Yesterday’s “challenge” was seeing if I could spend a couple of hours with a group of 11th year students outside of Vancouver and engage them not only in a conversation about the tools but about the significance of what the tools allow them to do in terms of building networks. And I have to say that I was really pleased with the result, not so much because it felt good to be back in a classroom again, and not so much because I think I had them pretty interested throughout (they actually came back on time from a five minute break.) The best part for me is that I got to pick their brains about social tools and their practice. And guess what? I learned a lot.
I learned that this group of kids, at least, is not one that I will worry about in terms of keeping themselves safe online. And I also learned that that is due in some part to the school’s efforts to teach them that but more that they have learned how to do that from each other. Every one of the 25 or so of them had a Facebook or MySpace site or both, but the vast majority was Facebook. When I asked them why it was that Facebook seemed less prone to suggestive pictures and profanity and other not so wonderful content, the answer was simple: you’re representing yourself there, not some anonymous, made up code name like on MySpace. And you want to use your real name because that’s how the people you want to find you can, and it’s how you find them (What a concept.) And what about those that you don’t want to find you? You simply don’t let them in the door.
I also learned that most of them don’t create and publish too much content on the Web other than the stuff they share on their social network page. But it was interesting to hear the experiences of those that did. One girl has created a number of videos and posted them to YouTube. She is the president of the GLOW club at the high school (“Gay, Lesbian or Whatever”…I so love that name), and one video she made was about “Gay Bashing”. It’s been viewed over 2,000 times, and we pulled it up and watched it in “class.” Good stuff. Now, you can imagine what the 39 comments on the video are like, and when I started scrolling them on screen I quickly went back to the top of the page. She talked about how the comments made her feel, that many of them were creepy, that she was surprised by the level of anger and hatred, and that it times, it scared her. But she relied on her friends for support, and overall, she felt empowered by her ability to create and publish her movies. It was really, really interesting.
And while there were a lot of other takeaways for me, I also learned that they didn’t really understand the potential of networks in terms of their own learning. Not that I expected them to. But I think I was able to get them thinking hard about that concept thanks in large part to a Tweet I put up asking people there to say hi and talk about what the network meant to them. The result was amazing, I think. Now I know that Twitter isn’t necessarily the best manifestation of a learning network, and I gave them other examples from my own practice that hopefully shone a light on the depth that is possible. (I video Skyped-in the always gracious John Pederson to give us his network answer “in person.”) But from an immediacy standpoint, Twitter is hard to beat. And these responses drove home some pretty important points. That learning continues after school. That we can learn with people around the world. That when we connect to people who share our passions, it’s motivating and sustaining.
At the end of the two hours, I was really sad it was over. I asked (halfway begged) them to make me a part of their networks, because I need some young folk in my learning community. Not sure if they’ll let me know how things roll out for them, but for one day, at least, I hope they learned as much as I did.
I think this is the kind of thing that more administrators need to know…that their students are already doing these things, and by not allowing them to use these tools at schools, you’re doing the kids a disservice because you’re losing out on the opportunity to teach them about how to be safe online. I’m glad to see that it’s happening in some places, but I wish it were happening in more places.
I wonder if the kids would have been as open had there been teachers and administrators in the room with you…but I think it would have been very helpful for them to see/hear/learn.
Will,
Sounds like a great time. Hopefully they will become part of the conversation. We need to have the younger generation chime in. I am very interested to hear what they have to say.
Give Facebook a couple more years, and the media will turn it into a negative circus also.
I’ve been surfing for a while now, reading blogs, searching for information for a unit I’m about to begin with my AP English Language class: a thematic study of education (essential question: To what extent do our schools serve the goals of a true education?). Your post has inspired me to include within our unit a discussion about students taking responsibility for their own learning, and the possibilities Web 2.0 provides for students to create their own personal learning networks. In fact, as I type this post, I’m imagining having them, as a culminating activity, actually create their own PLN’s. I’ll have to continue my research to figure out, exactly, how to do this.
My students are currently blogging using edublogs.org and have all created Google Reader accounts where they subscribe to one another’s blogs. We haven’t yet ventured into other sources for subscriptions.
It would be REALLY awesome to have you as a guest speaker. What are the chances we might connect via Skype or some other method?
Will,
After getting a little discomforted with my first foray into the Twitterverse, I opened a new account, found the edubloggeres I wanted to follow, and set forth. One of the first tweets came from you yesterday asking what our networks mean to us. I’ve been blown away over the past couple of days by the power and immediacy of this network (supported with a tool like Twitter and of course others), and it’s been more fuel for the conversations I’ve been having with teachers and administrators about connecting our learning.
This is cool stuff, and what you found out yesterday is much like what I’ve experienced when working with students. This is THEIR LIFE and we need to harness their passion for learning (it’s there) in the classroom.
Thanks for all that you’re doing to keep us moving ahead.
Teaching kids to be digital storytellers is simply another methodology for helping kids to develop digital voice (in addition to blogging, podcasting, etc). Understanding how networks can be used to distribute that voice is likewise critical. Combined, these understandings provide a powerful way to contribute throughout a lifetime.
