Blogs that influenced this post:Local Connections and Global Connections by Will RichardsonThe Global vs. Local Connections 2.0-Step by Christian LongSo at EduCon this weekend, I talked about how I was noticing that, despite all the use of technologies…

This very issue of community/conversation-building at a more local level (classroom/school) vs. global has been on my mind a great deal. As I have thought about how you might set up blogging “across a curriculum”, in a fairly traditional school structure that I’m starting with, I think there may be different applications of the “tool” to foster varying levels of community and understanding. In particular, there is a place for the global connection piece that amplifies the conversation and the learning when you’re trying to get at differing perspectives on perhaps specifically “global” issues, or just different vantage points from various cultures.

However, I’ve been taken with the notion that one of our most important roles as educators is to encourage the development of “voice” in our students and provide a safe place where that voice can be exercised. I daresay there are many students who don’t feel comfortable exercising their voices at home, and they are yearning for a place where they can feel affirmed and supported. If the culture of my classroom and my school does not support individual voices, then how difficult for the students to “trust” any community and take flight/grow.

The first “public” step of writing to an audience beyond the teacher’s “in-box” is potentially frightening for some. (We are not all wanna-be ‘journalists’ or ‘performers’.) If we were to move ever too quickly to the “community-beyond”–well, for some that is overwhelming. I was with an 8th grader earlier this week, who writes well and passionately about global issues, comment: “I’m not sure I’m ready to have someone else out there (on the other side of the world) reading and commenting on what I have to say.”

There is a balance and perhaps a need for scaffolding the experience over time. Most of all, we need to be clear about our “end game.” I wrote a little more about it on my blog today–http://thenetwork.typepad.com/architectureofideas/2008/01/please-understa.html

Thanks for always pushing the thinking, Will.

I agree that all kids and educators need to be agile in both contexts — local and global — in this day and age. Even more, I appreciate your reminder re: educators’ roles specifically:

“…understanding what is possible, modeling what is possible, and choosing what is possible when it is appropriate.”

Amen! Especially to your 3rd point.

Looking forward to grabbing more time with you next chance our paths cross. In the meantime, enjoy the quiet moments at home and continued great work on the road.

Thanks so much for engaging here. It was good to see you this weekend as well…sorry we didn’t have more time to catch up.

I appreciate these comments from the trenches. And they resonate in the context of EduCon. More today than last week, I feel the importance of nurturing these connections in deeply caring ways locally, but not at the expense of the global connections that are possible. I think kids need both, and in many ways those outside the walls are easier. (See my other comment below.)

Regardless, what is most important for teachers at this point is this: understanding what is possible, modeling what is possible, and choosing what is possible when it is appropriate. Every educator, and I mean every single one, must have the contextual understanding at minimum and, ideally, the practical expertise to make that appropriate pedagogical choice, and to make safe, ethical and effective practice using these connective technologies transparent for their students.

Whew…

Does that make sense?

Had a curious moment as I (funny timing) walked back to my desk/laptop from 8th grade soccer practice 10 minutes ago, my friend. A teacher I work with (who only had scant knowledge of the blogs I’ve started with my (4) classes) had left a comment for the students. While a minor moment in the larger edu-blogosphere that you and I have been blessed to call ‘home’ for quite some time now, it struck me just as wonderous as the first time I received a visitor comment at my personal blog 3 years ago.

Sure, my colleage who followed in the footprints of my kids by choosing to write a 7-sentence ‘story’ this afternoon — using (10) of (25) of this week’s vocab words inspired by a handful of ‘romantic’ era poety gems — that was idea-sparked by one of (3) beautiful Flickr images I imbedded (ah, the convergence; wink, wink) wasn’t really that focused on the power of blogging. And he isn’t in Timbuktu or even on Twitter. And he’s not subscribing to our RSS feed or simulcast-viewing/live-blogging it via ustream. And he’s not thinking about a reverse embrace of link-love or Google juice. And he’s not trying to integrate it in Second Life or parse out the 2.0 genetic code either.

Nope. All he did was honor kids in his own school building in a way that might not have otherwise been possible if we had relied entirely on the F2F time we take for granted in our classrooms. And put a little intellectual skin on the table, too.

I’ll tell you what, Dean…

…if this little blog-project-that-could gig inspires even a few of my colleagues to do this on a semi-regular basis with kids we see in the halls every day, then it’ll be the epitome of what I believe all this is about at the end of the day.

Just next door. Or around the world. By any means necessary.

The comments of Gary Stager of late, would suggest he’s thinking any work posted by students needs to be exemplary. I just think we’ll have to continue to find ways to tag and categorize our work for what it is. And yes, you may or may not want to share the “campfire” moments and I understand that but wouldn’t it be cool if somehow you could share your soccer practices with aspiring soccer coaches and players? What if they could tune in to see how you run a practice or provide feedback to a player? As long as we see these moments and tools for what they are, this can get really interesting and fun and no doubt a powerful learning experience.

