Looking for a job as a new teacher? Looking to connect with other teachers even if you have a job?
Nings, professional social networking sites, are expanding exponentially. Check out this article
The World’s Largest English Department to find out how teachers and would-be teachers have been using
Nings. Beginning teacher Laura
Abercrombie, anxious about her first year on job as an 8
th grade English teacher, joined
The English Companion Ning, and within 12 hours of posting a “Help” message for ways to teach Thoreau’s
Walden received 60 teacher replies. Also, explore the
Web 2.0 Ning, a social networking site for teachers focused on technology and Web 2.0 tools.
In digging around
The English Companion Ning, I found a digital story created by a student for an English class and posted by the teacher at:
The Power Of Digital Story Telling.
Here is what the teacher wrote:
“My co-teacher and I spend a lot of time during the course of the year working with our students to help develop their storytelling skills. At the beginning of each year, many of our students struggle with the writing process. They lack confidence. We use digital storytelling as a tool to help inspire our students to strengthen their skill sets. After all, the digital space is a familiar place to most of them. The video below [go to the link The Power Of Digital Story Telling] was created by one of our students. The film is an excellent example of how a student has taken a lesson on symbolism and pushed it to the limit. As educators we need to continue to push our limits as well." Another teacher upon viewing the student’s work responded: “
Wow! I am blown away - what a beautiful project. I am thinking that this is a perfect supplement to a Carpe Diem unit when we're in the middle of our hurry-up-and-seize-the-day discussion! Would you ask Jennifer [the student who created the film] if I could have permission to use this in my classroom? I teach AP Language and Composition in which argument, both verbal and visual, is a large part of the curriculum. I also like this idea as a way to have the kids create visual arguments…. Thanks for sharing this inspiring lesson.” This example should give you an idea of how teachers in distant schools can connect to share teaching ideas. Take a look at the student’s film via
The Power Of Digital Story Telling post, and think about how you would incorporate digital storytelling into your classroom.
But also post comments on n
ings, and how they can help you as a teacher. Have you used them? Would you use them? Maybe it is time for teachers to say goodbye to
Facebook and spend their time on professional networking n
ings. What do you think? Here is another one to check out:
Content Literacy. In the age of shrinking school budgets and limited travel funds to attend professional conferences, maybe
nings are the next best thing. I have heard new teachers no longer read professional journals in print and turn to online social network sites like
nings for their professional growth? Do you see that as true for you?
Okay, there's a lot to absorb in this post, so take you time. But let's hear your thoughts about
nings, the ones you have seen, and how you use them or might use them.
Image: English Companion Ning
Digital Directions, an online journal, published a helpfu article exploring the pros and cons of using social networking sites like Twitter, Facebook, and Ning in the school setting. This article should be helpful reading to you as an educator. Let us know what you think after you have read the article, Social Networking Goes to the School.
I'm posting links to blogs, nings, and podcasts sponsored by the professional organizations in K-12 disciplines. Use the post a "Comment" feature to add to the list, and I will edit this Blog to include your addition. Also, post a "Comment" to let us know how professional blogs and nings contribute to your professionally development extend your repository of teaching ideas.
The Ning in Education site provides a good overview of using Nings in the educational setting. Browse around, and let us know what you find of value, and what your initial impressions are of using Nings for professional development purposes. Remember our Class Ning at Computers in the Classroom has a Forum devoted to discipline-specific Nings. I also suggest browsing around the Classroom 2.0 ning. Yes, at times, the array of resources online can make you dizzy, but they can also put at your fingertips valuable resources 
for teaching and contribute to your development as a self-reflective practitioner. Of course, you need not agree, but what are your impressions for now of Nings for professional development? If you find Nings you want to share with others, visit Class Ning at Computers in the Classroom and add a Forum or Blog about the Ning. 
Take a look at Top 100 Tools for Learning, which rates educational learning tools based on votes provided by educators. Compare this year's results with that of the last two years'. Use the 2008 and 2007 links to access those lists. Note also the box, "25 TOOLS: A TOOLBOX FOR LEARNING PROFESSIONALS, " with these two links: 25 tools, 25Tools Ning Community.
Looking for a job as a new teacher? Looking to connect with other teachers even if you have a job? Nings, professional social networking sites, are expanding exponentially. Check out this article The World’s Largest English Department to find out how teachers and would-be teachers have been using Nings. Beginning teacher Laura Abercrombie, anxious about her first year on job as an 8th grade English teacher, joined The English Companion Ning, and within 12 hours of posting a “Help” message for ways to teach Thoreau’s Walden received 60 teacher replies. Also, explore the Web 2.0 Ning, a social networking site for teachers focused on technology and Web 2.0 tools.
In digging around The English Companion Ning, I found a digital story created by a student for an English class and posted by the teacher at: The Power Of Digital Story Telling.
