Wolpowitz's Wonderings & Wanderings: Communication with a new tool and an old tool in a new way

cc licensed ( BY NC SA )
flickr photo by David Basanta:
http://flickr.com/photos/dbasanta/3283908600/

This week in our Flatten Classroom Teacher Certification course we are discussing asynchronous and synchronous communication. The last time I thought about those words I think I was studying for the SATs but they are so important in how we plan our Global Connections.

For my asynchronous (communication that does not happen at the same time) challenge I created a Google Forum for my Digital Art students. In keeping with our current school-wide policy to protect their privacy, I created it so that only those invited and with our domain extension can see and participate in the Forum. After too much time wasted trying to embed it in both my website and our Digital Art Blog, I decided to put the link as a new page on the Digital Art blog and also a link on my website. I sent out group emails from Gmail inviting them to join but will have to update you all later on how it goes as we are currently on school holiday.

Admittedly, synchronous (live virtual meetings) are not my favorite but chatting on the phone before internet and live webcams wasn't really my thing either. I did a live FB chat with a colleague of mine from my old school regarding World Maths Day and possibly connecting our high school math classes in the spring when studying statistics. Certainly, doing more synchronous communication should go on my goals list. And I do realize how important it is as stated on page 68 of Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds, synchronous communication often "humanizes those on the other side of technology".

The points from the chapter that really struck me with regards to communication are;

K-12 should be ad-free
online behavior has offline consequences
consistent online project leaders have constant habits of connecting online
synchronous and asynchronous blended leads to less burnout
fairness is brought into the group project equation - it is called USER ID
plan, plan, plan to respect global time frames
schools need to allow for flexible planning hours if teachers are going to plan globally
bring pull technologies in with a CMP and PLN for students (need to look into this further)
good teachers in these environments are coaches
build a network of trust and accountability
if there is not a reason to meet, there should not be a meeting AMEN
start with a good handshake and get students connected immediately
IM speak can be exclusive and rude