Developing a personal learning network through social media.

Social Media For Professional Learning: developing a personal learning network through social media. “Probably the biggest barrier to an increased use of technology is the difficulty of thinking creatively and imaginatively about how technology could move the department, college, or university forward in a strategic sense” (p.101). This may require letting our students take the stage as a facilitator. Moving new learners into the role of facilitators takes careful guidance from the teacher. Because many learners are not familiar with this new role in an area they may not feel comfortable with, the facilitator must slowly build the students’ confidence without letting them sink along the way. What are some strategies for slowly letting go of the reigns of a classroom environment?

Bates, A.W., & Poole, G. (2003). Effective teaching with technology in higher education: Foundations for success. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass

The assumption is that the tools will not create a hindrance. The time it takes to learn the tool will not take away from what we present with the tool. The tools discussed in this course are just another way of presenting information and elabore learning communities. Is this assumption wrong? How can we ensure that our students get what we intend from the lesson when they come to us with varying degrees of experience?