#INeLearn Archive
The #INeLearn hashtag is used for both asynchronous sharing and synchronous conversations. Include #INeLearn in your tweets if you want to share resources or questions with Indiana educators and school leaders. Asynchronously, the #INeLearn hashtag provides educators across the state of Indiana a central space for sharing. On Thursday evenings beginning at 8 CST/9 EST when you use the #INeLearn hashtag, you are joining a live conversation--the #INeLearn Twitter Chat. For one hour, we interact in real time having a virtual discussion.
Thursday October 20, 2016
We are finishing a 3-part series: Be a Digital Leader! Tonight, we are discussing The Digital Culture!
Let’s start with some intros! Tell us who you are & where you’re from. Lurkers, let us know you are there!
Hi, I’m Michelle with the Office of eLearning.
Good evening Michelle! Rock star in the house!
Katey 3rd grade teacher and tech coach Rensselaer
Great to have you joining in Katey!
Calling all ! Join the chat right now as we talk about the Digital Culture!
Hello, Chris Tucker assistant principal at Western Boone HS.
Tonight we will be using Q1 & R1 (response) as our format. Include the hashtag
Thanks for an amazing hour . Not bad for my first! Have a wonderful evening. Or join to discuss being a digital leader
Welcome to the convo Chris! Great to have you with us!
Tammy Farlow, Southwood Jr. Sr. High School, 8th grade math and Spanish,
In addition to our questions, please keep the conversation going organically, blending format w/ free discussion!
Good evening - joining tonight from Michigan where I am an EdTech Coach - Just finished a great convo about with
YES!!! Please join in friends!
Hey all - John from Evansville, English T, Tech Coach and (hopefully) Buffer between tech and Ts (hopefully)
. happy to be here and connect with educators!
Q1 Think big. Think the world we live in. What does our digital culture look like?
John! Great to have you joining in!
I'll have to check that out. Can't believe I missed it!
Our digital world and everything in it is broken into an infinity sea of data
. it was a really great conversation! Thought provoking! Threw some shoutouts to ignite last week
R1: digital culture encompasses the whole world: gaming,chats,no connections are limited.Sometimes language is not even a barrier.
R1 Change driven by tech. We can be more agile as a result of the process. It’s also creating new challenges
R1: Digital Culture is one where actions & thoughts are connected with others easily. Our actions impact many others all the time
Truly an infinity of data/information! Great word to describe it! https://t.co/HlK4e689yv
Our digital world and everything in it is broken into an infinity sea of data
R1 collaborative, innovative, empowering, connecting globally
Unlimited possibilities all around! https://t.co/HDbsagkFz4
R1: digital culture encompasses the whole world: gaming,chats,no connections are limited.Sometimes language is not even a barrier.
R1: Our Ss are coming into a world where things will be digital & as Ts or As we need to help guide them into the great unknown
Great point! Change. Opportunity. Challenge. All wrapped together! https://t.co/Qe3nOHpwnn
R1 Change driven by tech. We can be more agile as a result of the process. It’s also creating new challenges
You packed a lot in those 140! I wonder if the barriers that exist are the ones we've created https://t.co/sHrpkoPt8m
R1: digital culture encompasses the whole world: gaming,chats,no connections are limited.Sometimes language is not even a barrier.
Love that! There is a time & place for everything, even in the digital world!
Absolutely! And our Ss can guide us old folks as well! I think the cycle of learning is beautiful!
Maybe DIGITAL culture is just another way of REPRESENTING the analog world?
Agreed that the actions & thoughts should connect easily, yet digital culture can remove that connection
. Its always okay to admit that we don't know everything. Shows Ss that we are human too! They need that sometimes
Q2 What encompasses our school’s digital culture? What tangibles do you see?
. i don't it gets in the way, i just think that it is very different in its nature. something that we may not be used to
Can you expand on that, ?
R2: How Ts & Ss see SM and the internet. Is it helpful or hinderance? How can it improve outcomes? How can we use it positively?
R2: We established a core foundation skills that I believe encompass our digital culture.
I think the subtle shift in our digital culture often catches us unaware & creates humor like this https://t.co/hlWLQXuvc8
. DIGITAL merely means we use 1 & 0 to represent data so we should realize relevance of analog (real) world in all we do
People can forget they are still dealing with people (feelings) when the connection is digital
R2: May come down to filtering & beliefs of the Ts? Do we use fear to control culture? How do we empower & engage Ss in the convo?
