is so important . Our digital identity begins at birth. We need to be more vigilant than ever before about becoming the person we want to be. It doesn’t mean we won’t make mistakes. It means we need to learn and grow and be responsible for who we are and will become.
Maybe because the world may be watching ,we will all become better citizens.
Counsellor Talk : Connecting with those who want to make a difference. 