Cathy Nelson’s Professional Thoughts

Dear “powers that be,”

I am amazed at the sudden open armed philosophy I am seeing first hand in my own working context with tools that used to be filtered out but now seem a welcome tool in an arena known for rampant filtering.  Just recently someone shared this article (I wish I could remember who), and I posted it to my Twitter network:

That’s it! Twitter is officially mainstream for schools! http://is.gd/nWVr 9:13 PM Mar 18th from TweetDeck

Essentially the article that appeared in THE Journal proclaimed Florida and Texas had declared Twitter safe enough to be unfiltered at school.  Read the article for the details.  It was not but a day or so later that a Twitter buddy, Teacherbytes (a fellow South Carolinian, no less) tweeted to tell me he had just presented the article I shared to get Twitter unblocked in his school district.

teacherbytes@cathyjo you are a hero! This is the first Tweet from the recently unblocked Beaufort County School District11:52 AM Mar 19th from web

When I inquired about details, John shared that he sent the article in to the ptb, and (in his words)

teacherbytes@cathyjo Our Internet gate keeper surrendered. One of the terms of peace is I have to give in services on educational uses of Twitter.8:42 PM Mar 20th from web

Then last night I see this from my twitter and virtual friend, Brian Crosby:

bcrosby: Will be streaming my Skype/Blogging/Twitter/Wiki workshop in 10 minutes: http://www.mogulus.com/lear…6:50 PM Mar 24th from web

bcrosby: Please show my class in Reno Nevada Twitter connections! Tell where you are and anything else you’d like to share! Thanks!!! 6:54 PM Mar 24th from web

bcrosby: A class of teachers / admins / others / please help me demo Twitter – tell where you are and anything else you’d like to share!6:56 PM Mar 24th from web

Okay so enough of the twitter quoting.  Seems Brian’s district is allowing Twitter too, and Brian did a workshop. Have any of you noticed the sudden mainstreaming of Twitter?  Every tv channel, every news broadcast, many organizations, and more have all suddenly adopted Twitter as the 21C tool of choice for networking and communicating. This has become so prevalent that I find myself asking with a twitter direct message WHO are the fingers behind this account? Even during the presidential speeches recently, I heard about congressional members twittering from the audience. So cool.

The kids are not here…its a grown up tool

Twitter is not really a student tool, so why block it?  I’m thinking that more k12 arenas are unblocking it because they realize it is a networking tool, and not really a place online that kids congregate. But it is nice to see that a previously frowned upon tool is gaining popularity and favor with gate keepers everywhere.

Another Sign

Today my district streamed out a live video of our superintendent giving a live “state of the district” type speech. Now that’s not really unique–well-yes it is too. But what makes this progressive is that a link to a chat window was provided, and those of us watching live could send in questions or comments that our superintendent tried to respond to live (at least in the 30 minutes allotted for the meeting.)  Our discussion primarily centered on budgets, a really tough to swallow topic most of the time.  This openness and invitation to share my thoughts, concerns, and even ask questions made me feel VITALLY connected to our district leader.  The stream was widely available, as was the ability to use a chat to communicate with our school leader.

2 great indicators

These two signs indicate that k12 schools are moving forward, and some of them (including my district) seem to be on the leading edge.  Was there room for improvement? Sure. I would have LOVED to see the chat be made available for all to view instead of a one way system to send in the comments, but there is definitely signs that we are growing .

Modeling from the top down

This is such a great sign of how times have changed. For the district leader to professionally model the use of this tool sets such a great example to all who work under her leadership. It also raises the bar a little higher for other neighboring South Carolina districts who still let the gate keepers or ptb dictate what is allowed in terms of 21C tools and their implementation in the k12 arena.  It’s nice to know this leader is FOR the future which not only includes our kids, but the tools that we can use to make learning relevant to those kids.  Kudos to my district’s leader.

Sincerely…

So ptb, thanks for listening to me and considering a second look at all the networking tools that are filtered. Want an example? Check out Texas, Florida, Reno, Nevada, and my school district. (Contact me for specifics, please.)

Living to make learning relevant and engaging with our kids,

Me–Cathy Jo Nelson

Image: ‘The most expensive webcam of all times?‘
www.flickr.com/photos/37803129@N00/199247527

Tags: 21st Century Learning, networking