cc licensed flickr photo shared by ☺ Lee J Haywood
I had the opportunity to work with a group of parents today talking about the changes in education and the impact of social media within our school. We had a fantastic discussion and I was honoured to present with two of my colleagues, Corre Mahan and Lesley Cameron. It was great to talk about the changes in education while watching my teachers share how they are taking advantage of many Web 2.0 applications to connect and engage their students. Although it was a small group, it really gave us a great opportunity to talk about education and how we want to do better for our kids.
After the session, I was sent an email from one of the parents asking me about the connections that I have made personally online. The timing of this question was amazing since I am so excited to meet several of these “online” friends this weekend at Educon. There have been so many posts that I have read about how these relationships are real and meaningful, but I think it is important to figure out why they become meaningful.
Patrick Larkin and I have become very good friends and are even presenting together this weekend (we have actually never met in person). Through our continued interactions, I have seen a really good person that has many of the same interests and passions that I do. Through this open and connected media, we tend to connect and find others that are like ourselves and share these same interests. Through the Connected Principals website, I have met a ton of other great school administrators that are passionate about what they do and also have a lot in common with myself.
Because of these relationships, those somewhat unknown online friends may be as influential—or more so—as a running buddy or a next-door neighbor. You and I are just as likely to accept their recommendations for restaurants and plumbers. They may influence the books you read, the movies you see, or the news you click to. Because you know they have common interests, you may trust them even if you don’t know them well enough to describe their hair color or favorite sports teams….As a result, these relationships are much more than “social.” They are hugely influential. (I Live in the Future and Here’s How it Works, Nick Bilton)
This does not mean that there are not these type of people that I know in my “offline” world. There are and I appreciate them greatly. But it also shouldn’t lessen the genuine relationships that I have created using social media as well.
Passion, common interests, and often our vision links us; does it matter where those bonds are formed?
P.S. It would be great if you shared any stories about how you have connected personally with your PLN or how these relationships have affected you in a deep and personal way. I would love some evidence from others for our parents.
