6-2: Evaluating technological tools

     Both teachers and students can benefit from using technology to create local and global learning networks. Global learning networks help students become more aware of other cultures and can allow them to foster relationships with students around the world (Module six, n.d.). Teachers can also use global learning networks to virtually meet with other educators or to gain new ideas or perspectives (Module six, n.d.). This post will describe a few types of local and global learning networks and evaluate how they can enhance teaching and learning.
     One of the most dominant web tools today are social networking sites. These tools are used to bring together people with common interests (Bonk, 2009). Bonk (2009) highlights some of the social networking sites used around the world: Mixi (Japan), Cyworld (Korea), hi5 (Romania or Cypress), Friendster (Southeast Asia), Bebo (UK, Ireland, New Zealand) and LinkedIn (corporate environments). Another social networking tool that can be used by both teachers and students to create local and global learning networks is Twitter.
      Twitter is comprised of two parts: a place to share ideas and a place to read others' ideas (Bedell, 2011). Teachers can use Twitter to develop relationships with other teachers with similar interests. Bedell (2011) recommends following Web 2.0 classrooms, Steven Anderson, George Couros, or Joyce Cevelanza. It is important for teachers to tailor their news feeds to the types of material they are interested in (Bedell, 2011). For example, when I was teaching science I began following Steve Spangler because I liked the resources he shared with us. I also connected with him a few times on Twitter to help me become a better science teacher.
     Another tool that I could not teach without is Pinterest. It is a social media tool that acts as an electronic bulletin board for collecting and sharing ideas (Sheninger, 2012). Teachers can create resource boards that can be used in their classrooms. Sheninger (2012) describes some of the benefits of Pinterest, including the opportunity to brainstorm collaboratively, share conference notes/summaries, and teach about copyright and digital citizenship. Truly, you can use Pinterest to teach about any topic out there. I often use Pinterest to gather ideas or inspiration for units I have not previously taught. Many of the pins are links to teachers blogs', whom I then follow and can connect with when ever I feel necessary.
     Blogs are another powerful global education tool. Teachers can use blogs to write and present content in engaging ways (Wheeler, 2012). Teachers can prepare blog pages to be viewed by other teachers, students, or community members. Students can also use blogs in effective ways. For example, students can create reflective posts that help them digest and retain previously learned information. They can also use the comment feature to respond to classmates or other students around the world in order to gain a broader perspective on material (Wheeler, 2012). I have used blogs in almost every course at Southern New Hampshire University. They have helped me connect with my classmates in an engaging format.
     Overall, the nature of education has changed significantly over the last decade. Teachers and students are no longer confined to the walls of their classrooms; the world is now their classroom. Teachers can now share their experiences and successes in using and exploring with web 2.0 tools and technologies and learn from each other. Connecting globally truly does not require much effort, and both students and teachers will reap the benefits.

References

Bonk, C. (2009). The world is open. San Francisco, Calif.: Jossey-Bass.

Module six: Local and global professional networks (n.d.). Retrieved from bb.snhu.edu

Sheninger, E. (2012, Mar 19). Pinterest for educators? Edutopia. Retrieved from http://www.edutopia.org/blog/pinterest-for-educators

Wheeler, S. (2012, Feb 3). Five tools for global educators. Blogspot. Retrieved from http://steve-wheeler.blogspot.com/2012/02/five-tools-for-global-educators.html