My role re-envisaged as a Connector

The Internet is a network of machines using standardised protocols. On a purely technical basis it is a mass of connections spanning over the entire globe and beyond, as these connections bounce from the satellites gliding across space. In its earliest form it was a place where information could be found and consumed. Then the birth of the World Wide Web, meant information could not only be consumed but it also could be created.Creation – what a power! The power to make something, to say something, and on the World Wide Web, to say this to a global audience. At first this power was only used by the few who had the technological ability to enter this world, but slowly these walls have fallen and anyone with a computer or internet enabled device can have their voice heard, and heard in whatever format suits them; from blogging to images to video channels and podcasts. Any medium can be used to express ideas and thoughts.Yet does this development of personal expression come at a price? Are we over saturated with voices at the cost of information?Honestly I am unsure, forgive me if you expected my definitive conclusion, but I am constantly in battle between the need for students to create and the need for them to consume.Jeff Utecht writes that

“If we are to teach our students to become prosumers of information in today’s connected digital world, then we need to understand and become prosumers ourselves” (Utecht 2010).

I like the term “prosumer”as for me it encaptuates the idea of students both producing and consuming information. It seems a logical step that if we as teachers model good practice and an ability to create networks, share ideas through different media, utilise social media and step fearlessly towards new technology then students will follow. In addition if we present these ideas, whilst developing the students ability to critique and question what they accessed then they will be super prosumers. Or maybe, in reality, we are both figuring this out together and rather than one lead the other it should a mutual voyage to which each party brings different expertise and ideas.

“..It does suggest that we as educators need to reconsider our roles in students' lives, to think of ourselves as connectors first and content experts second.” (Richardson 2008).

"Connectors" is such a great term, guiding students to connect with others through a variety of different methods. William Richardson writes about a girl who used the feedback from her blog to develop volunteer ideas. This is global collaboration through connections that have developed organically. She may have had a “connector” who pointed her along the path but from there it was the collaboration of others that helped her ideas to develop.

“Yet in spite of growing awareness of the importance of developing global skills, few students around the world have the opportunity today to become globally competent.” (Reimers 2009)

Maybe I can begin to answer my own doubts, about the saturation of information on the Web. By ensuring that students are active users (or prosumers) rather than passive consumers we can enable them to develop connections and participate in global collaborations, which we can only hope will allow them to better understand the world around them and help them become connected![youtube]https://youtu.be/VTKDX62Taz8[/youtube] References:Utecht, J (2010, June) REACH Building Communities and Networks for Professional Development. Retrieved from https://www.jeffutecht.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Free_book_from_Jeff_Utecht_Reach_-presentation.pdfRichardson W (2008, December 3) World Without Walls: Learning Well Without Others. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/collaboration-age-technology-will-richardsonReimers, F M (2009, September) Leading for Global Competency. Retrieved from https://www.ascd.org/publications/educational-leadership/sept09/vol67/num01/Leading-for-Global-Competency.aspxEuroNews (2015)  Get connected:how tweets, chats and Vine videos boost learning. Retrieved from  https://www.euronews.com/2014/05/02/get-connected-how-tweets-chats-and-vine-videos-boost-learning/The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation (Nov 2009) Living and Learning with New Media:Summary of Findings from the Digital Youth Project. Retrieved from https://app.box.com/s/2bnrqoclpn9mjrghyiojClayton M & Christensen MB (Aug 13th 2008) Disrupting Class: Student-Centric Education Is the Future https://www.edutopia.org/student-centric-education-technology