So thanks for clarifying, that for you, it’s about priority and focus and I’m with you on that.

And thanks Will for letting us use your space. Christian and I will help pay your bandwidth costs. Maybe I’ll treat you to a large Kale shake at NECC

My focus, however, is about the kids…not the network. Not an permanetn “either/or” choice, just a “not this time” choice.

Let me share 2 things that come to mind, both with “my kids deserve to be central” as the underlying mantra:

Scenario #1:

I’ve spent years and years in experiential or outdoor education programs…and am trying to imagine what would shift if the kids I worked with and guided in these programs were suddenly expected to blog (et al) their entire learning process while ‘on trail’.

True, it’d be a fascinating experience for many, create a lovely data package, allow the kids to recall the experience in profound ways years from now, and also allow othes to live vicariously through their adventure/program. That being said, I’m also thinking about the end-of-the-day campfire moments, the struggles mid-way on a steep climb, the unexpected growth moments that aren’t always well packaged…and what would shift if these were all broadcast via a “pubic” button.

Value would still occur either way. And it’d be possible to filter specific moments to protect the integrity of the kids as well. Just as importantly, however, the kids would be more focused on the world beyond our community (and their reactions) than the real-time experiences they were having (and deserved to have).

As I think about the ‘raw’ act of learning — especially when a small group of committed individuals begin to trust each other to go on that learning journey — I wonder why we need all learing in this day and age to be broadcasted. Might we be better served to not lump our choices in to an “either/or” camp, and instead opt to match process with intent each and every time?

Scenario 2 (much shorter)

My kids are doing precisely what you are talking about…but it is happening entirely within their own community. The administrators and teachers and parents that otherwise would not know what they are working on…now are. The students sitting 2 rows away that normally don’t have to really worry about another kid is thinking…now are (between class periods, too). And the quality of writing is improving in the process.

All the conversation loops and fedback threads and ‘linking’ (from kid to kid, class to class) that is possible IS taking place…but at an intentionally smaller scale.

***

Perhaps, Dean (and others), what is different here for me isn’t the issue of local vs. global. Perhaps its a matter of scale and marketing. And simply matching the tools, the scale and the purposes in unique ways every time…and challenging every choice with the “Is it right for my kids today?” question before you make a choice.

I’m really excited by what my kids are doing…but not because it has to go global to be valid. This is me as teacher in my 2nd semester. My big-picture blogger identity has other thoughts, but that guy doesn’t get to make choices about my students’ welfare at the end of the day.

Your thoughts?

Not sure why you have to choose? Even if you want to focus solely on improving their writing which is indeed a worthy goal, why do you need the walls? What could it hurt to let others watch and observe their growth as writers?

Unless you can think of some reason that it may deter from their growth as writers, I don’t see why you can’t simply choose the “Public” button.

Hey, I’m all for focusing on building community in your building but I also think if we can simultaneously help others without adding anything extra, we ought to.

As an individual and ‘educator at large’, I am entirely at peace with the global side of connections. Likewise, as an audience member and lifelong learner, I am equally passionate about specific projects that utilize the global tools/links in profound ways (I’ll use what Karl Fisch is doing with his students/colleagues and Dan Pink as well as the example I mentioned above about the mentoring program).

Here’s where I am finding myself pulling back a bit (as and individual): in my classroom with my students.

While it would be tempting to work doggedly to ‘open’ up my classroom blog to the world, likewise the voices of my kids. What I’m finding — in an organic way by simply trying to focus on what helps my kids write better each day first and foremost — is that I’m THRILLED by the way blogging (as a platform) is helping my kids really engage the textbook/class and become a better writer in the process.

My question (to myself): Should I — by default — make our class blog global simply because others might enjoy interacting with my kids…or to use it as a case study to further a similar effort in their school/community?

Back to what I’ve seen at SLA and heard Chris (and his colleagues/students at SLA) speak about, I do find it ironic that the power of the Net may (and temptation to label everything as being globally-charged) in fact better (or just as good as) reinforce the relationships of community members within reach of each other.

Dean — keep pushing on the conversation. Want to keep thinking about this…and have your voice push on my thinking.

Deepening local connections is great and ultimately they potentially can be most lastly but I really don’t understand why you would want to diminish global connections. It just seems to me that the work of people like Clarence Fisher and Clay Burrel point to its importance because of their isolated and perhaps sheltered situation.

I just want to be clear about what Chris and Christian seem to be saying about devaluing global connections and publishing. They also must realize that publishing their work is entirely about making a connection or adding to their personal learning network. I see it as somewhat of an obligation(maybe too strong a word but I’ll use it anyway) to share their learning. I’d love to see the work of Chris’ kids but it appears their Moodle site is protected. As someone who is trying to point the way to others, I need to share and I perceive moves to closed environments as a step backward.

Will, you will need to blog about this further because I’m sure I’m missing something here.