From Concept to Reality…a Very Humbling Journey.

My journey into my PLN, Twitter and my own professional development has been documented in this blog.  My personal growth on Twitter and a growing relationship with the great folks at the Van Meter Community Schools was highlighted in my first post.  My own experience has taken me from one who truly doubted social media in education, while at the same time knowing little about it, to one who embraces this medium on a daily basis.

During my May visit to Van Meter I had a great experience and even better conversations.  In one of those conversations, Shannon McClintock Miller and I talked about teaching our students together about PLN’s.  She was completing her first year teaching a Web 2.0/PLN class and we discussed what an opportunity it would be to expand this learning experience to students outside of Iowa!  (Present me with an opportunity for my students to learn and count me in!)  The background of the class has been documented in our first class blog post, written by Shannon.

This post is not to rehash the background of how the class started, rather about the experience I have had since school has started.  On the Philadelphia side of this Web 2.0/PLN class, we are starting something new!  The background for the class was developed throughout the summer of 2010.  Only a few days before the school year started I was officially given the opportunity to speak with my students and parents about the class itself.  I had a relatively small yet very spirited turn-out for the meeting about the class.  All of those who came to hear about the class signed-up for the class.  A great start indeed!!

Our time together has been relatively short.  However, I have seen the eyes of my students wide open!  I have seen a willingness of each of the students to stay after the “bell!”  (I am running the class as an extra-curricular class/activity; therefore, no formal ending.)  The students don’t want to run out of the room when I say we’re done.  Best of all, we have had some great conversation!  Conversation about what they post to the Internet, about what tools they can utilize to use their time more efficiently and how to connect with those around the world.

When Shannon Miller wrote the post about the class, I literally had tears in my eyes.  (I am proud to say I can be an emotional person!)  The reason for my teary eyes…because I have had the opportunity to see students energized, interested and engaged with others their age about how to grow as an individual!

I am humbled by the willingness of Shannon, the students of Van Meter and the students of my school, Bonner & Prendie, to allow me to experience this with you.  Each of you are my inspiration to become better each day!  Thank you for your support, trust and respect!