29 April 2009 - Views from the Chair: How are you connected?
The theme for this year’s conference is “Get Connected!” There was great enthusiasm around this theme during our initial brainstorm. Throughout the conference, keynote speakers and session presenters have woven the theme into their sessions.
As we approach the final days of this conference, I’d like to pose the question, “How are you connected to others in distance education?” In case you’ve never considered the idea, I’d like to share with you some ways that you can become involved or perhaps more involved in the North Carolina distance learning community while improving your knowledge and skills
Join a virtual learning community – As distance learning educators, we understand the power and value of a “learning community.” We also know that no one has to be isolated anymore as a singleton educator, e.g., the sole teacher/purveyor or chosen discipline in our department, building, or institution. How wonderful it feels to be validated by others with similar interests who may live hundreds of miles away.
Social networking software has taken hold of the professional community through networks like Linkedin.com or one of the many Nings (ning.com) devoted to education. In fact, last week, Steve Hargadon, founder of Classroom 2.0 (http://www.classroom20.com) shared his experience and vision for this popular Ning during one of our breakout sessions. During the same session, he introduced us to a new community, learncentral.org, that integrates Elluminate and is open to anyone, not just Elluminate customers. Closer to home, why not create a free profile on nclearningonline.org, a virtual community devoted to K-20 distance education. NC LearningOnline is closely affiliated with NCDLA and allows community members the space to blog, participate in forums, contribute best practices articles, and connect with other North Carolina educators in distance education.
Join NCDLA – This should be you first step toward professional connectivity. For only $25, you can become a part of a unique Distance Learning Association that is establishing itself as a model for other associations around the country. You’ll be directly connected to state leaders in distance education, and will receive the quarterly newsletter to keep you informed of our state chapter’s happenings. Don’t break ties with us now. This is your opportunity to become affiliated with THE organization for distance education in our state. To join, visit the Membership section of the website.
Make connections during the NCDLA Conference – The conference is coming to a close, but you’ll continue to have access to the Virtual Conference Center for several weeks beyond the final session. Remember that session you wanted to attend, but couldn’t? Visit the Elluminate Session Archives, located in the Information Desk section. Did you forget to “pick up” the handouts from a particular session? Return to the Breakout Rooms and locate your session by date. Did you think of a question or have an idea to share with a presenter? Return to the Breakout Rooms, click on the title of the session, and look for resources and conversation opportunities in the associated discussion forum.
Make yourself known – I’ve come to know some very interesting people by simply participating in online discussions. Whether you post a question or reply to someone else’s posting, engagement via online discussions is an excellent strategy for being heard. In most forums, your named is stamped with your posting automatically if you’ve authenticated to access the forum, as is the case with any forums associated with the NCDLA Virtual Conference. You can easily contact anyone who has posted to the NCDLA forums by clicking on their name. This will take you to a contact form where you an email them directly.
Take an online course – It would be hypocritical (IMHO) to think that we have learned all we need to know about teaching in distance education settings. As I asked a reluctant educator once, “Do you think technology has stopped evolving?”
I can’t think of any better way to learn more about teaching in distance education settings than to become a student in a distance education course. The experience of taking a course, whether it is for your own personal or professional edification, can also serve to develop a sense of empathy for the experience of the distance education student. For example, you might want to learn more about teaching online courses. Take a look at LEARN NC’s Carolina Online Teacher Program (COLT). While participating in professional development courses like these, you automatically become a part of a learning community.
Attend next year’s NCDLA conference in Historic New Bern, N.C. - If you enjoyed this year’s virtual conference, then we are sure you will find next year’s face-to-face conference equally enjoyable. Don’t let this be your last NCDLA conference. Start planning now to attend next year’s event during the first week of April 2010. Imagine meeting participants from this year’s conference and getting to know them on another level. Who knows - - you might actually meet before then! We’ll update you via email with more details as they are finalized.
Bobby Hobgood, Ed.D.
NCDLA 2009 Virtual Conference Chair
ncdlaonline@gmail.com
