IB Workshop-Getting Connected!

This year I was very fortunate to be able to participate in a course offered by the IB called "Getting Connected!" and I have to say that it was a truly fascinating experience. This course has allowed me to interact with educators from all around the world.

I used to think that you couldn't take your teaching outside of your classroom, but now I think that you are able to! You can take your class to other parts of the world in an instant! 

I have to thank Alexandra, my teacher, for sharing all of these wonderful tools that I will forever use in my classroom. She has opened up another world to teaching for me and my students. 

Thank you!

The Learner Profile and Digital Citizenship

As a teacher, I am well aware that the tips and tricks that we teach our students must be appropriate to today's day and age. We are living in a time when we no longer depend on books, but rely mainly on the World Wide Web. If you are an IB teacher, you may wonder how being a digital citizen ties in to the leaner profile. Let's look at the different ways:
Inquirer
Students are able to ask questions and answer them with the click of a button.
Students are able to research topics that guide their inquiry.
Knowledgeable
Students are able to share their knowledge.
Students are able to actively participate in topics of interest.
Students are able to share facts and back them up using different sources.
Thinker
Students are able to act maturely and interact in a positive manner.
Communicator
Students are able to express their ideas and beliefs.
Students are able to join discussions and actively participate in them.
Students are able to demonstrate common courtesy to others.
Students are able to know the difference between using upper and lower case letters.
Principled
Students are able to show maturity and respect.
Students are able to identify information that is meant to be shared and others that are not.
Students are able to request permission from authors and to cite their work.
Open-Minded
Students are able to read other peoples' points of view.
Students are able to share their own opinions.
Students are able to make conclusions based on what they read.
Students are able to understand that it is fine to disagree with others' perspectives.
Caring
Students are able to show empathy, compassion and respect towards the work of others.
Students are able to show mindfulness when posting.
Risk-Taker
Students are able to create posts, sites and groups for the online community.
Students are able to explore new roles online.
Balanced
Students are able to understand that it is important for them to share their views.
Students are able to understand that it is necessary to read others' views.
Reflective
Students are able to identify what information is important for sharing.
Students are able to show sensitivity and are culturally aware before posting.

I hope to see you online!
Find me @MsMarielaA

Video Chatting via Google Hangouts

Today, my 4th grade students had the opportunity to connect with another classroom in Ecuador via Google Hangouts! They absolutely loved it....and so did I!

Both, Mr. Milton and I set up some clear guidelines as to what it would be like to chat with another classroom. We mentioned that it was very important that when someone was talking, no one should be talking over them. They were able to follow the instructions very well and chatted successfully! In spite of a minor technical glitch, we were able to allow our students to communicate and learn a little bit about what is going on in our classrooms.

Here are some of our pictures:

Want to chat with my students? You can contact me on Twitter @MsMarielaA

See you soon!

Are you tired of always having to collaborate with the same people that you work with? The same people whom you have collaborated with over the past few decades...I know...it must be such a burden. You have already heard their ideas a million times before and do you really think you need to hear them again? Well...the answer to that is NO!

Have you ever tried to connect yourself with teachers around the world....yes, around the WORLD via different online tools? If the answer to this question is no, then you, my friend, are missing out! Let me help you! 

First of all I want to start mentioning some of the different tools out there that you may use to connect with other teachers. I will also mention some of the pros/cons for each of these tools. Hopefully, by the end of this blog, you will be able to start your journey as a connected educator!

Blogging: 

Pros-

1. You are currently reading a blog post...need I say more?

2. An easy way to get all of your ideas out there and NOT have to repeat yourself a million times!

3. The best way to get ideas from other educators all around the world.

Cons-

1. Not having any visitors on your page :(

Google Docs:

Pros-

1. Many people can work on the SAME document at the SAME time...amazing, I know!

2. You can share your ideas and have other educators add their 2 cents as well.

3. You are the only one who can give access to other educator to collaborate on your Doc.

Cons-

1. Possibly not being able to grant permission to everyone who wants to be involved.

2. Having too many collaborators! 

Twitter:

Pros-

1. Super easy to use.

2. Easy to share articles and read articles that other educators have posted.

3. Link other users by using a hashtag (#).

4. Join a group chat in which you can obtain information on a certain topic.

Cons-

1. Chats are a little overwhelming because people are always posting information.

Google Hangouts:

Pros-

1. Works as a chat or a video chat.

2. Many people can chat at the same time.

3. Syncs easily with your Google account.

Cons-

1. You must have a Google account.

I hope that you have enjoyed reading this post and have obtained some useful information! I can't wait to see you in the online world of educators!

Mariela

This photo is under the CC0 / Public Domain License.