Unconnected to Connected - The Journey

Before July 1, 2013, I was clueless about the wide world of connectivity afforded by Twitter and other social media platforms. True, I had been to conferences and heard Will Richardson and Marc Prensky talk about the internet, digital natives, and a wealth of resources. True, I had always been a fan of integrating technology into literacy lessons. But in truth, I had not taken the leap of faith to enter the world of social media other than friending and viewing comments on Facebook. With the onset of what I call my "unretirement" as an educator, Twitter rocked my professional world. I became a connected educator, a global citizen breaking down barriers, regions, and boundaries to reach out to educators across the globe. Twitter became my viable channel to be expressive about life, learning, and literacy. It allowed my voice to surface, connect, and collaborate on issues of importance. 

Moving from unconnected to connected has been an expansive journey from no exposure, to lurking, to moderating #NYEDChat, to interviewing on live GHOs, to creating and launching three global virtual digital galleries of artistic expressions. I termed my blog Beyond LiteracyLink because of the interactive nature of my journey. Twitter, Pinterest, and GHO have allowed my individual voice to join with the collective voice of connected educators and citizens of the world. My message is clear: Be a risk taker! Move beyond oneness toward togetherness. Connected educators, together we are one!

(This piece of writing was featured as one of the responses in Tom Whitby's October 6, 2014 Edutopia blog post: The Connected Educator: All About Connectedness. It so happened that one afternoon last month Tom tweeted that he would like tweeters in his PLN to send in thoughts on the theme of being connected. I decided to act upon his request and penned this piece in the short time that I was allotted. This is not my usual style. Being a literacy person, I always like to have time to mull over my ideas and refine them before making them public, but time was of the essence. You can imagine how surprised I was when this was published thanks to Tom's invitation. Being a connected educator is a joining of collegial spirits who are inspired to grow as learners in a world of collaborative talk.)

Image from Pinterest

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Since this is Slice of Life Tuesday I thought it would be appropriate to submit my journey as a connected educator. This year has been one of bonding with virtual Twitter friends, F2F contacts in some instances, and an immersion in daily writing. With Connected Educators' Month upon us, it is good practice to stay committed to a profession that impacts teaching and learning on a daily basis. 

is sponsored by Two Writing Teachers today 

Celebrating Connections

This week was a week of Observing - Reflecting - Connecting - Sharing.

I Celebrate Connections!

When you listen intently to the voices around you, you are able to make deeper connections with your surroundings, family, friends, colleagues, and nature. 

Connections were a common theme for me this week starting with the #NYEDChat convo on Monday night with Jimmy Casas and Jeff Zoul. The lively discussion that trended on Twitter revolved around the topic of "What Connected Educators Do Differently" which, by the way, is the name of the 2015 book written by Todd Whitaker, Jeff Zoul, and Jimmy Casas. Prior to Monday's threaded conversation, connections were made with thought leaders, bloggers, teachers, and administrators via flyers and tweets that were circulated throughout the Twittersphere. #NYEDChat's Moderating Team worked diligently with Zoul and Casas to create a lively and engaging hour of power-packed statements. Educators from across the states raised their voices to share perspectives on how social media has influenced their professional lives. Strong voices joined the chat to celebrate the new age of connected learning.  

In the world of connected education, teaching with closed doors is replaced by open door, shared learning. Face-to-face and virtual professional learning communities and networks offer opportunities for individuals to connect with each other in a spirit of collegiality. Online educational chat communities such as #NYEDChat offer conversations on timely topics that allow educators to link and learn with each other. What connected educators do differently is that they passionately embrace new learning, openly share their practices, anecdotes, stories, and challenges, as evidenced by #NYEDChat's Monday night convo. As lifelong learners, they lead with their hearts and are committed to finding new avenues to affect change in teaching and learning.

In the past few weeks, #NYEDChat heard the news that it was nominated for the prestigious Bammy Awards in the Twitter Chat Community category. As the voice of New York State educators the Moderating Team of Bill Brennan, Vicki Day, Blanca Duarte, Dan McCabe, Lisa Meade, Starr Sackstein, Dennis Schug, Tony Sinanis, and I have been elated with the news. The announcement circulated and additional connections were made.

From the virtual world of connected educator conversations on Twitter to face-to-face professional development, I traveled this week. Each connection strengthened my belief in reflective practice as a common bond among educators who wish to become difference makers. Honing skills through the building of content knowledge and sharing ideas with each others in a reflective community of practitioners is the glue that cements the bonds of connected education. The journey from unconnected to connected is a notable trend that is beginning to take hold as educators realize the value of moving beyond closed doors to sharing practices and perspectives about teaching and learning with those across the globe in a 24/7 environment. The world has become smaller with the advent of social media. 