R2 Digital culture consists of best instructional practices, digital citizenship, the 4 C's, & growth mindset
. IMO, that is where strong, thoughtful, & purposeful & come into play. essential that we teach
. not only , but use internet to teach citizenship! plus, help with the as well!
Unfortunately, we're seeing that same behavior in face to face exchanges. I see dig culture as a magnifier https://t.co/aEfgSn8WmM
People can forget they are still dealing with people (feelings) when the connection is digital
Q3 What are the hidden variables in a school’s digital culture?
Absolutely! Collaborative participation driven by engaging activities sets the stage for digital culture
. isn't it SAD how little choice our students are given to learn in SCHOOL in a world with SO MANY choices/
Jen, Tech Integration in Perry Township (Indy). Late and fighting my iPad, so mostly lurking.
T2 digital culture within schools must encompass skills at the core, the 4 c's, empower Ss and Ts, encourage risk-taking
People make the digital culture come to life.
Great point. I think it is time we change that!
That is a very on-target statement!
Jen, thanks for joining in!
., indeed it is. And the longer Ts & As take to see value in digital opportunities, the wider the gap grows
R3: Underneath digital culture, there must be trust, relationships, & the belief that risk-taking is valued & truly supported
Couldn't have said it better myself. https://t.co/bxzcSYaHAg
R3: Underneath digital culture, there must be trust, relationships, & the belief that risk-taking is valued & truly supported
R3: The Ts outlook on the technology has a big impact on the digital culture
Yes! What you put into your digital culture is exactly what you get out of it. Positive energy!
R3 Others have touched on this already...Design of use. Technology is neutral so the users are what determine its value
Fear can be a part of that outlook. The continual change as well. It's tough!
R3: History of the beliefs towards digital world. How has Staff been treated? Is there trust? Can Ts try new things?
R3: hidden variables in school's digital culture hinge on Ts interest in expanding their capabilities and trying new things.
. if you treat staff & students poorly around digital world, you will not have culture you want
Getting the Ts comfortable enough to take risks is the hardest part sometimes.
Q4 What barriers to do find as we build our school’s digital culture?
R3: Students' ability and willingness to be a part of that digital culture
R4: Fear. So many people fear connecting to the world. W/ strong knowledge, you can be safe. Negatives always highlighted
Definitely a barrier, . Cultural assimilation can be tricky--even in the digital world. Start small.
R4: Time can be a barrier to build a school's digital culture: time to learn how to use technology effectively and use it wisely
R4 Skittish Ts and School Boards.
You touch on some great points. Trust is HUGE! We must build trust to move forward in any culture!
. Trust is important to do anything and everything in any organization. Ts, As, and Ss need to know they are trusted
R4. One barrier to developing a strong digital culture in school is Anxiety; fear of the unknown or worst case scenarios
R4: When school leaders actively participate & collaborate with their staff in PD, the barrier of distance erodes & trust thrives
Fear prevents risk-taking. Prevents new ideas from entering, ultimately impacting Ss
Likewise, parents need a great deal of trust in Ts who are resourcing curriculum in new ways
R4: There is a YUGE generation gap between admins/ Ts/Ps and Ss
Participating in staff PD is one of my favorite things to do! Be a LEAD LEARNER!! https://t.co/rK5gqnnU0J
R4: When school leaders actively participate & collaborate with their staff in PD, the barrier of distance erodes & trust thrives
Leading by example and modeling vulnerability in front of staff can help school leaders relieve anxiety
Excellent point. We must also bring our Ps into the convo & culture of learning!
R4 pt 2 Also, inequality in access. Tough to connect digitally outside of school hours if some fams don't have internet @ home.
It is the power of WE that empowers a staff to come together to move culture forward. No titles needed.
R4: Fear in having faith in the technology. A willingness to try new things and to let the students explore.
Q5 How do we merge our world’s digital culture with our school’s digital culture?
. if you have experienced frequent failures in network/tech, you tend not to be willing to try it. must move on
There is also a huge gap just among the Ts on any given campus. Need to find ways to bridge this. https://t.co/ojyB9P122b
R4: There is a YUGE generation gap between admins/ Ts/Ps and Ss
this made me LOL, but Jack's level of trust may not be the healthiest :)
R5: Model Positives like Chat and others. Show the greatness of the tools and being connected. Trust your peers!