Your comment that “she felt empowered by her ability to create and publish her movies” is a sentiment that I have heard numerous times from our students.
Thanks for sharing, sounds like a real nice day.
I was one of the students in the class you spoke with yesterday. I just wanted to let you know how much I (we, I’m sure) appreciated it, and how much I learned. You showed us so many things I had no idea even existed! Now I’m very excited to see what my teacher pulls out of this aswell – I want to see how things change in the near future. I’ll keep you posted.
Thanks so much!
(PS I think that was my favourite school presentation EVER.)
Thanks, Emily. I really do hope that you keep us all posted! Obviously, I learned a great deal too.
“I wonder if the kids would have been as open had there been teachers and administrators in the room with you…but I think it would have been very helpful for them to see/hear/learn.” (Scott, from first comment…)
One of the most powerful moments of my last year was in the exact same environment. Talking to a group of high school students with the “walls down”. It ranged from the (over stereotypical) “goth girl” perking up when I told the kids they could use MySpace to promote their high school bands to the (again, over stereotypical) high school senior telling the class that students get health related advice from teen online communities.
Being the “outsider” and starting an authentic conversation with students is incredibly powerful. Despite the fact that I was only in “the room” for 3 minutes and that it was via Skype, I “felt” a bit of student energy from this presentation.
Thank you, thank you, thank you. On the same day I learned I’ve been named my district’s “innovative principal” for leadership in instructional technology, I had a parent call into question students’ and teachers’ use of MySpace. We have several teachers who MySpace with students, and this parent just feels that’s wrong. I believe this is going to begin a major conversation in the district about Web 2.0 tools, and I am looking for whatever guidance, examples, etc. I can find to help people who are not immersed in the tools understand and accept their value, rather than fear them. This post helps… and I welcome any other ideas. Please keep ’em coming, as you always do.
It sounds like it was a great meeting! And it sounds like “you’ve still got it” in the classroom. Adults are so much more difficult. I’m teaching my students to blog and sent home a permission form asking for them to be able to blog publicly albeit anonymously. As they said, they’re already doing it. I’d rather teach them than have them figure it out. I wonder how that will go over.
Today I asked how many of them know a friend who has lied to their parents about being on myspace — 90%. I think many parents have their “head in the sand.”
The skills on myspace are important and should not be left to prepubescent guesswork.. We should help them be effective and wise.
Great job! Congratulations on a great day!
This was an inspirational and energizing post to read. I teach elementary school and I am always amazed to hear what high schoolers are doing. The potential of learning using technology and the idea of networks is so powerful. I’m beginning to see all of this for myself as a learner. I’m still working on how to help my students move towards this for themselves. Reading posts like this help keep me motivated and moving forward.
BTW, there were other teachers and administrators in the room. This was a very well adjusted school.
I was also one of the students in the class along with Emily. I’ll have you know, that I am messing around with “Jing” right now. I learned so many new and positive web things that I had no idea even existed! Such an awesome presentation.
Thank you so much for coming, Will!
—Rebecca
What a terrific session and post. The comments from the students are awesome and inspirational.
I have often thought how we EXPECT that kids know this stuff, but actually don’t.
But more importantly, your post struck a chord with similar thoughts I had just the other day (see my most recent post).
Funny how similar veins run through the blogosphere at the same time.
Wow, Will, you are making even a Director of Technology with no teaching credential want to jump into the classroom!
Nice job…
It’s weird how often in life the teacher becomes the student. I actually just began studying to become a teacher and I hope that lesson is one I never forget–technology related or otherwise.
I’m actually in the reading your book for one of my classes at the moment. I’d been slightly paranoid in terms of technology as far as really putting myself or my ideas out there. The book has been extremely helpful in making the connection to how these tools can transform communication and bring us together. I used to see technology as something that did more to stratify people.
Anyway, I’m going to make a concerted effort to check in and see about what you’re writing!
Hello Will,
This is Caitlin, GLOW President! I’m glad to
see that you enjoyed my video. I hope others
are able to take out as much as you did from
my videos. I am planning on making more and
creating a new and “easier” username! My webcam
is currently not working but when it is I will
be sure to keep you posted. Thank you so much
for coming to our school. I am sure it’s something
that none of us will forget. Thanks again.
Caitlin Henderson
Hi there!
I too am one of the students you came to speak with and I thought I would leave a comment.
It’s not every day you have someone come into your classroom not only to teach, but to learn as well. I know that I took a lot away from your presentation (and so did my classmates!) and it was really interesting to read about what you thought of us!
We could never thank you enough for taking time to come out here. It was worth it for us, and I sure hope it was worth it for you!
Thanks again!
Kyleigh.
Will-
I was part of the group of Catholic school teachers you spoke to yesterday in Riverhead, NY. As a “techie”, your talk was greatly inspiring. I had a lot of ideas from my coursework at Teachers College (I completed my Masters in Computing and Education) but was afraid to tackle them in the classroom. As you probably saw, most of my colleagues are not ready to embrace technology, but already, since yesterday, we are trying to take a step closer to embracing technology at school. I actually will be making a VODCAST with my kids (3rd graders), and another teacher asked for my help in creating a PODCAST. Thank you for a great day!