Shifting to a personal level, I noticed a mood change in my locale this week. Spring decided to make its full entrance on Long Island, a much awaited event. With the temperature rising and the sun shining brightly, I connected with the earth. Gardening, decorating my patio, and reflective writing allowed me to connect in a creative way with my inner self while enjoying the fellowship of family and friends. 

In the realm of possibilities and the spirit of moving beyond my comfort zone, I decided to try out a new tech tool, Sumo Paint, an online image editor. In the above collage, the picture of the nature preserve to the left is the real time photo. To the right, I altered the picture using Sumo Paint to create a poster, water color-like effect. Then, I took the images and created a collage with PicMonkey, a favorite tool that I use for the various online galleries of artistic expressions that I create. You can connect with me in the newest online global gallery, Spring's Symphony, that I am creating. The invitation is here. 

I would be delighted for you to celebrate connected voice with me in the future. Enjoy springtime and don't forget to observe, reflect, connect, and share in meaningful ways with those around you. 

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Because connections are so important, I am offering this post to two writing communities where many connected educator voices are raised each week: Ruth Ayres' Celebrate This Week and Margaret Simon's DigiLit Sunday.

DigiLit Sunday

Percolating Idea-Why I Write

Have you heard the phrase learning is messy?

How about changing that to writing is messy?

In three days, NCTE will celebrate the National Day On Writing. Based on a conversation with Laura Robb, I have been writing daily as part of my practice. What is writing? Is it a paper full of scribbled thoughts waiting to find a home? Is it my cluttered mind urging me to release my thoughts?

Despite the clutter that surrounds me, writing is my escape. It is where I dig deep, think on a different level, find a sweet spot to mine, and then excavate to uncover a golden idea. Are there bumps along the way, missteps? Of course! BUT for me, as a lifelong learner, writing is where I discover myself.

When did writing become a passion?
I started writing in a simple, marble notebook as a child. A chapter book emerged based on a favorite novel, The Bobbsey Twins. Little did I know in those childhood days that I was using mentor text as a model for my own writing. As I grew older, scattered thoughts were written in my diaries and scrapbooks. Continued writing led to high school literacy magazine submissions and the Mademoiselle Magazine contest winner. College life brought me closer to a dream: a Master's degree in creative writing. But as journeys go, life had another path. Even without that degree, writing has always been a part of my journey.

When I moved from an unconnected state to the connected world of social media, writing became my platform for change. Now, in my "unretirement years", writing surfaces in the form of blogging, poetry, and the creation of global galleries of artistic expressions.

Where do I write?
I have a sanctuary for writing, a guest room with a Victorian table desk but I seem to gravitate to my office where I am writing now. There are cluttered papers strewn across this desk, scraps of thoughts, start up ideas, and crumpled notes waiting for me to organize. A few piles have turned into little mounds begging for hands to thin them out. Despite the clutter, ideas surface and percolate. Sometimes, these ideas turn into the start of poem or a blog post. Sometimes, they start as wonderings but never brew. Other times, ideas just lay in piles. Creative messiness works for me now but I still want to find the bottom of my desk.

Why do I write?
Ideas need space to breathe, to circulate, and find a landing pad. I write to release them. Understanding that voice matters, I hope to spread the joy of positivity, professional and personal wonder, and the power of written word in a connected world. I write to meet this goal but sometimes, I spend hours trying to make a thought pop, or flow in the right direction. When that doesn't happen, tension builds and a pause button is needed to free my mind so I can go back to a writing state of mind.

My simple hack to release tension when writing does not gel:
I step away from writing when word weaving and flow are not happening. I recall one day deciding that it was time to step away from my writing world so I went to a restorative yoga class. Sitting in the stillness with all lights out allowed me time to pause, declutter my mind in a minimalist space, and be drawn into the moment. Being one with self was an awakening, a self-care step that reduced anxiety and decluttered my mind. With that fresh perspective, the trip back to the writing desk was filled with hope.

Step Back
Reflect When Writing Appears to be a Desert
Engage in Another Creative Activity
Feel Refreshed
Step Forward Into a Writerly Life

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Final Thoughts:
Last night, the house was quiet. I sat at my desk writing a draft of this post. My thoughts of childhood brought back memories when journal writing was the start of something, a pathway. I tucked those memories and scraps of ideas into a virtual pile to be sorted in the morning. With a feeling of hope, I fell asleep thinking that writing is a great antidote for the ills of life.

While each time I write I don't anticipate an "aha" moment, I do expect being in the zone, the place where passion meets creation. I recognize that writing is a messy process and the journey long. Knowing there is a sliver of an idea that might be the start of something promising, keeps the flame of writing burning strong for me.

Tonight, I return to my writing because word weaving is my passion and revision a step closer to making the following quote from the Greek philosopher, Epictetus a reality.

If you wish to be a writer, write.
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I am offering this post to three writing communities:

Two Writing Teachers for Slice of Life Tuesday
#TeachWrite for their monthly theme, Why I Write
National Day On Writing at the NCTE site