R5: Model Positives like Chat and others. Show the greatness of the tools and being connected. Trust your peers!
R5: I think our digital culture is already becoming our culture. Twitter was on fire during the debate last night.
. probably not, but parent participating in all of the schools would definitely increase
R5 I agree with Chris. We need see ourselves as digital citizens and we must seek to be better (part 1)
A desire to protect Ss from online bullying and inappropriate materials, fewer opportunities for students to misuse tools
R5: When we make learning visible by sharing & celebrating our growth with the world, we build connections as we seek feedback
R5: Overall, should there be a difference? Maybe some things specific to schools, but digital life=digital life anywhere, anytime
. so much of SM has played into our last three elections (08, 12, 16). Essential that we see the positives!
R5 (part 2) Then we need to take an interest in our students’ digital lives and begin to leverage the tools at their disposal
. that is really the point of being connected. Harder to distinguish between private/professional SM and connections!
Q6 How do you promote digital integration as not another “thing to do”?
. we also model the power of our use of the digital tools. So important that we highlight & celebrate positives
I agree: we help Ss appropriately filter themselves and filter the rest of the world as well
THANKS I just started a blog post on that very point just the other day so watch for it at: https://t.co/ulqwofEZNz
R6: I try to show how digital integration makes the Ts lives easier. That's helped with any naysayers.
Completely agree. However, there is still a divide. How do we bring it together?
R6 When we use the right tools for the right teachable moments by blending low tech & hi-tech it does not feel like an "add-on"
I agree. We get a lot of buy in by showing Ts how the tech makes their lives easier.
. I agree, but some Ts get frustrated when things dont work properly & might "shelve" the tech for easy on PaperPencil
R6 Modeling how tech can empower Ts and Ss both! Providing differentiation for Ss or just making tasks easier for Ts
Yep. It is just a natural part of our teaching. Good pedagogy is good pedagogy. Tools will always change.
Yes! It's about how we strategically model the use of the tools for the right pedagogical reasons. Love it!
Yes! Modeling is huge! We make it a part of our daily lives. We show its ease of use. We empower through example.
True, especially with older Ss. The public library has also helped connect our freshly arrived refugee families.
. pedagogy always has to take precedent over shiney tool! Must implement for right reasons!
Q7 How does digital citizenship fit within our digital school culture?
R7 we must take the time to teach it explicitly so that the skills will be embedded into school culture
R7: must move beyond the digital & extend to citizenship w/i school Need to start moving to little difference between them
R6 If instruc'l strategies are transformed to be S-driven then Ts are happy to bring in tech The question is how to change school.
Agreed. Sharing & modeling relevance. Build in the WHY
Amen! Don't show me that you can use 50 tools Show me 2 that are meaningfully enhancing your learning objectives
R7 DigCit underlies everything else. Can't have a strong culture w/o strong citizens.
You asked the BIG question right there. How to change school...I need more than 140 characters for that!
R7 Active citizens make our world better. We need to engage our Ss as DigitalCitizens so we need to learn abt dig responsibilities
Beautifully stated! https://t.co/XdG53bMaa9
R7 DigCit underlies everything else. Can't have a strong culture w/o strong citizens.
Wrap Up: What is your school’s vision for its digital culture?
Every failure is an opportunity to grow. Bring on the failures!
. fully agree. Would see 1 or 2 tools that a T uses that I can consider in my work! Of 50, i walk away w/ 1 to use
I agree:positive behavior is good citizenship everywhere,in all parts of the building, in all aspects of our lives
. so many times it is sad. start the conversations about meaningful integration. Use your favorite model!
Does this start with defining the digital world as a world so they see how they "live" there too? Makes it real for them?
spot on! I was thinking foundation, but I've been saying that a lot lately :) -glad you could join tonight.
Our goal is to coach Ts toward student-centered learning rather than teacher-centered instruction.
how much Love can this message get?
. it is a difficult but necessary convo to have. we must strive to push Ts forward. not all will like it
Perhaps we can challenge our Ts to talk about LEARNING instead of teaching. Student-centered means we become facilitators
for the teachers? Absolutely! It's kind of my driving message these days.
Thank you for joining & sharing your ideas this evening!
