Submitted by Shari Kuehl (not verified) on March 2, 2008 - 07:28.
Suzie,
My name is Shari Kuehl and I am a fourth grade teacher in Lena, IL. I came upon your blog via my professor at Olivet Nazarene University. I am at the beginning stages of my master's program there. This site was a choice given as an option for learning about a blog page and its benefits for educators.
First, I have never been on a blog page or posted a blog reply. I wasn't even really sure what the word blog means. Complete novice! Upon reading your posting, I was immediately struck by your comments and questions.
I taught in a school in Iowa for 14 years, and collaboration was a must. At the time, I did not realize how amazing our principal was at directing our staff to just this type of teaching. Six years ago, my husband earned a new job in Illinois and my teaching career shifted. I went from collaboration, at so many levels, to complete isolation, on my own. It has been a long six years, and I am grateful that we are in the beginning stages of starting some team teaching. I know I am not the best teacher I can be in isolation. I am interested in how networking, via the internet, is going to change that. I am also wondering, at the undergraduate level, or education programs helping new teachers to access and enhance their ideas and practices in this way? I also think the concept of global sharing of ideas can lead to amazing bonds across borders, cultures, religions, and so much more. Are you seeing inherit common threads among teachers, no matter where they are? Are there patterns of similar frustrations? I am curious if teachers feel the same way I do? It goes back to that old say: TEAM together each accomplishes more.
My last question is the success of on-line collaboration. I am in a cohort, and everything is done on-line. The advantages are I can say what I need to say, and be able to polish them before anyone reads them. I can go at my own pace to fit my busy schedule. I also like that I can complete my sentences without being cut off. I will be honest, I am old-fashion and like and miss the human contact. I still think that is an important component of growth.
Finally, I like your idea that these connections are happening based on a need of the teacher(s) and not because it is a mandate. This alone to me, validates the genuine need and want for a connection of educators; no matter where we live. You can not make people collaborate, they have to want to. At least this would be a way to have those opportunities if your school did not see the value in collaboration.
Collaboration
Submitted by Shari Kuehl (not verified) on March 2, 2008 - 07:28.
Suzie,
My name is Shari Kuehl and I am a fourth grade teacher in Lena, IL. I came upon your blog via my professor at Olivet Nazarene University. I am at the beginning stages of my master's program there. This site was a choice given as an option for learning about a blog page and its benefits for educators.
First, I have never been on a blog page or posted a blog reply. I wasn't even really sure what the word blog means. Complete novice! Upon reading your posting, I was immediately struck by your comments and questions.
I taught in a school in Iowa for 14 years, and collaboration was a must. At the time, I did not realize how amazing our principal was at directing our staff to just this type of teaching. Six years ago, my husband earned a new job in Illinois and my teaching career shifted. I went from collaboration, at so many levels, to complete isolation, on my own. It has been a long six years, and I am grateful that we are in the beginning stages of starting some team teaching. I know I am not the best teacher I can be in isolation. I am interested in how networking, via the internet, is going to change that. I am also wondering, at the undergraduate level, or education programs helping new teachers to access and enhance their ideas and practices in this way? I also think the concept of global sharing of ideas can lead to amazing bonds across borders, cultures, religions, and so much more. Are you seeing inherit common threads among teachers, no matter where they are? Are there patterns of similar frustrations? I am curious if teachers feel the same way I do? It goes back to that old say: TEAM together each accomplishes more.
My last question is the success of on-line collaboration. I am in a cohort, and everything is done on-line. The advantages are I can say what I need to say, and be able to polish them before anyone reads them. I can go at my own pace to fit my busy schedule. I also like that I can complete my sentences without being cut off. I will be honest, I am old-fashion and like and miss the human contact. I still think that is an important component of growth.
Finally, I like your idea that these connections are happening based on a need of the teacher(s) and not because it is a mandate. This alone to me, validates the genuine need and want for a connection of educators; no matter where we live. You can not make people collaborate, they have to want to. At least this would be a way to have those opportunities if your school did not see the value in collaboration.