Being a Connected Educator

Being an English as a Foreign Language makes you want to connect with other people. When I started working at an international teacher this connection with teachers and learners from all over the world ended up being easier. I started connecting with teachers from my school who would move to other schools in the world to teach. Then, around six years ago, during my Master's course, I started using Twitter to connect with other teachers, educators, and other professionals.  My PLN has grown a lot. I have learned a lot.

By being a connected educator, I was able to make a connection with a Grade 5 teacher from Florida who was looking for Grade 5 students to be interviewed by her students who were getting ready for the PYP Exhibition. I talked to one of the Grade 5 teachers at my school whose students were also getting ready the PYP Exhibition and a Skype conversation was scheduled.  It was a rewarding experience to everyone who was involved with that experience. some months later, I connected again with the same educator I met on Twitter for asking her some ideas and suggestions when I was applying for a PYP coordinator at my school.

By being a connected educator,  I decided to start a TED-ED Club at my school. I had a group of middle schoolers during an elective class. I followed the TED-Ed club program with the students for a semester. During this semester, I had the opportunity to connect with other TED-ED Clubs from all over the world by video conferences. If you want to read more about this, read my article on AASSA Blog Amplify Student Voice: Be a Facilitator of a TED-Ed Club at Your School

I am lucky to work at a school where we have many resources available for teachers and students. (not yet a common reality in Brazil) However, social media is still blocked for teachers and students to use. If I want to use Twitter with my students or for professional development, I need to use the 4G from my cell phone. I understand the school's perspective because students bring their own device, they might use social media, not for educational purposes. As they have Internet on their phone, I believe they still access it. I do not know the answer to it but I think it is an issue to be discussed. Another feeling about posting on social media is that I do not feel comfortable to share photos or videos about the students. Our school has some guidelines for teachers about that.

Being a connected educator has been great for me. there are some constraints but I think it is rewarding.