Many online social networking platforms lend thoughtful, hard-working, innovative people the opportunity to share their experiences, ideas, and dreams. For quite some time these platforms were seen as websites to be used “just for fun”, but changes in the way society views social networking have given many professionals the ability to use these resources as professional developmental tools, forums, and brainstorming outlets.
Many teachers are now using digital technologies to expand their personal professional development opportunities. According to a recent article from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, “teachers are utilizing online platforms for professional networking across schools, districts, states, and nations. These networks allow teachers to share ideas, strategies and ask questions giving teachers ample access to helpful information.” For example, according to the article some teachers are using small unobtrusive video cameras to record lessons to see how children react to different teaching styles. Teachers may then use these videos to learn from their success and failures in the classroom and then share those outcomes with others through social networking.
Sharing successful lesson plans and activities that motive and engage students and empowers teachers to be the best they can be is a great way to promote educational and professional success across the nation. Sharing these successes online will also help to create a highly innovative and creative network for educational professionals. Collaborative environments have boosted advancements in the many other industries, so it is only a matter of time before the education realm will begin to see results from the utilization of digital technologies.
What’s the catch? Some areas of the United States have better access to high-speed broadband than others. In order to take full advantage of online networking opportunities, it will be important to ensure that all parts of the nation have adequate access to high speed broadband. It’s important that local and state officials work to encourage the expansion of broadband networks so that all educational professionals have adequate access to the tools they need to become the best they can be.
