Learning in Connected Community
I think one thing that all of this connectivity and focus on equity shows is that as educators, this is an entire digital world out there that is at our finger tips for the taking. We have wonderful resources, connections to other teachers and schools to help us to better understand technology, connectivity, and how that can be beneficial not just for learning, but for the overall society as a whole. I think the implications of this idea of implementing Connected Learning in the classroom, is that the teacher themselves have to be connected and knowledgeable about the happenings around them.
In order to have a fully connected classroom that is digitally responsible, and literate, the student needs guidance and modeling from someone who not just understands the applications in use, but also uses them regularly. To have a connected classroom, you need to be a connected educator. The implications of attempting a connected classroom is that you as the educator are fully informed on how to connect, and have connected with other educators to understand other ways to connect.
Working at a cyber school, you would think that connectivity took place among the educators regularly - that we connect with blogs, social media, and educators around the country - heck around the world! - to help us in our quest to create a fun, inclusive, interactive online course. Unfortunately, the most connectivity we have had among educators is that within our own school and departments. I think there are definitely a few teachers who are individually connected online to the education community, but not enough for the fact that we are cyber education and supposed to push the fold for technology. I think moving forward in this school year I will push to implement connectivity at least among the educators in my school to help them keep up to date on technology, practice, and new methodologies available.