Connected Learning is Priceless

Today I came across this YouTube movie by Silvia Rosenthal Tolisano. A year and a half when she posted this video to YouTube I was living in Bangkok and had never heard of her. I didn't write a blog and the only teachers I really connected with were those in my school, my previous school and teachers in other schools in Bangkok whom I met sporadically at Job Alikes and conferences.

A year and a half later I am in Switzerland and my students have skyped with students in Silvia's school in Florida, as well as with many other classes around the world. They have created blogs and wikis which they share with other students in their class and school. They have made VoiceThreads to share their learning with students around the world. They have made a Google Earth tour and have worked with a whole variety of Web 2.0 tools to show their learning. As Silvia says, the experience they have had is priceless.

How quickly our lives have changed! Once I used to have to wait my turn for PD, perhaps to go to a conference or to visit another school. Now every day I connect with educators worldwide who share resources and ideas. And if I have an idea and I want some feedback on this idea I get it in minutes from teachers around the world who make suggestions and share what has worked for them. The learning I have experienced as a connected teacher is priceless too.

I was reading a post on Facebook last week from an old colleague. She said: when time is spent it is gone forever. So as I reflect on my first year in Switzerland I would like to think I have spent my time well, and that for some of my students the experiences they have had connecting with others will remain with them forever.

Photo Credit: Bound by Domiriel