Groups and Discussion Forums Pages
In an era where “teachers need collaboration tools that they can own and tailor to meet their own needs and the needs of the community” (Laferriere et al., 2006), Ning members create a plethora of groups based on their needs and interests. One of the largest groups is called Teaching Texts. This group formed to share ideas and resources for particular novels that teachers use in their classrooms. Another group, Teaching With Technology, focuses on questions and concerns surrounding the myriad tools available for teachers: Moodle, Twitter, YouTube, laptops, and videos, to name a few. Teachers should be able to find many groups to join, and if not, they can create one. Replica Tag Heuer Carrera Watches
When Ning members have a specific question that does not warrant forming a group, they can post a single question on a discussion forum. It is practically impossible to look at the list of discussion questions without finding a question that answers one of your concerns or a question to which you can contribute an insightful answer. As teachers share their experiences, discuss research, and pass on wisdom and insights, their collective knowledge and teaching abilities can grow exponentially.
Since there is value in shared experience, teachers benefit from the availability of blogs on the Ning. They provide teachers with opportunities to view, reflect, and discuss exemplary instances of teaching practice; allow teachers to participate in communities of practice, to share ideas, reflections and resources with their peers and other experts in their countries or beyond; and in some cases, challenge teachers to become knowledge designers and creators. (Laferriere et al., 2006, pp. 84-85)
Blogs give teachers opportunities to make the Ning personal with an area for reflection on their own practice, essential in active learning and fostering meaningful change.
To share electronic media, teachers can access the multimedia portion of the Ning (englishcompanion. ning.com/video). By viewing videos and photos, teachers can expand their literacy and gather ideas for using digital literacies in their classrooms. Several video types are available. Videos for classroom use include ones that showcase or model student work like “Macbeth Mindmaps” and “Not Quite What I Was Planning,” and others that motivate or introduce students to assignments such as “Don’t Fear the Essay.” Videos for teacher information or entertainment include “Simone Elkeles: Perfect Chemistry Rap” and “Paradox of Choice.” One problem emerged when our district’s filter blocked several of the videos, but the only weakness we found in the site is the Photos page, which was bogged down by irrelevant personal photos.
A final beneficial aspect of the Ning is the transfer of online professional development to offline collaboration. On the Ning, there is an events tab where members can post events throughout the country, which can lead to face-to-face conversations through conventions and seminars, and opportunities for publication. Replica Oris Carlos Coste Watches
While Jim Burke created The English Companion Ning, he does not control the discussions. The Ning assists teachers in applying the moral dimensions of teaching to their professional development practice because it involves a truly democratic process. No one is in charge, all have equal say, and the quality of the discussion forums rests solely upon individual commitment to the community. If people do not find what they are looking for, they can create a space, either in a forum, community, or blog, but they are not limited to participating on the English Companion Ning. By visiting Ning.com, teachers can find a Ning that better suits their needs, such as “LITeracy and Technology,” “Maths Literacy Teacher’s Network,” “NCTE Ning,” or “Literacy Coaches.” If interested persons do not find what they want, they can create a relevant Ning within five minutes. In the democratic process allowed through online communities, the possibilities of literacy development and collaboration are endless. We felt the Ning was so useful and addicting that we added at least 20 friends, created 3 discussion forums, responded to 11 discussions, and commented on a video in the process of writing this review. Jim Burke implemented the English Companion Ning, which has allowed over 5,000 teachers to revolutionize their professional development by connecting with each other through a new literacy tool.
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