Post by paulgenge on Dec 20, 2013 21:38:33 GMT -7
Welcome to Alberta Connected Educators! Its purpose is to provide a forum for discussion among educators who are trying to "grow more fully into the demands of their craft" (Parker Palmer)
It is clear that Alberta Educators want to connect.
I remember somebody (George Couros, maybe?) remark how a good discussion in a classroom was like "basketball and not tennis". A good classroom discussion has one student speak, then another jumps in to comment on what that one said, and all the way around the room many students are speaking.
We feel there may be a need for a space that honours different styles of interaction among participants looking to connect. A place where we can say as much or as little as we like on topics of interest to us.
Some conversations just need more than 140 characters.
Blog posts rarely create a discussion, and comments are almost always directed back to the author, in a "tennis-like" conversation.
Blog post comments usually go like this:
It is a rare occasion when someone's reply invites a reply from someone other than the author. The simplicity of a message board may provide for forms of participation ranging from those who like to respond in real time to those who like to be more contemplative. Some people become vibrant participants if they can take the time to reflect more deeply before commenting, but might have little interest in starting a blog all their own.
So what do you think? Can a discussion forum as simple as this one provide a space where educators wish to come together to talk "Education"?
It is clear that Alberta Educators want to connect.
I remember somebody (George Couros, maybe?) remark how a good discussion in a classroom was like "basketball and not tennis". A good classroom discussion has one student speak, then another jumps in to comment on what that one said, and all the way around the room many students are speaking.
We feel there may be a need for a space that honours different styles of interaction among participants looking to connect. A place where we can say as much or as little as we like on topics of interest to us.
Some conversations just need more than 140 characters.
Blog posts rarely create a discussion, and comments are almost always directed back to the author, in a "tennis-like" conversation.
Blog post comments usually go like this:
"Kudos, like what you said about _____ , and keep up the good work!"
It is a rare occasion when someone's reply invites a reply from someone other than the author. The simplicity of a message board may provide for forms of participation ranging from those who like to respond in real time to those who like to be more contemplative. Some people become vibrant participants if they can take the time to reflect more deeply before commenting, but might have little interest in starting a blog all their own.
So what do you think? Can a discussion forum as simple as this one provide a space where educators wish to come together to talk "Education"?
