The Connected Educator Chapter 6 Summary - Camryn Juckett

    In chapter 6 of The Connected Educator, the author's main focus is how using a personal learning network creates another level of deeper learning with others who have the same opinions and interests as you. In some cases, they will have different views than you, which can be helpful so you can see from another's perspective. In the beginning of the chapter, she describes her own experience with this learning tool and how it has helped her level of knowledge and growth of her own personal views. She describes how her and another employee from Canada sent artifacts to see each other's culture. Personally, this is very interesting to me and can connect you with other people who have the same feelings you do about things that you never knew existed. 

    "A personal learning network "involves an individual's topic-oriented goal, a set of practices or techniques aimed at attracting or organizing a variety of relevant content sources, which are selected for their value, to help the owner accomplish a professional goal or personal interest" (page 92). This demonstrates how using this tool and connecting with others who have related studies helps complete your  own study about a topic. With the help of other's knowledge, your views can be influenced by what they know. For example, using a blog and posting your views and discussions about certain themes can attract people to your network. This eventually creates a connection where you are able to communicate with the public who share common viewpoints. 

    In designing your connected community, the book describes that it is very important that you need to be the learner first and teacher second. Engaging participants always starts off with a healthy community, without this nobody will engage. There are many characteristics needed to maintain a healthy community. On page 98 you will see an image of those characteristics. Community interaction does not only happen because of shared interests but practice also plays a big role. On page 98 it states, "Connected learners find that sharing mutual inquiry, and action research can lead to increased student learning. In community, we problem solve and reflect, building our capacity for change and influencing policy." 

    Moving on into the chapter, the author speaks about early facilitation. During this section of the chapter it describes how members of the community discuss diversity and how they want the future of the community to be. By doing this, they also include the history of the community and discuss shared history. This leads to the reminder of what it means to be a member of the community and how to include others in it. Including what other community members know and experience plays a big part in the practice. It is important to consider the responsibilities of the community and reflect on the members roles. On page 102 of the chapter the four "L's" of the roles are "Linking, Lurking, Learning, and Leading". Active members who take charge in these roles are the most important members of the community. 

    Connected communities are always built on the trust of the members and others involved. Bringing the digital community into face-to-face interactions is very important and should always be surrounded by positivity. These factors include "body language, facial expressions, voice intonation, and quantity of interaction" listed on page 106 of the chapter.  Ensuring that each member trusts one another can come from many activities and in person interaction. 

    Making the connection to my future career is a little bit challenging for me since my major is undecided. Some careers I am interested in is physical therapy, athletic training, and physician's assistant. In all three careers you need to use communication skills just like in a healthy community. Using communication is a key factor in listening to patient's needs and for solving an issue. Communication is often used in communities to reflect on views and problem solving. This is one way that the article relates to these professions. Another relation I can make between the article and these professions is by sharing viewpoints and interests between colleagues and even professors. While in school, it is important to maintain a healthy relationship between the student and the educator to better your learning experience. Also, sharing opinions with colleagues betters your knowledge within the career and personal skills. You can see other's opinions by taking the time to listen and understand where others are coming from, and in most cases listening to what others say can further your knowledge in the subject. 

    Creating these networks allows you to be very open and helps you in many stages of your life whether it be in your career or in general. Using the characteristic that are used in a healthy community are characteristics you can use throughout your life and especially in careers. After reading this chapter of The Connected Educator, I am very willing to create a personal learning network of my own to see the affect it will have in every aspect of my life and future career.